2024 Revised policy regarding political signage
The State of New Hampshire has laid out provisions for the placement and removal of political advertising in RSA 664:17. The Town of Londonderry adheres to these guidelines in respect to Town-owned property. The Town of Londonderry has the legal right to remove campaign signage from public property, including Town rights-of-way. That right has been, and will continue to be, exercised sparingly. It is the Town’s policy to remove campaign signage from rights-of-way only if necessary for traffic safety. Campaign signage is not generally allowed on Town property such as the Town Common, Town Hall complex, fire stations, conservation land, and cemeteries.
For years, campaign signs have been a regular fixture on the parcel of property across from the Matthew Thornton School, which was formerly owned by Moose Hill Orchards. When the Town acquired that parcel, it continued to allow campaign signage there, and intends to continue that practice. The Town does not select which candidates’ signs are permitted here and will remain neutral.
There is no law stating how early signage can be placed, but the Town believes it is sensible to permit campaign signage once the filing period has opened, if otherwise permitted under the above requirements. Campaign signage must be removed no later than the second Friday following the election, unless the election is a primary and the signage concerns the winner of the primary. In that case, the candidate prevailing in the primary may leave his or her signs up until the second Friday following the general election.
Town maintenance or law enforcement personnel are authorized to remove signage that violates these requirements. Any signs removed prior to election day will be kept until one week after the election and may be retrieved by the candidate at the Town Manager’s office.
Mike Malaguti
Town Manager
Rev. January 2024