DPW: December 2, 2002

(Washington, DC) Campaign season is over, and elections have been decided. Now the clean up begins. District law stipulates that all political campaign posters displayed across the city for most of the summer and fall must be removed from public space within 30 days following the general election. On Monday, December 9, any remaining posters will be in violation of the law and the former candidates risk getting a $35 ticket for each sign.

"I hope that all candidates will comply and take down their campaign posters," said Mayor Anthony Williams. "Posters and flyers quickly become unsightly litter, which contributes to visual blight and erodes community pride and stability. And often, the appearance of litter and street trash in neighborhoods attract illegal dumping and other, more serious, forms of crime."

DPW's SWEEP (Solid Waste Education and Enforcement Program) inspectors are responsible for issuing most of the Notices of Violation for poster infractions. Earlier in the fall, SWEEP inspectors issued numerous tickets to overzealous candidates that posted excessive numbers of campaign posters along heavily traveled streets, to the irritation of many residents.

In fact, most posters are already illegal in the District, especially those signs that advertise or promote goods and services, such as auto repair, cell phone service, quick weight loss schemes and nightclub entertainment.