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House of Representatives
Session of 2017 - 2018 Regular Session

MEMORANDUM

Posted:	March 15, 2017 02:54 PM
From:	Representative Maureen E. Madden
To:	All House members
Subject:	Political Sign Act

In the near future, I will be introducing legislation to allow the display of political signs up to 30 days before and 48 hours after a general election, superseding homeowners’ association by-laws. Political expression is one pillar of our democracy that I believe needs further protection. Citizens of this Commonwealth should reasonably be able to promote a candidate or an idea of their choosing during an appropriate time such as a general election. While homeowner’s association by-laws provide important guidelines and set legitimate conditions and restrictions for tenants, they should not limit free speech in such important civic matters. Exceptions to my bill would allow a homeowners’ association to require a unit owner’s political sign to be ground-mounted while also limits the number of signs an owner can display to one for each candidate running for elected office. Certain building, landscaping and nonstandard decorative materials would be prohibited, as well as lights, balloons or anything that would threaten public health or safety. The political signs could not be larger than four feet by six feet and contain no obscene language or images. Please join me in co-sponsoring this important legislation to protect every Pennsylvanian’s right of political expression.

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