Mayoral Race

WHAT IS THE EASTSOUND MAYORAL CAMPAIGN?

The race is an annual fundraiser sponsored by and benefiting Children’s House, a childhood early-learning center supporting island families for more than 40 years. Last year's candidates included canines Pogo, Oliver, Paycey and Grace, feline Ember and OICH’s own bunny, Pearl Boy. Bovine April entered late but was listed as a write-in. (VOTE) Despite occasional mudslinging, the race is always good-natured and offers both the community and island visitors an opportunity to support an establishment committed to early childhood development.

WHO IS THE CURRENT MAYOR?
Bovine April was named the official winner of the Honorary Eastsound Mayoral Race, a fundraiser sponsored by and benefiting Childrens House. An obvious favorite of Orcas locals, April ran as a true write-in and captured 57 percent of the vote in a five-week campaign that raised in all nearly $5,000 for the early learning center.

April had run as an official candidate in the previous two years and spurred on by her sponsor, Trading Co., stampeded to the finish line in her first win. In a rare interview following the election, April was quoted as saying she found the outpouring of community support, "Mooving."

An Inaugural Ball (Bawl) and Barn Dance (ice cream social) were held in September to celebrate her success

WHAT IS THE 2012 CAMPAIGN TIMELINE?
Candidates hit the campaign trail officially Saturday, May 26th and wrap up July 7th when the winner is announced following the Fourth of July Parade.

WHO'S RUNNING?


Sponsored by: Rick and Marlace Hughes	Sponsored by: Darlene Talbot/The Village Stop	Sponsored by: The Orcas Island Historical Society

Sponsored by: Penny Hawkes and Hi Stickney	Sponsored by: Himself

I'M INTRIGUED. HOW CAN I GET INVOLVED?
Campaign for a candidate, or join our volunteer team in producing campaign materials, distributing posters, hanging banners and manning the Saturday Market booth. And, of course, by voting OFTEN.

DO I HAVE TO BE AN ISLAND NATIVE TO VOTE?
No. You don’t even have to be an American citizen or human. (Is this a great island or what?) You do have to buy your candidate into office using American currency (or by pledging full shares of your Berkshire Hathaway A stock.)

WHERE ON THE ISLAND CAN I VOTE?
The easiest way to vote in the privacy of your own home is online via oich.org, which - thanks to our merchant provider PayPal charges $.32 cents for the first $1 pledge. To get more bang for your buck, pledge more than $1 there or drop your donation of any size off at any of the polling boxes in businesses around town.

WHERE ARE THESE BOXES PLACED?
Boxes are strategically placed from Deer Harbor to Olga in local businesses, including Crow Valley Pottery (home of the 2010 Mayor), Darvilles, Driftwood Nursery, Enzos, Home Grown, the Liquor Store, Mia's, Mir Toi, Moon Glow, Office Cupboard, Orcas Island Physical Therapy, Orcas Village Store, Outlook Inn, Pawkis, Portofinos, Rays Pharmacy, Shipbay, Smith & Speed, The Kitchen, Tres Fabu, Village Stop, Windermere and Wood's Cove.

WILL THE CANDIDATES BE TELEVISING DEBATES?
No. Due to tight deadlines, each candidate will be campaigning individually, dishing dirt and refuting charges via their Web sites, Twitter or blogs. The best way to learn about each candidate’s platform is through their communication sites (links via and http://mayor.smalldognet.com/ and FAQ "THE CANDIDATES?"). These links will keep you up-to-date on each candidate’s background, their endorsements, grooming habits and diet, as well as issues they stand for.

Also, read the latest gossip via Twitter by searching and following #OrcasMayorsRace or www.twitter.com/ChildrensHouse1 where tweets are frequently unleashed, biased and strangely informational.

WHEN DOES THE ELECTION END?
The election process wraps up Sat., July 7 at 2 P.M. when the Web site closes, ballot boxes are collected and votes are tallied. Minute-by-minute updates are posted live at the Children’s House Mayoral Race booth in the Farmers Market. (Later that week, ballots will be discovered in a missing box in Florida and added to the total, so final results will be posted online and tweeted.)

WHAT IF I DON'T KNOW WHO TO VOTE FOR?
Consult your Ouiga board, a palmist or psychic. Then put a $1,000 on ANY candidate. If you’re hare-phobic, select a candidate based on actual platform. If still undecided, choose the candidate with longest tongue, funniest ears, sweetest disposition or biggest hairball. It doesn’t matter. Every vote counts and directly benefits the children of Orcas Island Children’s House.