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Kentucky’s May primary remains 10 weeks away, but evidence of the election is already emerging on billboards and vehicles around Clark County.

With several high-profile races on the ballot this year, candidates are likely to rely heavily on signs to help promote their campaigns, and if past years are any indication, contention over signage is almost inevitable.

“There are issues with signs, and as long as I can remember, every campaign, one or more issues will come up,” said Clark County Judge-Executive Henry Branham.

Under local code in Winchester and Clark County, political signs are forbidden until 30 days prior to an election and must be removed within five days after an election.

Signs are not allowed in public rights-of-way and property owners may only place one sign per candidate per street frontage.

Yard signs do not require permits, said Rhonda Cromer, director of the Winchester-Clark County Planning and Development Office. But some special rules do apply in other circumstances.

For instance, any large sign attached to a building requires a permit, she said.

Also, political signs are allowed earlier in store front widows when candidates use the store as campaign headquarters. However, planning and zoning regulations govern how much of the storefront may be dedicated to signage, Cromer said.

Code also stipulates that political signs may be attached to vehicles, as long as the vehicles are used in the normal course of daily business for the candidate.

In addition to local rules, state law prohibits electioneering within 300 feet of a polling place on election day, said County Attorney Brian Thomas, although the statute exempts bumper stickers under a certain size.

Branham said candidates consider signs a vital part of the campaign and are already developing plans for signs despite the 30-day limitation.

Cromer expressed optimism that candidates will follow the rules, but she also cautioned that people often find loopholes, and the office has difficulty policing every potential violation.

“It is probably going to be even more crazy this year, but we enforce it as best we can with what we have to work with,” she said. “We have one code enforcement officer, and she stays as busy as she can be under the best of circumstances.”

Residents can report a violation by contacting the Office of Planning and Community Development at 744-7019.

Cromer said the office usually sends a first notification asking the violator to remedy the matter in a reasonable time frame. If not, a second notice is issued warning of possible legal action.

Ultimately, continuous violations may lead to action in criminal court, although the Winchester Board of Commissioners and the Clark County Fiscal Court are in the process of establishing a hearing board to address the lion’s share of code issues.

Cromer said officials try not to act too heavy handed.

“If everybody follows the rules, we will all be on an even playing field,” she said.

Contact Mike Wynn at mwynn@winchestersun.com.

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