Election season etiquette

Our country enjoys the privilege of participating in the election of local, state, and national political leaders. Many countries do not have that privilege. We (Dawn and Paul as Chairs of our county parties) jointly encourage the citizens of our county to participate in a courteous, respectful, and civil election season. Please treat the candidates and their supporters as you yourself would like to be treated – The Golden Rule.

The Montana Department of Transportation (DOT) oversees and enforces campaign sign criteria along state highways. Most candidates are aware of the criteria and rules for campaign sign placement. That criteria is published on the Sanders County Elections website under Candidates and Political Signs Info. Sometimes problems occur when volunteers put up candidates’ signs without knowing the sign criteria. If you volunteer to put up signs for a candidate, please know all of the campaign signs rules. Signs can only be placed on private property with the landowner’s permission. They cannot be place on public and state highway right-of-ways and such signs will be removed by road crews.

Campaign signs are the property of the candidate and their campaign. If there is a problem where a sign might be incorrectly placed, a call to the candidate will often get the issue corrected quickly. Signs must be removed within 30 days after an election (both the primary and general elections). Most candidates should try to take down their signs as soon as possible after each election. Please treat signs as the private property that they are because they are costly and belong to someone.

Regardless of which candidates or issues you support, please be courteous to those with different views. Let the political process play out in an honest, civil manner and enjoy YOUR opportunity to take part in that process. Thank you.

Respectfully,

Dawn Gandalf, Chair,

Sanders County Democrat Central Committee

Paul C Fielder, Chairman,

Sanders County Republican Central Committee