Nolan Finley

The Detroit News

Election polling is an intricate science. Pollsters run algorithms to gauge voter turnout and weight partisan leanings. Then they stick their fingers in the air and hope they’re right. That method has consistently put Democrat Hillary Clinton on top of the presidential campaign in Michigan by solid margins.

But then there are lawn signs.

Planting a candidate’s sign in your yard is a traditional way of signaling support. It’s also a good barometer of enthusiasm — casual voters aren’t going to declare their preference so publicly.

Drive around Metro Detroit and it certainly appears that Republican Donald Trump is winning the lawn sign poll. Trump/Pence signs seemingly outnumber the Clinton/Kaine posters, even when you add in the Stronger Together signs.

In today’s climate of voter shaming, where Trump backers are tagged with all of the candidate’s negative attributes, plopping down a lawn sign for the Republican ticket can be risky business.

So it’s remarkable to see so many of them out there. And it may explain why, despite the official polls, both the Trump and Clinton camps are acting as if Michigan is still in play. Trump was here Monday, as was Tim Kaine on Sunday, the latest candidate visits I can remember here during a presidential campaign. Trump’s kids and top level Clinton surrogates are coming back again.

Maybe they’ve noticed the lawn signs.