Election sign vandalism frustrates Civic candidates

One recent example could be seen at the intersection of Fifth Avenue and Foothills Boulevard, where a cluster of campaign signs showed evidence of damage. The incident has renewed discussion about both the rights of candidates to advertise and the responsibilities that come with placing campaign materials throughout the city.

Council candidate Anthony Okechukwu says several of his signs disappeared from locations around Prince George sometime last week.

“Some time last week, some of my signage that I had in different locations within the city, Foothills by Fifth Avenue and then Foothills by Nechako were taken down,” said Okechukwu.

The missing signs represent more than just a financial loss. For many candidates, campaign signs are an important tool for communicating with voters, particularly during local elections where public awareness of candidates can vary significantly.

Okechukwu’s experience is not unique.

Mayoral candidate Kyle Sampson says election sign vandalism has become an unfortunate reality of nearly every campaign season.

“It seems like vandalism to election signs is inevitable, whether it’s a federal or provincial, whether it’s a municipal election,” said Sampson. “There’s always some degree of vandalism. It’s quite disheartening. Signs are a means of identifying candidates, helping people see who’s running.”

While the damage can be frustrating, Sampson said candidates are often aware that some signs may not survive until election day.

Still, he argues that vandalism undermines a process intended to help voters make informed choices.

Campaign signs serve as one of the most visible ways residents become familiar with the names and platforms of candidates. In municipal elections especially, where advertising budgets are often limited compared to provincial or federal campaigns, signs can play a critical role in helping candidates reach the public.

At the same time, candidates are expected to follow strict rules regarding the placement of those signs.

Prince George has bylaws governing election signage, including where signs may be located and the size of signs permitted during campaigns. Failure to comply with the rules can result in fines.

Sampson says understanding and respecting those regulations is an important responsibility for anyone seeking elected office.

“We make sure that we read the bylaw, understand it, identify the locations of which signs can go. We do the proper measurements, and we’re very intentional about adhering to the bylaws,” he said.

According to Sampson, paying attention to those details is part of demonstrating readiness for public office.

“Because this role requires somebody who’s hoping to lead bylaws, implement bylaws, change or amend bylaws. And so you should be able to read one.”

Municipal governments rely heavily on bylaws to regulate everything from development and zoning to public safety and community standards. As a result, candidates campaigning for local office are often expected to have a strong understanding of the regulations that govern city operations.

Campaign signage is just one area where those rules come into play.

While candidates are responsible for ensuring their signs are compliant, city bylaws also provide protections for election materials once they have been lawfully placed.

According to city regulations, several offences related to campaign sign placement carry fines of $200. Those fines can apply to violations involving where signs are erected and how they are displayed.

However, damaging campaign signs can have more serious consequences.

Candidates note that intentionally damaging or removing signs belonging to others is not simply a bylaw issue. Depending on the circumstances, it can constitute a criminal offence.

The destruction or theft of election signs may result in a charge of mischief under $5,000 under the Criminal Code.

That potential consequence is something Okechukwu hopes individuals will consider before interfering with campaign materials.

While he acknowledges that political differences are a normal part of democratic elections, he says disagreement should never result in damage to a candidate’s property.

“It’s a fair process, you know, and it’s also an environment where everybody has their right to exercise their civic right and obligation,” said Okechukwu.

“But you don’t exercise your civic right by destroying what candidates have out there. It’s basically simple. If anyone doesn’t like a certain candidate, don’t vote for them.”

The comments highlight a broader principle that election officials and candidates often stress during campaign seasons: participation is the appropriate response to disagreement.

Voters who oppose a candidate or policy position have several avenues to express their views, including public debate, contacting candidates directly, attending campaign events and ultimately casting a ballot.

Acts of vandalism, candidates say, do little to advance political discussion and instead create unnecessary costs and distractions for campaigns.

As election day approaches, campaign signs will continue appearing across Prince George as candidates compete for attention and support.

Despite the occasional acts of vandalism, candidates say they remain focused on engaging with residents and communicating their platforms.

For now, both Okechukwu and Sampson are encouraging voters to respect the democratic process, respect the rules surrounding campaign materials and, most importantly, make their voices heard at the ballot box.

In a campaign season where signs are often the most visible reminder of the race underway, candidates say the message is straightforward: if voters disagree with a candidate, the appropriate response isn’t tearing down a sign. It’s casting a vote.

by Cheryl Jahn

Election sign vandalism frustrates Civic candidates

What's Trending