Delaware’s Department of Transportation is encouraging political candidates in this year’s midterms to come pick up their campaign signs sooner rather than later.
DelDOT allows political candidates to place signs in right of ways around the state starting 30 days before the campaign. The signs must then be picked up 30 days after the election or the candidates face a fine.
It’s $25 if DelDOT has to come pick up a candidate’s sign after the deadline and an extra $15 if the candidate wants the sign back.
DelDOT spokesman C.R. McLeod says candidates need to be sure to remove the metal poles that go with the signs as well.
“They can actually be quite the hazard for our mowing equipment as well. So we encourage not only the collection of the sign but also the metal poles that are used for all types of signage as well,” said McLeod.
McLeod says DelDOT confiscated more than 600 signs during the campaign for being placed in areas not allowed in state guidelines.
Candidates have until Dec. 7 to pick up the remaining signs and McCleod suggests doing it before the weather gets more wintery.
“Once it gets very cold or very wet it can be more difficult for parties to get out and collect all those signs,” said McLeod. “So we do encourage folks now that the election is behind us to take advantage of the nice weather we’re having.”
McLeod adds most candidates are good about picking up signs before the deadline, but there will invariably be some stragglers.
