The Raleigh media has reported high numbers of political signs disappearing around the Triangle. A certain amount of this can be chalked up as simple election-year prank, observing a certain foolishness at its root — “Maybe if I take down the yard sign, people will forget who’s running for President.” Duh.

Still, in the past two weeks my family personally has endured:

= seven different trespassing incidents in our subdivision yard
= six bumper stickers peeled off two different vehicles parked in our driveway — including one backed up nearly against the house
= three yard signs removed on separate incursions
= two men chased out of aforementioned yard by 75-lb Labrador before actually reaching said signage (descriptions on file with local law enforcement, thank you)
= a replacement sign snatched from my 11-year-old’s hands by adult at the State Fair (I’m proud to say my son’s response to this minor assault by a stranger was great indignation, not alarm)
= banging on the garage door after midnight while committing one of the above

And that doesn’t count an earlier act of vandalism on one of the vehicles. They’ve been in the yard so often I think they’ve befriended the dog.

Interestingly enough, my wife and I both cast our ballots last week (along with 185,000 other folks). So I guess this isn’t voter intimidation. But it sure is irritating. My best consolation is that the remaining signs and bumper stickers around town are running 3 to 1 in favor of my candidate, and after November 2 the vandals can keep the signs.