'Unheard of:' Lack of political lawn signs points to low enthusiasm, expert says

A provincial election is less than two weeks away, but you might not know it driving around Windsor-Essex.

Local lawns are noticeably more barren this far into campaign season, with fewer voters sticking signs in their yards in support of their preferred candidates.

"I think I've seen five signs, which is unheard of," said Dave Bussiere, a marketing professor at the University of Windsor.

The lack of signs comes as Ontario PC Leader Doug Ford faces criticism for calling the rare winter snap election, which is unfolding over a few short weeks. Opposition parties say the timing is meant to benefit his Progressive Conservatives, though Ford has said he needs a strong mandate to respond to U.S. President Donald Trump's threat of tariffs. 

One cause behind the lack of signs could be the frigid temperatures, which make it harder to drive stakes into lawns.

"The frozen ground certainly makes it more difficult," a spokesperson for the Ontario Liberals said. 

The Ontario NDP and PC parties did not respond to a request for comment. 

Bussiere, who teaches a political marketing course, said the lack of signs seems to be a symptom of an election to which few voters are paying attention — something that could affect turnout on election day.

He said lawn signs can point to the "level of enthusiasm" for campaigns. They also serve as "an endorsement of a behaviour" — meaning that it's okay to vote for a particular party or person.

"So if I'm leaning in that direction, it provides that acceptability," he said.

He said the current lack of signs "doesn't point to a strong impetus for change."

He also said another country's politics could be taking up most of the oxygen.

"The number of conversations that are turning around this provincial election seems extremely low to me, very possibly because the news cycle is being driven by the actions of Donald Trump," he said.

Trump has spent recent weeks threatening to slap tariffs on Canadian imports — including the automotive sector — and annex the country.

Bussiere said in a world where digital platforms play a major role in politics, there's still value in physical elements like lawn signs: They can influence people who drive and live in suburban areas – and those people "have a much higher propensity to vote," he said.