Tallahassee Removes Illicit Electronic Campaign Signs

Officials took down four signs backing Loranne Ausley and Dianne Williams-Cox for lacking mandatory legal disclaimers.

Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Elections

Tallahassee Removes Illicit Electronic Campaign Signs

Live Poll

Should local governments enact stricter regulations to prevent misleading or unofficial-looking campaign signage in your area?

Authorities in Tallahassee removed four electronic campaign signs supporting candidates Loranne Ausley and Dianne Williams-Cox after they appeared without mandatory disclaimers. The signs, which were criticized for mimicking official government signage, prompted complaints from the public.

Why it matters

Election laws require political signage to clearly identify the funding source to maintain transparency and prevent voter deception. The removal serves as an enforcement action against unauthorized materials that could potentially mislead residents about the origin of campaign messaging.

Four unauthorized electronic signs were seized in Tallahassee after failing to meet state requirements for mandatory 'paid for' disclaimers. The Florida Elections Commission maintains the authority to issue potential fines if a formal violation is confirmed.

The players

Loranne Ausley

Loranne Ausley is a political candidate who has formally denied any involvement in the placement of the unauthorized campaign signage.

Dianne Williams-Cox

Dianne Williams-Cox is a political candidate who stated she had no part in the distribution of the campaign signs in question.

Mark Earley

Mark Earley serves as the Leon County Supervisor of Elections and oversaw the response to complaints regarding the illegal signs.

Steve Ghazvini

Steve Ghazvini is a developer whose family properties were mentioned in relation to the placement of the electronic signs.

The details

The signs were placed in locations including Thomasville Road and near Capital Circle Southeast, with some situated on property linked to the Ghazvini family or managed by TLG Management Services. While election officials deactivated a sign near their office and an unidentified driver removed another, both Loranne Ausley and Dianne Williams-Cox denied any involvement.

October 17, 2026: First complaint received regarding the signs.
October 19, 2026: Early voting began and signs were removed.
October 20, 2026: A sign was observed in a parking lot.
November 3, 2026: General election date.

Political Context

Opponents of the candidates may argue these incidents reflect a lack of campaign oversight, while some advocacy groups suggest the need for stricter digital signage regulations. Skeptics often contend that such unauthorized signs are placed by third-party actors specifically to generate negative publicity for the candidates named.

Residents should remain aware that official campaign communications must include specific 'paid for' language to be legal under state law. If you spot signage that mimics government alerts or lacks these disclosures, you can report it to the Leon County Supervisor of Elections.

The takeaway

Voters are encouraged to verify the source of campaign information during the busy early voting period. Being alert for unauthorized signage helps maintain the integrity of the local election process.