Deadlines to get rid of Political Signs in the Quad Cities - CBS4 - WHBF Quad Cities, IL-IA News Weather Sports

Deadlines to get rid of Political Signs in the Quad Cities

By: Christine Souders

csouders@cbs4qc.com

The election is over, but some signs of the campaign are still standing, but time is running out to get rid of them. 

It's been days since Tuesday's Election, and depending on which side of the river you live on, it's only a matter of time before the political signs have to go.

You can still see evidence of Tuesday's battle at the polls as you drive through Quad City neighborhoods.

"On the off years for just Senate races and House races, it's not as plentiful, but when you get to the 4 year and the Presidential race, it's exponential," said Eric Larson, Community Services in Davenport.

City Leaders say the State of Iowa allows seven days after the election for residents and candidates to remove yard signs. Elma Westerfield lives on a busy street in Davenport, and still has three signs posted in her front yard.

Elma says she's waiting for the people who dropped them off to take them away, "If they don't pick them up, I'll just take them up and lay them on the curb, and they'll come and get them."

City Leaders on the Illinois side of the Mississippi say they started plucking the signs from public property the day after the election. But unlike Iowa's deadline, Illinois residents can keep their yard signs for 180 days from the time they first get posted,and city leaders in both states agree, the sooner they go, the better, because it's just not a good look.

"Its clutter is what it comes down to and a lot of times if their dropped in the right away at a busy intersection, that can cause a traffic hazard or impairment for drivers," said Larson.

And Quad Citians, like Elma Westerfield say she's ready to take back her yard, "Come and get their signs."

The majority of political signs, still out there, were posted by the candidates' campaign workers, and the campaigns are the first to be contacted by the city to remove them. But residents who put the signs in their yards themselves, you are responsible for pitching them.