Political Signs Prohibited On State Highway Right-Of-Ways

With election day in Oklahoma just two weeks away, the Oklahoma Department of Transportation is reminding candidates and their campaign workers about the proper placement of political signs on state highway right-of-ways.

ODOT asks candidates to comply with state law and not place signs in a highway right-of-way or on a bridge.

State Law [69 O.S. § 1208 (b)]

(b) It shall be unlawful for any person to construct, maintain or operate any gasoline pump, driveway canopy, building, sign, fence, post, or any thing or structure on or overhanging any right of way, or upon or overhanging any street occupied by a designated state or federal highway, and the construction or maintaining of any such thing or structure on or overhanging any federal or state highway shall constitute a public nuisance, which may be summarily abated by the Commission or its officers, agents, servants and employees in the manner provided in this article.

ODOT says political signs in the right-of-way can be a safety hazard, distracting drivers. The department says campaigns can place signs on private property with the landowner's permission.

Inside city limits, ODOT suggests campaigns check local ordinances; however, if the right-of-way is a state-maintained highway or bridge, political signs are prohibited.