The Alberta election campaign is underway and green spaces turned orange and blue.
Orange and Blue
Albertans are feeling summertime heat and a political climate to match.
We live in St Albert. Our community went to sleep on April 30th with lots of green space and woke up May 1st with orange and blue taking over. In our riding, three parties are running candidates, but only two can afford signs. You might think that would lead to less signs. Not so. There are more of the same coloured signs.
The campaign strategies interest me. The blue billboard signs are bigger than the orange. Much BIGGER. Is bigger better? Bolder? Does bigger mean a candidate is more desperate to be noticed? Do smaller signs signal confidence? Or a smaller budget? Is that party struggling with finances?
What kind of sign is a sign sending?
The Orange use wooden frames for their signs. The Blues use more expensive, metal bases for their signs.
Are signs effective at getting candidates elected? A campaign professional says one lawn sign can draw 10 votes. There is a strong correlation between the share of signs versus the vote share.
There were no lawn signs on our crescent. Now there are six – four orange, two blue.
Leaders
The wildfires turned down the election heat a notch as the leaders of the blue and orange worked together to help displaced Albertans. Blue and orange candidates in affected areas paused their campaign to do what they could to intercept the trauma. That was a good sign.
No one cares about election signs when your home could burn down. Tragedy is not partisan.
Signs of Change
We vote in every election but we don’t post a sign on our property.
Is a sign a sign of change? There are stories of blue turning orange. Not too many or none the other way. One longtime blue leader is “lending” his support to the orange. Why is that?
Seems like that is Fred’s choice as well. 
And for Landen Tischer.
Landen is a Bible College grad and new dad. We team taught an adult Sunday School class. He is a directional driller by trade. This is his first foray into politics. I respect that. He felt strongly about his community and believed government could do better. So rather than sit on the sidelines lobbing criticism, he joined the fray. And what a fray it is.
Landen is the guy behind the Orange signs in the riding of Athabasca-Barrhead-Westlock. His work is cut out for him, but he’s not afraid of work. This young dad is busy, fully supported by his wife and family.
Landen and friends constructed all of the wooden bases for his campaign signs.
If I were in his riding he’d get my vote just for trying.
That might be a sign in itself.
Whichever colour you choose, if you are person of faith, pray for those who are elected. They deserve that.
What do you think about the election and signs? Have you ever run for office? Are you involved in organizing or volunteering for a political party? Please join the conversation and leave a comment below.
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I have never displayed a sign on my property. Just because, I don’t think it’s none of anyone’s business who I vote for. I have also seen in the past, how divisive & angry that people get over politics. I am not willing to involve myself in that kind of drama. I have seen the way that people vandalize vehicles parked in front of one’s house…over one’s beliefs. In fact, it was a household that had an orange sign on their front yard. They woke up in the morning to find all tires on their vehicles slashed & flat. Not only them…all people in their neighborhood with orange signs…with their vehicles vandalized. It only reinforced why I made that decision in the first place, No signs…no issues. Just my opinion…I don’t want to complicate my life with humans that would think that they can act out like that…just because you have a difference in opinion. I don’t have the time or energy to deal with that. Thank you for the blog this morning Pastor Bob. ❤️ Always enjoyable and informative.
I have seen that same kind of response, Julie. Politics can feel like a contact sport.
What is extremely concerning to me, for this election in particular, is that people consider (or find out quickly & do some research) about ‘Supply and Demand Agreements’ between parties. For a few years now already, the NDP & the Liberals have been working together in an unofficial Coalition. Together, they have more votes than the Conservatives, the Bloc Québécois & the Green ALTOGETHER! This demolishes any Opposition – and if any opposition has no chance…are we in a real democracy? Food for thought.
May the Holy Spirit give us all wisdom.
Thanks for joining the conversation, Amy. Valid point about coalitions and God’s wisdom. As much as majority governments are challenging, the behaviour of the TBA in Alberta, bragging that they can oust a premier and control the present premier if she veers off brand is most alarming.