As the presidential election rapidly approaches, political bumper stickers, buttons, T-shirts, hats and yard signs are on the increase. I don't know about you, but my favorite part of the political season is driving down the street and learning my neighbor's political stance based on a thin piece of plastic and cheap metal wire. Whether the signs make me snicker or smile, I always find them at least mildly entertaining.

Few people know that many cities across Ohio have laws regarding political yard signs. For example, in Akron, these signs cannot be posted more than 45 days before the election and must be removed 10 days after. In Barberton, a $25 fee must be paid before putting up the sign, and if it is removed within three days of the election, $22 of the fee will be returned.

Charging a person $3 to express his or her political opinion is absurd. The First Amendment guarantees citizens the right to free speech, but by dictating a person's right to place a political sign in their yard, local governments are violating this right. Of course, the laws only apply to political signs. For instance, I've never heard of a police officer asking a family to remove its Cleveland Browns sign within 10 days of the season's end, and we know the Browns need all the support they can get.

It's understandable that there are laws prohibiting the placement of political signs on public property, but telling citizens what they can and cannot do with their lawns is ludicrous. If someone wants to erect a seven-foot-tall wooden "W" in honor of President Bush, be my guest.

I've driven in areas where broken-down cars, moldy couches and broken toys litter lawns, which are more distracting than a one-by-two-foot sign placed gracefully in a flower bed.

You might be thinking, "It's just a yard sign, get over it." But what's next? Next time I walk to my car, will I have a ticket on my windshield because of a Kerry/Edwards bumper sticker? Will I be fined because of a small button on my backpack?

As a columnist for the Visor, I know the value of freedom of speech. Being able to express my opinion every two weeks is a privilege, so why shouldn't my lawn be able to do the same?