Do election posters make a difference to who you will vote for?

Worztron

Hi.

If you are voting in the coming local elections on 23-May, do election posters make a difference to who you will vote for?

They make zero difference to me since there is plenty of other ways to get info on candidates. I see posters as a waste of paper, money and time. Why would someone be swayed to vote for someone going by a generic smiling face and a stock slogan?

I wanted to add a poll to this thread but saw no option to add one.

Worztron

Bump.

littlelulu

Yes... Massive impact. I strongly consider voting for the person that has the least posters up.

They are a waste. I read somewhere that each poster costs between €5-7 to print. Why don't they donate the money to a charity or something instead and then I would be impressed.

3rdDegree

I would like to hope they have no impact. But maybe subconsciously they do. I certainly do hate them and just think of them as litter. Would love to see them banned.

NipNip

Nope.

Phoebas

I don't think they do much on their own, but if the candidate is known to you then they're a reminder of who they are and that they're running.
If a candidate knocks on your door and impresses you with their spiel, then the poster might reinforce your positive impression whenever you pass by it.

Demonique

littlelulu wrote: »

Yes... Massive impact. I strongly consider voting for the person that has the least posters up.

They are a waste. I read somewhere that each poster costs between €5-7 to print. Why don't they donate the money to a charity or something instead and then I would be impressed.

One moron in Athlone has three election posters on one poll, one on one side of the poll and two on the other side, one directly above the other, what's the point on having two posters on the same side of a poll? Surely one would have been enough?

vitani

Usually just a negative effect, tbh. If I notice a candidate persistently ignore the rules around postering, I probably won't give them a preference. If they can't be bothered to do something so basic correctly, how can I trust them with more important issues?

Phoebas

Demonique wrote: »

One moron in Athlone has three election posters on one poll, one on one side of the poll and two on the other side, one directly above the other, what's the point on having two posters on the same side of a poll? Surely one would have been enough?

On the midnight that they were allowed to put up the posters, they were all out trying to secure the best spots.
If you get to a busy junction first and get your posters up there, it prevents another candidate using that piece of real estate.

oscarBravo

I think two posters facing the same way for the same candidate on a pole is a breach of the rules for campaign postering. I'll try to find a source for that.

Phoebas

There's a candidate in my constituency whose posters are urging me to "Vote No.". I'm not sure if it's meant to say "Vote No. 1" or he's reusing posters from a past referendum campaign.

A lot of them are hung upside down - maybe he's employing some kind of psychological trick.

QuantumP

I think at best they have neutral impacts for the candidate.
The only half-good they offer is giving people awareness of who's running in their constituency.
An excessive amount, a bad poster or a complete absence of a candidates poster can have negative impacts for the candidate.

Choochtown

Demonique wrote: »

One moron in Athlone has three election posters on one poll, one on one side of the poll and two on the other side, one directly above the other, what's the point on having two posters on the same side of a poll? Surely one would have been enough?

Is that the muppet who has the grammatically incorrect slogan ...

"Think Different"?

If his chance of a vote from me could go below zero it would have.

littlelulu

Demonique wrote: »

One moron in Athlone has three election posters on one poll, one on one side of the poll and two on the other side, one directly above the other, what's the point on having two posters on the same side of a poll? Surely one would have been enough?

I can trump that with 3 exact same posters facing the same way on the same pole...... :pac:

Then there are the upside down posters.....

They should just give the money to charity and find a different way to influence people because their posters sure aint working on me! I can't even remember any of their names. :rolleyes:

Fighting Irish

Worztron wrote: »

Bump.

lol

Worztron

Surely these propaganda posters are just litter stuck to poles.

What would the cops do if they found someone defacing them? Hopefully nothing.

Blue Magic

I think election posters are a cop out for the political class. Should trial run a no poster & no leaflet policy for a referendum and force the Yes/No sides to utilise more social media, local radio and meet and discuss with community more sincerely

Worztron

The propaganda election leaflets bring a new meaning to the words "junk mail".

rubadub

oscarBravo wrote: »

I think two posters facing the same way for the same candidate on a pole is a breach of the rules for campaign postering. I'll try to find a source for that.

It can depend on the local county council.

These are the 2014 ones issued to all parties by dun laoghaire county council.

REVISED GUIDELINES ON THE ERECTION AND REMOVAL OF ELECTION POSTERS:

1. Election posters should only be erected (a) not earlier than 30 days before the poll date or (b) from the date the Minister makes the order for the holding of the poll, whichever is the shorter period. The time limit for Referendum posters is not restricted to 30 days. These posters are allowed from the date the polling day order is signed. In this regard the effective date for the erection of posters is not before 12 midnight on Tuesday 22nd of April 2014.

