Politics

Campaign sign vandalism: Just stop

By Lightning Reports, Published: October 18, 2026

FROM THE EDITOR: It's campaign season. Which also means it's campaign sign-stealing season. Stealing, flattening and running over signs is too common. It's pointless and juvenile. Such vandalism is an equal opportunity offense. Democrats deface MAGA signs. Republicans destroy Cooper signs.

One reader, Harvey Nix, makes this appeal on how political engagement is open to all, and ought to be civil. Here's Harvey's message:

Let’s remind ourselves of what two things both political parties have in common; the First Amendment that includes freedom of speech; and equal protection by NC state law which we all share the responsibility to follow in a civil manner. Recently, GOP candidate and party signage have been vandalized, defaced and stolen. Several Chelsea Walsh, Jennifer Balkcom and GOP messages were put in a dumpster. The offender was arrested and faces 8 counts of a Class 3 misdemeanor. Another GOP sign, 4 ft by 8 ft in size, was removed twice, by the same person, a 17-year-old male. Law enforcement caught him and are handling the matter. Naturally, each political party has their slate of candidates and political positions; to communicate with signs is how the election campaigning process should work, fairly, openly, and without intimidation. By stealing, defacing, vandalizing or unlawfully removing a political sign placed lawfully under NCGS 136-32, you are infringing on others’ First Amendment rights, and breaking NC law.  So, let’s be civil, act like adults, and compete lawfully in the campaigning process. Voters will make their choices, so let them see and know who is in the race!

A resident of Bat Cave, Nix serves on the Henderson County Planning Board and the Hickory Nut Gorge Recovery Taskforce.