Tis the season, the campaign season, that is. Practically overnight a forest of brightly colored, cleverly-scripted campaign signs have sprung up along roadways, at street corners and in the landscaped medians running between the lanes of travel. Anywhere people have a tendency to congregate in a public environment, there are the signs.

My question is, Do these campaign signs’ actually influence your vote? Really, what do they tell you about the person involved beyond their name, party and the elected position they are seeking? Now, I do have some respect for the signs I see put up on personal property versus the ones randomly thrown about in common no-man’s land areas. Individuals who put specific signs up on their private property or business property have typically done some sort of homework on who the person is and what some of their priority issues may be. I can appreciate that. Chances are that if I talk to that property or business owner I can walk away with some personal or individual information about the person whose sign they have posted, whether I agree with their support or not.

He/she who has the most signs does not always win. He/she who raises the most money for their campaign is not always the best candidate. Should we really continue to reward the person who spends the largest amount of other people’s money for personal gain and advancement with an elected position? Should we instead make it less about the money and more about the integrity and work ethic of the individual? Should we spend less time looking at the signs and more time reading or listening to the words from the candidates themselves?

Within the next few weeks, a majority of the candidates will be at their most visible and accessible via community forums, open houses, town halls, press interviews and district doorbelling. Take advantage of these opportunities and engage yourself. These events are engineered and set up for you, the voting public. Many are non-partisan for a broader appeal. Massive amounts of time, energy and volunteer hours go into putting on these events. As a community we should show our appreciation and respect for the candidates and the civic groups behind these opportunities with our participation. These events are published in local papers and available online via most local civic groups. Find one or two that works for you.

As a voter your civic duty involves much more than reading signs and watching commercials. This election, please make it your focus to cast an informed vote. Overall we will become a better community for it.