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AS THE SAME sex marriage referendum gets closer, posters from both sides have been put up across the country.
However, a number of posters for the No campaign have been taken down or defaced around Dublin.
So today we’re asking, Do you think campaign posters actually make any difference to how people vote?
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Ugly eyesores, avert your gaze.
They need to be banned . Electoral commission could take space to publish a list of valid candidates
I’ve always thought that Election posters, if we really need them at all, should only be allowed to be placed in designated areas. Putting them on every lamp post, some times 3 or 4 on the same pole, is an eyesore, not to mention potentially obstructing views for those driving.
at a huge cost to the tax payer too.
A waste of tax payers money, yes your taxes our paying for them.
Not normally but the ‘no’ posters have managed to offend so many different sections of society, I think in this case they may have influenced some people to vote, and to vote ‘yes’, ironically….
Generally though they are just ugly, expensive, environmentally-unfriendly, leaving-plastic-tags-behind-on-lamposts eyesores.
They do help me to decide. Whoever has the most posters loses my vote.
We all know it’s illegal to interfere with election posters.
it happens.
However, the NO posters near me have had the child’s face defaced as part of the “work” – it looks uncaring, to say the least.
Need to follow the example of the Dutch & have temporary bill boards erected that are brought down after the election. NO posters are allowed anywhere else & the posters can not exceed a certain size. Would do away with this nonsense overnight………..
Apparently, over on Twitter, certain leaders of the ‘no’ campaign are saying REALLY NICE THINGS about single parents.
You even get posters on traffic light poles which is not only dangerous but against the law. If we had proper enforcement of the laws governing this then they might think twice about where they stick them.
This is why we need an IQ test for potential voters.
The Yes posters are an insult to all Catholics and Christians
I was voting Yes regardless, however the sickening No posters makes me wish I could vote Yes twice ( just to note I don’t condone their removal, I just feel they should never have gone up).
We’ll allow Free speech as long as you agree with us?
Posters for referendums should be banned… elections they probably serve a purpose for recognition.
Because otherwise you would not have a clue who these people are… Not a good basis for electing someone.
Sergeant, it’s not a matter of denying anyone their rights to free speech. The “No” posters, however, are deliberately misleading and contain misinformation. This referendum has nothing to do with children, biological or otherwise. That matter was taken care of in February.
Scarlet. It is only your opinion that the posters contain misinformation. Your opinion, nothing more.
No Tony, it’s fact. Furthermore, a lot more than Scarlet are aware of that fact. Including ex president, Taoiseach, Tainiste, all political parties in government, plenty of independents, myself, plenty of unmarried, single and adoptive parents… Oh the list could go on and on
You are entitled to that opinion Edward.
Because ….who else would you rather get into bed with. What a lovely bunch.
TBH any election poster promising something to the electorate is misinformation. They always promise but never deliver. Removal of No posters is wrong and allows the No campaign to carry on their laughable ploy of being the victim. Once this passes we hopefully won’t have to deal with these horrendous views again in public. It serves a second purpose too, it lets society know who these people with archaic views are shining a light on abhorrent institutions such as The Iona Institute. For the sake of 3 weeks allow them to be on poles, it only unifies people against them. Like Homestore and More’s furniture, “once they’re gone they’re gone”.
Dog, this is a REFERENDUM not an ELECTION.
Same difference. All politics are based on persuasion. As are laws. It they weren’t either cannabis would be legal or alcohol would be illegal. It’s about convincing someone to agree with your position.
They make no difference whatsoever.
They are just unsightly. People are intelligent enough to make their own mind up.
And carry that across to elections too.
How I wish that were true
I wish posters did not make a difference but the vastly incorrect information displayed on Lisbon Treaty referendum posters were believed by many.
We voted no to lisbon but were made to vote again demorcracy my arse
Yes for jobs :D
Ban them all. Put up e-signage on selected poles that politicians can pay for at election time. For the rest of the year they can be used for local business or the local councils to advertise raising revenue for the council.
But that would involve some intelligent, forward thinking. Something that’s sadly lacking from local council level the whole way up to the head jesters in the dail. Self preservation is the name of the game, you know.
Well since the NO posters have nothing to do with the actual referendum itself, I think this will encourage people to vote YES. They claim to be ‘Pro-children’ when in fact they’re just anti-gay.
Yes Jay evidenced by the fact that so far nobody on the no side has been able to say how even one child will be directly helped by the no campaign or a majority no vote in the referendum
And real child advocates like the ISPCC are promoting a yes vote.
Daisy Chainsaw
They have to or they risk loosing their funding.
