Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Elections Policy topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Ellis County adopts political-signs policy for county polling places, defines overnight restriction
Summary
The Commissioners Court adopted a county policy limiting political signs at county-owned polling places (size and quantity limits, placement rules), added an overnight parking prohibition from 9:00 PM to 5:00 AM and later removed language that would have criminalized violations after legal review.
The Ellis County Commissioners Court on Feb. 3 adopted a political-signs policy for county-owned polling places designed to balance candidates' electioneering rights with public safety and protection of county property.
Elections Administrator Jana Onion told the court the policy would allow signs to be placed up to 72 hours before voting and require removal within 72 hours after election day, limit signage to two 24-by-24-inch signs per candidate or measure, prohibit placing metal T-posts directly into county grounds, and require electioneering outside the 100-foot statutory radius from polling-site entrances. The policy would also prohibit vehicles with signage from remaining overnight on county polling-site property.
Commissioners focused on safety concerns at specific locations, notably the Precinct 2 subcourthouse on Business 287 where dense signage was said to impede vehicle sightlines and pedestrian access. Commissioners debated how to define "overnight" to prevent late-night placement of signs; the court agreed to clarify the policy so no vehicle may remain on county polling-site property from 9:00 PM to 5:00 AM. The sheriff asked whether the measure was a policy or an ordinance and who would enforce it; staff said it is a county policy and that Ellis County staff (maintenance) may remove signs that violate the regulations and hold removed signs for 30 days for retrieval.
After returning from executive session, legal staff recommended striking a section that would have declared violations a criminal misdemeanor; the court amended the policy to remove that language and approved the revision unanimously.
Why it matters: The policy standardizes sign size, quantity and timing across county polling locations, aims to reduce safety risks from oversized signage, and gives staff an authorized removal process while preserving statutory electioneering rights beyond the 100-foot buffer.
Ending: Elections staff will publish the policy and maps of county polling-site property lines, notify party chairs and coordinating entities, and work with maintenance staff on retrieval and storage procedures for removed signs.
