I hate you, 4chan, for piquing my curiosity.

It's not that I'm a fan of the show per se, but I had an idea that I couldn't help but write about.

Standard disclaimers that the show is not mine, the characters aren't mine, yadda yadda yadda.

Posters.

There were posters everywhere.

All of them talking about politics, the 'issues' and the candidates. You couldn't turn around without some kind of political message staring at you in the face. Discussion was healthy, though, and although a few manes got ruffled, the calming voices kept the rhetoric down. After all, everypony in Ponyvale were friends! Why would they let such a silly thing as a mayoral election get in the way of their friendships, and sense of community? It had been many years since a really heated campaign divided the ponies in any lasting way, and even that wasn't a big deal.

Of course, in Equestria, elections didn't often have issues that were all that divisive in the first place, and more or less it actually came down to the better candidate. Who would run the town better? This election year, the candidates were between the old Mayor and Mrs. Cakes, the owner of the local cake shop. Twilight Sparkle decided to more or less stay out of the discussions, believing that it would be best to observe how the ponies interacted during a time of passion, decision, and discussion, even division. So far, the findings were…Interesting.

"But CAKE!" Pinky Pie yelped, "We've known her for years! She's always been so kind, and helpful, and always the first to help organize celebrations and parties and get-togethers and-"

"Pinky!" Rainbow Dash interjected, hoping to calm her down.

"-and she's always done so well. I think she would make a GREAT Mayor! She's organized, but flexible. Wise, but humble. Patient, but she sticks to her values!"

"Yeah, but the Mayor's been in the spot for years! She's always been able to get the fundin' we need for those events. She's connected and savvy, we've done great under the Mayor! I say, we don't need to fix what ain't broken," Applejack replied.

"Well, I think both of them would be great Mayors," Fluttershy peeped; the others barely heard her, but she was loud enough, "Whoever wins, I think Ponyvale is better for it."

"Agreed," Rarity nodded, "Both the Mayor and Mrs. Cake have been productive members and leaders of our town. We'll be well off whoever wins."

Twilight didn't let her friends catch her taking notes. She would just scribble something down whenever she felt she'd seen something worth noting. Normally she didn't do this with her friends, but Pinkie Pie and Applejack were vehement supporters of Mrs. Cake and the Mayor, respectively, so it was an opportunity she couldn't pass up.

"What about you, Rainbow Dash?" Pinkie Pie asked, "Who are you voting for?"

"Oh, I dunno, I never really like elections. They're always just…Popularity contests, and those just aren't cool. I don't know if I'm going to vote."

"Oh, my, Dash, you must vote! Some of the greatest elections have come down to just a few people! You mustn't let your preconceptions from school lead you to a decision you decision you might regret!" Rarity told her.

"I dunno, maybe. We'll see how the election goes. Honestly, I'm not sure if I want to choose…" she admitted, "What about you, Twilight?"

Twilight quickly stashed her notepad and pencil away.

"Oh, I, um, I've already decided. But I'm still keeping an open mind," she told her friends. They stared at her for a moment, "What?"

"Well, who is it? Who are you voting for!" Pinky Pie spat it out. Twilight lifted her nose.

"Uh-uh, I'm not telling. That's for me to know, and me to keep to myself. They're secret ballots for a reason, and it's my right to keep it to myself," she told them. Pinkie Pie moaned and frowned, but didn't say anything. Twilight smiled at her, and something caught her eye: A pony wearing a trenchcoat, sunglasses, and a hat was looking over his shoulder, and disappeared between two buildings.

"How odd," Twilight muttered to herself, as Applejack and Pinkie Pie got into a new discussion about the election. Those two sure were passionate!