The Election

Summary
Mr. Ratburn's class holds a class election. Muffy takes the candidacy for class president seriously and a competitive campaign against Arthur ensues.

Plot
Mr. Ratburn annouces a class election to the third grade.

At recess Muffy, Francine, Arthur and the Brain discuss the announcement. Francine thinks she would be a good fit for president but Muffy rightfully suggests she would be better as her campaign manager behind the scenes after detailing responsibilities of being able to campaign and listening to the people while Binky thinks it's lame. Buster suggests Arthur that he would be a great candidate only to get openly laughed at by Muffy.

Back in class, Muffy declaires to the class that she is officially running. Buster again encourages Arthur to run as a candidate, which gets cheered on by some of his class members and finally agrees, much too Muffy's annoyance.

During lunch Arthur, Buster, Binky and the Brain try to think of a reason why anyone would vote for Arthur. Brain tells Arthur he needs organisation with professional and well financed people. Buster reassures Arthur to relax and tells him all he needs are a few good jokes which he can help with. On the flip side a very well organised Muffy has set up a strategy meeting with Francine and Sue Ellen. She wants catchy slogans from Sue Ellen and to make an appointment for her hair stylist and Fancine to find some hot button issues.

Mr. Ratburn uses examples from￼ Thomas Jefferson, Herbert Hoover and Teddy Roosevelt as examples of not being about personalties but about important issues. Muffy, Buster and Binky day dream about themselves as these historic figuires.

Arthur at the end of school asks Francine if she wants to go to the sugar bowl, only to be dragged away by Muffy who doesn't want her talking to the enemy. Arthur at home talks to Buster about how seriously Muffy is taking the class election. D.W soon walks in with concerns about Arthur not being able to win becuase he isn't funny has hasn't campaigned hard. Arthur stresses to her that it's just a small class election.

Arthur and Buster the next day walk into school the next morning to see Muffy's campaign posters all over school and is personally handing out Muffins. This makes Arthur urgently create his own out of cheap paper and crudely drawn and lose cut outs which Muffy laughs at the quality. Arthur says her comment isn't being fair, which she exclaims that politics isn't fair.

A debate is held between the two candidates. Arthur talks about teamwork, organisation and problem solving together as a positive for his election while Muffy details that she will be able to get her Daddy to pay for everything. Mr. Ratburn then notices that Binky had fallen asleep which the class finds funny. When awaken, Binky he says it would be more exciting if there was no more homework and eat snacks in class. The classes excitement for his comments prompts asking Arthur and Muffy if they would allow Binky be added which Muffy disaproves off but Arthur disagrees.

After the votes have been counted, Mr Ratburn annouces Binky as the winner and dismisses the class. However Binky doesn't understand the concept of a mock up and keeps pushing for more promises to be implemented. Muffy yells at Arthur for letting Binky run, telling him she spent the most money, gave out Muffins and the result wasn't fair. She storms off to the hallway saying she won't ever forget. Arthur and Buster hope she never loses a real election.

Major

 * Arthur Read
 * Muffy Crosswire
 * Binky Barnes
 * Nigel Ratburn
 * Buster Baxter
 * Francine Frensky

Minor

 * D.W. Read
 * The Brain

Cameo

 * Sue Ellen Armstrong
 * Jenna Morgan
 * Alex
 * Fern Walters
 * George Lundgren
 * Maria Pappas
 * Kenny
 * Beulah McInnerny
 * 3rd Grade Male Rat
 * Mary
 * 3rd Grade Female Aardvark
 * 3rd Grade Male Rabbit
 * 3rd Grade Male Cat
 * 3rd Grade Male Dog (Number 3)
 * 3rd Grade Male Dog
 * Jessica

Mentioned

 * Ed Crosswire

Errors

 * When school ends, Sue Ellen's hair turns green.

Production Notes

 * This is the first episode to use the Slot Machine as a title card.