This election season in Austin County, citizens should be aware of the consequences of stealing election signs. During the primary elections, campaign signs have been stolen in Austin County.

“We have received reports. The law enforcement agency in the area is aware of wherever that happened and they (will) investigate the cases. We’ll see if charges can be brought against them,” Austin County District Attorney Travis Koehn said.

According to Koehn, the election code of Texas outlines where signs can even be placed.

“They have rules on where the signs can and cannot be put. On private property like in (someone’s) house or driveway, you can do just about anything you want to do. There might be a concern if you live inside the city limits or a subdivision that has homeowners’ rules or deed restrictions,” Koehn said.

A sign on private property is subject to different rules than one on public property.

“Typically, people can put up whatever signs they want on their property. Putting signs up in the ditch or by where the roads are is another story. As I understand the rules you are not supposed to put signs in the road ditch,” Koehn said.

The Texas Department of Transportation outlined boundaries on where signs could be placed in relation to roadways.

“You can place signs anywhere so long as they are not in the highway right of way or in a location that poses a safety hazard (e.g. blocking sight to a driveway),” a Feb. 7 release says. “Keep in mind that signs cannot be placed on trees, telephone poles, traffic signals, fences, or any other objects in the right of way. Always make sure to check with local authorities (Cities, Counties, Homeowners’ Associations, etc.) as they may have their own restrictions.”

If someone were to steal a campaign sign in Texas, Koehn said they would be punished just like any other theft.

“It depends on the value of the sign. If the sign is $100-$750 in value then it would be a Class B misdemeanor. If it is (worth) over $750, then it would be a Class A misdemeanor,” he said. “People should not steal. It’s the same as if they stole something out of Walmart.”

Whenever you are considering stealing campaign signs, keep in mind they belong to someone, Koehn said.

“Typically of course, they belong to the can didate. When those signs are stolen it is just like a shoplifter at Walmart or stealing your neighbor’s lawnmower or anything else. Just like stealing street signs, highwater signs or traffic signs,” Koehn said. “Those are a little more serious because of public safety issues but a thief is a thief,” said. “If someone is stealing a sign, they are committing theft just like any thief out there.”

“If the sign is $100-$750 in value then it would be a Class B misdemeanor. If it is (worth) over $750, then it would be a Class A misdemeanor. People should not steal. It’s the same as if they stole something out of Walmart.”

— AUSTIN COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY TRAVIS KOEHN