Political demonstrations and signs in South Paris violate Maine law

Supporters of presidential candidate Donald Trump demonstrate outside Vice President Kamala Harris’s campaign office on Main Street in southern Paris on Friday afternoon. “Political advertising materials – including signs – are not permitted on public property within 250 feet of a municipal office during voting times,” according to Emily Cook, director of communications for the Maine Department of State. The drop box for absentee voters in Paris is 20 meters across the street. Uploaded photo

PARIS — When some residents saw that the Kamala Harris-Tim Walz campaign had opened a local office on Main Street in southern Paris, the blue signage filling the storefront made them see the color red.

In response, a group led by resident Nancy Drew began protesting on the sidewalk, using Donald Trump signs and honking their horns, encouraging passersby to also express their dissatisfaction… or support.

As it turned out, both the Harris campaign and the pro-Trump demonstrators were violating Maine law.

The issue came to a head on Thursday, and on Friday afternoon the Maine Department of State issued a reminder to Paris that demonstrators were not allowed in the area.

On Thursday, one person called Paris police to complain when Trump supporters were standing in a street parking zone and unable to park their car. Chief Mike Ward confirmed that an officer responded to the scene and asked people not to disrupt traffic. He further said there was no indication of conflict and public safety remained their top priority.

Paris City Manager Natalie Andrews said the city’s code officer has determined that the sound level of pro-Trump demonstrators’ sirens does not exceed the permissible decibel level.

The owner of a nearby property on Main Street said protesters appeared to be positioned close to the entrance, as if they were obstructing entry and exit from the office at 20 Main St. Harris campaign staff and volunteers declined to comment on the activities taking place on Sidewalk Day.

Political signs supporting Donald Trump and Kamala Harris can be seen outside the Harris/Walz headquarters in southern Paris on Thursday. “…Political advertising materials – including signs – are not permitted on public property within 250 feet of a municipal office during voting times,” according to Emily Cook, director of communications for the Maine Secretary of State’s Department. The drop box for absentee voters in Paris is 20 meters across the street. Uploaded photo

Pursuant to Maine Title 21-A, Chapter 9, no political activity may be conducted or any political sign may be placed on a public roadway within 250 feet of a polling place or absentee voting site (town hall).

Harris’ campaign office is located across from the Paris ballot box at 33 Main St., as are Trump supporters, which is located on a 20-foot public right-of-way.

Emily Cook, director of communications for the Maine Department of State, wrote in an email Friday: “We are notifying the (Paris) City Clerk and parties that political advertising materials – including signs – are not permitted on public property within 250 feet of the Office Municipal during voting. Maine law further prohibits blocking voters from accessing mail-in ballot drop boxes while voting by mail, period.”

On Thursday, Paris city official Elizabeth Knox clarified that demonstrators can be on the street as long as their Trump banners are not propped against the ground or attached to anything. But she said several Harris signs leaning on the building and taped to exterior windows violated voter protection laws and should be moved inside. The signs placed on the windows inside were on private property and did not violate this right.

Knox responded similarly to an email from a citizen inquiring about activities taking place across the street from the Paris ballot box, which is located in the city hall building.

“As long as the Democrats don’t put up signs in front of the store, it’s fine, and as for people on the sidewalk, well, that’s free speech and I know the police have talked to them about being out and about in traffic.”

By Thursday afternoon, Harris campaign office staff had moved all signage outside the building inside.