Those no posters have had a completely opposite affect for their campaign. Everyone is disgusted by them and they have encouraged people who weren’t bothered to vote to do so. (And vote yes)
No and I am Voting NO
But you live in London, so…?
Any particular reason?
Irish people living at home can fly back to vote. Done it myself.
“Living in england”….. need my coffee!
I refer you to bo jangles answer and I have two homes so I can vote in Ireland
Are you Christian Frances?
Are you irish citizen though? Your facebook says you’re from UK, too… ;p
Plenty of Irish citizens will vote in the UK’s general election ;P :D ;*
Le Tigre, but British citizens cannot vote in Irish Referenda.
@Bo
Are you going to fly home from the UK to vote in the referendum?
Le Tigre
Are you sure you are a yes voter? Invariably, your comments side with the no position. We have noticed, you know.
Well, all the Child Protection Agencies, including Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (ISPCC) and Barnardos are calling for a YES vote. Why don’t the no side admit that they’re voting no because of their god or because they don’t see gay people as equals!
Should be all banned. Ugly sight especially coming up to election time. Seriously annoying to see the same politicians face on every poles for weeks. Do they think that by having their face looking at you every where you look is going to convince you to vote for them . ridiculous.
How they still allow the environmental carnage that is election posters, I do not know. It would take a very simple stroke of the pen to remove/ban election literature from lamp posts, and save millions in waste while allowing candidates to use other methods like, you know, meeting people you want to vote for you. Same with referendum posters… No one in their right mind would change it over the current yes/no posters, that mural on George’s street was a thousand times more effective, and no nasty threats involved.
Ban all Election and Referendum Posters, waste of time and money. How many people have been swayed by a pictures of someones mug or a message on a poster?….
The NO posters are a disgrace. The vote is on whether two people who love each other have the right to be ‘married’. Meanwhile the NO side are placing happy family posters all over the place. Their ideal picture of a man and a woman with a baby. These are insulting to any family where one parent has been lost. They are hurtful to the many couples out there who are struggling to conceive or who have lost children and they are insulting to any person who dreams of raising a child in a loving home. The NO side need to get a life. Anyone who believes that another couples marriage calls into question their own marriage is insecure. They should have more faith in their own marriage and leave everyone else to their own. There is enough fighting in the world without fighting for the right to deny people a loving marriage.
Dangerous feckin things. Sharp as a knife on corners and if they become airborne in windy weather, lethal !
I guess they can have an influence if a slogan or image registers with you. Your subconscious is bombarded with this stuff so it may come out in the form of actually making a decision.
People might think you’re joking but a few years back a friend of mine was struck in the eye by one that some toe rag launched into a busy street after a nightclub. It sliced his retina and he lost the sight in that eye. Maybe they should be banned. Just a pity we can’t ban toe rags too.
These No posters have worked to help make tens of thousands of people who werent even going to vote, decide to vote Yes :)
thanks #NoEquality :)
And I know straight allies who were previously apolitical who are so disgusted by these posters that they have joined the YesEquality teams who are canvassing door-to-door
Ya gotta love it!
When I approach a Referendum on any issue, I eagerly wait for the posters. The aesthetics of a poster are a major factor, design , colour and make up. I look at the visual imagery and the symbolism of the poster closely. I do a full and careful assessment.
My decision to vote is an entirely different matter. I make up my own mind based on a process of critical thinking. The posters are irrelevant to that thought process.
I’m surprised that anyone would consider a poster as a factor in their decision. Posters encapsulate and simple and a simplistic message. They are an exercise in impotence, futility and tradition. They harken back to a time when people had very little or no access to published media.
My area, where I live, is densely packed with No posters. It is a young and vibrant area. No one appears to give the posters a second thought, rightly so.
The question is probably not what people are answering. They don’t make a difference to how I (or most people here) vote, and rightly so. But you’re kidding yourselves if you think there isn’t ANYONE who is influenced by them.
Though I’d still favour their prohibition.
Leave them up and untouched. More and more people,and quite a few younger people, are posting on social media saying how offensive they find the No side posters to be. That shows they have a strong opinion on the referendum and an even stronger desire to vote on it. That can only be a good thing,both for the Yes vote and for getting younger voters involved in future elections/referendums
I’ve yet to hear a cohesive logical argument from the No side. As a straight man why should i have greater rights than my fellow citzens because they’re homosexuals?
The No side would condemn people for their very nature!
The venom of Zealotry is evident on the most extreme side of the No campaign.
If that is not warning enough for the undecided well i don’t know what is.
