SACRAMENTO, Calif. — As the Nov. 5 election nears, California voters are gearing up for a pivotal day of decision making.

They’ll have a chance to vote on races for president, U.S. senators and state representatives, as well as various ballot propositions that could shape the state’s political landscape.

Campaign signs are popping up along streets and in front yards ahead of Election Day, Nov. 5.

In Fresno, vandals have scrawled graffiti on a local candidate’s signs, Fox 26 News reported on Monday, Sept. 16.

What are the rules about campaign signs in California?

Can you get in trouble for taking signs down or otherwise tampering with them?

Here’s what you need to know:

When can I put up campaign signs in California?

According to the California Department of Transportation, state law allows temporary campaign signs to be placed near roads during election season, but they must meet specific rules.

California Business and Professions Code 5405.3 says signs can only go up within 90 days before Election Day and must be taken down within 10 days after.

Where can they go?

Campaign signs cannot be bigger than 32 square feet and cannot be placed within 660 feet of any highway — which includes streets and roads, the law says.

If you put up campaign signs, you must file paperwork taking responsibility for removing the signs once election season is over.

If a sign violates these rules, the state will take it down, Caltrans said.

What are the penalties for removing or vandalizing signs?

Removing campaign signs without consent of the sign owner is against California law.

A person caught removing someone else’s campaign sign can be considered in violation of California Penal Code 488, according to the city of Lake Forest’s website.

The person can be charged with a misdemeanor, which occurs when someone steals property or services worth $950 or less, according to Shouse California Law Group.

A violation of this statute is punishable with a fine of up to $1,000 and up to six months in county jail.

If a person is caught vandalizing a campaign sign, they can be considered in violation of California Penal Code 594.

California law says a person is guilty of vandalism if they are found damaging, destroying or defacing someone else’s property with graffiti.

According to Shouse Law, vandalism can be charged as a misdemeanor if the amount of damage is less than $400.

“But the charge can be a felony if the damage is $400 or greater,” the law firm said.

Felony vandalism penalties can include a jail sentence of one to three years and/or a fine of up to $10,000.

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