Amends GS 136-32 to provide for the regulation of political signs (any sign that advocates for political action) on highways and to permit the Department of Transportation (DOT) or any person to remove signs that have been erected without authority or remain beyond the deadline for removal specified in the act. During the period beginning 30 days before the beginning of one-stop early voting under GS 163-227.2 and ending on the 10th day after the primary or election day, a person may place a political sign in the right-of-way of the state highway system if the person: (1) obtains a permit from the State Board of Elections or the county board of elections, (2) places the signs in compliance with DOT rules, and (3) removes the signs by the 10th day after the primary or election day. Requires DOT to adopt rules for sign placement, including rules designating the portion of the state highway system right-of-way where signs are permitted, specifying the size of signs permitted, and requiring the permittee to seek the permission of any property owner of property fronting the right-of-way where a sign would be erected. Requires the State Board of Elections to adopt uniform rules for the issuance of permits and imposition of penalties for permit holders who fail to remove signs by the required date. Penalties must be enforced by the county board of elections in the county in which the violation occurred. Makes it a Class 3 misdemeanor for a person to unlawfully remove a campaign sign that is lawfully placed under these provisions. Municipalities may elect to have provisions of the act apply to street rights-of-way within the municipality and maintained by the municipality.
Effective January 1, 2012, and applies to any primary election held on or after that date.