(The Center Square) – A campaign sign standoff in Beloit is over, and the sign remains standing.
The Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty said a local condo association tried to stop a man from displaying a Tom Tiffany for Governor sign on his condo.
"On Sept. 16, 2026, Paige Popowczak emailed Mr. Mercado 'a reminder' that the Condominium Declaration for Heritage View Condominiums ‘prohibits signs of any kind to be displayed to the public view on any Unit without the written consent of the Board of Directors.’ In response, Mr. Mercado asked for the Heritage View Board of Directors’ approval to display a standard-size campaign sign supporting Tom Tiffany, the Republican nominee for Wisconsin’s 2026 gubernatorial race. Ms. Popowczak indicated in response that the Board did not approve and that Mr. Mercado would have to take the sign down," WILL wrote in a letter to the condo association.
Will then reminded the condo managers that Wisconsin law allows people to display political signs.
"Your demand is a direct violation of Wis. Stat. § 703.105(1m), which states: (1m) No bylaw or rule may be adopted or provision included in a declaration or deed that prohibits a unit owner from displaying in his or her condominium a sign that supports or opposes a candidate for public office or a referendum question," WILL added.
WILL's Kirsten Atanasoff said the case is not about this one condo in Beloit, or a Tom Tiffany campaign sign. She said it's about freedom of speech and everyone's right to advocate for their political preferences.
“Election season is an important time for citizens to be able to express their views. Wisconsin law protects their right to do so. We are glad that Mr. Mercado’s Condominium Association agreed that he was entitled to exercise this important right here," Atanasoff said in a statement.
WILL took on the case in late September and said that the case is now closed.
The condo association didn't say anything about the case, or about any future political signs that could be displayed.