Tina Stephens put up a political sign in front of her Phoenix home and was fined $50 by her homeowners association.
But that fine was contrary to Arizona law.
“It’s been a nightmare. I was afraid I could get evicted,” said Stephens, who rents her home and fought the fine.
She didn’t take the sign down, and it was the second fine she got for putting up a legal election sign .
The $50 penalty levied by Paradise Mountain Shadows HOA was dropped earlier this week, after Stephens sent the association a detailed letter outlining why it’s legal for her to display her sign and how she followed the legal timeframe for displaying election signs.
Arizona law allows HOA residents to display campaign signs. More than half of metro Phoenix residents live in communities with HOAs.
Arizonans in HOAs can display political signs from 71 days before a primary election until 15 days after a general election for candidates in that election, according to the law.
Stephens was first fined $50 for displaying a political sign during the legal timeframe for the summer primary elections. She fought that one, too.