The race is on for the next “Mayor of Whidbey Island.”

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Island County has launched its second annual fundraiser to find the honorary four-legged leader of the island. The popular pet election helps raise money to support mentorship on Whidbey Island.

The term for the current mayor, Al the Alpaca, is coming to an end. Islanders who want to nominate their pet for the post can complete a nomination form along with a $10 filing fee to Big Brothers Big Sisters. Fees will be waived for Little Brothers and Sisters in the program who would like to enter their pet in the election. Nomination forms are available at www.bbbsislandcounty.org or at the South Whidbey office, located at South Whidbey High School.

The filing fee provides each candidate with a flyer featuring his or her mayoral attributes and a colored photo, created by Big Brothers Big Sisters. Participants are encouraged to make copies, distribute campaign flyers and are responsible for collecting votes or directing voters to the BBBS website to vote; one vote equals $1.

All votes must be turned in to the Big Brothers Big Sisters office by Election Day, Nov. 8. The candidate with the most votes (dollars) will be sworn in as the Mayor of Whidbey Island and will have the opportunity to make special appearances at Big Brothers Big Sisters events in 2011 and 2012.

For questions about 2011’s Mayor of Whidbey Island or to learn more about Big Brothers Big Sisters, visit www.bbbsislandcounty.org or call the South Whidbey office at 221-6808, ext. 5417.