With the political season quickly ramping up in Johnston County, officials are issuing reminders to candidates about the local rules and regulations for campaign signage. In an effort to maintain order and safety throughout the county, regulations are in place to dictate when and where campaign signs can be displayed.

As per county guidelines, political signage is permitted to be displayed starting 60 days prior to an election, and they must be swiftly removed within 10 days after an election concludes. In a bid to primarily ensure public safety, signs are forbidden to easily block views at intersections or be affixed to public utilities like poles, trees, or light fixtures. Furthermore, for those planning to place signs along state highways, they should be prepared to seek approval from the NC Department of Transportation.

A recent update to the Johnston County website clarified the timeframe for political signs to be placed in rights-of-way. "After reviewing our website this weekend, we noticed the site did not include the timeframe for placing political signs in rights-of-way in our area. We have since updated the website to reflect the correct information," Johnston County Board of Elections Director, Leigh Anne Price stated. According to legislation from the N.C. General Assembly § 136-32, signs can be placed 30 days before early voting starts, up until 10 days after the election, in state highway rights-of-way, with specific stipulations for safety.

Enforcement of these regulations is serious business in Johnston County, candidates are advised to carefully adhere to the rules to avoid potential complications. Failure to follow the guidelines may result in penalties or the removal of signs. Johnston County officials are advocating for full compliance and have made resources available for candidates seeking more information. The Johnston County Planning Department can be reached at 919-989-5150 for further inquiries.