Question of the day
Monday, Sep 16, 2024 - Posted by Rich Miller
* As the late state Sen. Vince Demuzio said, “Yard signs don’t vote,” but campaigns do rely on them. From The Hill…
Studies have shown that when it comes to down-ballot races — usually non-presidential, like school board or a county-level representative — it’s important for the candidate to build name recognition. Yard signs can do that, even if the candidate is not real, one study found.
In that study, researchers placed signs for a fictitious candidate in a Nashville yard, near an elementary school, months before the actual election. Three days later, parents were surveyed and asked to rank their top three choices for the open seats. Of the parents believed to have seen the fictitious signs, nearly a quarter selected the fake candidate.
That may not always be the case, though. It’s possible the community may already be familiar with someone running for a local office, and the signs can help “reinforce” that they are “the right candidate,” Dr. Patricia Crouse, a Professor of Public Administration and Political Science at the University of New Haven, told Nexstar. […]
Putting out a yard sign at all may have a bigger impact on you than the election. Having a sign (or signs) is like flying a flag for your favorite sports team. Everyone knows who you root for, and you may encourage other like-minded fans to put out their own flag. You may also spark a neighbor to fly the rival team’s flag.
Regardless, it’s all about expression, which Makse, a co-author of “Politics on Display: Yard Signs and the Politicization of Social Spaces,” called “the most important motive for displaying a sign.” Crouse explained that yard signs may allow someone who doesn’t “get deeply involved in any sort of campaigning” to not only express their opinion but feel involved in the election.
* The Question: Do you regularly/occasionally put up campaign yard/window signs? Take the poll and then explain your answer in comments, please.
- Proud Papa Bear - Monday, Sep 16, 24 @ 11:53 am:
Very seldom, usually for a contested school board race.
Otherwise no. I don’t want to be a target.
- Tom Lanning - Monday, Sep 16, 24 @ 11:57 am:
My neighbor prohibits them. Most of the signs in Springfield are put up by government workers on government time on rental property with permission of the Landlord not the tenant.
- Candy Dogood - Monday, Sep 16, 24 @ 11:57 am:
===it’s important for the candidate to build name recognition===
Do I put up a sign? Sure. But if it’s for a local down ticket race the candidate actually putting the time in to door knock to talk to voters is usually a lot more impactful. Especially for local races and municipal races with lower participation. I’ve seen a focus on putting up signs become a real distraction from what needs to be done to win on too many occasions.
- 47th Ward - Monday, Sep 16, 24 @ 11:58 am:
I live in a very Democratic area. Local alder elections sometimes call for a yard sign in front of my house or in a window, but even then, I don’t like to virtue signal or otherwise call attention to my politics.
- Give Me A Break - Monday, Sep 16, 24 @ 12:00 pm:
In the Springfield area yard signs usually indicate a state, county of city employee or someone trying to become a state, county or city employee.
- Frida's boss - Monday, Sep 16, 24 @ 12:11 pm:
I’d rather do one yard sign from someone knocking on my door than the endless barrage of fundraising emails I get on a daily basis
- Lincoln Lad - Monday, Sep 16, 24 @ 12:11 pm:
Always in presidential election years
- DuPage Saint - Monday, Sep 16, 24 @ 12:13 pm:
I occasionally put them up. Usually down ballot races and for people I know. I figure that may help them and get their name out. I hardly ever do president, senator or governor I don’t think signs for those races influence anyone
- Bogey Golfer - Monday, Sep 16, 24 @ 12:13 pm:
My wife is an election judge, so we have agreed not to put election signs on our property. It could suggest partisanship on election day.
- JRP - Monday, Sep 16, 24 @ 12:14 pm:
No signs for the last 3-4 Election cycles
Utterly demoralized by the choices offered.
Some of the worst candidates form both parties since I started voting in the late 80s
- Loyal Virus - Monday, Sep 16, 24 @ 12:14 pm:
Establishing muscle memory for the people walking by to think about the candidate/issue when they vote.
