LETTER: Campaign signs are free speech
Columbia Basin Herald | UPDATED 2 weeks, 2 days AGO
While angry and frustrated, I am also deeply disappointed in the individual(s) who are violating my right to free speech. After obtaining a permit at City Hall, my husband and I have spent enthusiastic but tiring hot hours placing campaign signs. As of Aug. 25, 10 had been removed. One sign had the wood frame to which it was attached broken in two.
The First Amendment of the Bill of Rights regards written text as an aspect of free speech. RCW 29A.84.040 states that anyone who removes or defaces lawfully placed political advertising (such as yard signs or billboards) without authorization is guilty of a misdemeanor.
Candidates will attest that signs and advertising are not cheap. It would be nice to have the signs returned, but I don’t expect that to happen in today’s political climate.
What I do expect is for every voter to have access to all information, where on a sign, on a candidate’s brochure or in a newspaper article, and to make informed decisions before marking a ballot in November. Unfortunately, there are those among us who do not share that expectation or right for voters.
Bev Moore
Moses Lake