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ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Fifth Legislature, First Regular Session
political signs; condominiums; planned communities
Purpose
Extends the period during which a condominium or planned community association (HOA) cannot prohibit political signs. Extends, from 60 to 71 days before a primary election, the time period for which a city, town or county is prohibited from removing, altering, defacing or covering political signs.
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 the period ends fifteen days after the primary election for a sign for a candidate in the primary election who does not advance to the general election (A.R.S. § 16-1019).
An HOA cannot prohibit the outdoor display of political signs by a unit owner or member earlier than 71 days before the day of an election and later than 3 days after an election day. An HOA cannot require political signs to be commercially produced or professionally manufactured or prohibit the utilization of both sides of a political sign (A.R.S. §§ 33-1261 and 33-1808).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.
Provisions
1. Extends, from 60 to 71 days before a primary election, the time period for which a city, town or county is prohibited from removing, altering, defacing or covering a political sign.
2. Prohibits an HOA from prohibiting the display of political signs during the period:
a) beginning 71 days before a primary election, rather than 71 days before an election; and
b) ending 15 days after the general election, rather than 3 days after an election.
3. Allows an HOA to prohibit the display of a political sign more than 15 days after a primary election for a candidate that does not advance to the general election
4. Makes technical and conforming changes.
5. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
Prepared by Senate Research
February 11, 2021
MH/HF/gs