- Siualum - Monday, Sep 16, 24 @ 12:19 pm:
I voted “yes, occasionally”, but I will qualify that. In my lifetime I think I have put out a candidate’s yard sign twice. Many years ago I put a George Ryan for governor sign in my yard, at the request of a friend who worked for IDOT. In hindsight, I totally regret that! A month ago I put a Kamala Harris sign in my yard, if only because there are too many signs for agent orange in my community.
- Occasionally Moderated - Monday, Sep 16, 24 @ 12:19 pm:
Like others, I don’t like to call attention to my politics. The last one I put out was a former assistant states attorney/associate judge running for circuit judge. I knew him and believed in him personally.
- Socially DIstant watcher - Monday, Sep 16, 24 @ 12:21 pm:
Regularly, for candidates and for community events, and I talk with neighbors, too.
- Joe Schmoe - Monday, Sep 16, 24 @ 12:24 pm:
Nope. I like to keep them guessing…….
- Sterling - Monday, Sep 16, 24 @ 12:26 pm:
Last time I put up a yard sign was for a municipal ballot referendum, but I think the dynamics of that are a bit different than a sign for a candidate or a party.
- Ricochet - Monday, Sep 16, 24 @ 12:26 pm:
I used to, but I don’t anymore. Some of my neighbors have big banners with profanity and guns hanging from their garages, and I don’t need to “trigger” them - pun intended.
- Snowman 61 - Monday, Sep 16, 24 @ 12:27 pm:
Voted occasionally and always for a local like a trustee or school board. Also, someone I know and believe in them.
- Lefty Lefty - Monday, Sep 16, 24 @ 12:29 pm:
No - we have had a strict no-sign policy at the Bastion of Liberalism for over 30 years. Just makes things easier in our neck of the woods. We talk politics all the time with friends and neighbors, but I guess we don’t want anyone assuming anything more than they know about us. Plus we’d have signs up all the time - there’s always a topic or an election around here.
- thisjustinagain - Monday, Sep 16, 24 @ 12:31 pm:
I’m one of the “silent majority voters”. I also don’t need any hassles about signs on my lawn.
- JS Mill - Monday, Sep 16, 24 @ 12:31 pm:
Nope, never have. Probably never will. Just not my thing.
=Most of the signs in Springfield are put up by government workers on government time on rental property with permission of the Landlord not the tenant.=
LOL. Sure Jan.
- Rudy’s teeth - Monday, Sep 16, 24 @ 12:32 pm:
In residential high rise buildings in the city, signs are rarely displayed. Might be against the bylaws of the association. In the neighborhood, signs are often displayed on private property.
It is unfortunate the view along the Chicago River is spoiled by that sign posted on that building. It is an affront to one’s eyes.
- New Day - Monday, Sep 16, 24 @ 12:33 pm:
Surprised the numbers are this low for CapFax readers. Figured it would be more than 50%.
- Annon3 - Monday, Sep 16, 24 @ 12:38 pm:
Yes, while yards signs don’t vote it’s important to participate, and every so often you need to reuse one from the garage for yard/rummage sales!
- Homebody - Monday, Sep 16, 24 @ 12:39 pm:
No, but I’m also on a six flat apartment on a small one way street that wouldn’t get much traffic, in a pretty homogeneous politically neighborhood in Chicago. Pretty much the only contested contests in my area would be if there was an open primary among Dems, with the farthest right option being a Pritzker-type, against someone who leans socialist.
- Proud Sucker - Monday, Sep 16, 24 @ 12:41 pm:
Voted yes. I put up my own and reciprocate with others running for local office. Did have Obama signs in ‘08 and ‘12, nothing since.
- ArchPundit - Monday, Sep 16, 24 @ 12:42 pm:
Usually put them up, but haven’t this year. Last night my wife caught someone stealing signs from our next door neighbor and posted it to Nextdoor. The conspiracy theories are fabulous.
The name recognition and the sense there is support is critical for downballot races though and provides a kind of marker for those who put them up that they are a part of the campaign.
- Ducky LaMoore - Monday, Sep 16, 24 @ 12:42 pm:
Voted no. The reason… I really don’t care to have someone that I don’t know have their first impression of me be political. It doesn’t matter if they agree or disagree with me. Political yard signs create too many assumptions and biases.