2. In accordance with the Litter Pollution Act 1997 election posters and ties must be removed within 7 days after polling date. Failure to do so may result in prosecution. The associated fixing arrangement particularly plastic ties must be removed at the same time the poster is being removed.

3. No adhesive or metal fixings are permitted.

4. All posters should be manufactured from cardboard composites or other recyclable materials.

5. The Party or individual responsible for the poster must be clearly indicated on the poster.

6. Posters must not be erected as follows:

a. on lamp standards with overhead line electricity feed,

b. on traffic signal poles,

c. on bridge parapets, overpasses and on pedestrian bridges

d. on roundabouts

e. on roadside traffic barriers

f. on traffic poles or statutory signage of any type including stop, yield, cycletrack, parking control, etc.

g. on Motorways

h. must not obstruct the view of traffic lights or road signs,

i. must not block or obstruct motorists view of pedestrians, i.e. pedestrian barriers, or railings or motorists view of other traffic

7. There should be a minimum clearance of 2.5 metres (8ft) from the lower edge of any poster to ground level on footpaths and 3.2metres (10ft) on cycle lanes and no posters should be placed higher than 6.5 metres (20ft) from the ground.

8. A maximum of two posters per candidate is permitted on any lamp or standard pole.

9. Political parties/independent candidates are reminded that no claims for damages arising from placing, displaying or removal of their posters will lie with the Council and they may consider it appropriate to take out Public Liability Insurance in this regard

10. Where the Council incurs costs in the removal of posters these costs may be recovered.

Election posters that do not comply with these conditions or that are erected on Council property prior to the declaration of an election will be removed by the Council. In the event of a breach of the Litter Pollution Act 1997 – 2009, prosecutions may be initiated.

Most parties have chosen to violate these guidelines in that area. Most also violated the nationwide ESB warnings and so we have thousands of fire hazards all around the country.

Worztron wrote: »

do election posters make a difference to who you will vote for?

Makes a huge difference to me, its a perfect illustration of how they feel about public safety, the environment, wastefulness. Their posters really do warn me off, if they disregard public safety like this what will they be like in office. Usually they are spouting lies before election to make themselves appear good.

rubadub wrote: »

I have a new way of thinking about the posters.

When I see a poster up now I ask myself "if I was in the county council advising where to place things, and the space where election poster is was a permanent advertising area, then would I have placed that warning road sign or traffic light in that same position?". If the answer is no then you have a very serious problem, that politician is clearly showing that they have no respect for public safety, so what the hell will they be getting up to once in office.

oscarBravo

rubadub wrote: »

Most also violated the nationwide ESB warnings and so we have thousands of fire hazards all around the country.

I cringed when I saw a Lisa Chambers poster more than half-way up a 38kV pole just outside Castlebar today. Lunatics.

rubadub

oscarBravo wrote: »

I cringed when I saw a Lisa Chambers poster more than half-way up a 38kV pole just outside Castlebar today. Lunatics.

Some are so bad I am left wondering if it was an opposition party putting them up to give them a bad name.

Leo Varadkar, minister for transport.


Just waiting to be blown around into traffic, probably posted below 2m which is one of the DLR county council requirements, which should go without saying.

he doesn't keep them out of reach of vandals anyway, who can deface them like this or tear them down. (I know these are not from the current election)


said by him

“However, I am very concerned about the number of road fatalities since the beginning of this year. It is a stark reminder to us all that we cannot become complacent where road safety is concerned.

Key measures include:
• Rehabilitative/driving awareness courses for repeat offenders will be considered, along with the feasibility of alcolocks to immobilise vehicles;
• Consideration will be given to extending the safety camera network to offences other than speeding;
• Measures to combat car clocking will be considered;
• Employers will be encouraged to implement a handbrake lock for phone use by professional drivers;
• In-vehicle devices which sense tiredness will be encouraged;
• Regular audits of road markings, safety blackspots and signage will be recommended;
• Fixed charge notices for cyclists will be considered;
• The RSA will have more frequent access to PULSE data in order to spot trends;
• At least five new service areas on motorways will be built to combat tiredness;
• Legislation will be tightened to prevent the reintroduction of written-off vehicles;
• Breakdown kits for cars will be made compulsory;
• Rectification notices will be applied to common minor faults.

In the last week I have spotted about 5 fine gael posters which have clearly set out to mimic yellow road warning signs. They are diamond shaped with just 2 colours. Purposely setting out to distract drivers, a shocking & sickening tactic.

jonnny68

Not in the slightest.


