If political signs on private property could predict the outcome of an election, they might say the race for Calgary-Glenmore is going to be a tight one.
Metro scoured the southwest communities of Haysboro, Southwood, Braeside, Bayview, Pumphill, Palliser and Oakridge on Labour Day, tallying the scores of sign support for candidates in the Sept. 14 byelection.
The search uncovered the following sign totals: Paul Hinman, Wildrose Alliance — 152; Dianne Colley-Urquhart, Progressive Conservative — 128; Dr. Avalon Roberts, Alberta Liberal — 106.
None of the three main campaign teams contacted by Metro would provide exact private property sign counts, instead noting they are all working hard, meeting people, knocking on doors and finding support.
While the sign count didn’t cover the entire Calgary-Glenmore riding and is not scientific, Mount Royal University political science expert Duane Bratt said it is a fair estimate of a candidate’s overall support.
“Especially when usually provincial elections have a lower turnout, if the people are willing to put signs on their lawns, they are probably also willing to go out and vote,” Bratt said, adding the number of signs also shows the amount of volunteer support.
“There is no magic formula, but it shows a good indication of how things are going.”
Brendan Dunphy of the Roberts campaign told Metro they have placed more private signs than in the past, and Matthew Benzen of the Wildrose Alliance said their campaign has re-ordered signs three times because of the demand.
Signs for the NDP or Social Credit party were not recorded on private property. with files from
krista sylvester
