In Animal Crossing: New Leaf, the first player is given the civic role of mayor.
The appointment happens almost immediately after the character arrives in town. A case of mistaken identity leads Isabelle and the villagers to treat the newcomer as the town’s new leader. This is a major change from earlier Animal Crossing games, where the player was simply a resident.
As mayor, the player can approve public works projects such as bridges, fountains, streetlights, and other town improvements. The mayor can also enact ordinances that alter daily routines, including shop hours or residents’ gardening habits. Isabelle serves as the mayor’s secretary and helps manage these responsibilities.
A common mix-up is assuming that every player character becomes mayor. Only the first person to create the town’s save file receives that role; additional characters are residents. The mayoral system is also specific to New Leaf and should not be confused with Tom Nook’s business role or Tortimer’s position as the former mayor.