(Update 9/9/16 – The Iowa Secretary of State’s Office said [with regard to Lund’s statement as to when campaign signs may be placed on property]There is not a law that specifies how early or late campaign signs can be displayed.   There were restrictions years ago but a court ruling that cited the First Amendment removed them. )

The election season has emotions running high on all fronts, including from the presidential candidates themselves. In Atlantic, a yard sign erected at 3^rd and Maple Streets, has drawn complaints from citizens for its vulgarity.

The sign, which reads “Trump that “B****, before it’s too late,” is with regard to the Trump/Clinton presidential race. City Administrator John Lund tells KJAN News there is nothing in the Zoning Ordinance that allows the City to call for removal of the sign, but there are restrictions on when those signs can be placed, and common sense should prevail with regard to the language.

(Edited for content)

Lund says political signs are not allowed to be placed in yards within the City Limits more than 60 days prior to, or 10 days after, an election, meaning if the property owner in question takes it down now, it could be put back up on Saturday. A new ordinance being drafted is coming, but in the meantime, “People should have a little decency in their standards, and think up what they’re putting up there.”

Lund says in October, the Code will be changed to state “Indecent/vulgar images, or offensive language are not permitted on signage within City limits.” He says there have been some complaints about the sign.

He said he’ll talk with the home owner and ask him to remove the sign, which Lund says is “Not family friendly.” He said also, the end of the election season can’t come soon enough. “It’s a hyper-partisan situation right now. I’ll be glad when the election is over. I think everyone will be.”