(WPDE) — Some candidates for political office on the November ballot told ABC15 that their campaign signs have been removed and vandalized in recent weeks.
One candidate said he has probably had more than 100 signs taken or stolen from their locations.
Marlboro County School Board candidate David Flowers took to social media to share his frustration about his sign being intentionally vandalized.
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He posted the following statement on Facebook:
“I think this is probably the second time someone has vandalized my sign. This one was on the Williams Street end, and it went on sale Thursday. My daughter was riding it today. My sign wasn’t there. Someone took the stake out of there and threw my sign across the tracks. I got a sign from across the tracks, but that person kept the stake. I can never understand why this is done, and it’s just a symptom of me that someone would spend money to destroy something. I hate it. But this doesn’t discourage me.”
Other candidates said the signs are too expensive, at more than $5, and must be constantly replaced.
According to Section 7-25-210 of the SC Code:
“(A) It is unlawful to deface, vandalize, deface, or remove legally erected political campaign signs prior to an election without the permission of the candidate or political party.”
Further, “any person who violates the provisions of subsection (A) or (C)(1) commits a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, is subject to a fine of not more than $100 or to imprisonment for not more than 30 days. It is also stipulated that the both. “
