Mrs. LaRue's dog, Ike, decides to run for mayor of Snort City after realizing the front-runner, Chief Bugwort, wants to enforce leash, curfew, and other laws for dogs.
After finding out there has never been a female U.S. president, Grace decides to run in her school's mock election, where she learns about the American electoral system and sets out to be the best person for the job even though her opponent, Thomas, seems to be winning all the boys' votes.
Several children imagine what it would be like to run for U.S. president, thinking about the fun parts, such as appearing on T-shirts and bumper stickers, and the work, including studying the nation's problems and debating issues.