Why your political yard sign has a right to stick around

Flashback: The Ohio Supreme Court curbed the lawn arm of the law in Painesville, striking down a local rule allowing political signs only 17 days before an election and requiring removal within 48 hours afterward.

• The case began in 1997 when a law firm was charged with a misdemeanor for displaying a political sign too early and refusing to remove it.
• Fined $250, the firm appealed and won. The court ruled the restrictions violated free speech protections for a single political sign on private property.

Yes, but: Cities have more authority over signs on public property.

• Blue Ash requires election signs in designated public rights-of-way to be removed or replaced within seven days.
• Anderson Township removes illegally placed signs from public property, holding them for about 30 days.

The bottom line: Thanks to a little pain up in Painesville, your political expression doesn't expire on Election Day.