Campaign Signs and Political Yard Signs Blog

Recycling Political Campaign Signs

We're looking for your unique and original ideas for ways to recycle, repurpose and reuse political campagin signs.  How have you reused a campaign sign?  Share with everyone how you've been inventive.  Please post your comments!

Big signs, but no opponent

Here's a guy in North Carolina that's doing it right!

Big signs, but no opponent
Evans says he's serious about mayor's post

BY COLIN CAMPBELL, Staff Writer

SMITHFIELD - He's got the biggest campaign signs in town, but no one's running against Daniel Evans for mayor.

Evans is unopposed in his bid to succeed outgoing mayor Norman Johnson, but he's decided not to let election season pass by without some campaigning.

"I want everyone to know that I take the job seriously," Evans said. "I want to generate an interest in Smithfield politics. It will lead people to ask questions."  more here

 

Pictures of illegally placed campaign signs

Yes, it's true, someone has taken pictures of illegally placed campaign signs. http://bit.ly/1fYeYW  This is in California.

What to do if someone steals your campaign signs

Okay, the heat is on - voting is just a short 8 days from now, and it's obvious the last posting has gotten some great response and search volume.  So, I'm going to back up for a second and give you some "real world" advice.

What to do if someone steals your campaign signs - and you actually know it's a person, not 1) a few young vandals with no intention of harming you politically, or 2) the weather.

First off, never - EVER - put a sign in illegally.  It's not littering, it's unfair and it's not right.  And never – EVER – take your opponent signs, no matter how unfairly they are being to you.  You must remember, YOU have to play fair, even when your opponent doesn't.  Why?  You'll be better off in the long run.

Story time: I had a school board client recently who worked his tail off to get 4X8 commercial locations.  He must have gotten 20 locations - that's a lot for a local school board race.  His opponent’s husband came by and put in her 2X4 signs right next to his - NEVER getting permission from the land owner.  They just thought since his wife's opponent was there with a sign, they could too.  NOT THE CASE!

My client lost.  But turns out the "lady" in question is not in deep trouble and will probably get kicked off the school board.  Suffice to say, the law of sowing and reaping is alive and well these days.  (Always remember that!)  While my client didn’t win, he played fair and square and can hold his head high for being an upstanding and fair-play person.

Okay, back to your question...

What are some very common reasons your sign may no longer be in someone's residential yard?

1. It may be a rental house and the owner/tenant took it out
2. Two votes in one house have different opinions about who to vote for and the sign that was once "okay" to be in the yard is now no longer okay
3. The lawn mower, whoever it was, didn't/forgot to replace the sign after mowing
4. The voter changed their mind and they no longer want to display your sign - this happens for MANY reasons and you shouldn't get freaked out by it
5. They gave their sign to a friend because the intent to get another one soon (and you're obsessing about it way too much) - this sounds unlikely - I even didn't believe this, but have seen it a gazillion times and I'm still amazed
6. The homeowner is going out of town and took the sign down (another excuse I thought was totally bunk and have heard it so many times, it needs to get included in this list)

There are other factors at work here other than your evil opponent stealing your signs.  Frankly, (and it’s hard to believe this now, because you’ve worked so hard on your campaign it’s easiest to blame the other side) most of your signs are not being stolen by the other side.  Does it happen?  YES – OF COURSE!  But are the bulk of your missing signs being stolen by the other side?  No.

You cannot expect that if your signs are missing from several locations that your opponent is stealing them.  It’s simply a bad assumption.

However, if you lose 60 or more signs out of say 200, chances are someone is intentionally taking them.

Here’s the deal with that though.  USUALLY, no candidate is stupid enough to take someone else’s signs.  Remember, I said usually.  Each election cycle, some jackass candidates DOES steal their opponent’s signs and it’s caught on video tape.  So, yes, it does happen.  But an actual candidate stealing their opponent’s signs is rare.  (This will not sit well with most candidates or politicians because they think anytime a sign is missing, it was stolen by the other side.)

Most times, when signs are actually stolen – really STOLEN - it’s a “well-intentioned” supporter of your opponent’s.  They are usually new-comers to politics.  They think they are helping.  They think that they are being tricky, hacky and hurting the other side.

