Step 6 of 6 · Connect with your community
Yard signs and printed materials for local campaigns
Signs and palm cards won't win a race by themselves, but they tell neighbors you're serious. Here's how to design them, place them legally and avoid paying for a reprint.
Yard signs do one job well: they tell people you exist. When a neighbor sees your name in three yards on the way to work, you start to feel like a real choice. Palm cards and door hangers do the next job, which is telling people who you are and where to learn more.
Printed materials are also one of the easiest places to waste money. A typo, a missing disclaimer or a sign placed where it isn't allowed can cost you a reprint or a fine. A little planning prevents all three.
What most local campaigns print
| Item | What it's for | Keep it to |
|---|---|---|
| Yard signs | Name recognition in neighborhoods and on busy corners | Name, office, one short line, website |
| Palm cards | Handing to voters at doors and events | Photo, bio, two or three priorities, website |
| Door hangers | Leaving at the door when no one is home | Same as a palm card, plus "Sorry I missed you" |
| Postcards | Mailed reminders to likely voters | One message and the election date |
| Larger signs | High-traffic spots where you have permission | Name and office only |
You don't need all of these. A common starting point is yard signs and palm cards, then add postcards if the budget allows. Plan the amounts in your campaign budget before you order.
Designing a sign people can read at 35 miles an hour
A yard sign gets a glance, not a read. Design for that glance.
- Make your name the biggest thing. Last name alone is often enough if it's distinctive.
- Name the office. "County Council" or "School Board, District 3" in clear type.
- Use two colors with strong contrast. Dark on light or light on dark. Avoid thin script fonts.
- Cut the clutter. No full sentences, no long slogans, no photo on a small sign.
- Add your website in smaller type if it's short and easy to remember.
- Include the disclaimer if your state requires one. More on that below.
Standard corrugated plastic yard signs are commonly 18 by 24 inches and go in the ground on a wire stake. Ask your printer for a digital proof, then print it at full size on paper, tape it to a wall across the room and see if you can read it.
Palm cards and door hangers
Your palm card is a pocket-sized version of your website. Use a friendly, recent photo, a short bio in plain words, two or three things you want to work on, and how to reach you. Leave white space. People keep cards that are easy to read.
Door hangers carry the same content with a hole or slot for the doorknob. When you leave one, put it on the door, never in the mailbox. The U.S. Postal Service says mailboxes are restricted to postage-paid mail and that placing unstamped flyers in them is illegal under federal law. Our door-knocking guide covers more of the doorstep rules.
Paid-for-by disclaimers
Your state may require printed campaign materials to say who paid for them, and it may set rules on wording or type size. Requirements vary, and some small items may be treated differently, so don't guess. Read our guide to paid-for-by disclaimer basics, check with your state ethics or campaign finance agency, and put the exact wording on your proof before you approve it. The free disclaimer builder from our sister company CandidateLaunch can help you draft the line.
Where signs can and can't go
The safest rule: put signs only on private property, and only with the owner's permission. Beyond that, a few kinds of rules commonly apply.
Public right-of-way
The strip along a road, including the grass between the sidewalk and the curb, often belongs to the state, county or city, not the homeowner. Transportation departments may not allow campaign signs there. In South Dakota, for example, the state Department of Transportation says political campaign signs cannot be placed on state highway right-of-way and that its crews remove them. Ask your county or city which roads are off limits in your area.
Local ordinances
Cities, counties and homeowners associations may limit sign size, how early signs can go up, and how soon they must come down after the election. Call your local zoning or code enforcement office and write down what they tell you.
Polling places on Election Day
States set a zone around polling places where campaign signs and literature aren't allowed. In South Carolina, the State Election Commission says campaign literature and political posters may not be placed within 200 feet of any entrance voters use. Your state's distance may differ, so confirm it before volunteers put out Election Day signs.
Ordering without overpaying
- Collect requests first. Keep a yard sign sign-up sheet at every event and on your website. Count real requests before you order.
- Get two or three quotes. Compare price per sign, stakes, shipping and turnaround time.
- Proof slowly. Have two other people check spelling, the office name, the district and the disclaimer.
- Leave time. Order a few weeks before you need signs, so a printing mistake doesn't leave you empty-handed.
- Keep every receipt. Signs are a campaign expense your treasurer will need to report.
One option to include in your quotes is MySignPal, a sister company of this site that prints yard signs. Whoever you choose, the steps above still apply.
After the election
Pick up every sign you placed, quickly. It's courteous, it may be required, and voters notice who leaves signs fading in the weeds. Keep a list of every address where you put a sign so volunteers can collect them in one afternoon. Stored flat in a dry place, corrugated signs can often be reused if you run again for the same office.
Common questions
Can I put campaign signs along the road?
Usually not on public right-of-way. Some state transportation departments, including South Dakota's, prohibit political signs on state highway right-of-way and remove them. Place signs on private property with the owner's permission, and check local ordinances on size and timing.
Do yard signs need a paid-for-by disclaimer?
That depends on your state and sometimes your locality. Check your state ethics or campaign finance agency before you order.
How many yard signs should I order?
Count the supporters who have actually asked for one, add the high-visibility spots you have permission to use, then add a modest cushion for replacements. Ordering far more than you can place wastes money.
When do I have to take my signs down?
Some cities and counties set a deadline for removing campaign signs after the election. Ask your local zoning or code enforcement office, and plan a pickup day either way.
Sources
- South Dakota Department of Transportation: Political signage reminder
- South Carolina Election Commission: Display of campaign material not allowed at polls
- U.S. Postal Service: Mailbox access restricted to postage paid U.S. Mail
Rules change. Always confirm with your own state and local election offices.