Procedure VII.7000.A.a, Electioneering

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Associated Policy

Policy VII.7000.A, Electioneering

Procedures

The College may make its facilities available for use as a polling place in any election that covers territory in which the facilities are located. If more than one authority requests the use of the facility for the same day and simultaneous use is impractical, the College shall determine which authority may use the building.

Regulations for Campaign Signage and Electioneering on College Property:

• Each candidate should be reasonable for the number of campaign signs and promotional materials placed on College property. The intent is that multiple candidates will be utilizing the same space. Campaign signs and promotional materials shall have back-to-back (two-sided) copy only (no three-dimensional, multiple-faced signs), shall not exceed four-square feet in size, with no dimensions greater than two feet, and shall not be displayed at a height greater than three feet above ground level measured from the top of the sign to the ground.
• Campaign signs and promotional materials may be displayed only by attachment to the ground; no signs may be attached to light poles, telephone poles, fences, pylons, fire hydrants, trees, other signs, or any other fixture or structure.
• Campaign signs and promotional materials must be placed in a manner that does not impair or impede in any way the use of parking lots, streets, roadways, driveways, sidewalks, walking paths, fire hydrants, or other similar conveyances or structures by the motoring public, pedestrians, or College students or employees. Signs must not be placed in any part of any driveway or parking space at a polling location.
• Campaign signs and promotional materials may not be placed closer to a polling location than the electioneering marker.
• Vehicles bearing campaign signs and promotional materials larger than a bumper sticker are prohibited from parking in the College parking lots serving polling locations unless campaign supplies are in the process of being loaded or unloaded. Parking is scarce at polling locations so occupation of parking spaces by vehicles for the purpose of advertising, political or otherwise, will not be tolerated; such vehicles will be towed at the owner’s expense.
• Canopies and oversized umbrellas (such as beach and patio umbrellas) are not allowed, except in a College approved designated location.
• Tables, chairs, and other such items and equipment must not impair or impede in any way the use of parking lots, streets, roadways, driveways, sidewalks, walking paths, fire hydrants, or other similar conveyances or structures by the motoring public, pedestrians, or College students and employees.
• Campaign signs and promotional materials may not be placed adjacent to early voting or Election Day voting locations prior to the beginning of early voting for elections and runoff elections.
• Campaign signs and promotional materials must be removed by 6:00 a.m. the day following the last day of early voting, unless the polling location will also be used for Election Day.
• If San Jacinto College is selected as a polling location for Election Day, campaign signs and promotional materials must be removed by 6:00 a.m. the day following the election date.
• Any campaign signage not removed by candidates or representation by the above deadlines will be discarded.
• Campaign signs and promotional materials that are deemed to be a hazardous obstruction to traffic as determined by the Harris County Election Judge or San Jacinto College will be removed immediately.
• Campaign signs and promotional materials should be secured to prevent becoming flying objects in heavy winds/breeze. Loose items will be removed.
• Candidates or representatives must remain in the designated area only when engaged in campaigning activities.
• Candidates or representatives must not impair or impede in any way the use of parking lots, streets, roadways, driveways, sidewalks, or walking paths.
• Each candidate or candidate’s representative will be allowed one warning in regard to the above listed procedures. Upon a second offense, the candidate or candidate’s representative will be asked to vacate the premises along with all campaign signs and promotional materials.

Definitions

Electioneering: The act of persuading (or attempting to persuade); communication intended to induce belief for a candidate attempting to be elected.

Electioneering marker: The electioneering marker is a sign placed by the polling entity designating the distance candidates must be from the polling location for electioneering.

Polling place: A building where voting takes place during an election, typically one that normally has another function, such as a school.