Election Signage Bylaw Proposed Changes

Dear Editor,

Based on a couple dozen election sign complaints during the recent municipal election, I understand the City is proposing to put further restrictions and limitations on election signs by way of some proposed bylaw changes. Without context, I'm not sure what the motivation is for these new restrictions on open communications and free speech during elections. Is the number of complaints received actually an increase or decrease from previous elections? What is the connection between election signs and voter turnout?

As we're seeing around the world, democracy and elections that are a part of it, are messy at times, emotions run high, especially for candidates and their teams of volunteers putting in long hours. Elections can be a roller-coaster of emotions and behaviours as candidates and voters get excited, angry, energized, and disappointed throughout, yet once the dust settles after a relatively short 6-week campaign, our city again has elected representatives for another 4 years, the signs go away, and life returns to normal. 

Election signs enhance communication with voters. Many signs highlight the date of the general vote, identify who candidates are, and/or provide direction to websites for further information about candidates so voters can make a more informed choice on election day. In fairness, if further restrictions are going to be imposed on this one form of communications, isn't it incumbent for the City to also further restrict other methods of communicating engaged in by select members of City Council such as bus wraps, signs erected on property leased by non-profits funded with taxpayer dollars, sign waving, some very expensive brochures mailed out to every home in Richmond, and door knocking? These could all be considered intrusive and/or wasteful yet interestingly, none of the proposed changes addresses these issues. 

Where is the research to demonstrate that these proposed, added restrictions on election communications will address the embarrassing low 25% voter turnout, the real issue that needs to be discussed and addressed by the Mayor and City Council? 

I look forward to reading the City's action plan for increasing voter turnout when it is ready and available.

Sincerely

Jerome Dickey