DAYTON, Ky. — The green fields of suburbia are turning blue. And red. And bright yellow.

And no one can stop it until Wednesday, Nov. 6.

As Election Day nears, the sea of political candidate yard signs grows larger. They range from very small to very large, in numerous colors. Most simply shout out a candidate's name. And the same ones are seen over and over.

“Studies have shown, you've got to have someone see a sign at least 15 times to get the name planted in their mind,” said Dave Otto, owner of Otto Printing and Entertainment Graphics in Dayton.

The business does a considerable business producing campaign signs this time of year.

Mr. Otto has the advantage of walking both sides of the tracks. As a Campbell County commissioner, he is aware of what is needed to win an election. He is running uncontested this year, which gives him the chance to focus on business for the next several weeks.

“Thanks to my experience, I've got the best idea of how to lay it out and get people's attention,” he said. “We won't put a lot of words on a sign other than the name, because the only thing you see in the voting booth is the name.”

Mr. Otto says there is an art to creating campaign signs. He said he has attended marketing seminars that explain which colors are pleasing and which are offensive. There are studies to show what signs and typefaces are appealing to different demographic groups.

Mr. Otto said the two keys to good signs are unique logos and colors, and staying consistent.

His business produces campaign signs up to 2-feet-by-3-feet. Those can cost up to $15 apiece. He said in a city race, candidates typically order 50 to 100 signs. A county candidate will order 500 to 1,000.

With all of those signs out there, local governments try to be careful not to let them get out of control. Free-speech laws keep cities and counties from putting tight restrictions on, but there are rules.

Edgewood, Crestview Hills, Lakeside Park, Fort Mitchell and Villa Hills have adopted uniform sign rules.

In these cities, signs are not allowed to be bigger than 12 square feet, must be 15 feet back from the pavement, the top of the sign can be no more than 5 feet from the ground, one candidate sign per property and all signs must be removed within 10 days after the election.

Fort Mitchell City Administrator Bill Goetz said the rules are designed to prevent eyesores in residential areas.

“We're not trying to take away freedom of speech,” he said, “but beauty is in the eye of the beholder.”

Mr. Goetz said he recently sent a letter out to candidates to make sure they understood the rules.

That doesn't always work. Signs for U.S. Rep. Ken Lucas exceeded the limit and his camp was notified.

For Boone County, the rules are more relaxed. Planning Commission Director Kevin Costello said candidates have pretty free reign as long as they remove signs within a week after the election and keep them off public right-of-way.

Mr. Costello said the majority of candidates abide by the deadline to remove signs. He said very few of them create giant signs because of the safety liability. In 17 years with the county, Mr. Costello says he can't recall any major complaints over signs in the county.

Mr. Otto says the bottom line for candidates is they must have more to run on than just signs.

“Signs don't vote,” he said.

Audit cites foster care expenses
Million-dollar homes are hot
Recorded racial slur puts Caton off streets
Ansley 'incompetent' for trial
Bar association backs both in judge race
Child support operator sued
Demolition halted MetroParks wants building
Different approaches touted
Experts in church law study how new sex-abuse rules fit
Hospitality pitch heads to suburbs
New anti-prostitution plan: Impound johns' vehicles
Obituary: Deloris Young, social worker
Singers merge voices for concert
Tristate A.M. Report
BRONSON: Bush's visit
HOWARD: Some Good News
KORTE: City Hall
SMITH AMOS: Feeling the heat
Committee to promote tax shift
Eateries commit to open at new malls
Meeting targets Mason, Deerfield
No-nude trial OK with court
Taft endorsement divides Warren GOP
Upgrades get Y in shape
Appeals court rules Churchill Downs can't deduct parties
Election signs have rhyme, reason
Harlan man pleads guilty to murdering his parents
Kentucky News Briefs
N.Ky. gets 2nd shot at state's tuition plan
Opening of gun museum delayed
Quorum lacking in vote to dispose of weapons gases
Religious leaders urge caution on Iraq attack
Supreme Court refuses to hear death row plea
Suspect charged in mail bombing