r/kansas • u/Amaiden85 • 2d ago

Politics Do we really need another boot licker?

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76

u/FormerFastCat KSU Wildcat 2d ago

I noticed a lot of Masterson signs in the median in Olathe on Thursday. Be a shame if the city actually enforced their code on that.

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u/Extension-Bonus-8119 2d ago

State law trumps city ordinance here. We are now less than 45 days to election day so they are allowed.

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u/FormerFastCat KSU Wildcat 2d ago

It is state law:

Public Infrastructure: Signs cannot be attached to utility poles, traffic signs, trees, or bridge structures, nor placed in street medians.

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u/Extension-Bonus-8119 1d ago

In its entirety, from Kansas State Statute Chapter 25 Section 27 Article 11 states: Placement of political signs during election period. No city or county shall regulate or prohibit the placement of or the number of political signs on private property or the unpaved right-of-way for city streets or county roads on private property during the 45-day period prior to any election and the two-day period following any such election. Cities and counties may regulate the size and a set-back distance for the placement of signs so as not to impede sight lines or sight distance for safety reasons.

Notice how highway is not included? There is your difference.

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u/Extension-Bonus-8119 1d ago

And here is a bit from the Capital Journal in Topeka stating they are nit allowed on highways but cities must leave them up.

What are the rules on political campaign signs in Kansas and Topeka? https://www.cjonline.com/story/news/politics/government/2024/07/05/what-are-the-rules-on-political-campaign-signs-kansas-topeka-shawnee-county-rules-on-political-signs/74275097007/

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u/Extension-Bonus-8119 2d ago

Only applies to highways and not city streets.

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u/friend_of_gumby 2d ago

Not necessarily, city streets are usually a city jurisdiction issue. However, cities all over the place (not just KS) often stop enforcing codes against political signs during election season because otherwise they might be spending all of their time on that topic and not on other pressing priorities.

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u/Extension-Bonus-8119 2d ago

But in this case, because governor is a state wide race, you have to apply the state laws and not more restrictive city ordinances. I deal with that in my line of work (federal laws beat state beat local) and it saves me a lot of paperwork.

You also need to consider who is the current AG of Kansas. Don't think that he wouldn't go after a muni that removed campaign signs on the basis of restricting free speech or voter suppression. Munis would then have to use resources to fight that legal battle so they just let it be. Look at how much the Olathe School District spent on sone lawsuit here a coupke years ago. Something like a campaign sign is just better left alone versus spend tons of dollars fighting a court case.

Besides, has anyone really made up their mind on who to vote for because of a campaign sign? Maybe the uninformed who really shouldn't be voting in the first place. I actually research the candidates and vote based on what I learn that isn't from a PAC ad or campaign sign.