Residents and political candidates in Mountain Home are reminded that campaign signs for the upcoming general election may be displayed within city limits starting Friday. City Clerk Scott Liles emphasized that any political signs placed before this date could be removed by city officials without prior notice.
The state’s general election will be held on November 3 and will include races for governor, U.S. Congress, the state Legislature, and various local contests. Mountain Home’s Ordinance No. 2025-26 sets a 60-day pre-election window for displaying political signs. With the 60-day mark falling on September 4, no signs for any race on the ballot may be displayed before that date.
“If it’s a political yard sign inside the city limits of Mountain Home, then the 60-day rule applies to it,” Liles explained. “It doesn’t matter if it’s a sign for a state race, a countywide contest, or a City Council race.”
On the local ballot, all Mountain Home voters will see a contested City Council race between Ward 3, Position 2 incumbent Carry Manuel and challenger Mary O’Shields. Additionally, voters in parts of the city will decide a justice of the peace race between District 8 incumbent Eddie Griffin and Micha Johnson.
Violations of the city’s sign ordinance could result in fines ranging from $25 to $100, assessed to the property owner where the sign is displayed. Unauthorized signs may also be removed by the city without notice, though Liles noted enforcement typically begins with a phone call or visit.
“In my four years as City Clerk, I don’t think we have ever had to write a ticket for illegal political signage, but the City is not afraid to exercise that option should it be required,” said Liles.
He also reminded residents and candidates to avoid placing signs on municipal, county, state, or federal rights-of-way. Any signs placed too close to streets or highways risk being removed by authorities.
“Every election cycle, the city will pick up a handful of campaign signs for being inside the right-of-way along the city streets,” Liles said. “And the Arkansas Department of Transportation is always very vigilant about signs being placed inside their right-of-way along the state highways.”
Confiscated signs are typically returned to campaigns, with Liles noting, “I know from experience how expensive campaign signs can get, so we try and get them back into the candidates’ hands if possible.”
The ordinance also requires all campaign signs to be removed within five days after the election, meaning signs must come down by November 8 unless a runoff occurs. In the case of a runoff, signs can remain up through that election, with the five-day removal rule applying afterward.
Residents or candidates with questions about the sign ordinance are encouraged to contact Liles’ office at (870) 425-5943 or by email at sliles@MountainHomeAR.gov.