Pet Mayor of Oakridge 2026

Uptown is electing a new leader. It might be your dog.

Register your Candidate

Every town gets the government it deserves — and Oakridge deserves one with a wagging tail. This [SUMMER/FALL], the Uptown Business & Revitalization Association is holding its first-ever Pet Mayor election, and the ballot is open to every dog, cat, chicken, goat, lizard, and otherwise upstanding animal citizen of the greater Oakridge area.

The winning candidate takes office as the Honorary Pet Mayor of Uptown Oakridge — with a term full of photo opportunities, a place of honor at Uptown events, and bragging rights that no human politician will ever match.

Every vote is a donation, and every dollar goes straight back into Uptown: art on the light poles, snowflakes on them in winter, community events, and the small, steady work of making our business district welcoming to everyone. Small-town democracy at its absolute finest.

HOW IT WORKS

1. Register your candidate. Fill out the registration form below. You'll need your pet's name, a photo worthy of a campaign poster, and — if your candidate has one — a slogan. Registration costs [$5.00] per candidate and is open through [DATE].

2. We make it official. UBRA reviews each registration (we have standards, though they are not high). Once approved, you'll get a confirmation email and your candidate joins the official ballot.

3. The campaign begins. Voting runs [START DATE] through [END DATE]. Votes are [$1] each, and there's no limit — this is the one election where stuffing the ballot box is not only legal but encouraged. Campaign posters, stump speeches at the farmers market, and shameless baby-kissing (nose-booping) are all fair game.

4. Inauguration day. The winner is announced at [EVENT/DATE/LOCATION] and sworn in as Pet Mayor of Uptown Oakridge for a one-year term. Runners-up may be appointed to the Pet City Council at UBRA's discretion, because in this town, everybody wins.

CANDIDATE RULES

  • Candidates must be an animal. (We check.)

  • Candidates must reside in the greater Oakridge area with their human.

  • One registration per candidate; households may register multiple pets — sibling rivalries make for excellent campaigns.

  • Photos should be family-friendly and show the candidate clearly. Campaign hats, bandanas, and formalwear are strongly encouraged.

  • Slogans must be suitable for all ages. Attack ads against rival candidates are permitted only if they are funny.

  • The Pet Mayor serves in a strictly honorary capacity and cannot actually vote at City Council. We've asked.

  • UBRA reserves the right to decline or remove any registration that doesn't meet these rules. Registration fees support UBRA's work in Uptown either way.

‍Enter the Race

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Having trouble with the form? Email us at treasurer@oakridgeubra.org and we'll get your candidate registered the old-fashioned way.

Why a Pet Mayor?

Because it makes people smile, and because every registration and every vote funds the real work: UBRA operates on a very tiny budget and stretches every dollar as far as we can. The Pet Mayor campaign is fundraising the Oakridge way — neighbors, businesses, and one very distinguished animal, all pulling for Uptown together.

The Uptown Business & Revitalization Association is a 501(c) nonprofit. Contributions may be tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law; please consult your tax advisor. Registration fees are not tax-deductible.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Yes. Democracy is beautiful and votes cost $1

  • Absolutely. Some of history's finest leaders were introverts.

  • Appears at Uptown events, poses for photos, boosts morale, and serves as a shining example to us all. Duties are adjusted for species, temperament, and nap schedule.

  • Directly into UBRA's Uptown revitalization work — beautification, community events, and supporting the Uptown business district.

  • Yes, and you can vote as many times as you like. Every vote is a donation to Uptown.