- Flyin'Elvis'-Utah Chapter - Monday, Sep 16, 24 @ 12:44 pm:
No. I find them to be eyesores.
- Rabid - Monday, Sep 16, 24 @ 12:45 pm:
No. A fake write in candidate could be fun. Hamm Sandwiche
- Joe Bidenopolous - Monday, Sep 16, 24 @ 12:48 pm:
Signs don’t vote but I do, and I also don’t want to virtue signal or draw unwanted attention.
++=Most of the signs in Springfield are put up by government workers on government time on rental property with permission of the Landlord not the tenant.=
LOL. Sure Jan.++
I completely understand this reaction if it’s from someone who never lived/worked a lot in Springfield, but for those who have and remember the Thompson/Cellini machine, they know this statement is more true than not
- Frumpy White Guy - Monday, Sep 16, 24 @ 12:50 pm:
Voted Yes sometimes, If it is a new candidate that I like. In my neighborhood I’m seeing a number of Trump signs pop up on the lawns of the Appalachian people.
- Steve Rogers - Monday, Sep 16, 24 @ 12:53 pm:
I’ve only put up a sign once since I started voting in the mid-1980s. It was for Obama in 08, but I did not put up a sign for him in 12.
- Mister Ed - Monday, Sep 16, 24 @ 12:55 pm:
I voted no. I used to put up yard signs but in the last 4 years I have found that if I put them up, I became a target. Sad state of affairs.
- Tequila Mockingbird - Monday, Sep 16, 24 @ 1:07 pm:
Never. I live in a secluded area. Some days the mail carrier is the only one down our road.
Even if I lived in Main Street I wouldn’t put anybody’s sign in my yard.
- Stones - Monday, Sep 16, 24 @ 1:12 pm:
Voted no only because my HOA doesn’t allow yard signs. I will say however I always look at yards that have signs from candidates from both parties to gauge interest in certain candidates. Hardcore D’s are going to have every democratic sign in their yard as hardcore R’s in theirs. I want to see who Joe Independent is supporting.
- Chicago Voter - Monday, Sep 16, 24 @ 1:12 pm:
My political leaning is no secret with my neighbors as I regularly put up political signs. I like to show my support. My Harris/Walz sign arrived a few days ago and is proudly in my front year. First time I ever paid for a lawn sign. My state rep sign will be up soon.
- Norseman - Monday, Sep 16, 24 @ 1:13 pm:
Only occasionally when in Springfield. Not opposed to them, I just lived on a street with not much traffic. First time putting one up in MAGA MO because I felt sorry for the Dem sacrificial lamb that came to my door. Otherwise, I don’t see the point to post them in my cul-de-sac.
- Flapdoodle - Monday, Sep 16, 24 @ 1:16 pm:
Voted “occasionally.” Never for national offices, rarely for state constitutional offices, occasionally for state legislative offices, and selectively for local offices or ballot initiatives.
Personal experience tells me name recognition is important in local elections and that yard signs help create it, especially (but not only) for someone new making a first run for office. Yard signs helped keep my name in front of the voters when I ran for a public board seat not long after moving to this smallish central Illinois city. They were a necessary, but not sufficient element in a winning effort.
- Norseman - Monday, Sep 16, 24 @ 1:17 pm:
I am disturbed that many fear putting up signs because of political threats. I understand but am angry by the increasing political violence asymmetrically pushed by one party. My kids are fearful for me. I tell them I’m old and stubborn enough that I don’t care.
- Anonymouse - Monday, Sep 16, 24 @ 1:17 pm:
>>>>My neighbor prohibits them.
Who is your neighbor?
Pinochet? Stalin?
- We've never had one before - Monday, Sep 16, 24 @ 1:19 pm:
I put up signs for my favorite conservatives, but not for Trump, I don’t need any more lightning rods.
I just leave that one unsaid.
- Rich Miller - Monday, Sep 16, 24 @ 1:22 pm:
===but for those who have and remember the Thompson/Cellini machine===
This may surprise you, but 1980 was 44 years ago.
- Oldtimer - Monday, Sep 16, 24 @ 1:26 pm:
Haven’t since I stopped being a precinct committeeperson 20 years ago.
