Henrico and Richmond police investigate vote poster vandalism

Small business owners in Central Virginia are facing unexpected cleanup costs after large, adhesive “vote” posters were glued to the exteriors of their buildings, causing paint damage and leaving behind stubborn residue. In Henrico County and Richmond, police are now investigating these incidents as vandalism, as the cost of power washing and repainting falls on independent proprietors rather than the anonymous organizers of the campaign.

While the message on the posters encourages democratic participation, the method of delivery—using adhesives on private walls—has turned a civic reminder into a financial burden for local entrepreneurs, CBS 6 reported.

The cost of a civic reminder

For Rob Matzell, of Willow Lawn Service Center on West Broad Street in Henrico’s West End, the arrival of the bright yellow and orange signs wasn’t a welcome sight. Matzell initially thought the posters might be related to a nearby Spirit Halloween store, but the reality set in when he tried to remove them. The signs didn’t just peel away; they tore, leaving a sticky residue that threatened the building’s finish.

Vote posters glued to buildings create costly cleanup in Virginia

“I’ve got residue that sticks to it. I’ve got to pay someone to clean that off, power wash it, scrub it, do whatever, probably repaint afterwards if it takes paint off,” Matzell said. “We’re a small independent business, been around for over 50 years… stuff like this just costs us more money.”

The financial stakes are particularly high for independent shops. Unlike large corporate companies with plenty of money, a surprise bill for professional power washing or exterior painting can disrupt a small business’s monthly bottom line. Matzell noted that his business strives to keep gas prices low for the community, making these unplanned expenses even more frustrating.

A pattern of vandalism across the region

This isn’t an isolated incident of a few misplaced signs. Henrico Police have tracked a specific pattern of activity over a window in October 2026. According to police records, three separate calls for service were made regarding signs glued to businesses at the following locations:

October 20, 2026: 6000 block of W. Broad Street
October 24, 2026: 1100 block of Wilkinson Road
October 28, 2026: 5300 block of W. Broad Street

The reach of the campaign extends beyond Henrico. Richmond Police also took a report for destruction of property on South Harrison. In that instance, the scale of the posters was significant—measuring six feet by 10 feet. The Richmond police spokesperson confirmed that the removal of these massive signs resulted in direct paint damage to the building wall.

Despite the frequency of the reports, the perpetrators remain unknown. A Henrico Police spokesperson stated via email that while two reports for vandalism were created and officers have been assigned for follow-up, there is currently no suspect information to share. It remains unclear what specific charges will be filed.

The friction between protest and property

For him, the issue is a matter of basic respect for ownership.

“Don’t destroy someone else’s property,” Matzell said. “This is a small, little business. We own this. It’s not some big corporate company that has plenty of money to do whatever. This is us. We’ll be out here scrubbing and cleaning ourselves.”

As Henrico Police continue their investigation, they are asking anyone with information to contact them at 804-501-5000. For now, the business owners of West Broad Street and South Harrison are left to deal with the physical and financial aftermath of a campaign that sought to inspire the public but ended up irritating the locals.

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