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City hall eyes changes to London’s election sign bylaw

The corporate services committee voted 3-0 Tuesday night, in favour of sending the proposed changes to London's election sign bylaw back to staff.

The switch from first past the post to ranked ballots may not be the only change facing candidates running for London city council next year.

City staff are recommending changes to the placement of election signs during campaigns.

The proposed changes will be reviewed by the corporate services committee Tuesday afternoon.

Staff are recommending campaign signs be seven metres removed from intersections, election signs of the same candidate to be at least 10 metres apart and restricting election signs from being placed outside the ward where a candidate is running for office.

The only signs that would be allowed outside of a candidate’s ward would be signs placed within 50 metres of an adjacent ward.

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The current bylaw calls for signs to be nine metres removed from intersections. Staff is recommending a shorter distance to improve sight lines for drivers.

If approved, the changes would apply to municipal, provincial and federal candidates.

The changes would impact two elections set to take place in 2018.

The Ontario general election is scheduled to be held on or before June 7 while the municipal election will be held October 22.

Another change that will impact municipal candidates in 2018 will be a shorter campaign period.

Many Londoners expressed frustration with the 10-month campaign for council with many candidates hitting the stump soon after they officially filed their nomination papers in January. Changes made to the Municipal Act by the province moved the date candidates can file their nomination papers from Jan. 1 of an election year to May 1.

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