2027 DOG MAYOR &
HONORARY CAT SHERIFF ELECTION

Welcome to MAWI's First-ever Dog Mayor & Honorary Cat Sheriff Election!

Dogs and cats residing in the Towns of Bozrah, Colchester, Montville, Salem, and the Mohegan Tribal Property are invited to run for office and represent MAWI in 2027!

Nominate your pet. Vote for your favorite candidate(s). Support local animals.

About the Election

Become the First Mayor or Honorary Sheriff of MAWI!

Dogs and cats residing in the Towns of Bozrah, Colchester, Montville, Salem, and Mohegan Tribal Property are invited to run for office and represent MAWI!

Nominate your pet. Vote for your favorite candidate(s). Support our local animals.

Key Dates:

September 1 to 18: Nomination Period

September 21 to October 10: Primaries*

October 11: Finalists Announced

October 17: "Meet the Candidates" at Montville Farmers' Market Spooky Night

October 11 to November 3: Election Period

November 3: Election Day

* Primaries are for the Dog Mayor election only. The top 3 Vote-getters must attend a "Meet the Candidates" event on October 17. Voting for the Honorary Cat Sheriff runs from the posted date through Election Day.

Fees:

Dog Mayoral Candidate Fee: $25

Cat Sheriff Candidate Fee: $15

$1 = 1 Vote

The Montville Animal Welfare Initiative (MAWI) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.

All proceeds will go towards supporting our local pets through the Montville Animal Welfare Initiative, K-9 Barrett Memorial Animal Control Facility, our participating towns' pet pantries, and the overall well-being and welfare of our community's animals.

Details subject to change.

Nominations have closed!

Nominations for both the Dog Mayor and Honorary Cat Sheriff closed on September 18.

Voting for Dog Mayor Candidate(s) continues through October 10. The Top 3 Candidates will move up to the Final Election Period. You will have the opportunity to meet with the Candidates on October 17 at Montville Farmers' Market's Spooky Night event on October 17.

Voting for Honorary Cat Sheriff Candidate(s) continues through to November 3.

View!

VIEW CANDIDATES

Vote!

1 Vote = $1.

Please allow 24 hours for pet nominations and votes to be posted.

VOTE FOR DOG MAYOR

VOTE FOR HONORARY SHERIFF

Voting for Honorary Cat Sheriff Candidate(s) continues through to November 3.

1 THE PERFECT DOG MAYOR CANDIDATE SHOULD . . .

Reside in the Town of Bozrah, Colchester, Montville, Salem, or Mohegan Tribal Property
Have a good temperament (as should their human spokesperson)
Be an upstanding and respectable pet in the community
Represents their constituents equally regardless of breed, species, and/or known tricks
Be agreeable to having their photo taken and released by MAWI
Be willing to attend special events throughout the year

Meet the Candidates!

Montville Farmers' Market Spooky Night

October 17, 3 to 6 pm

Camp Oakdale Large Pavilion, Oxoboxo Dam Road

DOES YOUR CAT HAVE WHAT IT TAKES TO BE THE PET SHERIFF?

The perfect Cat Sheriff Candidate should:
Reside in the Town of Bozrah, Colchester, Montville, Salem, or Mohegan Tribal Property
Be an upstanding and respectable pet in the community
Command presence, have exceptional leadership skills, and uncompromising integrity
Have strong decision-making skills and remain calm under pressure
Have unwavering honesty, high personal ethics, and capable of fostering public trust

TIMELINE & DETAILS

September 1 - 18: The Nomination Period has closed.

September 21 - October 10: Primaries (Dog Mayor Candidates Only)

$1 = 1 Vote
Continue spreading the word and sharing your campaign with your family and friends - anyone and everyone is welcome to place their vote(s)!
Feel free to vote for your Candidate(s) multiple times!
Primaries close at midnight
Once the Primaries close, the top 3 Mayoral Candidates will be selected and must attend a "Meet the Candidates" event at Montville Farmers' Market Spooky Night on October 17, 3 to 6 pm, Camp Oakdale Large Pavilion, Oxoboxo Dam Road
Please allow up to 24 hours for your votes to be posted on the website

October 17: "Meet the Candidates" at Montville Farmers' Market Spooky Night on October 17, 3 to 6 pm, Camp Oakdale Large Pavilion, Oxoboxo Dam Road

The top 3 Mayoral Candidates will be invited to attend a "Meet the Candidates" Finalists event, giving our voters an opportunity to get to know the Candidates!
Voters will also be welcome to submit their votes at the event

October 11 - November 3: Election Period

$1 = 1 Vote
Voters may vote online until Election Day
Voters may vote for their Candidate(s) multiple times!
Please allow up to 24 hours for your votes to be posted on the website

Tuesday, November 3, 2026: Election Day

We'll be at a select polling place(s), giving the residents a final opportunity to vote in-person for their favorite Candidate!
Voting will close at 8:00 p.m.

TOP 3 MAWI MAYOR CANDIDATE RESPONSIBILITIES & PERKS

Attend the "Meet the Candidates" event at Montville Farmers' Market Spooky Night on October 17, 3 to 6 pm, Camp Oakdale Large Pavilion, Oxoboxo Dam Road
The Top 3 Contenders will receive a:
- Goodie Bag
- Free Microchip (non-transferable)
- Petsmart Gift Card

MAWI MAYOR RESPONSIBILITIES & PERKS

The Official Title of Dog Mayor of MAWI for one (1) one-year term
Be invited to participate in all major events
Featured recognition the MAWI website, social media, and on select promotional materials
The Elected Mayor will receive a:
- Free monthly nail trimmings for one year(non-transferable)
- Dev's on Main, Niantic, Gift Card for the dog & parents
- Professional Pet Photo Shoot

HONORARY SHERIFF RESPONSIBILITIES & PERKS

The Honorary Cat Sheriff of MAWI for one (1) one-year term
The Honorary Cat Sheriff will have online presence only
Owner should be willing to submit photos (and blurbs) keeping the public updated on the Honorary Sheriff's happenings
Featured recognition on the MAWI website, social media, and on select promotional materials
The Elected Honorary Sheriff will receive a:
- Goodie Bag
- Petsmart Gift Card
- Free monthly bag of kitty litter for one year
- Two Wrasslin' Cats, East Haddam, Gift Card