This ordinance was suspended some time ago, allowing candidates to put up signs prior to the 60 day limit. Conversely, the county ordinance limits signs to 4 feet by 8 feet in size and allows signs to be put up within 90 days of the election. Public comment was divided on the issue, with some expressing concerns about too many signs in Jackson, and others concerned about limiting the amount of signs and thereby possible violating the First Amendment to the Constitution: Freedom of Speech. The council and the city lawyer, Andrew J. Morris, eventually made a recommendation to leave the city ordinance suspended and not enforce it. The council agreed to do further research and have a solution by the November election.
The Jackson City Council and citizens
hypothesized whether or not limiting
the number of political signs you display on your property is a violation of
the first amendment. Most of the discussion centered on the sign size
limits and time frames. Currently, the city ordinance states that political
candidate signs are limited
to 18 by 24 inches, two signs per property, and cannot be displayed before 60
days prior to an election.
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