Yes, You Can Face Criminal Prosecution for Removing or Stealing Someone's Campaign Sign

Mar. 15, 2025

Two political signs showing support for the Vice President Kamala Harris and Former President Donald Trump near Traverse City, Michigan.Photo:Scott Olson/Getty

Scott Olson/Getty

With the election less than two weeks away, you may have noticed an abundance of political campaign signs popping up on lawns across the country. Sometimes, these signs can be a point of contention between neighbors. In extreme cases, they lead to theft, vandalism and trespassing.After having her campaign signs for presidential candidate Kamala Harris stolen multiple times, aSpringfield, Missouri woman decided to take matters into her own handsand find out what was happening to them. She placed an Apple AirTag in her latest sign, and after it was stolen, the tracker led her to a trunk full of them.

“I’m sorry, this is funny. Why don’t you just take them all?” the alleged thief’s mom said in the video as she threw the signs on the ground. “Here you go, liberals.”

“It’s a felony, ma’am,” McCaskill responded.

According toMissouri law, “stealing or willfully defacing, mutilating, or destroying any campaign yard sign on private property,” is considered a class four election offense. These offenses are deemed misdemeanors and could carry a fine of up to $2,500 and/or up to a year in prison.

McCaskill decided to press charges and an investigation is ongoing, according to a follow-upFacebookpost on Oct. 23.

Here’s what to know about stealing political yard signs.

Campaign signs outsides of an early voting center in Orlando, Florida on Oct. 21.Paul Hennessy/Anadolu/Getty

Paul Hennessy/Anadolu/Getty

Why is it illegal?

Expression of political beliefs is protected under the First Amendment. This includes posting signs in yards and windows on private property. In 1994, theSupreme Court reversed a local ordinancein Ladue, Missouri that prevented residents from publicly displaying signs with political messages.Entering private property to steal, damage or otherwise destroy a sign also involves further criminal implications.

What are the penalties?

If your yard sign was stolen, what should you do?

If a yard sign is stolen, it is recommended to reach out to the local police department’s non-emergency line to report the incident. To help the investigation, consider installing an outdoor or doorbell security camera to aid in identifying the people and vehicles involved.

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When the election ends, how should you dispose of lawn signs?

Judith Enck, founder of Beyond Plastics in Bennington, Vermont, toldTODAYthat almost 90% of political signs are made with corrugated cardboard coated in plastic. Because of the various materials, including plastic, campaign signs are almost impossible to recycle. It is not recommended that you throw them in your regular recycling bin; however, some municipalities will now host special election sign collection days in order to recycle them properly.If your town does not offer recycling opportunities, consider saving signs until the next election cycle. Add a plastic or paper cover to reuse them or paint a new message on top.Some campaigns may reuse campaign signs in the future. Reach out to the campaign office that issued the sign to see if they will repurpose or recycle them.

source: people.com