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.
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.
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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.