Blog

Not much.  Just three things.  Your name and office sought, both as short as possible, and all legally-required disclaimers.

(1) YOUR NAME AND OFFICE SOUGHT

First of all, the purpose of a political yard sign is to increase your name identification so voters remember it when they see it on the ballot.  A political yard sign is NOT an educational tool or a debate tactic.

A political yard sign should have your name, prefarably last name only, as the most visible thing on it.

Most yard signs come printed as two sides on a 22″ by 28″ sheet of posterboard (you don’t need to use more expensive plastic corrugated or bag signs.) If you have a short name, use the traditional “portrait” layout (folded to 22″ by 14″.)  If you have a longer name, have the print shop fold the sign to make a landscape layout (28″ by 11″.)

If you have a common name like Smith or Jones, or you are more well-known in the community by your first name than your last, include your first name.

You also need to put what office you are running for, such as “City Council.”  There is no need to distinguish which district you are running in.  Don’t put “City Council, Ward 2.”

MAKE YOUR NAME AS LARGE AS POSSIBLE.  You’re paying for 22 by 28 inches of advertising space.  Use it all.

Stick to simple fonts.  Nothing fancy.  There’ a reason the highway department prints signs in a plain font.  Generally speaking, with longer names upper case and lower case (MacBride) is easier to read that all upper case (MACBRIDE.)

White letters on a dark background (generally dark blue) are the most visible.

(2) EXTRAS

Avoid them.  They are a distraction and a waste of your money.

There is no need to put a slogan on your sign.  People need to see a name between seven and ten times before they remember it, and that’s on top of the several hundred things all of us need to remember each day.  Don’t muddle things by trying to be cute.

Avoid putting your website, election date or other information on your sign.  It is a distraction.  You need people, above all else, to remember your name and what office you are running for.  If they remember that, they’ll Google you.  If they don’t remember that you’re going to lose anyway.

Generally speaking, avoid words like “for,” “elect” or “vote for.”  Two exceptions.  If you are the incumbent, put “re-elect” on your sign so people will remember you are qualified enough to have been elected in the first place.  Also, it’s uncommon but in some places you are required to put “for” if you are not the incumbent to avoid confusion.  Check with local authorities.

Do not list political party on your sign (unless, in the rare case it’s legally required.)  The only reason to ever put party on a sign is if your party is the overwhelming majority where you live, such as running as a Democrat in the District of Columbia or as a Republican in Utah.

Remember.  People SEE signs.  They don’t get to READ them.  That’s why last name and short name of office.

(3) LEGAL DISCLAIMERS

REMEMBER to put “Authorized and Paid for…” or whatever the exact wording and size and position is as dictated by your local and/or state election boards.  It is the candidate’s responsibility to find out the regulations and make this known to the printer.

Now is not the time to pick a First Amendment fight with the town council.  People are dealing with joblessness, rising taxes, crime, schools, utility bills, retirement accounts and paying medical bills.  They don’t care about your tiff.  Remember, your job as a candidate is to listen to them.