Dubois County Clerk Reminds Residents: Campaign Signs Protected Under Indiana Law

Dubois County Clerk Amy Kippenbrock issued a public reminder this week that political campaign signs carry legal protection under Indiana law, and that anyone who steals, damages, or interferes with lawfully placed signs can face legal consequences.

Kippenbrock's notice, which circulated March 19, arrives as campaign activity picks up across Dubois County ahead of spring elections. The clerk's office used the reminder to reinforce that the protections are not advisory but statutory, meaning violations can be prosecuted.

Indiana law treats campaign signage as protected political speech and property. Removing or destroying a sign that has been legally placed, whether on private property with the owner's permission or in another lawful location, constitutes a criminal offense under state statute. The protection applies regardless of which candidate or cause the sign promotes.

The reminder from Kippenbrock's office reflects a recurring challenge for election administrators in Indiana and across the country: sign theft and vandalism tend to escalate during competitive election cycles, and many residents are unaware that such acts carry criminal penalties rather than being treated as minor mischief.

Kippenbrock serves as Dubois County's chief election administrator, making her office the appropriate authority to issue guidance on election-related conduct. Her decision to publish a countywide notice signals that protecting the integrity of the campaign environment, not just the ballot itself, falls within the clerk's purview.

Residents who believe a campaign sign has been unlawfully removed or damaged can contact the Dubois County Clerk's office or local law enforcement to report the incident.