•Black is used in text to represent power and authority. It is rarely used as a background color on political signs because it evokes a negative feel of distrust.

•Red is the color of power and also associated with love and warmth. It's also the color of the Republican Party. If there are a lot of political candidates running, it's best to stay away from using red so it doesn't get lost in the sea of red, white and blue signs.

•Blue is the symbol of the Democratic Party, and is associated with calmness and peace. Blue is the color of choice for many men and is appealing to them. If you want to attract the male voter, blue is a good choice.

•Green is a great color for a candidate that has environmental issues as a platform for their campaign.

•Yellow is the most visible color and great combination with black text to draw attention as it's bright and cheerful.

•Purple signifies wealth and royalty, purple is a color to avoid if you want to connect with the masses. Although, it is also a religious color and if the population is religious in nature, it could be a good alternative.

•Brown represents strength and reliability. It's a good alternative to black, although not as strong. It's not used often in campaigns, but that doesn't mean it shouldn't be considered.

•Orange is an attention-getting color and signifies excitement.

•White creates a sense of space and draws the eye to the candidate's copy on the sign. Be careful and don't pair white with black as it can feel sterile. White is a great choice with a darker color outlining the candidate's name and office if a less expensive alternative is needed and keeping to a budget is important.

Source: Julie Lando, president of Moxie, marketing and design agency in York City