Thursday October 10, 2024 | LANGFORD, BC [Updated 3:47 pm]
BC ELECTION CAMPAIGN DAY 20 of 28
BC Election 2024 political commentary by Mary P Brooke | Island Social Trends
Your 28-day voter’s guide for BC Election 2024
Vandalism of election campaign signs is not a new problem. But it continues to fester in the 2024 provincial election season that spans September 21 to October 19.
Candidates and their donors — who are all private individuals in BC, no corporations allowed — invest in signage as part of the messaging to potential voters in their electoral area.
Signs are costly to produce. But aside from that, the important function of informing voters about who is running to represent them is greatly diminished if signs are damaged, lost or stolen.
Despite what some may believe, social media is not the only way to reach voters in the digital area. People still have lives outside of social media and beyond their computers. When they are driving or bussing to and from work, or taking their kids to school, or out doing grocery shopping and running errands, signage that is ‘in their face’ will remind voters of who is running to represent them over the next four years in the BC Legislature.
And frankly, the investment of money, time and effort to put ups signs is one indicator of the commitment of a candidate to represent their community. They want to win.
Time for Elections BC to weigh in:
“Every party has suffered these direct attacks,” says BC Green candidate David Evans, who is running in Juan de Fuca-Malahat. He says that “it’s time for all parties and Elections BC to call out inappropriate and illegal behaviour”.
“Turning a blind eye only encourages impunity of hooligans and makes a mockery all our efforts to serve constituents,” says Evans, who in particular has a large riding 3,116 sq km to cover (geographically the largest riding on the south island).
On-the-ground in community — as learned by both many media and all candidates — very few people are fully informed as to the election, the candidates in their area, or where to vote. So a a constant reminder of the candidates component — at the very least — should be protected by Elections BC or some other form of regulation.
The campaign manager for BC Conservative candidate Adam Kubel in Saanich West says signs are expensive and it’s disheartening to see them damaged in the community.
Elections BC generally sticks to its established lane of being a watchdog on campaign expenditures and how the voting process operates. But we have asked Elections BC for comment on the issue of sign damage.
Especially, this is a time when many new candidates are getting into politics. Even if they have their own deep pockets, election rules say they can only use the funds donated from private donors. Every damaged sign is a loss from the pockets of individuals, families and households.
Comment from Elections BC:
Elections BC says: “The Election Act does not specifically address vandalism or theft of campaign signs or other election advertising, though the cost of restoring vandalized property does not count towards the election expense limit”
“Generally, we suggest that concerns about damaged or vandalized signs be reported to local law enforcement,” says Melanie Hull, Senior Communications Advisor, Elections BC.
Municipal rules:
This exposure of who is running to represent a community seems to be fettered or even removed in some municipal areas.
BC Conservative candidate John Wilson has expressed frustration over variability between municipalities. He is running Esquimalt-Colwood which encompasses four municipal areas (Esquimalt, Colwood, View Royal and VicWest).
View Royal disallows campaign signage on their main roads. When driving from downtown to the west shore (or back the other way) you’d think the election was over or not happening — it’s almost like a parallel universe, as signs will suddenly pop up beyond the View Royal ‘invisible border’ and once again you’re back in election season.
BC Green candidate for Esquimalt-Colwood, Camille Currie, says “A complete sign ban allows an unfair advantage to the incumbent. Consistent bylaws across municipalities would definitely help clarify the rules for both candidates and the public, creating a fairer playing field. Specified zones like Colwood have are a practical solution, balancing visibility with safety and avoiding unnecessary clutter. It’s important for all candidates to have equal opportunities to connect with voters through signage without overwhelming the community,” says Currie.
“As a Council, we decided to not allow election signs on town property with the udnerstanding that there are still multiple areas in which candidates can place sign, including Ministry of Transportation, certain regional land, and on the property of private residences,” says View Royal Councillor Damian Kowalewich.
Apparently not seeing the visual deficit for people moving thorugh their communities as motorists and pedestrians, this was stated by Kowalewich: “Large scale media and advertisement campaigns during the election also make it very hard to avoid knowing that the provincial election is happening.”
The City of Langford recently developed an intensive sign bylaw that does include a point about not obstructing the view of other key signage or preventing access to facilities.
Social media is not the full solution:
“Given the digital age of our time, we know that candidates can also communicate with constituents by way of social media and Internet,” says Kowalewich, adding that there is “still traditional mail, flyers, newspaper advertisements, and internet-based news sources to choose from”.
While social media usage is widespread, it’s not for everyone. In fact, in the last few years many people have reduced their time spent on social media and computers wherever and whenever they can.
Especially during an election campaign the candidates will want to reach people who may have chosen to become disengaged. This is the pool of unclaimed or undecided voters that every political party wants to see, especially in areas where the races are tight (which is nearly everywhere in BC in Election 2024).
Signs on boulevards along main streets is a great way to remind people of what’s going on. It’s about meeting people ‘where they are at’.
The visual “sign pollution” is only for 28 days at most. The vibrancy and energy level that a range of signage (colours, sizes, placements) in a community is in its own way a form of community participation and service.
===== RELATED:
- NEWS SECTIONS: BC ELECTION 2024 NEWS | POLITICS
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