The Tuolumne County Republican Party is sounding the alarm over a recent spate of thefts and tampering involving “No on Prop 50” signs across the county. Over the past several days, signs have been tampered with or removed from public areas where placement is permitted and, more troublingly, nearly a dozen signs have been stolen from private property. These actions are illegal and undermine civil discourse during a crucial statewide debate.

Political signs are a core form of political expression protected by the First Amendment. The U.S. Supreme Court has repeatedly recognized robust protection for political signs on private property, underling the fact that political signs are protected speech in all 50 states.

“Whether you support or oppose Proposition 50, we all have a duty to protect the rights of our neighbors to speak,” said Matt Kiolbassa, Chairman of the Tuolumne County Republican Party. “Stealing or destroying signs doesn’t change minds; it violates the law, chills free expression, and tramples constitutional rights. We call on everyone, whatever their view on Prop 50, to reject these acts of political intimidation and instead engage in respectful civil discourse.”

Removing a legally placed political sign is a crime. Stealing a sign from private property is petty theft under California law and damaging or defacing signs is vandalism.

The Tuolumne County Republican Party urges residents to engage neighbors with respect. Disagreement is healthy; suppressing opposing views by stealing or vandalizing signs is not.