Fall is officially here. How can you tell? It's not cooler temperatures, weekends occupied by football games or even Halloween decorations.

Then what is it, you may ask? It is all of the political signs that are popping up around the city and county.

Every year, hundreds of political signs spring up in front yards, in storefront windows, along roadsides and anywhere else someone might pass by and be swayed by the simple message to vote for that candidate. The open field at the intersection of U.S. 52 and State Route 141 is a testament to this philosophy as several signs have been posted there.

Yes, yard signs are as much a part of autumn as the changing leaves, Halloween and the brown stalks of corn standing in the fields. The landscape looks, well, pretty political. One would be hard pressed to travel any street in Ironton and not see numerous signs endorsing candidates for mayor, council or the school board. Sometimes I wonder if neighbors are even getting along, seeing as how it seems in a lot of areas opponents' signs are planted in every other yard.

But, that is what we have come to expect as October is officially here. After all, we have just a little over a month to go before November's general election. And, what better way to get your name out there than with a sign?

Some of the signs are better than others. This political season, some of the candidates' signs are not cardboard supported by wooden stakes.

Some are held up with wire. Others are wood with metal supports. A few are, well, mini billboards.

I've even seen trailers with big pieces of wood draped across them.

Perhaps this isn't simply a trend toward better designed, more high-tech, more expensive political signs. Maybe the candidates want the position they are running for so badly they want to make an impression on passers by. What would you notice, a small cardboard cutout on a wooden stake or a big piece of painted wood with catchy graphics?

Also, political signs need a longer life these days. The amount of time they remain in yards - I've noticed some have been up for several months now - they have to be durable and weather resistant.

The best thing about these high-tech political signs? When the election is over, you have more use for them. Wooden stakes aren't much good for anything, unless you raise tomatoes. The cardboard won't last. Wood and metal, though, can come in very handy, especially for the do-it-yourselfers.

All joking aside, though, these signs demonstrate the importance of the upcoming election. We have many important seats up for grabs, and our citizens need to get to the polls to make sure we get the right man or woman.

If you aren't registered to vote, it's not too late, but time is running out. You need to get down to the Board of Elections no later than next Monday (Oct. 6) to be eligible to vote in the Nov. 4 election.

Let's shoot for a good voter turnout this year and, consequently, let the signs do less of the talking.

Shawn Doyle is managing editor of The Ironton Tribune. He can be reached by calling (740) 532-1445 ext. 19 or by e-mail to shawn doyle@irontontribune.com.