In reality they only risk hurting the candidate they are trying to help.

Opinions abound in politics, but here’s an opinion you would do well to hear: most people can’t judge how many campaign signs you have up.  You could have 100 up in a small neighborhood, or 1,000 – and you’d get a different estimate from each person you talked to.  In fact, experienced professionals – paid “experts” often times have no clue how many signs to order…and often misjudge the demand for signs – too high and too low.

Instead of focusing on the “stolen” signs, you need to be going door to door asking people for votes.

Remember, you must have campaign signs for your campaign.  But, campaign signs don’t vote – people do.

Therefore, get your signs up, get as many locations as you can; get signs up along busy streets and then try to penetrate deep into residential neighborhoods.

Get enough signs to put up through Election Day and at the polling place.  Don’t worry about all the signs your losing.  Just keep putting signs up, knocking on doors and asking for votes.

Interesting take on the placement of campaign signs

Placement of campaign signs is telling
by CHRIS MARQUARDT

There are two kinds of candidates in the Olympia City Council race.

The kind whose signs are firmly and forthrightly planted in your neighbors’ yards, clearly demonstrating real support from real people, and those whose signs are firmly but stealthily planted on every vacant lot and property line, demonstrating a lack of real support from real people and a desire to win and govern even without true popular support.

As you drive around town, take the time to notice which candidates rely on the support of your neighbors and which ones have most of their signs sticking out of the bushes and weeds of roadsides, property lines, and vacant lots.

Consider whether you want to be governed by someone who has gone door-to-door, talked to your neighbors, and won their support, or whether you want to continue to be governed by candidates who think their only obligation to the public is to “listen” to the majority opinion and then do whatever they were going to do anyway.

No more mistakes by the lake. No more council members who do not really listen, and then do the pposite of what the people want.

Make sure your vote counts. Vote early. Buxbaum, Hyer, Rogers and Roe for Olympia City Council.

From http://www.theolympian.com/opinion/story/1013940.html

When Should I Put Up My Campaign Signs

When you are running a campaign that incorporates election yard signs, you will need to take the time to implement a strategy to ensure that your sign program is successful.  One of the most important questions you will need to address is when you should place your campaign signs. 

It is recommended that you put up your campaign signs between four to eight weeks before the primary or general election.  This will ensure that you have plenty of time for the community to view your campaign signs and to maximize your name recognition.  If you install too early, they may not have the as much impact. If you put campaign signs up too late, they may not be viewed by as many people as you need to win the election.  By staying with the four to eight week guidelines, you will have plenty of time to ensure that your campaign is effective.

In addition to determining the best strategic time to put up your campaign signs, you will also need to check your local election rules regarding when they can go in and when they should be removed as well.  It is imperative that you find out all of the rules and guidelines that are in place for your campaign.

Also, even though you meet the local rules regarding placement, some neighborhoods may have more strict covenants adopted by a homeowners’ association.  Often, your supporters in those neighborhoods will be aware of any specific restrictions.  Never violate any rules, laws or covenants.  They kind of behavior will only hurt you in the end.  It’s not worth breaking the law and upsetting people for a few additional locations.  You’re better off knocking on doors and meeting people personally in areas where you’re not allowed to have your signs.

It’s also important to realize that once you have established your locations and have yard signs placed you shouldn’t neglect them.  By asking supporters or volunteers to check on locations regularly, you can make sure they stay up and in good repair. 

You’ll also need to inquire with election officials about the placement at polling locations on Election Day.  If your election district allows for signs at polling places, don’t get caught short of signs for that final push.  Make sure you have enough volunteers and efficient routes for placing polling places early on Election Day before the polls open.

Article borrowed from CandidateSigns.com.

The Old "Someone is Stealing Campaign Signs Letter To The Editor" Trick

The Old "Someone is Stealing My Signs Letter To The Editor" Trick

I would like to point out (to those who think they are being tricky or original) that your letter to the editor trick is neither tricky nor original.  And, it’s not fair.

I shall back up.

It seems that often someone not associated too closely with a campaign will write a letter to the editor complaining about the stealing of campaign signs.  They'll say how unfair and dirty it is and that the citizens of Whateverville deserve better than that - and that "that" is (Insert Your Candidate's Name Here).

