The Obama signs that popped up on our neighbors' lawns were the same size as those that indicate that a roofer has landed. The appearance of the signs told me that the X's and the Y's were democrats, which I had suspected, but it made me wonder: Would the signs stimulate or stifle political discussion? Did my neighbors honestly believe they were influencing public opinion? Can undecided voters be swayed by viewing a lawn sign?

Valerie Block is the author of the novels Don't Make A Scene (Ballantine, 2007),...read more

Then, two weeks ago, the X's and the Y's received letters from the town saying they had five days from the day the warning was received to take down the sign or face possible penalties. Apparently, the Township of Montclair, N.J., has a zoning code ordinance that prohibits the display of political signs more than 60 days before the election. An article in last week's Montclair Times informed local readers of the fines or incarceration they might confront should they plight their political troth in a public fashion in an untimely way.

And so the Obama signs on our block disappeared, causing a chill to run up my American spine. Is the town's position that a landscape contractor or a ductwork company has the right to influence public opinion, but a homeowner doesn't? Isn't part of the privilege of private property being able to use it the way you please? What if I tied a yellow ribbon ‘round the old oak tree, and the tree was on my property? What about Easter bunnies, Halloween vignettes and the juggernaut of all lawn statements, Christmas decorations? Why are these lawn expressions not restricted? Furthermore, what about real estate brokers' signs and the sign that says, "The Episcopal Church Welcomes You -- One Block East?" Is freedom of speech on private property limited to religious or commercial speech?

The town permits contractors to advertise their services with signs on private lawns, but "only while work is being done" on the property. Anyone who has ever had work done on the property will tell you that the sign remains on the lawn even as the seasons pass, the residents age, and the work does not get done on the property.

The political sign is also advertising, but personal advertising, akin to the tee shirt and lapel pin of yore, or the tattoo on the forehead of our current era. This is the candidate we support, this is the kind of people we are. When one drives west up the hill, into the next town, you see the "W '04" bumper stickers from the last contest, and McCain signs on the lawn. This is who they were, and are.

These signs are different from the flurry of tiny signs that appear like daisies overnight on the grassy medians of county roads the week before elections, announcing the last names of people running for freeholder, ward supervisor, etc. Has anyone ever heard of these people, or the jobs they seek to fill? Are the invisible party faithful responsible for placing these little names on the dry county lawns? Are they the same people you see administering the signature book at your neighborhood polling station? Aren't the poll workers supposed to be impartial? Where do all these people go between elections?

The Montclair Times piece also quoted a local representative of the American Civil Liberties Union, who agreed that the ordinance was likely a restriction of free speech. He said the ACLU would be willing to review any complaints they receive for possible legal action, and mentioned that the New Jersey State Constitution has stronger protections for free speech than even the United States Constitution. According to a local official quoted in the piece, the ordinance has been "relaxed" until the town gets a definitive legal answer on whether there is a Constitutional problem with it.

A Hillary banner, perhaps 3 feet by 5 feet, popped up early in the campaign on a stone wall in front of a house in town. It began to sag a bit after the setback Clinton suffered in the Iowa caucuses, but was righted again after her victory in New Hampshire. During January, the banner was windblown, much as the Clinton campaign itself was buffeted by weaker-than-expected victories in Nevada, New Mexico and New Jersey. The banner was positively askew as the Obama campaign marched triumphantly through Super Duper Tuesday, racking up delegates and states. The sign remained buckled during much of February, as Obama took Maine, Virginia, Maryland, DC, Hawaii and Wisconsin.

But as the polling numbers swelled for Clinton in late February and early March, someone righted the banner. The results of March 4, with Clinton claiming Ohio, Rhode Island and Texas, seemed to vindicate the candidate. The people of the house were clearly proud to back a winner. The sign has that "can-do" spirit again. The Obama lawn signs disappeared, but the Hillary banner remains.

Time will tell if these loyal supporters will be rewarded with a ticket to the convention or a cell downtown. ...read more blogs