Signs lining street corners and flyers filling mailboxes are clear indications that an election is drawing near.

Local campaigns spend thousands of dollars each election cycle on campaign literature — flyers, mailers, signs and the like. The campaigns support an election-driven micro-economy of printers, designers and campaign consultants both here and far.

Things especially kick off in even numbered years, when presidential, congressional and many statewide elections take place.

“We go from operating a single eight-hour shift in this building — with a couple of swing shifts — to running 24/7 for over a month,” said Ben Wood, CEO at Portland-based Morel Ink.

Each race represents thousands of dollars. Just one race this fall for the Camas City Council — between Leslie Lewallen and Ma

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