Academic doubts poll signs' worth

Description

There is little doubt an election is imminent when every spare section of fence, front lawn and even some vehicles are emblazoned with the smiling faces of political candidates vying for your vote.

The type of candidate branding that is being seen in electorates across the State is a traditional part of the craft of electioneering that many in the business of campaigning are not ready to give up despite there being little evidence to suggest they are effective, according to a Murdoch University senior lecturer for public relations.

Dr Kate Fitch said there was little academic research to support the use of the types of small-scale signage on streets, cars and front yards, and they only accounted for about 1 per cent difference in the total vote. “There was a study in America last year that looked into their tradition of erecting lawn signs and they found it had a very minimal effect, perhaps just over 1 per cent,” Dr Fitch said.