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DOES YOUR DOG HAVE WHAT IT TAKES TO BE PET MAYOR?

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

• Be willing to attend a "Meet the Candidates" Finalists event 

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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

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TIMELINE & DETAILS

September 1 - 18: Nomination Period

To nominate a Candidate:

• Create a profile that includes your pet's name, photo, short bio/platform, and campaign slogan

• Review the submission rules below

• Candidate fee for Dog Mayor: $25 per pet

• Candidate fee for Honorary Cat Sheriff: $15 per pet

• Votes may be submitted after candidate profiles are posted 

• Voting for the Honorary Cat Sheriff runs from the posted date to Election Day!

• Voting for the Dog Mayor includes the Primaries where the top 3 Candidates determined, a Meet the Candidates event, and the final Election period and day

• Nominations close at midnight

September 21 - October 16: 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!

• Once the Primaries close, the top 3 Mayoral Candidates will be selected for the final run-off!

• Primaries close at midnight

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Montville Parks & Recreation Trick or Trunk Event, Saturday, October 24 (to be confirmed): Meet the Candidates

• 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

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October 19 - November 3: Election Period

• $1 = 1 Vote

• Voters may vote online until Election Day

• Voters may vote for their Candidate(s) multiple times!

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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.

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SUBMISSION DETAILS

• Owners and their pet candidate must reside in Bozrah, Colchester, Montville, Salem, or the Mohegan Reservation

• Please do not forget to click on the link to upload your pet's photo in the confirmation email

• Submissions should include your pet's name, a high-resolution photo, short bio/platform, and campaign slogan

• Photos should be in focus with no digital overlays or effects

• Photos should contain only one living pet, with no people

• Due to copyright laws, please do not use professional photos unless you have the written consent of the photographer

• Once entered, photos become the property of MAWI and can be used, edited, or modified to promote the contest, and used for marketing purposes

• MAWI reserves the right to remove any photo, bio, or platform deemed inappropriate or politically divisive

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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

• Receive a professional pet photo shoot

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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