Ask Mr. Answer Person: "What are the rules for political yard signs?"

Mr. Answer Person says: "The November 7th city election is less than one month away.  That's why you've begun seeing yard signs across Decorah, supporting a candidate on the ballot.

Each year there are questions raised about political yard signs.  Of course, last year's presidential contest led to a lot of focus on yard signs, but this year's city elections are a lot lower profile.

Still, that doesn't mean there aren't regulations for yard signs.  The rule is, "Signs announcing candidates seeking public political office or pertinent political issues...shall be confined to private property and shall be removed within one week following the election to which they pertain."

That means, for the most part, that signs must be placed behind the sidewalk on your property (unless you don't have a sidewalk, which is a totally different issue!).  Signs can't be attached to street signs or placed right next to the curb.

Notice, too, that political yard signs have to be removed within seven days after the election, which means November 14th this year.  Winneshiek County Recycling accepts political yard signs at its Freeport location, so do everyone a favor and recycle your yard sign after the votes come in.