- Aaron B - Monday, Sep 16, 24 @ 1:28 pm:
This is only the 3rd year I’ve actually had a lawn I could put a sign in but so far I have not. If the current atmosphere was move civil then I probably would put signs out. I don’t live on a particularly busy street though so it probably won’t have any impact either way.
- Techie - Monday, Sep 16, 24 @ 1:29 pm:
I usually put them up during a primary, and would consider putting them up for more local races where it’s helpful to build name recognition.
- just because - Monday, Sep 16, 24 @ 1:35 pm:
Usually only for down ballot folks.
- RNUG - Monday, Sep 16, 24 @ 1:37 pm:
== My wife is an election judge … ==
As you surely know Election Judges do have to declare their party to the County Clerk and there has to be a mix of D & R working each precinct. Of course, we don’t wear party signs because that would be electioneering.
Now if your property was adjacent to the polling place, I can understand not put up a sign.
- Joe Bidenopolous - Monday, Sep 16, 24 @ 1:37 pm:
=This may surprise you, but 1980 was 44 years ago.=
True. Also true is that Thompson served until 1991, and Cellini didn’t get indicted until 2008. Republicans controlled the mansion from 1977 until 2003 and it’s folly to think they weren’t looking at the voter file with every hire. And then, after you got hired, you got handed a stack of fundraising tickets to shill.
- RNUG - Monday, Sep 16, 24 @ 1:44 pm:
For the past 22 years, I answered yes, occasionally. Usually for a local race where I know the candidate personally.
Prior to that, when I actually had a government job no.
Signs, except on Election Day across from the polling place on the city easement, tend to be scarce in my neighborhood. A lot of us know each other and know which we all lean.
From memory right now, we have one long term Trump supporter and a recent Harris supporter with signage. The rest of the 3 blocks I regularly drive down don’t have anything.
- Nathan Hl. - Monday, Sep 16, 24 @ 1:47 pm:
I usually do it. But had my Harris sign stolen a couple days ago. It happened before a few weeks ago, but they put it in my neighbor’s yard (as some kind of joke, I guess). I agree that it is important for downballot races to get the name out.
- Rich Miller - Monday, Sep 16, 24 @ 1:49 pm:
===until 2003===
21 years ago. A full generation.
- Facts Matter - Monday, Sep 16, 24 @ 1:49 pm:
In my DuPage county neighborhood in the next block, there is a husband and wife not in agreement. He has a Trump 2024 sign on the front right side of the house and she has a “Trump for Jail” sign on the left sign of the house. In the middle they have a sign that explains their dual/dueling loyalties.
- Gruntled University Employee - Monday, Sep 16, 24 @ 1:52 pm:
Occasionally but I do still have a 4′X6′ Blago sign. So I got that going for me.
- Parlay Player - Monday, Sep 16, 24 @ 1:53 pm:
For local elections only because many people aren’t familiar with those candidates, so I think it does make a difference at that level.
- RNUG - Monday, Sep 16, 24 @ 1:54 pm:
Somewhere I spotted a campaign sign I took a photo of that said something to effect of
Neither, we’re all …..ed (banned punctuation).
Thought about finding one for the yard.
- Dirty Red - Monday, Sep 16, 24 @ 2:00 pm:
Yes. It’s name recognition, which is vital for any local campaign.
- Tim - Monday, Sep 16, 24 @ 2:01 pm:
Nope. We live in a cul de sac. And it would take a big pile of money for me agree to put up a sign these days.
- Pot calling kettle - Monday, Sep 16, 24 @ 2:03 pm:
As a precinct committeeperson, I put them in my yard and I round up signs and put them in the yards of those who request them. At the beginning of sign season,I reach out to the regulars and ask them whose signs they would like. I have always found it interesting whose signs different people want and don’t want.
- danray - Monday, Sep 16, 24 @ 2:05 pm:
I’m getting a Harris/Walz sign early next week. I just feel this election needs support. I fully expect my MAGA neighbors to deface or eliminate it altogether. That’s okay, I have 11 more.
- Rich Miller - Monday, Sep 16, 24 @ 2:07 pm:
===numbers are this low===
Half is pretty darned high.
