Political Signs / Electioneering

The Douglas County Election Commission has prepared the guidelines below to inform and assist candidates about the laws, rules, and regulations related to their campaigns. However, the Douglas County Election Commission has no role in enforcing these applicable laws, rules, and regulations, except at drop boxes during early voting and at polling places on election day.

Political Signs

Laws and regulations regarding political signs are found in State Law as well as individual municipalities within Douglas County. State laws regarding political signs cover all of Douglas County; however, each municipality within the county may adopt its own rules and regulations related to political signs.

It is the responsibility of the candidates and campaigns to remove political signs from polling place property within 48 hours after the polls close on election day. In doing so, you assist the Election Commission in maintaining respectful relationships with the sites that serve the voters on election day.

State of Nebraska

  • Interstates and Highway Systems
    • Political signs, posters, advertisements, or notices cannot be attached, fastened, or connected, in any manner, within a highway's right of way, including:
      • Intersections
      • Medians
      • Entrance and exit ramps
      • Sidewalks
      • Ditches and lands that make up the right of way bordering the length of each highway
    • The right of way can often be visually determined by markers, fence lines, or the placement of utility poles.
  • Primary Highway Systems
    • Large political signs must be placed on legally upright billboards.
    • The Federal Beautification Act, Nebraska Outdoor Advertising Statutes, and Rules and Regulations prohibit the creation of signs on the interstate or primary highway systems.
      • The only exception is within the commercial or industrial zoned areas along the primary highway system. A permit from the Department of Roads is required. The fee for the permit is $15.00.
  • Secondary Highway Systems
    • All political signs must be placed on private property.
    • Owners of illegally upright political signs, which are not on the right of way, will be notified by mail to remove such signs.
    • Secondary Highway Systems Within Douglas County
      • 72nd Street (from "L" Street to I-680)
      • 144th Street (from Highway 50 to Maple Street)
      • Abbott Drive
      • Harrison Street (from Highway 50 to 72nd Street)
      • Highway 38
      • Highway 85
      • Sorenson Parkway
      • Storz Freeway
  • Nebraska Department of Transportation (NDOT) maintenance crews will remove any signs that are improperly placed within the state highway right-of-way.
  • Those in Douglas County needing further information concerning the boundaries of state right-of-way corridors or seeking sign permit information should contact the District 2 permit office at (402) 595-2534 or NDOT's Right-of-Way Division office at (402) 479-4463.
  • To report stolen or vandalized political signs, contact the Nebraska State Patrol at (402) 471-4545.
  • Reference Nebraska Revised Statutes § 39-202

City of Omaha

  • Political signs, posters, advertisements, or notices cannot be attached, fastened, or connected, in any manner, to any of the following public areas:
    • Curbstones
    • Portion of any sidewalk or street
    • Trees
    • Posts
    • Poles
    • Hydrants
    • Bridges
    • Other public structure within the limits of any street right of way
    • Upon any corporate property within the jurisdictional area of the city
  • Political signs, posters, advertisements, or notices cannot be attached, fastened, or connected, in any manner, to any of the following unless consent is given:
    • Private or residential property
    • Private walls, windows, doors, gates, fences, billboards, or signposts
    • Private building
  • All political signs can be installed at any time prior to the election.
    • It is the responsibility of the property owner to remove the political signs.
  • Violation of these rules may result in a maximum fine of $500.00 and/or six months in jail.
  • For complaints or questions, contact the City of Omaha, Public Works Division, Street Maintenance, at (402) 444-4919.
  • To report stolen or vandalized political signs, contact the Omaha Police Department at (402) 444-5637.
  • Reference City of Omaha Municipal Code:
    • Chapter 55, Article XVIII, Section 55-823
    • Chapter 1, Section 1-10

City of Bennington

The City of Bennington does not have any special rules or regulations regarding political signs; however, they are covered by the rules and regulations outlined in Nebraska Law.

City of Ralston

The City of Ralston does not have any special rules or regulations regarding political signs; however, they are covered by the rules and regulations outlined in Nebraska Law.

City of Valley

The City of Valley does not have any special rules or regulations regarding political signs; however, they are covered by the rules and regulations outlined in Nebraska Law.

Village of Waterloo

The Village of Waterloo does not have any special rules or regulations regarding political signs; however, they are covered by the rules and regulations outlined in Nebraska Law.

Electioneering at Polling Places and Drop Boxes

Electioneering is defined as the display of candidate buttons, badges, bumper stickers, or signs; handing out pre-marked sample ballots or other campaign literature; verbally urging support for, or opposition to, an issue or candidate on the ballot; or gathering petition signatures for a candidate, political party, or issue. According to Nebraska Revised Statutes § 32-1524, electioneering is only allowed beyond two hundred (200) feet from the polling place and official ballot drop boxes.