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- Survey reveals the 175 cities where residents are most irritated by a neighbor’s political yard sign.
- Residents of Surprise emerged as the most annoyed in Arizona by their neighbors’ yard signs.
As election season approaches, neighborhoods across America are transforming in more ways than just the changing colors of fall. Yards are blossoming with red, blue, and everything in between, as homeowners proudly display campaign signs, turning their lawns into political statements. This colorful display, however, isn’t just a form of expression – it’s sparking debates and, in some cases, irritation among neighbors…
The upcoming elections will shape the political landscape for years to come, so it’s no surprise that some Americans want to make their views visible. But while political yard signs are an essential part of the democratic process for many, not everyone appreciates them. To find out where these signs are causing the most contention, Geek Nexus surveyed 3,000 homeowners, ranking 175 cities based on the level of irritation sparked by neighborhood yard signs. First up, however, the survey found that Arizonans are among the least tolerant of their neighbors’ political yard signs, with five cities emerging among the most irritated by them.
In a ranking of the top 10 cities most aggravated by political signs, Fort Lauderdale, FL, topped the list, followed by Little Rock, AR, and Pasadena, CA.
When it comes to Arizona, residents of Surprise (which ranked in #7 place nationally), Glendale (#96), Peoria (#110), Scottsdale (#119) and Phoenix (#127) emerged among the most irritated when their neighbors decide to erect political yard signs in their front yards. Despite Arizona being considered a battleground state, it seems residents of these cities would prefer if their neighbors kept their political views a bit more private – at least when it comes to yard signs. Whether it’s a disagreement over political beliefs or simply the cluttered look of campaign slogans across the neighborhood, many locals would likely agree that a little less lawn politics could go a long way in maintaining good neighborly relations.
Interestingly, the list also includes two cities in ‘swing’ states: Surprise, AZ, and Ann Arbor, MI. Here are the top 10 cities most frustrated by political yard signs:
1. Fort Lauderdale, FL
2. Little Rock, AR
3. Pasadena, CA
4. West Palm Beach, FL
5. Portland, ME
6. Omaha, NE
7. Surprise, AZ
8. El Paso, TX
9. Ann Arbor, MI
10. Salt Lake City, UT
Infographic showing complete city ranking
Beyond the rankings, Geek Nexus’s survey revealed some interesting insights into Arizonans’ attitudes toward political yard signs. For example, 60% of respondents said they knew their neighbors’ political leanings, while 40% weren’t sure or preferred not to know. As for the actual influence of yard signs, opinion was split: 46% of people think these signs can sway voters, while 54% believe they’re just lawn ornaments with no real effect on election results.
Most respondents agreed that political yard signs should have their season, with 76% supporting the idea that signs should only be displayed during specific times of the year, like the lead-up to an election. And while only a small group (24%) admitted they’d consider removing a neighbor’s sign if they disagreed with it, the majority (76%) were clear that they’d rather not cross that line.
Then there’s the matter of legality: 58% of people were unaware of laws regulating the display of political yard signs. And it’s not just the signs that cause tension – yard aesthetics, in general, can be a source of neighborly friction. In fact, 34% of homeowners admitted to having clashed with a neighbor over property appearance in the past.
“Yard signs are a way for people to express their beliefs, but they can also create tension, especially during an election,” says Jake Valentine of Geek Nexus. “What we’re seeing is that something as small as a lawn sign can have a big impact on neighborhood dynamics. It speaks to the importance of balancing personal expression with community harmony, especially in a time as charged as election season.”
2 thoughts on “Arizonans Among the Least Tolerant of Neighbors’ Political Yard Signs, Finds Survey”
It’s all a matter of personal choice and a form of free speech once protected by the First Amendment of the Constitution. Democrats and Socialists sneer at the Constitution, and IMO they are the first ones to whine about anything with which they disagree. They also have
a right to place political signs in their yards, but so do I, and I will continue to do so.
And 100% of Arizonans loathe the traffic hazards engendered by political signage along the right-of-way, and the post-election mess.
BTW, has a valid examination of the effectiveness of signage (a century plus old campaigning technique) in these days of smart phones and instantaneous digital communications been conducted?
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