JACKSON COUNTY, Mo. (KCTV) – Days before Election Day, homeowners in Jackson County are left replacing stolen political campaign signs.
“They have received other signs, but my wife and I are not scared. We believe that what these people stand for applies to our lives as well.” homeowner Clarence Gravitt said.
As Election Day approaches, people may notice political campaign signs posted in yards across Missouri. Gravit added reinforcement to the sign to make it a little harder to remove. His sign was removed from the yard Friday night.
“I was angry because I felt like people were encroaching on our space and property, coming onto our property and taking our stuff,” Gravitt said. Ta.
Other Lee’s Summit residents similarly reported their signs stolen.
“It’s frustrating. It’s demoralizing. If we’re all going to have this idea that we have to fight for free speech, let’s all buy into it,” Lee’s Summit resident Andrea Tinker said.
Tinker said she spent about $45 on three Harris signs. She bought two for her garden and one for her neighbor after owning both in the past few days. She plans to put a tracker on the new sign in case it’s photographed again.
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With just a few days left until Election Day, she said she is frustrated and scared about what will happen next.
“If you don’t take my garden gnome, why take my signature, what’s the difference?” Did you think taking my signature would change my vote? Tinker said. “And frankly, all you did was make me buy a second one. So all I did was give more money to the campaign you’re trying to kill.”
This is an issue that transcends political party boundaries. The Jackson County Republican Party said volunteers are working to replace stolen signs free of charge.
Just last Sunday, KCTV reported that a “No 3 Vote” sign posted outside Blue Springs Church was vandalized. The sign supported pro-life legislation.
“We prayed for the people who destroyed our property, our signs, and we prayed at Mass,” said the Rev. Richard Rocha of St. Robert Bellarmine Church.
According to Missouri law, stealing or defacing campaign signs is classified as a fourth-degree election violation, punishable by up to one year in prison or a fine of up to $2,500. Voters are not allowing vandals to block their support.
“If they receive these, I’m going to get a lot more bigger signs, and I’ll continue to keep an eye on our property because that’s the reality. We’re not going to be threatened. There is no,” Gravitt said.
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