OLYMPIA…A bill prime-sponsored by Senator Don Benton, R-Vancouver, that grants equal political free speech and expression rights was signed into law by the governor today.

“Every election year, homeowners are surprised to find that their homeowners’ associations don’t allow political yard signs,” said Benton, ranking Republican on the Senate committee that oversees housing issues.

The bill, Substitute Senate Bill 6064, prohibits homeowners’ associations from banning political yard signs before an election.

Jennifer Shaw from the American Civil Liberties Union of Washington said, “It has been an important issue to our members because they want the same political free speech rights as every other homeowner in the state.”

Typical homeowners’ association covenants regulate such things as architectural designs of homes, the size of mailboxes and the placement of satellite dishes, and impose fines for violations.

Last session, with Benton’s support, a bill protecting the rights of homeowners within homeowners’ associations to install flagpoles and display the American flag was also signed into law.

“Homeowners’ associations should have the right to place reasonable restrictions on people, but not ones that limit freedom of speech and expression.” Benton added. “I am proud to offer these fundamental political and democratic protections.”

After Benton thanked the governor for signing his bill, she said that she was excited about it because her own mother was prohibited by her homeowners’ association from displaying a “Gregoire for Governor” yard sign.

“She said that she told her mother that it was alright, but her mother wouldn’t break the rules,” Benton added. “It was great to see how excited the governor was about this bill. She said that she was proud to sign a bill that preserves something as fundamental as political free speech.”

-30-

For more information contact Tami Davis (360) 786-7519 or davis.tami@leg.wa.gov