ACHTUNG: This is not a “fair and balanced” article. It is an editorial by the editor.

“Sign, sign, everywhere a sign. Barking at the scenery, breaking my mind…” — The Five-Man Electrical Band, 1971

It wasn’t long ago that I asserted correctly that in this area’s one-party system, the only contests for us to choose a candidate are those advertised as non-partisan.

Indeed, in all township board “races” in the general election, all the voters will see are Republicans unopposed. It’s a lot like voting in the old Soviet Union, where the unwashed masses could vote for the communist or for nobody.

But there is a way for voters to get a good look at partisanship in the contests deemed to be non-partisan. It’s all about signs, as in the ones residents place in their yards for passersby to see. These signs provide a peek into the political leanings of those deemed non-partisan folks on the ballot.

Perhaps the most visible example is in the contest for 48th Circuit Judge in Allegan County between Elizabeth Peterson and Emily Jipp. Both are listed on the ballot as non-partisan, but signs may be telling us differently.

I hear tell on good authority that Peterson and her handlers are taking great pains to suggest Jipp is a Democrat. So that is the biggest difference between the two? That’s a game breaker?

“Vote for me — I’m not a Democrat.”

Peterson has make it clear she is Pro-Life. Jipp, to my knowledge, has not declared her stand on abortion.

Whenever I see yard signs supporting Elissa Slotkin, Kamala Harris/Tim Walz, Kyra Bolden/Amy Thomas and Erin Stepek, I also see in the same yard a sign for Emily Jipp.

Conversely, when I see signs for Donald Trump/JD Vance, Mike Rogers, Rachelle Smit and their ilk, I also see same for Peterson and other “non-partisans” for school board, such as former State Rep. Steve Johnson and Stephanie Tromp.

I need to make it clear that I actually have seen signs for Jipp and Trump in the same yard, but there aren’t many instances.

My point here is that signs may be the only way you can tell the difference between non-partisan candidates.

Both Peterson and Jipp have impressed me as being well qualified to do their jobs, if elected. But apparently that doesn’t matter.

If Jipp loses this race, it will be because her opponent has successfully convinced voters she is not a Republican.

The one-party system seems to have prevailed yet again.