No
People pulling down posters in an ironic act given the fact that it’s a vote for equality does.
I’m still voting yes but by a hair.
Glen,
Are you really letting the actions of a few unaffiliated people, acting independently and against the wishes of those who are the mainstay of that campaign, help to shape your view on a civil rights issue?
Your voting is swayed easily by other people’s actions? Jaysus Glen, you should have tougher skin than that, considering the amount of abuse you take on here.
Glen also believes that gay people shouldn’t adopt. Don’t take any notice of him.
Ah one of the false flag “yes voters”… there are a few of them about. Strange.
No pleasing the yes side
I’m voting No!!!
Sure you are. I’m sure you have a great reason for doing so as well.
Well done.
Don’t need a reason
That’s democracy for you.
Wow Glen what a fickle mind you have. Like a spoilt child who can’t find his Barbie to play with.
They say the yes crowd tend to be arrogant & cranky.
They were right.
And you’re prof that most no voters are ignorant morons.
Glen
http://www.thedailysheeple.com/the-operation-called-engineered-consensus_042015
Don’t give the establishment the time of day
In the Information Age, hanging one line posters off lampposts is similar to insisting on driving a horse and cart in the space age – perhaps our political class are descended from the Amish, it would certainly add some logic to their decision making process to anyone who truly understands the history of the Amish.
The posters are worse than littering, unsightly and regularly block views when driving. They don’t even supply accurate information and all of them should be banned.
I think they can influence people, but not always in the way intended. For instance all the ‘No’ sides posters have done is pi$$ off 350,000+ people who are raising kids on their own in this state.
On the plus side, they’re also a great opportunity to show how hollow the ‘No’ sides arguments are…..
I think that they will certainly influence how people vote and whether or not they vote at all. People who are not 100% sure of what the referendum is about could easily be influenced especially (possibly people fron older rural communities) people who do not have access to social media. I’m voting Yes but I fear that all the horrible unfactual No posters will have an effect on the outcome.
Remember to make sure you are registered to vote – http://www.checktheregister.ie
You have until Tuesday 5th May to make sure your details are in place. If you’ve moved house you have to fill out forms and have them signed at the local Garda station. Doesn’t matter whether you want to vote yes or no if you get turned away at the polling station.
They also might, just might, influence the thousands who don’t bother to vote at all, to decide to vote.
People who don’t bother to vote at all are often the most vocal when it comes to discussing everything that is ‘wrong’ in the country.!
I’m voting YES because it’s the right thing to do.It’s that simple.
If you are a bigot it would take more than a poster to change your mind
Yes- they reaffirm my decision to vote yes.
I was voting Yes but the aggression shown by the Yes campaigners is forcing me to rethink
Thankfully, I am able to confine my assessment to the issue in question and not to the tactics of either side.
Alan
Aggression by YES side? Could you be specific please.
@alan Fitzpatrick, can you tell us what exactly has the yes side done to change your mind? How do you feel about the no side making this referendum about children when the law already states that gay people can both adopt and foster. This referendum is solely about whether a gay couple can get civilly married.
People get overly passionate when their rights and human value and dignity are on the line. Add that to the disgusting lies that the no side have been pushing in order to get people to vote no, I wouldn’t blame the yes side for getting a little “aggressive”
Luckily for me Alan I wouldn’t let the actions of a few determine how I vote to affect many many more lgbt people. hence I’m voting yes. If you care about more than a couple of renegades you would vote yes too.
Generally I don’t think they make a difference. They are a waste of resources and unsightly. They should be banned or at the very least highly restricted to dedicated places.
During the student elections at Edinburgh Uni the candidates are restricted to attaching banners to temporary hoardings which are then removed once the election is over. Similar things happen in other European countries, I can’t see why this doesn’t happen in Ireland.
You won’t see a single lamppost destroyed with posters for the GE in the UK.
In the case of the disgraceful No posters in this instance, however, I do think they have encouraged many apathetic voters to vote yes.
Those disgusting no posters have reaffirmed my decesion to vote yes. Generally posters don’t influence me but these misleading vote no posters have. Those no posters will not influence many to vote no in my opinion more to vote yes than any.
Probably. Humans are tards.
What’s a tard?
As in stupid but the journal won’t let me say the proper word.
Lies & Misrepresentation of research by Mothers and fathers matter exposed here by a blogger &the authors of the research themselves…http://keithjy.wix.com/mots#!Mothers-and-Fathers-Matter-The-Truth-Doesnt/c218b/5538ff430cf23d01644653ec
Good work!
