Campaign signs a reminder of long election season

Come the morning after a general election, one would be hard-pressed to find a campaign sign belonging to Judge William Rogers. His signs are down by midnight election night, said the second-term Lyon County justice of the peace, who won the seat of district court judge for Churchill and Lyon counties Tuesday.

Rogers said his efficiency is born out of the need to keep busy while waiting on election night results.

But superstition " like wearing an old jersey in a playoff game " and a pet peeve about campaign signs after an election, keeps him on the straight and narrow when it comes to electioneering.

Nevada statute prevents the placement of campaign signs within the right-of-way of state highways.

And signs must not be placed next to highways more than 60 days before a primary election and must be removed 30 days after the election. A successful candidate in the primary election may display his or her campaign signs through the following general election, removing them 30 days later.

Candidates and political groups have 14 days from Election Day to remove signs in Carson City, according to Carson City Municipal Code.

A violation of the municipal ordinance is a misdemeanor, but Carson City officials have not sought prosecution regarding political signs in many years.

A successful prosecution could result in fines up to $1,000 per violation and six months in jail.

- Contact reporter F.T. Norton at ftnorton@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1213.