The Election is Coming – What’s Allowed? Restrictions on signage are fairly common in community associations like Grayhawk, as they help protect the aesthetics of the community. Typically, sign restrictions can be enforced like any other covenant but most states have adopted specific allowances as they pertain to political signage. With the November 3 election right around the corner, we wanted to make sure that homeowners understand the policies on political signage and canvassing in the Grayhawk Community Association (GCA) and Retreat Village Association (RVA).
SIGNAGE The State of Arizona allows political signage 71 days in advance of the election date and three days after. For the upcoming November election, signage is allowed to be placed on a homeowner’s property beginning August 25. There is no stipulation on how many signs a resident can place on their property, however, Arizona Revised Statutes, § 33-1808(C) states that “the maximum aggregate total dimensions of all political signs on a member's property shall not exceed nine square feet”. That can be one sign totaling nine square feet or nine signs all totaling one square foot each.
Arizona also stipulates that “A person has committed a class 2 misdemeanor if he is found to have knowingly removed, altered, defaced, or covered any political sign of any candidate for public office…” (Arizona Revised Statutes, § 16-1019). While you may not agree with your neighbor’s political views, we ask that you please respect the difference of opinion and their right to display signage.
CANVASSING In accordance with Arizona Revised Statutes, § 33-1808(G) the Association cannot restrict door-to-door political activity, including solicitation of support or opposition for a candidate or issue. For the Retreat Village, the stipulation is that a resident of the Retreat must be present with the group canvassing at all times. The GCA and RVA can, and do, require an identification tag for each person engaged in the political activity and ask that they clearly identify the candidate or issue they are supporting. While it is okay to hand someone materials when speaking face-to-face, we ask that you please not leave anything on the garage or door. Many Grayhawk homeowners are part-time, and this is a safety issue as it alerts potential burglars to the fact that a resident is not home.
More information about these topics can be found at http://bit.ly/politicalsignage and www.azleg.com.
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