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ARIZONA STATE SENATE

Fifty-Fifth Legislature, First Regular Session

 

FACT SHEET FOR S.B. 1432

 

political signs; removal date

Purpose

            Extends, from 7 to 15 days after an election, the amount of time for which it is a class 2 misdemeanor for a person to knowingly remove, alter, deface or cover political signs or materials.

Background

            Statute classifies knowingly removing, altering defacing or covering a political sign or knowingly removing, altering or defacing political mailers, handouts, flyers or other printed materials during the period commencing 45 days before a primary election and 7 days after the general election a class 2 misdemeanor. The period ends seven days after the primary election for a candidate in a primary election who does not advance to the general election.

A city, town, or county cannot remove, alter, deface or cover any political sign during the period commencing sixty days before a primary election and ending fifteen days after the general election, except a sign for a candidate in the primary election who does not advance to the general election, for which the period ends fifteen days after the primary election (A.R.S. § 16-1019). 

            There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.

Provisions

1.   Extends, from 7 to 15 days after the general election, the time period for which it is a class 2 misdemeanor for any person to knowingly:

a)   remove, alter, deface or cover a political sign; or

b)   remove, alter or deface any political mailers, handouts, flyers or other printed materials.

2.   Extends, from 7 to 15 days after the primary election, the time period for which it is a class 2 misdemeanor for any person to remove, alter, deface or cover a political sign of a candidate in a primary election who does not advance to the general election.

3.   Becomes effective on the general effective date.

Prepared by Senate Research

February 4, 2021

MH/HF/gs