The correct answer to this open question is the following.
Unfortunately, you did not attach the text or the excerpt.
You did mention the name of the story or the name of the author.
However, trying to help you, we did some deep research, and probably you are referring to the short story titled "Operation Clean Sweeping," written by Darleen Bailey Bread.
You know Otis and Cornelius were best friends because both kids grew together and spent most of the time playing together in the small town of Umatilla, Oregon.
The story is dated in 1916 when women had little participation in politics and recently had been gained the right to vote in Umatilla. Women in that smalltown gathered together and had conversations about the issue that they were popular and there were more women than men in Umatilla. SO they could be elected, instead of men.
Getting back to the boys, Ottos and Cornelious were best friends, spend time fishing and collecting arrowheads.