Alcester Union & Hudsonite Online

Political signs such as these that are placed in the right-of-way are subject to removal by highway workers and the property owners are subject to fines. (Photos by Paul Buum, Editor/Publisher)

ALCESTER – With the June 3 primary election nearing, political and referendum signs are beginning to pop up like spring weeds in the area.

The State Highway Department, county officials and city officials have warned that misplaced political signs can lead to their removal or even fines.

According to state law, no political signs can be placed in the right-of-way of state highways, including Highway 11 through Alcester. The right-of-way generally extends 66 feet from the centerline of the highway. Any signs placed within that right-of-way can be removed by highway workers without notice, and can be considered Class 1 or Class 2 misdemeanor in some instances.

Signs placed within the city limits of Alcester, excluding Highway 11, have fewer restrictions.

“We generally ask that people place signs as close to their homes as possible,” said City Finance Officer Mike Kezar. “We just want to be sure that no signs obstruct vision for motorists.”

Kezar said city ordinances do not allow for any signage on any public property in the city.

Alcester City Ordinance 7.07.04 states that no person shall put up, erect, hang, post or suffer to remain so placed any sign, poster, notice or other advertising matter upon any telephone, telegraph or electric light pole in the city. No person shall paint, print, write, post or in any manner place upon any sidewalk, pavement or crosswalk in the City, any letters, words, figures, signs, pictures, notices or advertisement of any kind.

Union County Auditor Carol Klumper also announced that absentee balloting has opened in Union County for the June 3 primary election. Union County voters will also vote on the Hyperion Referendum on June 3.

According to Secretary of State Chris Nelson, any registered voter may vote by absentee ballot. Absentee ballots are available for primary and general elections at least six weeks prior to the election.

To receive a ballot by mail, a voter must file a written application for an absentee ballot with the person in charge of the election, in this case the Union County Auditor’s Office. The application must be mailed or hand delivered to Auditor’s Office and cannot be submitted by fax.

The voter's signature on the application must be notarized or witnessed by an official who can administer an oath. An alternative to notarization would be to send a photocopy of a valid form of identification such as a driver’s license or photo ID card with the application.

Notaries public are prohibited by law from charging a fee for notarizing an absentee ballot application.

The application can be filed anytime during the calendar year of the election. The application deadline is 3:00 p.m. on election day.

Voters who qualify to vote absentee may also go to the office of the person in charge of the election, complete an application, and vote in the office. This should be done prior to election day.

In the event of confinement because of sickness or disability, a qualified voter may request an absentee ballot in writing, naming an authorized messenger who will deliver the ballot to the voter. An application for a ballot by authorized messenger must be received by the person in charge of the election before 3:00 p.m. the day of the election.

The voter must sign a statement on the absentee ballot envelope prior to returning the ballot. All voted ballots must be returned to the person in charge of the election in time to be delivered to the appropriate polling place prior to the closing of the polls.

Uniformed and Overseas Absentee Voters

Uniformed and overseas citizens may submit an application or request for absentee ballot by fax or emailed image to the person in charge of the election. Absentee ballot requests from overseas citizens need not be notarized.

For more information contact the Union County Auditor’s Office in Elk Point at (605)356-2041.

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