Children’s House Fundraiser: Mayor’s Race FAQ

Candidates for Eastound Mayor, buy your vote and support Children's House!

By Susan Anderson, Administrative Coordinator  for the Children’s House

What is the Eastsound Mayoral Campaign?

The race is a fundraiser sponsored by and benefiting Children’s House, a childhood early-learning center supporting island families for more than 40 years. This year’s candidates include canines Pogo, Oliver, Paycey and Grace, feline Ember and OICH’s own bunny, Pearl Boy. 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.

Do I have to be an island native to vote? No. You don’t even have to be an American citizen. (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 Rainbow Services, Ray’s Pharmacy, Wood’s Cove, Village Stop, Washington Federal, Islanders Bank, Fire, Orcas Island Physical Therapy, Driftwood Nursery, The Office Cupboard, Outlook Inn, Crow Valley Pottery, Pawkis, Moon Glow, Orcas Village Store, Mia’s, The Kitchen, Chimayo’s, Home Grown, Tres Fabu and Smith & Speed.

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 Web sites (links via www.oich.org and https://mayor.smalldognet.com/). 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 #OrcasMayorsRace or twitter.com/ChildrensHouse1 where tweets are frequently unleashed, biased and strangely informational.

What happened to bovine April?

Sadly, candidate April has been “outstanding in her field” for many years, but did not enter the race year. Like Ralph Nader, April ran a solid campaign for years. Still, if you want to see her in office, write “April” on your ballot(s) and OICH will tally and publish her votes!

When does the election end?

The election process wraps up Sat., July 2 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 Pearl Boy anyway because…. well, he’s just cool. 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.