New Mexico Political Sign Highway and Election Rules

Under the New Mexico Highway Beautification Act (NMSA 67-12-1 et seq.) and Department of Transportation regulations, political signs are prohibited within state highway rights-of-way and on public property maintained by NMDOT. The Election Code (NMSA 1-20-1 et seq.) prohibits electioneering and political signs within 100 feet of polling place entrances during voting. These rules apply uniformly statewide and supersede conflicting local ordinances on state highways. On private property, political signs are protected speech, but municipalities retain power to enact reasonable time-place-manner restrictions consistent with the First Amendment.

NMDOT may remove signs in highway right-of-way without notice; election-day violations are misdemeanors with fines up to $500 or jail; signs on private property generally protected.