High River now has a new election-sign policy in place after it was unanimously approved at Monday's council meeting on Sept. 14.

The policy allows for candidates to put up one sign each in 10 designated areas throughout the town, as long as the signs don't exceed the maximum-size requirement.

Councillor Emile Blokland initially brought up the idea of limiting the amount of election signs at a previous council meeting.

"We've had lots of feedback from the public over past elections with the overabundance of elections signs, and as I spoke at a council meeting earlier, I've actually been guilty of that as well in a previous election," he says. "But from listening to the public, they would like to see less signage out there during an election."

Blokland says the initial draft policy allowed for eight signs in each location, but after some debate, that number was substantially lowered.

"We went from eight down to three and finally decided on one, so I think what most candidates will do is have 10 maximum-sized signs that will go in each corral, and then order a bunch of smaller-sized signs that will be used throughout the community."

He adds the new policy is not meant to hamper campaigns in any way, it is just meant to help cut down on clutter while still allowing candidates to get their names out there.

"This will not prevent candidates from putting lawn signs throughout the community for residents who support them, so there's still that opportunity," he says. "And by far the best method of recognition is door knocking in which we strongly recommend."

This new policy will take effect after the 2015 federal election.