Campaign sign rules + templates
Alabama’s 2026 election calendar is packed: statewide primaries on May 19, primary runoffs on June 16, and the general election on November 3. If you’re running, your yard sign design needs to be ready long before those dates.
Below are simple Alabama-ready primary yard sign template ideas you can plug your name into and hand off to our design team.
Always double-check your state and local sign rules before printing. Still, these layouts work for everything from city council and county commission to school board, sheriff, and judicial races across Alabama.
Quick Alabama sign rules (not legal advice)
- 2026 election dates (statewide): Primary May 19, 2026; Runoff June 16, 2026; General Nov 3, 2026.
(Verify local/municipal contests separately.)
- Avoid highway rights-of-way: Don’t place campaign signs on highway rights-of-way. State law restricts signs on state-controlled highway rights-of-way, and local jurisdictions may add stricter rules. (Confirm local guidance if you’re unsure.)
- Private property is safest: Place signs on private property with permission (supporters’ yards, friendly businesses, campaign HQ). HOAs/landlords may have their own rules; check before placing.
- Polling place buffer: Keep signs/electioneering at least 30 feet from the polling place entrance (with limited exceptions in the statute).
- Include an identification statement: Alabama guidance says ads must identify who paid; phrases like “paid for by” / “paid political ad” are acceptable examples, and “identification” generally
means full name + complete address.
Sources (official)
Alabama primary yard sign templates you can steal:
Template 1 – Challenger, Short and Strong
Top: ELECT
Middle: FIRST + LAST NAME
Bottom: OFFICE and one short value: NEW VOICE • LOCAL FOCUS
Best for newcomers running into crowded Alabama primaries who want to feel fresh without cluttering the sign.
Template 2 – Incumbent Re-Elect Layout
Top: RE-ELECT
Middle: LAST NAME (big, bold)
Bottom: OFFICE (for example, CITY COUNCIL • DISTRICT 3, COUNTY COMMISSION, or SHERIFF)
Great if you’re already in office and want a simple name + office reinforcement on busy commuter routes and neighborhood corners.
Template 3 – Down-Ballot & Local
Top: VOTE MAY 19
Middle: LAST NAME
Bottom: SCHOOL BOARD, JUDGE, or CLERK OF COURT
Perfect for local and judicial races where the office matters more than party label and voters mainly remember your name.
Why we print these on SmartFlute® yard signs:
SmartFlute® is UZ Marketing’s patented yard sign board with light-blocking channels, so double-sided designs don’t ghost through in bright Alabama sun or under streetlights.
Eco-friendly: made from recycled material, so you can talk about sustainability while your signs work along highways, county roads, and neighborhood streets.
At UZ Marketing, we print SmartFlute® yard signs starting at $2.99 each (100 signs, 1-color) with double-sided printing, H-stakes included, free shipping, free design proof, fast turnaround with rush options available at checkout, and a 14-day
Price Match Guarantee as long as all specs align.
Watch out for “too good to be true” pricing on other sites. Many super-cheap offers are for smaller half-sized signs with single-sided printing, thin material, and no stakes or shipping included.
Our $2.99 each (100) pricing is for full-size 18" x 24" SmartFlute® yard signs, so you know exactly what you’re getting.
Ready to build your Alabama primary layout? Campaign yard signs — or get a free design proof
using these templates before you print.
FAQ – Alabama primary yard signs
When is the 2026 Alabama primary, and when should I start putting yard signs out?
Alabama’s 2026 statewide primary is scheduled for May 19, 2026, with primary runoffs on June 16, 2026, and the general election on November 3, 2026. Many campaigns roll out their main wave of yard signs in the 4–8 weeks before the primary, focusing
on private property where they have permission and keeping some inventory in reserve for the runoff.
Where should I place Alabama campaign yard signs?
The safest option is private property with the owner’s permission—supporters’ yards, friendly businesses, and campaign headquarters. Alabama law generally prohibits signs on the rights-of-way of state-controlled highways, and local jurisdictions may
add stricter rules, so avoid medians, ditches, shoulders, and other public rights-of-way. As a general rule, avoid placing signs on public infrastructure (like poles or traffic-control fixtures), and check your city/county guidance before placing
signs close to the street.
How close can Alabama campaign signs be to a polling place?
Alabama’s polling-place conduct rules generally keep people—other than voters and election officials—at least 30 feet from the door of the polling place. Practically, that means you should keep yard signs and other campaign materials outside the 30-foot
zone around the entrance (or building entrance if the polling room is inside another building). Local election officials may mark or expand this buffer for safety and access, so always follow posted instructions at early-voting sites and on Election
Day. When in doubt, follow posted distance markers and poll worker instructions.
Do Alabama campaign yard signs need a “paid for by” or identification statement?
Yes. Under Alabama’s Fair Campaign Practices Act, most political advertising must be clearly identified or marked as a paid advertisement. Alabama SOS guidance provides examples of acceptable identification language (often “paid for by” style wording)
and explains what information must be included. Because requirements can vary by advertiser type and context, campaigns should confirm exact wording with the Alabama Secretary of State or legal/compliance counsel before approving final artwork.