People before profit and Independent are the only ones I'll vote for.

Days 298

Bloody stupid. There are ones shaped like Stop signs near me that literally say STOP and some text underneath. Ban them all.

CatFromHue

They do make me aware of candidates in my area that's for sure.

rubadub

jonnny68 wrote: »

People before profit and Independent are the only ones I'll vote for.

Ah yes, "publicity before public safety" they are one of the worst offenders in my area. The vast majority of them violate the safety guidelines. The council took down loads of their fire hazards & motoring distractions, disgusting to see what they are capable of.

Days 298 wrote: »

Bloody stupid. There are ones shaped like Stop signs near me that literally say STOP and some text underneath. Ban them all.

get a photo and send it in. Or at least drop them an email.

Telephone: Tel: 01-666 9800 (Road Safety Unit)
Email: traffic@garda.ie
Website: www.garda.ie

The council told me they have no control over the design of the posters, labour & FG both have ones mimicing roadsigns like this.

Dymo

I think the posters are the best way for candidates getting there face out there, I've all ready voted and there was a couple of people running for Europe and I never saw them before in my life, mainly independents who probably haven't got the budget to go plastering the country with posters.

I fond it amazing why candidates don't invest in a website, and yes posters can be ugly but people do associate faces with familiarity and that does matter for the majority of people who aren't proactive in finding out about the candidates policies

spatchco

slightly off topic i was in newry to day and did not notice any posters up in comparison to the amount of junk that is down here [dublin] is there a reason for that ?

rubadub

spatchco wrote: »

slightly off topic i was in newry to day and did not notice any posters up in comparison to the amount of junk that is down here [dublin] is there a reason for that ?

Possibly banned by the local authority. Possibly just respectful of the environment and public safety.

Banning was proposed in dun laoghaire rathdown before, astonishing why they don't when they have such utter disrespect for the councils long standing guidelines, -not to mention no respect for human life.


Many posters are illegal, just not going against council guidelines
http://www.dlrcoco.ie/vote/

ROAD SAFETY LAW

Q. Where can posters be erected so they do not cause a disruption to road users?

A. The Road Traffic Acts contain requirements in relation to maintaining clear lines of sight for road users which may impact on where posters can be placed, e.g. not on road signs, at traffic junctions or on roundabouts where they may cause road safety risks. It is an offence to erect any sign or notice that makes a traffic sign less visible to road users (Road Traffic Act 1961, Section 95, Subsection 14). Those erecting posters should exercise extreme caution when on or near roadways and should be aware of their own and other road users physical safety, e.g. crossing busy roads, obstructing footpaths, parking of vehicles etc. For more information, check with the Roads section of your local authority.

I confronted someone putting up labour posters on the N11 in a dangerous spot a year or so ago, he was not aware of any guidelines, the audacity of these politicians is disgusting.

C14N

This question is a little like asking "do advertisements work on you?" Nobody likes to think that they're influenced by them but plenty of people are on a subconscious level. Conciously, the only thing they've helped me decide is that we should try very hard to keep Paul Murphy out of office, although I'm not voting in Dublin anyway so not much use to me

vitani

C14N wrote: »

This question is a little like asking "do advertisements work on you?" Nobody likes to think that they're influenced by them but plenty of people are on a subconscious level. Conciously, the only thing they've helped me decide is that we should try very hard to keep Paul Murphy out of office, although I'm not voting in Dublin anyway so not much use to me

I saw one poster from him with 'Kenny and Gilmore can afford the water tax. We can't' on it, which really annoyed me. He's on an MEP's salary, FFS, which he got without even being elected into the job.

C14N

vitani wrote: »

I saw one poster from him with 'Kenny and Gilmore can afford the water tax. We can't' on it, which really annoyed me. He's on an MEP's salary, FFS, which he got without even being elected into the job.

I can see his accounts online and I don't understand them. The EP pay him roughly €74k personal salary but he pays around €21k to "MEP Worker's Wage" because Socialist Party members are supposed to make a working man's wage but presumably this isn't the same thing, since it's going to basically be all expendable income (he is given a seperate €60k for "Travel and Subsistence"). On top of that, the bulk of the rest of his money just goes to various Socialist Party campaigns and donations.

However, ignoring all that stuff, I just hate the fact that all of his posters are going on about stuff that has nothing to do with Europe and that he will have no power over if elected. Property taxes, water charges and so on. It's just a list of "irrelevant stuff I don't like that lots of people will agree with".

Fred Swanson

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