Fourth graders at Boulder Country Day School in Gunbarrel spent the last two months researching elections, applying for election-related jobs and campaigning to get their favorite guinea pig elected as school president.

They made campaign signs, posters, buttons and t-shirts promoting the two candidates, class pets Belford and Sneffels. They held a guinea pig debate, with students helping answer questions about the pigs’ platforms. They made speeches to the other classes to support their picks. They even brought in stuffed decoys to protect the security of the two furry pets as they traveled from classroom to classroom.

Mirroring the national election, the students on Tuesday followed the Electoral College system. The school was divided into five segments, and the votes needed were based on student and staff numbers.

Preschool and elementary school students voted using paper ballots that included photos of the two candidates, while middle schoolers voted online. To protect the integrity of the election, students crossed off the names of those casting paper ballots to make sure each student only voted once.

Fourth grade teacher Amanda Demler, who has had recued guinea pigs as class pets since starting at the school about 20 years ago, led her third guinea pig election. The school election is held every four years in conjunction with the presidential election.

Demler said she started what’s become a much loved school tradition when two students created campaign posters during the 2016 election. A guinea pig election, she said, was a way to tap into student interest.

“The guinea pigs add opportunities for creative projects into the curriculum,” she said. “The guinea pig election is teaching them about the whole process of democracy and how an election works.”

With encouragement from their teacher, the students ran campaigns that focused on the positive and avoided attacking the opponent. Students noted that “you don’t need to bring the other candidate down to bring your candidate up.”

Alina Lindov, who is on team Sneffels, said she hoped her classmates would focus on the guinea pigs’ character traits, not who they think is the cutest, when deciding how to vote.

“They are so different from each other,” she said. “It’s not about looks. It’s about what they’re going to do to make Boulder Country Day better.”

One of the main reasons students cited for the support of Sneffels, the older of the two pigs at age 5, was his experience. They noted he worked closely as vice president with the former president guinea pig Humphrey, who passed away unexpectedly in the summer. Sneffels, a big fan of food, promised students extra treats.

“He has more experience in the crazy democracy of the third and fourth grade classrooms and will be prepared to take things on with the knowledge President Humphrey gave him,” students wrote in their campaign literature.

But other students saw his age as a disadvantage, noting Sneffels may not live long enough to serve out his four-year term. The average lifespan of a guinea pig is five to seven years, though they can live longer.

Students on team Belford said the political newcomer would bring fresh ideas to the presidency. They described Belford, a 1 year old who was adopted by their class in August, as a “fireball.” Belford, with his penchant for running, promised students extra recess.

“He’s young, he’s strong,” said Connor Blair, Belford’s campaign manager. “Belford is a very small guinea pig, but he will have an unimaginable impact. He will make Boulder Country Day the best school.”

As the election approached, students looked for signs to predict the outcome. Talia Carlozzi said she had a good feeling about Sneffels’ chances after some unofficial polling that involved asking students in other classes to pick a side of the room based on who they supported.

Her polling method turned out to be accurate. After the votes were counted Tuesday afternoon, Sneffels won both the Electoral College and the popular vote in a close race. Sneffels received 169 votes to Belford’s 124 votes.

Even if their candidate didn’t end up the winner, students said, they like incorporating their class pets into what they’re learning.

“I liked all of it,” Connor said. “I like doing everything I can to make my candidate win. It’s more fun to interact with actual live animals.”