- Veeb - Monday, Sep 16, 24 @ 2:08 pm:
I do not, I live in an apartment with limited street visibility and a prohibition on putting up signs visible from the street so it’s never seemed like a great use of time/resources to me
- danray - Monday, Sep 16, 24 @ 2:08 pm:
And for reference, I’ve only put up 1 yard sign in my life. Kerry, 2004. LOL on me.
- Donnie Elgin - Monday, Sep 16, 24 @ 2:17 pm:
Voted no - it is no one business who I may support - also the signs are a pain when mowing.
- West Side the Best Side - Monday, Sep 16, 24 @ 2:19 pm:
As a practicing attorney I would put up signs for judicial candidates I thought would make good judges. Now that I’m retired I’m amazed at the number of people running who I never even heard of, even as a faithful reader of Jack Leyhane’s “For What It’s Worth” blog.
- Slugger O'Toole - Monday, Sep 16, 24 @ 2:25 pm:
I used to, but stopped when a local mayoral candidate took a photo of my house and posted my name and address on his Facebook page since I was supporting his opponent. Agree with others. DuPage politics have gotten crazy over the last ten years.
- FormerParatrooper - Monday, Sep 16, 24 @ 2:26 pm:
No signs in yard. No stickers on vehicle. No desire to support any recent candidates. And no desire to rile the local Karen’s or Ken’s.
- Two Left Feet - Monday, Sep 16, 24 @ 2:28 pm:
There are a lot of kids in our neighborhood. We put up fun signs during campaign season: “All Hail Megatron Global Domination” “Kenobi 2024 Our Only Hope” “No signs on yard” “Vote for Snow Days” etc
- ChicagoBars - Monday, Sep 16, 24 @ 2:49 pm:
I put them out for non-Federal races sometimes but it’s a lot harder to even get yard signs from local campaign offices than it used to be.
Meanwhile I usually get plenty of repeated local (streaming) cable ads for races I can’t even vote it because the district is a mile or four away.
- Ducky LaMoore - Monday, Sep 16, 24 @ 2:50 pm:
“ And then, after you got hired, you got handed a stack of fundraising tickets to shill.”
Only the management got the tickets to shill. Everyone else got the privilege of intimidation to fork over the cash, at least when Ryan was SOS. Thank you for the reminder of how much better things are now in that regard.
- This - Monday, Sep 16, 24 @ 3:13 pm:
In the Quad Cities we like our yard signs in the cities and on the farms. Keeping this downstate county blue.
- Demoralized - Monday, Sep 16, 24 @ 3:50 pm:
==also the signs are a pain when mowing==
Amen. lol.
I don’t put up signs because my political affiliation is nobody’s business.
- 4 eyes - Monday, Sep 16, 24 @ 3:51 pm:
I will put them up for local candidates who could never afford a tv ad like county board or city council. I’ll never put one up for bigger races unless its a personal friend.
- The Dude Abides - Monday, Sep 16, 24 @ 3:53 pm:
I’m a state employee in Springfield, and there has never been a sign at our house.
Never needs to be, given that a direct neighbor is a name many here would recognize.
- Interested Bystander - Monday, Sep 16, 24 @ 3:54 pm:
Yes, regularly for local (up to state GA) races. I live on a cut-through street so good visibility.
- old guy - Monday, Sep 16, 24 @ 4:07 pm:
Political yard signs are constitutionally protected. Some limitations may apply, but Supreme Court has said they cannot be totally banned.
- @misterjayem - Monday, Sep 16, 24 @ 4:25 pm:
“DuPage politics have gotten crazy over the last ten years.”
You misspelled “competitive.”
– MrJM
- Barbie - Monday, Sep 16, 24 @ 4:44 pm:
I am a down-ballot elected so I put out signs for most races. There was a controversial school board race a few years ago and I put no signs out. As a result, I heard from a bunch of people who live in my precinct that they did not know who to vote for. I am now very thoughtful about my signage. I have Kamala signs in my yard at the moment.
- Amalia - Monday, Sep 16, 24 @ 5:12 pm:
down ballot Super picky about whom I support in that way.