ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Fifth Legislature, First Regular Session
political signs; removal date
Purpose
Extends, from 7 to 15 days after an election, the amount of time for which it is a class 2 misdemeanor for a person to knowingly remove, alter, deface or cover political signs or materials.
Background
Statute classifies knowingly removing, altering defacing or covering a political sign or knowingly removing, altering or defacing political mailers, handouts, flyers or other printed materials during the period commencing 45 days before a primary election and 7 days after the general election a class 2 misdemeanor. The period ends seven days after the primary election for a candidate in a primary election who does not advance to the general election.
A city, town, or county cannot remove, alter, deface or cover any political sign during the period commencing sixty days before a primary election and ending fifteen days after the general election, except a sign for a candidate in the primary election who does not advance to the general election, for which the period ends fifteen days after the primary election (A.R.S. § 16-1019).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.
Provisions
1. Extends, from 7 to 15 days after the general election, the time period for which it is a class 2 misdemeanor for any person to knowingly:
a) remove, alter, deface or cover a political sign; or
b) remove, alter or deface any political mailers, handouts, flyers or other printed materials.
2. Extends, from 7 to 15 days after the primary election, the time period for which it is a class 2 misdemeanor for any person to remove, alter, deface or cover a political sign of a candidate in a primary election who does not advance to the general election.
3. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
Prepared by Senate Research
February 4, 2021
MH/HF/gs