It is the dirty side of politics.
I sincerely hope much of it belongs to the past. Unfortunately, I am not convinced that it does.
Over the years, I have witnessed some of these tactics firsthand while providing guidance behind the scenes to municipal campaigns. Most candidates are decent people who genuinely want to serve their communities. But every election seems to attract a few individuals willing to cross lines that should never be crossed.
Consider the sign wars.
I am not referring to the friendly competition over who can place the most signs throughout a ward. I am talking about vandalism, theft, and deliberate destruction.
Many of these incidents occur under the cover of darkness. Signs disappear overnight. Others are damaged, torn apart, or dumped in remote locations. Entire streets can be stripped of campaign signs before sunrise.
On one occasion, I witnessed something even more brazen. In broad daylight, a pickup truck carrying several individuals pulled up to a neighbourhood. The occupants jumped out and began collecting an opponent's signs from private properties before driving away.
Then there are the public property games.
Election rules are clear. Campaign signs are generally not permitted on public property. Yet every election seems to produce candidates willing to ignore the rules. This is not limited to newcomers. Incumbents have occasionally been accused of the same behaviour.
Campaign offices often report such violations to the city. The response is sometimes less than inspiring.
Other tactics are more deceptive.
I have seen campaign offices receive telephone calls from people claiming to be homeowners who insist they want a candidate's sign removed immediately. Volunteers rush out to comply, only to discover that the homeowner never made the call and is bewildered to see the sign being taken down. This sometimes happens where a property owner has a prime location, where a sign would get a lot of attention.
And sometimes it becomes much uglier.
I have seen threatening notes.
I have witnessed threats directed at political opponents.
I will not say where those threats originated. If I did, some readers might be surprised.
I have witnessed what campaign veterans call "door hanger wars." One campaign distributes reminder literature the night before election day. Shortly afterward, another team follows the same route, removing the material or covering it with their own.
I have even seen individuals volunteer to join a campaign team, only for it to become apparent later that they were never truly supporters at all. Their purpose was to gather information and report strategy back to another campaign.
Another area that campaigns should pay close attention to is activity at voting locations. Election rules generally prohibit candidates from campaigning or attempting to influence voters at or near voting places. This restriction applies even if a candidate is present in the capacity of a scrutineer.Over the years, I have personally witnessed situations that raised concerns. I have seen candidates intentionally engaging voters with smiles and gestures immediately before ballots were cast. I have observed candidates appearing to signal their position on the ballot to voters prior to voting. I have also seen candidates meeting with voters near the voting location moments before they entered to cast their ballots.
Whether such actions constitute violations depends on the specific circumstances and applicable election rules. However, they underscore the importance of vigilance.
Every campaign should ensure it has well-trained scrutineers at voting locations. Good scrutineers understand the rules, know what conduct to watch for, maintain detailed notes, and understand the proper procedures for reporting concerns to election officials when necessary.
On another note, submit your real address to the election office. For those who submit inaccurate information to make it appear as if they live in the ward they are running in, when they do not, this is a recipe for disaster. One way or another, you will be found out and it may destroy your credibility beyond repair.
On Election Day, protecting the integrity of the voting process is every bit as important as persuading voters during the campaign itself.The point I am making is simple.
Politics can bring out the best in people. It can also bring out the worst.
The depths to which some individuals are willing to go can vary widely. Occasionally, they can become volatile.
That is why my advice to every candidate is straightforward: never engage in dirty campaigning.
Not only is it unbecoming of someone seeking the public's trust, but certain actions may also violate election laws or even cross into criminal territory.
A well-organized campaign is still the best campaign.
Strong volunteers. Consistent messaging. Meaningful engagement with voters. Respect for opponents. Discipline. Integrity.
Those things may not always generate headlines, but they build something far more valuable: credibility.
Take the lessons shared in Before the Ballot: The Candidate's Guide seriously.
When the campaign is over, your reputation remains long after the signs have disappeared.
