Politics & Government

UPDATE: Fairfax County to Residents: Candidates Responsible for Removing Political Signs

County changes its advice

WEDNESDAY UPATE: Fairfax County has a new message to residents about who to call for the removal of political signs: It's the candidates.

"Political candidates are responsible for picking up their signs off roadways, but if you see political campaign signs on roadways that are causing a safety hazard call the Virginia Department of Transportation's customer service center at 1-800-367-7623 (1-800-FOR-ROAD) to have them removed," said a note sent out by the county today.

"Under state law (§33.1-373), these signs may not be placed on roads, medians or right of ways, which include sidewalks or ditches, and the area between utility lines or fences on the outside edges of state roads.

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"On private property, campaign signs should be taken down within 15 days after the election.

Last week the county told the neighbors to call the Virginia Department of Transportation for the removal of the election debris. VDOT was not happy.

Find out what's happening in McLeanwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The county's latest advice agrees with McLean Patch readers. 75 people have taken our poll and they ALL say candidates should be responsible for removing their own signs.

Please weigh on on the poll.

TUESDAY UPDATE:  Who do you think should should be responsible for removing political signs after the election? Choices below.

We'll let you know the results.

UPDATE 12 NOON: VDOT to residents call political  campaign offices for sign removal.

"We're not a litter company," said Joan Morris of VDOT's Public Affairs Office, who wanted to make clear that VDOT should not be the first place people call to get political signs removed. "We remove the ones that are a hazard."

Usually campaigns are pretty good about cleaning up after election day, she said.

ORIGINAL STORY: SUN. NOV. 13:The remnants of Tuesday's election still remain along sidewalks and roadways in McLean --- the ubiquitous and numerous campaign signs.

Who you gonna call: This is the job of the Virginia Department of Transportation. You just need to cal the customer service center at 1-800-367-7623 (1-800-FOR-ROAD). Tell them the location and away they should go, according to a notice from Fairfax County government.

Under state law (§33.1-373), these signs may not be placed on roads, medians or right of ways, which include sidewalks or ditches, and the area between utility lines or fences on the outside edges of state roads, according to the county.

Only VDOT has the authority to remove signs from state roads and right of ways. On private property, campaign signs should be taken down within 15 days after the election.


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