HELENA -- There's something missing in the political races in the Bitterroot Valley this fall. Namely, the signs of some candidates running for office.

Some Democratic candidates running for state and local office in Ravalli County say they have lost more than 100 yard signs to theft this election season.

''It happens every year," said John Schneeberger, Ravalli County Democratic Central Committee precinct committeeman. ''But it became apparent we were talking about something extraordinary when all the signs were gone."

The executive director of the Montana Republican Party said Democrats are not the only ones losing signs. Chuck Denowh said GOP candidates in Missoula are losing them, as well.

Namely, Republican House candidate John Balyeat has lost about a dozen, Denowh said from his Helena office.

''I don't think there's an organized effort against these signs," Denowh said. ''I think it's a crime of passion."

But the Democrats in the Bitterroot believe the theft of their signs is the result of an organized effort. They say their supporters have spotted several grown men in a white pickup leaving the scenes of several thefts.

And two Democrats said they've heard talk of the thieves burning their signs at bonfire parties.

Democratic House candidate Kathleen Driscoll of Hamilton said about 35 of her signs were pulled from supporters' front yards and porches, while Republican candidates' signs remained intact. Driscoll lost about 35 small yard signs and three large signs, at a cost of about $350 to her campaign.

''The thieves are coming right up into the yard, which kind of scares people," Driscoll said.

Ravalli County Undersheriff Kevin McConnell said two complaints of political sign theft have been reported to the sheriff's office this election season. The victim of the first incident opted not to press charges after the man who took the sign agreed to put it back. Sheriff's deputies tracked him through a cell phone he dropped at the scene.

And the victim of the second reported theft filed a complaint, but couldn't give authorities any information on possible suspects, McConnell said.

''I don't know if this is a rash," McConnell said. ''I don't know if it's creating a lot of concern."

While McConnell said both cases are closed, a spokeswoman for the Ravalli County attorney's office said they are investigating the matter and refused to disclose more detail.

McConnell said the sheriff's department will prosecute anyone who steals these signs.

''We'll treat them as a theft," McConnell said. ''Whether they steal a pink flamingo out of your yard or a sign, it's still a theft."

Some missing signs could be attributed to the diligence of state highway workers, who have been removing more signs than usual from highways and state right of ways, said Pat Hurley, administrative officer for outdoor advertising control.

''This year, we've had a lot of problems," Hurley said. ''They're sticking them all over the place."

On the I-90 west of Missoula, highway workers removed 15 signs from one interchange, he added.

Rep. Bob Lake, R-Hamilton, said he thought he was following the state right of way laws this fall but still lost two signs off the Eastside highway to highway workers. And he said he doubts that people are targeting certain candidates.

''It's pretty easy to start thinking you are being singled out," Lake said. ''But I've never seen it."