Election signage
Election signage encompasses any sign, poster, banner or similar material aimed at encouraging support for a specific political candidate, party, referendum or issue in federal, state or local elections. This includes promotional materials used by candidates, political parties or advocacy groups during election periods.
Applicants wishing to install election signage must comply with the following applicable standards:
- The advertisement is erected or installed in connection with an election, referendum or other poll conducted under the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918 (Cth), the Referendum (Machinery Provisions) Act 1984 (Cth), the Electoral Act 1907 the Local Government Act 1995 or the Referendums Act 1983; and
- The primary purpose of the advertisement is for political communication in relation to the election, referendum or poll; and
- The advertisement is not erected or installed until the writ or writs have been issued or, for an election, referendum or poll under the Local Government Act 1995, until the 36th day before the day on which the election, referendum or poll is to be held; and
- The advertisement is removed no later than 48 hours after the election, referendum or poll is conducted; and
- The advertisement is not erected or installed within 1.5m of any part of a crossover or street truncation.
FAQs
What conditions do I need to meet when installing election signage on Private Property?
Signage on private property is exempt from requiring Development Approval, providing, the applicant is compliant with the Town’s Local Planning Policy 38 – Signs, Table 1 – Election Signs.
You will need the consent of the owner/occupier if you wish to place election signage on their private land.
Note: In the interest of public safety, the applicant may be requested to provide evidence they have either Main Roads or the Property Owners approval in writing. In the event evidence cannot be provided, the Town may remove or impound the sign or issue you with an infringement.
What conditions do I need to meet when installing election signage on thoroughfares and road reserves?
- Installation of election signs on thoroughfares or verges is permitted in line with Main Roads WA Roadside Election Guidelines. Signs will be removed if they are in breach of the guidelines or are posing an immediate safety risk.
- The guidelines can be found in the Main Roads WA Technical Library
What conditions do I need to meet when installing election signage on State road reserves?
- If you wish to place election signage on a State road reserve, you will need to follow Main Roads WA Roadside Election Guidelines.
- Assessment of compliance with the above conditions is at the sole discretion of Main Roads. If any Election Sign fails to comply with the above conditions OR is deemed to cause any safety risk to road users, Main Roads may remove the sign without notice, at the candidate’s cost, and an infringement may be issued (Regulation 297 Road Traffic Code 2000).
What happens with signage that poses health or safety risks?
In the interests of public safety, the Town may remove election signage if it poses a health or safety risk to the community.
The concerned party will be informed in the event Town officers determine that in the interests of public safety the signage has been removed. The applicant will need to arrange a suitable time to collect the signage.