CLEVELAND, Ohio--An election-related billboard in Cleveland's Ward 5 has caused a stir, prompting some complaints that it discriminates against minority groups and felons.

The advertisement, posted at the intersection of Community College Avenue and East 35th Street, warns that "voting fraud is a felony" in bold lettering. It also states that the penalty is punishable by up to three and a half years in prison and a $10,000 fine.

The ad also shows a gavel and sound block and lists that it was paid for by a private family foundation. The billboard is operated by Clear Channel Outdoor.

Some location of the billboards

Carnegie Ave. and E 36th St.

Cedar Ave. NS and E 79th.

Community College Ave and E 35th

E 14th St. and Carnegie Ave.

E 55th St. and N. Carry Ave

E 185th and Harland Ave

Green Rd and S Euclid Ave

Madison Ave and W 93 St

Triskett Rd and W 140th St

W 140th St and Lorain Ave

Several politicians said the ad's placement, which is near Tri-C and directly across the street from the Arbor Park 600-family development and other public housing, intimidates minority voters, students and felons who may not know their rights.

Cleveland City Councilwoman Phyllis Cleveland, who publicly complained about the billboard on Tuesday, posted a picture of the advertisement to her Twitter account. She said a resident complained to her about the sign. Cleveland wants it out of her ward.

"They usually try to push cognac and cigarettes on people here in this neighborhood, now they are trying to intimidate them to keep them from voting," Cleveland said.

Cleveland said the ward has been a heavily canvassed area politically because voter turnout has been low in the past. She said some people could misinterpret the sign and therefore, not go to the polls on Nov. 6.

Though the sign has caused some people to be upset, it is not illegal for it to be posted because it is free speech.

Christine Link, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio, said the speech is protected under the law even if it is hurtful or perceived as racist.

"It's pretty much a bedrock of a democracy that speech is going to be wild and crazy and even harmful but it's for the greater good," Link said.

She said for the speech to rise to the level of a crime of voter intimidation or harassment, it would have to contain a specific threat directed at a specific set of people or a defined group. The language does not have to be truthful either, Link said.

"It usually has to carry some threat of action," she said. "Hurting somebody's feelings doesn't rise to the level of a crime."

But that isn't the way some residents in the community see it.

Rochelle Lee, 50, the Ward 5 resident who initially contacted Cleveland, said she noticed the sign at the beginning of the week.

Lee said she has noticed political advertisements on the billboard in the past, but none like this one. She said she contacted Clear Channel in addition to the Mayor Frank Jackson's office to complain.

'"To me, it is a derogatory message and there is a hidden message there as well," Lee said. "They are trying to associate criminal activity with the black community.

"They are insinuating that we are criminals and felons and to me that is wrong."

Plain Dealer reporter Rachel Dissell contributed to this report.