I reiterate what I have already stated the other article on the same topic “No campaign poster defaced” and that is I believe that all election posters should be banned. They are ugly and are basically litter on poles.
Why does the Journal feel the need to post multiple articles on the same topic? STUPID!!!!
in this instance No posters seem to be helping some people decide as in voting for the opposite(thankfully!)
They just remind me of the Gobs#%ts I haven’t seen since last election !
God created Adam and Eve not adam and adam or Eve and Eve
By that logic God endorses incest! Adam and Eve had Cain and Abel so how did they have kids? It’s all mythology the talking snake is the major give away.
No, he didn’t, actually… Google evolution and all that…
@Brian The God of which you speak (if sky gods are your thing) more than likely created matter. To limit your sky God to only a few carbon based life forms is a wee bit innocent.
God clearly didn’t grant you the gift or original though, Brian.
Seriously the auld Adam and Adam line? You know Eve was his sister righ…. Oh! So that’s where that whole marrying one’s sister thing comes into it. I’ve been wondering,
G’wan and sing for it, ye loon.
Atticus, I think the people with wings are a bit of a giveaway too..
Also, wasn’t Eve essentially a clone of Adam? In which case Adam was mating with himself, that’s incest on a whole new level, never mind their sons who either procreated with their mother or with apes, so perhaps that story is condoning bestiality too?
Th no posters are sickening unrelated propaganda and even if might sway have no link whatsoever to what we’re voting on. They have no right to be up, sorry but the no side should find a legitimate reason to oppose the motion, put that in writing on posters. Their problem is there is no fair reason to push ahead with opposing equality in this republic finally.
The poll question is generalised but talks about this upcoming referendum. As a general question, yes, I think it could make a difference with the undecided but it all depends on the subject. For this particular time, I think it makes no difference.
I don’t think they make much of a difference to how people actually cast their vote especially not for referedums but I’ve worked on campaigns and people genuinely do not know there is an election until the posters go up and some people will vote for candidates that they recognise from posters especially now that the pictures are on the ballot papers.
The main point of the Yes campaign is that this referendum has nothing to do with children. In the main, that is correct. However, a secondary effect of this proposal is that it will give same sex married couples, regardless of any and every sexual orientation, the same legal recognition to adopt as a heterosexual couple.
In other words we could have a transsexual / transgender couple of any mix calling for equal rights to adopt.
No I have no issue with anyone’s sexual orientation. I feel it should be respected. However I’m not comfortable with them adopting children. They may be very loving but is it suitable parenting where daddy dresses up as a lady every day?
Think it wouldn’t happen?
Barnardos and ISPCC both came out today in favour of the referendum. The referendum isn’t about children or parenting, but insofar as a Yes result will affect children, these organisations state that it will be be a positive effect.
Perhaps you should look up the Child and Family Relationships act 2015.. I believe it already permits gay couples to apply to adopt.
Another thing you should probably take a look at is the adoption process and how parents are chosen for the child, because that’s what happens. It’s not about what the parents want, and no one is guaranteed a child from simply applying to adopt.
This might change your outlook on the referendum, which is about marriage – the legislation on this is separate.
Since the passing of the child and family relationships act Tom a gay couple who are in a civil partnership or who have been cohabiting for at least three years are legally on par with a married heterosexual couple in terms of applying to adopt the referendum will not impact on this
They are a ridiculous waste of money and an eyesore. Come time for the general election next year every lamppost in the country will be strewn with politicians faces. We should follow the lead of other country’s where politicians can pay to use existing advertising space, like billboards and bus shelters etc.
Personally, they don’t influence my opinion, whether it is a poster for an issue or a person.
That said though, I am sure there are people who are swayed by the posters. For that reason they’ll always make an appearance around these times.
More important is them being taken down on time. Nothing worse than seeing them still up weeks later!
It’s hard to tell, really, because I think the vast majority of people once it was announced sort of knew what position they were on and I think, for the most part, that’s something that they’re going to be sticking to, regardless of whatever the opposition say.
However, the people in the middle, the ones who are undecided, they’re the ones that the advertising campaigns might make go one way or the other.
No! on this referendum it doesn’t matter to me how it goes but I see the yes vote winning easily
We can win, if people get out and vote. Don’t let those who would dictate how you live your lives win! Get out and vote!
Waste of money!
It raises people awareness of the campaign for both sides, and starts arguments on our journey to work….(Note the guy that arrived late in the office covered in plasters?) It was him pulling down the poster at O`O’Connell Street.
As much as people don’t like to admit it, campaign posters do contribute in the way people choose to vote.
Won’t somebody pleaaase think of the childrrren!
