By Jennifer Garcia
jgarcia@riograndesun.com
Managing Editor

The Rio Arriba County primary election isn’t until June and early voting is on May 5, but some candidates already had signs up within city limits — something that goes against a city ordinance.

According to City Ordinance § 914, temporary political signs are permitted in all zones but they should not erected more than 30 days before an upcoming election. The ordinance also applies to political signs on personal property, whether it’s a candidate’s property or that of his or her supporters.

“No political signs may be displayed on private property more than 30 days before an upcoming election,” the ordinance says.

While there is no permit required to erect political signs, they must not be located in a public right-of-way except “as established and authorized by the public entity having jurisdiction over said right-of-way.”

Candidates have five days after the election to remove the signs.

A drive through the city on Thursday (4/9) revealed that the following people’s signs were erected:

• New Mexico gubernatorial candidate Sam Bregman

• Santa Fe County sheriff’s candidate Mike Martinez and

• Rio Arriba County Commissioner Alex Naranjo

Prior to that, Naranjo and his opponent Dale Salazar, along with Rio Arriba County Assessor candidate Josie Valdez and sheriff’s candidates Monica Salazar and Marvyn Jaramillo, also had signs up. Española Chief Deputy Clerk Diana Padilla said all candidates were contacted, to include Martinez and Bregman, and all complied by taking the signs down, except for Naranjo.

When reached by phone Tuesday morning, Naranjo said he took his signs down on Thursday (4/9) evening. He said he didn’t believe he was out of compliance because he’s not running for a city seat, but rather a county seat, and in Rio Arriba County, the ordinance on political signs allows candidates to erect them 60 days before an election.

An email was sent to Bregman’s campaign office, asking how long ago he was contacted and if he planned to take down the sign near a business on Riverside Drive. They did not respond.

According to City Ordinance § 908, violations could result in a $500 per day penalty and/or 90 days in jail.