It’s lawn sign season, when neighbors share their political convictions on the roadsides before they speak at the ballot box. This year is different, however, as Democrats in Midcoast communities have seen a rash of Harris-Walz signs either stolen, trampled or destroyed on-site. To be sure, more signs will be coming soon to be proudly displayed on our front yards and replace the missing ones.

It would be easy to see what’s happening as a minor annoyance, yet there is something more troubling at work here. When we put a sign on our lawns, we are making our voices heard. Roadsides are an extension of our public place where all are welcome to share their opinions. They are a fundamental expression of our democracy. They embody our freedom of speech, guaranteed under our Constitution.

Some may think that stealing or damaging lawn signs is just part of the civil discourse. It is not. It is, however, a punishable offense in all 50 states, as is trespassing on private property.

Whether it’s unlawful or not is beside the point, because stealing a lawn sign is an attack on our communities. It’s an attempt at silencing the voice of our neighbors and keeping them from participating in the democratic process. It is a violation of the Constitution we pledged to uphold.

Our signs will be replaced, and our voices will be heard, from our lawns and at the ballot box. We will not be silenced.

Christian Leger
Bath