As national political conventions got under way, a few campaign signs were vandalized in the county. Although passions run high as the elections approach, the Cook County News-Herald reminds everyone that it is illegal to tamper with political signs on other people’s property.
Nearly every political season there is some controversy related to campaign signs. Because there are no local races on the August 9 primary ballot the usual abundance of lawn signs has not yet appeared. However, as the presidential race moves to national convention phase, there have been complaints of damaged or stolen signs for presidential candidates. The Cook County News-Herald reminds citizens that it is illegal to tamper with political signs in other peoples’ yards.
Early in the morning on July 18, a Voyageurs Point resident reported that signs had been damaged and taken from their yard. The signs were promoting presidential candidate Donald Trump.
On July 19, a homeowner on 2nd Avenue West in Grand Marais caught four teenagers in the act of stealing his yard sign. The reporting party said he chased them off. The sign was in support of presidential candidate Hillary Clinton. The caller said his first sign was stolen and the current sign is a replacement.
Parties who enter yards to tamper with election signs could be charged with theft, damage to property and trespassing. Under Minnesota State law, if you intentionally cause damage to another person’s property without their consent you could be charged with 3rd degree criminal damage to property, a misdemeanor offense punishable by up to one year or a fine of not more than $3,000, or both. Place political signs carefully
Candidates for public office are reminded that state law prohibits the placement, painting, printing or affixing of advertisements to any object within the limits of any highway in Minnesota. This law applies to all state, county, city and township roads and highways.
In addition, the Minnesota Outdoor Advertising Control Act prohibits erecting advertising devices on private land without the consent of the owner or occupant, on public utility poles, on trees or shrubs, and by painting or drawing on rocks or natural features.
The Federal Highway Administration office in Minnesota monitors Minnesota’s compliance with federal highway beautification laws. State transportation employees are responsible for administering these laws on state highways and must remove signs that violate the laws.
County, city and township employees administer these laws on their roads.
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