CARSTAIRS - Town council has approved a new election sign bylaw in the run-up to the October municipal election, including rules for placement of the political advertisements.
The purpose of Bylaw No. 2018 is to “encourage the effective use of election signs as a means of communication in a manner that ensures safety and aesthetics and that will be equitably applied and enforced.”
The bylaw applies to elections administered by the Town of Carstairs under the provincial Local Authorities Election Act, school board elections and any elections administered by Elections Alberta and Elections Canada within the Town of Carstairs.
Under the bylaw, an election sign may have a maximum sign face dimension not exceeding 1.2 metres by 1.2 metres, may not be illuminated, and must indicate the name of a nominated candidates or registered third party.
Signs may not be posted on walls, poles or attached to electronic signage, within five metres on either side of a fire hydrant, within five metres off any town-owned building or facility, on any recreation playing fields or so that to impede the use of the area.
Signs on private property may be erected at any time starting 45 days prior to a municipal general election, after nomination day for a municipal byelection, from the issuance of the writ and ending after the close of polls for a provincial or federal election.
Signs may only be placed on private property with the consent of the property owner.
Election signs must not be placed in a manner that obstructs signs placed by other candidates, shall not be placed within five metres of another sign from the same candidate, or placed within two metres from the edge of roadway pavement.
An enforcement officer employed by the town may remove any election signs which have been erected, affixed, posted or placed on any town property in contravention of the bylaw.
