ALLOUEZ, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – Political campaign signs are hard to miss if you’re driving anywhere around the country right now.
And in this campaign — some of the messaging has turned nasty.
Biden-Harris and Trump-Pence signs are familiar lawn ornaments in northeast Wisconsin. But, there’s one sign in Allouez drawing complaints from its neighbors.
Neighbor Julian Routheaux tells FOX 11….
“my initial thoughts were I respect his opinion, but it has the f-word in it and with that, I’ve got little kids and the oldest can read.”
The sign’s owner declined to comment on why he decided to put it up. It comes as a surprise to some neighbors.
“It’s a quiet neighborhood,” said Routheaux, “it’s quiet so a sign like that is not a normal sign to see here.”
Allouez Village Manager Brad Lange tells FOX 11 they contacted the Wisconsin Elections Commission.
“We would not be able to order the sign from from private property. Political speech is protected under the first amendment.”
However, Lange says they’re looking into other possibilities.
“We’re looking into other options of what there could be within our village ordinances that there’s a potential in there for disorderly conduct.”
While criticizing an opposing candidate is nothing new, there’s reason to suspect why it seems more heated this election.
Nolan Bennett thinks it’s because of a few reasons. The UW-Green Bay assistant political science professor tells FOX 11 people who haven’t been able to voice their opinions are finding new ways to do so.
He says it comes at a time of heightened inequalities and political polarization.
“A growing number of Americans are really frustrated with the character of political discourse and indeed there’s a lot of contributing factors to that.”
And if it will continue beyond the 2020 election.
Bennett said, “I think the really big question will be depending what happens on November 3 if this is going to to be a sea change in how campaigns carry out politics.”
Tampering or theft of political signs can be considered a violation. They can be investigated and lead to charges or fines.
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