Motorists should start seeing fewer political signs posted along Augusta area rights-of-way within the next week.

That is if campaign officials abide by a 10-day grace period being allowed beyond Tuesday's election by Richmond County's code enforcers.

"Most of the local people are good about getting out to pick them up," said Sgt. David Bass, of the Richmond County Marshal's Department, which along with the county's code enforcement division is responsible for confiscating signs. "Sometimes it can be a problem with state candidates."

Temporary signs can't be placed on county or state rights-of-way, Sgt. Bass said. The right-of-way typically is defined as the area between the road's edge and where power line poles are located.

Campaign officials should place signs on private property only after asking permission from the property owner.

The Marshal's Department handles complaints filed with the Richmond County Board of Elections. Any sign that is causing a major road hazard by blocking a motorist's view could be removed immediately.

"We try not to give campaigns too much of a hassle," Sgt. Bass said. "Usually, we get pretty good cooperation."

However, he said, there are usually plenty of complaints about signs after every election, and picking up those that remain can be a burden on the county.

"If they don't get picked up, they are picked up at the county's expense," he said.

No major complaints were reported after Tuesday's Georgia primary election, but Code Enforcement Division Manager Pamela Costabile said inspectors have been looking for violations daily.

"We have to give them a chance to clean them up," Mrs. Costabile said.

Signs removed by the county end up behind the Code Enforcement Office on Marvin Griffin Road. If campaign workers don't retrieve them, the signs are taken to the county landfill.

People who want to report sign violations can do so with the Richmond County Board of Elections at (706) 821-2340.