City to Consider Campaign Sign Protection Ordinance

The Miami Beach City Commission will consider a first reading of an ordinance on Tuesday that would prohibit unauthorized tampering with political campaign signs. The measure, sponsored by Commissioner Laura Dominguez, aims to protect political expression while maintaining election integrity.

The proposed ordinance would make it illegal for anyone except authorized persons to remove, damage, deface or otherwise disturb campaign signs. Authorized persons include the candidate depicted on the sign, their campaign committee representatives, or property owners where signs are placed. Violations would be punishable by up to 60 days in county jail.

In last month's election, Commissioner David Suarez's brother-in-law was arrested after a sign-stealing claim, as was reported by the Miami Herald.

According to the Herald:

Miami Beach police said they reviewed video that showed someone “tossing a campaign sign over a gate” before entering a black car that drove away. That vehicle, the report says, “was later determined to be driven by Commissioner David Suarez.”

City officials cite concerns that unauthorized interference with campaign materials undermines election integrity and creates conflicts among candidates and residents. The ordinance includes exceptions for city employees removing signs in violation of regulations and property owners removing unauthorized signs from their land. The public hearing is scheduled for 3:10 p.m. at Tuesday's commission meeting.