Travis County Votes for Their Next Pet Mayor during
Paws to the Polls: The Great Austin Pet Election
TRAVIS COUNTY, TEXAS - The League of Women Voters of the Austin Area and the Travis County Clerk's Office will host “Paws to the Polls: The Great Austin Pet Election.” Candidates Gus the Cat and Franklin the Dog are going head-to-head to become Austin’s next Pet Mayor.
This family-friendly event will take place on Wednesday, July 1, from 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM at Manor Community Center. The free, all-ages block party will have candidate debates, after which attendees will be able to cast their ballot on actual voting machines. Voter registration and information will also be available onsite.
Paws to the Polls is a countywide voter‑engagement initiative designed to welcome new voters, help residents get hands‑on experience with voting equipment, and connect the community with trusted election resources. The campaign’s goal is simple: empower every eligible voter with the confidence and information they need to participate in the November election.
The Manor event is one of several that will take place ahead of the November Election.
Where: Manor Community Center, 600 W. Carrie Manor St., Manor, TX 78653
When: July 1, from 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Who: All ages welcome
What: Games, snow cones, face painting, voting demo, and mock election.
Quote from League of Women Voters:
These events are great for new voters as they can help demystify the voting process before the 2026 Midterm Elections. We are so excited to be in partnership with the Travis County Clerk’s Office because the more opportunities people have to become familiar with voting equipment and the voting process, the more confident voters are when they show up to polling locations to cast their actual ballot.
Quote from Travis County Clerk Dyana Limon-Mercado:
“People love their pets, and our ‘pet mayor’ election is a fun way to bring the community together while educating the public on what civic participation looks like. When the public meets the candidates, watch debates, and cast their own ballots, they are reminded that voting is a responsibility—not just a right. Events like this also emphasize, especially to those who do not vote regularly, how important it is to show up in every election. Our democracy is strongest when everyone participates, every time.”
Anyone eight years old and up can vote in this mock election.
The block party will also feature:
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The League of Women Voters Austin Area is proud to be nonpartisan, neither supporting nor opposing candidates or political parties at any level of government but always working on vital issues of concern to members and the public. We encourage informed and active participation in government, work to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influence public policy through education and advocacy.
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The Travis County Clerk administers elections in Travis County, serves as recorder of deeds and land records, and Clerk of Travis County Courts at Law and the Statutory Probate Court. The office also issues marriage licenses and registers cattle brands. |