People say it doesn’t influence them but I think it does subliminally. For example in the Nice I referendum there were hardly any yes posters and loads of no posters and it was a no.
I was undecided up till now.
But having analysed the morally dubious and downright misleading content of the Yes posters I’ve now made up my mind and decided to vote NO.
And I’m right.
After seeing how the no side have totally misrepresented what the referendum is about: marriage. And since all govt parties, trades unions and child protection agencies including: ISPCC and Barnardos are calling for a YES vote, I’m voting YES!
Posters are just good for reminding people there is an election coming up. Perhaps, if each party put some money in a pot to highlight the coming election and everyone would save a lot and the people would be informed of an upcoming election or vote
Most business company’s and the like will tell you that advertisements work- and election posters are mini advertisements-
Taught it was against the law to put up these posters before 30 April
Intelligent Irish voters will vote NO.
If not, in a few years many adults will be in hostel with VD and other sexual diseases!
If the Referendum is passed phaedophiles will be entitled to adopt children!
God help Ireland!
Yes they just remind me of how much hate I have for these ugly creeps,
They think they are gods gift,
Love seeing them with the Hitler moustache especially the women on posters,
Joan looks well with the moustache,
Lol
The Government’s record in power that’s the poster that’s acceptable.
I like them. They always get me looking forward to an election and they get me in the mood to vote.
I don’t think they really work. Most people won’t change their minds. It is very rare for people to do that.
The strange thing is I have an issue with IVF and gay adoption.
IVF seems like a very selfish act and doctors are preying on people. It is poorly regulated so donors may have children who end up together.
Gay adoption is not an issue with gay people raising kids just the best home for a child should be picked. As far as anybody can figure out that is male and female together. Not saying single, gay, albino etc. are not good parents but the reality is a traditional family structure still comes out on top for a child’s well being.
Doesn’t mean I hate anybody or a bigot, what is best for the child is the key right not others rights.
Kal ipers there is strong peer reviewed evidence that same sex couples parenting is on par with heterosexual couples parenting and I have yet to see any reliable peer reviewed study which suggests heterosexual parenting is better. Just because it’s the most natural does not make it the best form of parenting. After all anybody can be a donor it takes a lot more to be a good parent.
But thats how adoption works!
The child holds all the rights in adoption, all decisions are made in the best interests of the child.
For example – when a child is surrendered, the extended family are the first considered, this is to try and keep the child as close to its natural family as possible. This might mean a gay aunt or uncle and their partner.
I’m sure it’s easy enough to understand why in this scenario the gay couple may be a better fit than a heterosexual couple who are complete strangers.
I’ve read of a case where the child up for adoption came from a sexually abusive background and wasn’t ready to be around males – in that case the lesbian couple who adopted her were the perfect fit.
The childs best interest is always primary in adoption proceedings, this won’t change :-)
That mother/father/vote no sign is actually inspiring people all around to vote yes, given its disgusting undertone of prejudice & inequality.
So well done to the guy who designed it.
You absolute tool.
There should be any need for Poster’s at all,
Everybody should VOTE NO. In the Name of God.
SSM is Against the Law of God, And His Teaching.
I Am Voting NO.
Ireland was the Land of Saints and Scholars.
Now it is the Land of Robbers and Nobbers.
People telling me what to do makes me want to do the opposite.
This ‘Yes Equality’ slogan is getting a bit tiresome. Can gays really claim that there’s ‘inequality’? It’s a bit like men claiming that there’s ‘inequality’ because they can’t get pregnant, or women complaining that there’s ‘inequality’ because they can”t take a p!ss standing up. Marriage was invented by religions and defined as being between a man and a woman. Why do gays want recognition from organisations that vilify them? Sure, they should have the same benefits and rights as regular people, but marriage, really? Seems like insecure people looking for assurance to me
This is untrue, marriage existed before man made religions. This is also not about matrimony in the holy sense it is a CIVIL marriage equality campaign and the men getting pregnant e.g. is silly, that is not biologically possible but it IS however possible for us to extend the right to marry to same sex couples as per (most western nations that began a dialogue on marriage equality.)
Spose, but isn’t that the same as a civil partnership?
There seem to be two motives for putting up election and referendum posters:-
1. The efforts and time spent give people the illusion of participating in political activity.
2. Party vanity and saving face in competition with other parties and groups.
I favour the French system of designated poster boards in strategic areas of cities and towns. Each party or group can affix, for a limited amount of time, posters and numbered policy theses for passers-by to read if they wish. In France it is illegal to knock on doors of residences during election campaigns.
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