Beasts of no party: the curious history of America’s animal mayors
Summary
In Divide, Colorado, the town has been electing animals as mayors since 2010, with the latest winner being Ringo, a dog. These animal mayor elections do not carry real political power but are local traditions aimed at attracting visitors and raising funds for community causes like animal shelters.Key Facts
- Divide, Colorado, has chosen a series of animal mayors including dogs, cats, and a donkey since 2010.
- In the latest election, Ringo the dog was elected mayor, beating a cat, a sugar glider, and others.
- The mayor role does not have real political authority; the town is governed by the county.
- Elections raise money for local causes, such as $20,000 recently gathered for the Teller County Regional Animal Shelter.
- Another example is Lucky Dinero, a horse who became mayor of Omena, Michigan, also a small, unincorporated community.
- These animal elections are mainly for fun, tourism, and charity rather than actual governance.
- Candidates in these races often include many kinds of animals, and voters pay a small fee to participate.
- The animal mayors have ceremonial roles, such as being sworn in and receiving medals.
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