In recent weeks we’ve noticed that political yard signs for some candidates have come up missing. We have seen Democrats’ signs removed, yet most of the Republican signs are still standing. Upon further investigation, some were mangled and thrown into the brush, others were stolen off of private property by trespassers.
Some people don’t like seeing political signs put up but they do play a role in helping voters know who is running for office. The signs lend a sense of seriousness to the campaign. If a candidate is willing to spend money for signs, that candidate must probably be a serious candidate. If Missoula or Lake Counties were to deny the right to post such signs, they would likely face a First Amendment free speech challenge.
Taking signs that are lawfully displayed amounts to stealing items that cost money to produce. No doubt they are being thrown into the waste stream, which is troublesome on an environmental level, as we generally save signs to use them again.
Going forward, we are hoping signs will be left alone.
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