Hold it, politicians … no campaign signs are allowed until Aug. 1.

It's the law and even though a Mower County Sheriff's candidate is accused of violating the campaign law, it's … well … still the law.

Mower County Sheriff's Department Chief Deputy Terese Amazi was caught off-guard last week.

"Amazi for Sheriff" signs appeared in Austin, Brownsdale and elsewhere throughout Mower County.

Then, the signs disappeared.

Amazi admitted she was confused by the statute's and discovered the mistake herself. "I read over the law and it was rather confusing. It referred to non-commercial signs and then it talked about an exception, but I decided the signs must be kept away until Aug. 1," she said.

Minnesota law does not allow non-commercial campaign signs to be displayed until Aug. 1.

All signs must be removed 10 days after the November general election.

The law is Minnesota statue 211B.045.

Not only did the Amazi campaign volunteers "jump the gun," so did other candidates, including one of Amazi's competitors in the sheriff's race and Patrick W. Flanagan, a candidate for Mower County Attorney.

And, it's true, in previous election years, candidates have begun placing their signs in front yards and hanging posters when the filing period ends.

It hasn't always gone unnoticed, but it has gone unpunished.

The Mower County Auditor's office, where county sheriff and other candidates must file their intentions to run for office, has the official campaign manual

for all candidates. Inside the manual is information about the posting of yard and other signs.

Any complaints about illegal posting of campaign signs are forwarded to the Mower county Attorney for review.

Signs have made headlines in recent elections.

An Austin City Council candidate was the subject of a criminal investigation, when an Austin Police Department officer observed the candidate illegally placing signs.

The police officer was the husband of an opposing candidate in the election. The policeman's wife defeated the incumbent candidate in that race.

Later the police officer was discharged from his employment with the city for unrelated charges.

This year, there are three candidates for Mower County Sheriff. Amazi is being challenged by Michael Cherney, an Adams City Council Member and lieutenant in the Lanesboro Police Department and Todd Clennon, an Austin Police Department patrolman.

Lee Bonorden can be contacted at 434-2232 or by e-mail at :mailto:lee.bonorden@austindailyherald.com