SUMMERSIDE - It appears local Green Party candidates have received a big endorsement from an anonymous artist in advance of Monday's provincial election.
The graffiti wall at Summerside's Queen Elizabeth Park oval was recently spray-painted with wind turbines and foliage, and reads "It's time...Vote Green Party."
The sign faces Granville Street, one of Summerside's busiest roads.
District 21 (Summerside-Wilmot) Green Party candidate Rosalyn Abbot said the free billboard is literally a sign that her party is reaching out to young voters.
"We think it was the youth of Summerside who painted it. We were really pleased to see that because we want to reach out to young voters, and it wasn't something we went out looking for," she said.
"Driving by it, and to see the photos posted to Facebook, was exciting for us because it shows support within the youth community here in Summerside."
Abbott said she's heard no objections about the artwork from other political parties.
Even if they did oppose the painting, it turns out other local candidates wouldn't have much success in having it removed.
Lowell Croken, chief electoral officer at Elections P.E.I., said there are few rules that govern signs not officially placed or authorized by a political party.
"The only rule we have is that, on an advance poll or election day, there can't be any signs within 200 feet of the polling station," he said. "If it was...we'd have to know who did it, or who put it up. If we didn't know that, it would become a police issue."
A political party's official agent of must authorize any signage placed by that party. But signs created by members of the general public, said Croken, could be placed nearly anywhere so long as they don't block traffic views and adhere to the polling-station law.
The closest polling station to the graffiti wall is Summerset Manor on Lefurgey Street, more than 700 metres from the park.
With such a visible sign, Abbott hopes more people will be encouraged to vote on Oct. 3.
"Coming from their peers, rather than a candidate or a party putting out signs deliberately, it might speak to more young voters," she said.
assumptions, assumptions, assumptions.... read my comment below. artistic brands of spray-painted are constantly competing with each other to create eco-friendly and healthier paint products. it's not even comparable to the brands we find in the hardware stores. Belton Molotow, MTN Colors, etc, are european brands owned by artists, who care a lot about the enviornment, and make a product that reflects that.