POLITICAL SIGNS ON STATE RIGHT OF WAY ARE ILLEGAL

CHARLESTON, WV – As Primary Election Day in West Virginia approaches, the West Virginia Department of Transportation (WVDOT) wants to remind the public of laws regarding political signs placed on state rights of way.“ WVDOT understands the seriousness of this law while also understanding the need for candidates to place signs in areas as part of the political process,” said Joe Pack, P.E., Chief Engineer of Operations. The WVDOT has a duty to uphold the laws surrounding political signs placed on state rights of way. West Virginia Division of Highways (WVDOH) has the intent to enforce the provisions of West Virginia Code a7-19-1 as to the removal of the signs. WVDOH workers will pull any signs from the state rights of way and, for a short time, store them in the county highway offices to be picked up by the candidates or their representatives. WVDOH workers must also take time out of their maintenance schedules to remove signs.Primary Election Day in West Virginia is May 14, 2024. With work continuing in all 55 counties across the state, the West Virginia Division of Highways and the West Virginia Department of Transportation remind the public of the importance of keeping everyone safe in work zones by keeping “Heads up; phones down!”