when do election signs have to be taken down

This is when election signs need to be taken down

Elections results are out, meaning the campaign signs littered across the city (the ones that haven't been destroyed, anyway) are now null-and-void. 

After a campaign sign run that involved a notable amount of vandalism nationwide, it's time to take these political proclamations down. 

According to the City of Toronto, signs for federal elections can be displayed from the moment the writ of election is issued (in this case, September 11), until 72 hours after voting ends. 

Polling stations closed yesterday night at 9:30 p.m., meaning legally, all signs should be off all private and public properties by 9:30 p.m. Thursday.

Signs still up on your lawn after that time might warrant a visit from a bylaw enforcement officer. 

If you don't want to go through the trouble of removing it on your own, you can also get your candidate or the third party that put it there to take it away. 

The same goes for any signs on public property like utility poles, bus shelters, or curbside, which need to be removed by candidates or third parties for the display. 

This year's federal election sign game was particularly vicious, what with the mock signs and anti-immigration posters, so the sooner they all come down, the better — except for the Harry Potter ones, I think those should stay. 

Lead photo by

Shoshanna Jacobs


Latest Videos



Latest Videos


Join the conversation Load comments

Latest in City

What's open and closed on Victoria Day 2024 in Toronto

The breathtaking Mast Trail in Toronto follows a 200-year-old logging route

Moore Park Ravine is an escape from the city in midtown Toronto

The history of what was once Toronto's grandest mansion

This is how Toronto celebrated Victoria Day over 100 years ago

You can take in breathtaking valley views along the Vista Rouge Trail in Toronto

Downsview Park in Toronto is a massive urban park around an artificial lake

Canada is seeing one of the worst standard-of-living declines in 40 years