Campaign signs have been stolen in the Dallas County Probate judge race between Jimmy Nunn and Nick Switzer.

The runoff between Nunn and Switzer to succeed Kim Ballard is Tuesday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

It’s illegal to place campaign signs onto the right of way, but legal to place them on private property, according to Ballard.

Selma Chief of Police Spencer Collier said anyone caught taking down signs on private property will be charged with fourth-degree theft when the value of the property doesn’t exceed $500 in value. The penalty ranges from a fine up to a year in jail.

“In Alabama, a police officer must witness a misdemeanor offense to make an arrest,” Collier said. “A complainant would have to sign a warrant if probable cause existed.”

Collier said he’s received a few calls about signs stolen on private property over the last few weeks.

“I encouraged the homeowner to file an incident report, but so far no one has come forward,” Collier said.

Nunn, currently the city’s attorney, acknowledged several of his signs were taken down.

“I don’t agree with a person taking down signs of the opponent,” Nunn said.  “It started during the primary that my signs were taken down in the last three to four months. But I always pressed forward and did not bring it to the light.”

Switzer is equally disappointed in campaign signs being stolen and taken down.

“We regret that this has happened, but we’re focused on the campaign,” Switzer said. “That’s all we can do about it.”

For years, Ballard has heard about stolen campaign signs during his entire political career.

“You hear that every year there’s an election,” Ballard said. “Every year, I’ve had that problem. When you’re running a campaign, you can’t control what your supporters will do.”

Dallas County Registrar Carl Nelson said county officials never interferes in local elections.

“We can’t get involved, we’re neutral,” Nelson said. “Our job is to make sure people in Dallas County get to vote.”