Writing a letter to the editor of your local paper complaining about campaign signs being stolen does not fool any voters.

Frankly, you're better off writing about how great your candidate is, instead of your concern for the "fair play, let the best man win" politics.  Your fake concern for all that's good and right is simply an attack.  By not naming your candidate's opponent you are simply insinuating one candidate is stealing the other candidate’s signs.

If that is the case, come out and make the accusation - don't hind behind your pretend concern for the stealing of campaign signs.

Here is a good example of such a letter.  And, sorry Mrs. Simberg, I’re not trying to pick on you.  There are a lot of people who’ve written your same letter.

One should never steal a campaign sign, no matter what.  (Yes even placed illegally.)

Further, one should never accuse another of stealing campaign signs unless they have proof.  Frankly, more signs are lost to the weather and bored 12 year-old boys than the evil plottings of “the other side.”

City Council candidates fighting, big story on campaign signs

Campaign signs spark debate
Wendell mayor advises candidates to follow the rules

BY JOHNNY WHITFIELD, Staff Writer
Oct 07, 2009 02:00 AM

WENDELL - At the last two town board meetings, Mayor Harold Broadwell has admonished candidates in this year's town board race to familiarize themselves with the town's rules governing campaign signs.

He told candidates the signs have become so pervasive that it was hard to see similar signs advertising last weekend's Harvest Festival.

There's no confusing the fact that it's election season in Wendell. Campaign signs have virtually become the town flower.

They line Wendell Boulevard from one end of town to the other. In many yards, it's not uncommon to find three or more signs spaced apart across the front of the lawn.

Broadwell declined to comment on the issue for this story, but he did say the problem is two-fold.

"Everybody needs to follow the rules. And there are appearance issues. Other than that I don't think I would have anything else to say that I haven't already said in a public meeting with all seven candidates present," Broadwell said.

The town ordinance allows temporary political signs without a permit as long as they are placed out of the right of way and as long as there are no more than 32-square-feet of signage on a single lot. Town Planning Director Teresa Piner said that means a single lot could have about... read more here

Campaign Sign Etiquette

We see lots of people complain about "stealing campaign signs" but we rarely get to see anyone talk about campaign sign etiquette, but here's a story from Lynchburg, VA

Congrats to reporter: Shelley Basinger and producer: Amy Foster for a job well done!

_______________________

Lynchburg, VA - With about three weeks until Election Day, you'll probably start to notice more and more campaign signs along area roads. That comes with a reminder: there are laws to follow when supporting your candidate.

So far, both parties are reporting little illegal sign activity. However, some election years were so bad, they don't want history to repeat itself.

"The worst was probably the '04 campaign," John Lawrence with the Lynchburg Democrats said.

As George Bush and John Kerry battled it out for the presidency, some of their Lynchburg supporters waged a sign war.

"People were stealing signs right and left. I know it was really bad everywhere," Lawrence said.

Three years later, someone attached razor blades to a campaign sign in Amherst County. So far this fall, local Republicans say they've already had someone knock down one of their biggest banners.

Mark Peake with the Lynchburg Republicans said, "This sign, every year, every election is vandalized, it's knocked down, sometimes they break it in half, sometimes they don't... we've found it in the field over there before."

Commonwealth's Attorney Michael Doucette said, "They think it's just a little fun, just tweaking the other side. No, it's a crime."

Doucette says vandalizing and stealing signs carries the same hefty consequence.

"People don't realize when you take someone's sign that is petit larceny, that is punishable by 12 months in jail," Doucette said.

You can also make a passive mistake, based on where you put campaign signs. Doucette says as long as the signs are in your front yard, you're okay. It's when they're in front of the sidewalk, that you're breaking the rules.

"The definition of a public highway or road is anywhere from the sidewalks in," Doucette said.

So pay attention, don't lose your cool and try to keep in mind that signs don’t win elections.

If a sign is misplaced and on public property, don't move it yourself. That can sometimes create more tension between parties. Call the city to report it and they'll have the sign removed.

Video available at http://www.wset.com/news/stories/1009/666108.html