For those wondering what the rules are as they relate to political signs in the City of Bridgeport, well, there really are no rules. At least, there are no city ordinances that regulate them, Bridgeport Community Development Director Randy Spellman said.

 

“Political signage is free and clear of rules in the city,” said Spellman. “There was a lawsuit against the ordinance the city had in place several years ago by a resident on Easy Street and that lawsuit was successful so there are really no rules.”

 

“The result of the lawsuit was that the city was told restrictions were a violation of first amendment rights,” Spellman said. “Every attempt to get something back on the books, not for the purpose of restricting free speech but for the purpose of making sure too many signs didn’t clutter the city, our legal staff would review and basically let us know the language too close to the language the court ruled against us on.”

 

What that means is that political signs in Bridgeport can be as big as they want to be. There can be as many as any person can put in one area and any other idea a candidate or a supporter can think of.

 

However, there are still some rules that come with the signs. Those rules, however, are at the state level and also are on the personal level.

 

“Signs still aren’t allowed in the public right of way. Those will be removed, specifically if they’re in a state right of way,” said Spellman. “Really, if it’s on private property there are no regulations.”

Of course, property owners should be notified when a sign is being placed on private property. Spellman said that’s usually not a problem. For the most part, he said, complaints regarding signs have been minimal.

 

“When the ordinance was first removed we did get complaints, but the complaints were generally from individuals who felt there were too many signs,” Spellman said. “In recent elections, there have been very few complaints before or after the election as it relates to political signage.”

 

The election is scheduled for June 11. The election is nonpartisan.

 

The last day for Bridgeport residents to register to vote in this election is May 21. Qualified residents wishing to register should contact the Harrison County Court House Voter’s Registration Office at 304-624-8614.

 

Early voting will be conducted in the City Clerk’s Office May 29 through June 8. Any Bridgeport voter may cast a ballot during the early voting period without giving a reason for voting early. Early voting will take place at City Hall between 7:30 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday and 9 a.m.to 5 p.m. Saturday, June 1, and Saturday, June 8. Applications to vote absentee by mail will be accepted through June 5.

 

 The voting precinct information for the 2013 Municipal Election is as follows:

 

- Precinct #123 – Simpson Creek Baptist Church Youth & Family Life Building

- Precinct #124 – Simpson Creek Baptist Church Youth & Family Life Building

- Precinct #125 – Simpson Grade School

- Precinct #126 – Johnson Elementary School

- Precinct #129 – Bridgeport High School (Home Ec Room)

- Precinct #129-A – Bridgeport High School (Cafeteria)

- Precinct #129-B – Bridgeport High School (Cafeteria)

 

 On Election Day (June 11), polls will be open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

 

 New terms of office begin on July 1.