SDDOT Reminder: Election Signs Not Allowed in State Right of Way (1)

For Immediate Release:
Thursday, April 23, 2026

Contact:
Julie Stevenson, Strategic Communications Coordinator, 605-773-2898

PIERRE, S.D. -The South Dakota Department of Transportation (SDDOT) reminds the public that political campaign and ballot-issue signs cannot be placed on state highway rights of way.

"This time of year, it is common to find election signs placed along the state's roadways," says Craig Smith, Director of Operations. "Illegal signs create a safety hazard and may distract motorists from seeing important regulatory or directional signing."

The use of right of way is reserved for official highway signage only. All signs in the right of way that are not required for traffic control, as authorized by law (SDCL 31-28-14), are prohibited and will be removed by SDDOT crews as they see them or when reported. If an illegally placed sign is removed by SDDOT staff, please call the local SDDOT office to claim it.

Municipal ordinances regulating placement and removal of campaign signs within towns and cities do not have precedence over state jurisdiction and supervision of state highway rights of way within municipalities.
https://sdlegislature.gov/Statutes/Codified_Laws/DisplayStatute.aspx?Type=Statute&Statute=31-28-14.

Please find additional sign placement guidance on the SDDOT website here.

About SDDOT:
The mission of the South Dakota Department of Transportation is to provide a safe and efficient public transportation system.

For the latest on road and weather conditions, road closures, construction work zones, commercial vehicle restrictions, and traffic incidents, please visit https://sd511.org or dial 511.

Read more about the innovative work of the SDDOT at https://dot.sd.gov.

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