After Elections Are Gone, Campaign Signs Remain

The remnants of elections on Nov. 8 still remain along sidewalks and roadways and at major intersections and roads in Vienna and throughout Fairfax County: ubiquitous and numerous campaign signs.

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. But many appear there anyway.

Only VDOT has the authority to remove signs from state roads and right of ways.

The Virginia Department of Transportation urges residents to call campaigns for sign removal first.

According to a notice from Fairfax County, however, residents can call the VDOT customer service center at 1-800-367-7623 (1-800-FOR-ROAD) and tell them the location and away they should go, 

"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.

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

Information provided by VDOT and Fairfax County.