Elections for two different levels of government will be happening in Newfoundland and Labrador over the next month, and a political scientist worries a flood of election signs could create confusion among voters.
Municipal elections will happen across the province on October 2nd, and while the writ hasn’t yet been dropped, a provincial election must be held by October 14th.
Lawn signs and billboards have been popping up across the province for municipal candidates, and soon provincial candidates will be joining the fray.
Political scientist Amanda Bittner says election signs can be a helpful marker for voters to know who’s who in their ward or district.
Municipal and provincial elections signs, St. John’s (VOCM News)
However, with two elections happening simultaneously, Bittner does worry that it will create confusion as to who is running for what level of government.
Provincial signs are usually easy to point out as they usually include party colours – red for Liberal, blue for PC, and orange for the NDP, but Bittner agrees that municipal signs can be a hodge-podge.
She says she was driving around the other day and was confused by a municipal sign that was orange. Bittner says she studies politics closely and it caused her even to question it, so she suspects it will be an issue for others too.
