Election officials at Sunlight Mountain Resort report that more than 60,000 votes have already been cast in the ski area’s fourth annual Mini-Mayor Election. Online voting began Oct. 1st in what officials at Sunlight say could be a new record for voter turnout. Twelve candidates are vying to become Sunlight’s next Mini-Mayor.
Current campaign frontrunner, 7-year-old Piper Arnette of Silt, Colo., currently leads the race with more than 20,000 votes. Last year Arnette lost a close election to incumbent Mini-Mayor Colby Rogers, 6, of Rifle, Colo. Rogers edged out Arnette with 72,073 votes to Arnette’s 58,927 votes.
Mini-Mayor Candidates began launching their campaigns on September 25th. The candidates have been luring votes through social media as well as appearing in local parades, high school football and volleyball games, and other events. All skiers and snowboarders aged 12 and under can run for office.
Sunlight Mini-Mayor enjoys many exclusive benefits including a complimentary season pass, a new pair of skis or snowboard (think Air Force One), and most importantly, a seat at Sunlight’s Executive Table. Last season Mini-Mayor Rogers successfully passed the Spaghetti Act that called for spaghetti to be added to Sunlight’s lunch menu with 10 percent of proceeds benefitting SOS Outreach of Avon, Colo., a move that raised $500 for the non-profit that provides outdoor recreation for underserved youth.
The office of Mini-Mayor serves a one-year term, with a two-term limit, meaning that incumbents can only be re-elected once. Officials at Sunlight say the office of Mini-Mayor “gives voice to a previously underrepresented but vitally important cohort of young skiers and snowboarders everywhere.”
CAMPAIGNING FOR MINI-MAYOR
Mini-Mayor Campaign 2019 began Sept. 25th. Candidates and their adult campaign managers are asked to complete an online profile at the campaign website www.Mini-Mayor.com. The public is encouraged to vote for their favorite candidates throughout the two- month campaign period with final election results to be announced on Nov. 5, 2019. For more breaking news on Mini-Mayor Campaign 2019, follow the hashtag #MiniMayor or visit www.Mini-Mayor.com
