The importance of being present

Abstract

In-depth interviews and survey evidence from French and Belgian party members are used to show that the presence of posters in elections is primarily intended to signal the strength of the party’s campaign. Consistent with parties’ optimal strategies, only major parties use the presence of posters to signal their power. Minor parties use them to inform the public. The findings shed light on previously unexplored elite behaviour in comparative settings and provide additional evidence of the importance of neighbourhood visual cues in elections.