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I think this time around fewer people want to advertise for their favored candidate. Bumper stickers are way down too.
This is my impression as well. I am not hearing as much "real life" conversation about it either. I think people have made up their minds and are just keeping mum about it in person. Of course, sitting behind a computer and using social media yields a completely different result......
Funny-when we first came down to check out the area it was last election time and I remember commenting on how many signs there were and how they are just on sides of roads and everything (they do not do that everywhere) and now I do notice, not as many this time, now that we are FINALLY living here during this election.
I would NOT put a sign in our yard, BUT my DH was so happy to be given one at the fair that he came right home and planted it in our yard-I'm sure we're the only one in this neighborhood for this candidate. I told him, "I'm trying to MEET the neighbors, not repel them!"
I had a candidate magnet on my car last time around...now I'm afraid my car will be vandalized. People are so divided and hateful over politics now even more so than last time around, that I'm not surprised people are afraid to put yard signs out.
I found out where all the signs were today while voting. They are at the poll entrances. Do they really make a difference at that point? Are people that undecided for local down ballot choices that they can be swayed as they are walking in?
I found out where all the signs were today while voting. They are at the poll entrances. Do they really make a difference at that point? Are people that undecided for local down ballot choices that they can be swayed as they are walking in?
I saw the same thing and thought the same. I'm not sure the signs ever make a difference in swaying people's opinions, but when they are ALL outside the polling place, what's the point?
I don't know about down there but here in MD signs are expensive so many candidates are taking advantage of social media and the Internet for campaigning.
I think more and more people are embarrassed to publicly say who they plan to vote for. That sure seemed to be the case back in the early 90s when Helms and Gant were going at it for NC Senator. Gant was ahead in all of the polls, and in political signs and bumper stickers. Just based on memory, Gant was probably a 3-1 favorite based on signage and public statement. But Helms won the election easily. The vocal minority was not the poling place majority. I think the 2012 election may go the same way.
I'm not sure the signs ever make a difference in swaying people's opinions
Signs are not direct opinion-swayers, but they do play an important role in campaigns:
1. Name recognition, especially for down-ballot races.
2. Mindshare - keeping candidates names in front of voters.
3. Band Wagoning - like many decisions, some voters are subconsciously swayed to "go with the winner" or with the candidate that others who are like them are supporting. Quantity and placement of signs can influence this.
Signs are not direct opinion-swayers, but they do play an important role in campaigns:
1. Name recognition, especially for down-ballot races.
Right, think of people who don't really do their homework before voting, or for the really small races. They see two names on the ballot and one of them seems familiar (due to signage). "Oh, I guess I'll vote for ____" with no other clue is often how such decisions are made. I probably was guilty of this myself when I was much younger, before I become a political junkie. This is why you see so many at the polls themselves.
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