1847 Philadelphia mayoral election

Summary

The 1847 Philadelphia mayoral election saw John Swift reelected to office for an eleventh overall non-consecutive term.[1]

1847 Philadelphia mayoral election
← 1846
1848 →
 
Nominee John Swift Altamont Phillips Peter Fritz
General election vote 6,046 3,550 2,530
General election percentage 49.78% 29.23% 20.83%
City Council vote 29 0
City Council percentage 100% 0.00%

Mayor before election

John Swift
Whig

Elected Mayor

John Swift
Whig

This was the last regularly-scheduled mayoral election in which the City Council selected the mayor, as all subsequent mayoral elections either reached a majority in the general election or used a different electoral system.[1]

Electoral system edit

Beginning in 1839, the city operated under a mixed electoral system. Citizens voted for mayor in a general election. If a candidate receive a majority of the vote, they would be elected mayor. However, if no candidate received a majority, the City Council would select a mayor from the top-two finishers.[1]

Results edit

General election edit

1847 Philadelphia mayoral election results (general election)[1]
Candidate Votes %
John Swift (incumbent) 6,046 49.78%
Altamont Phillips 3,550 29.23%
Peter Fritz 2,530 20.83%
James Hansell 10 0.08%
John M. Scott 2 0.02%
Others 8 0.06%
Total votes 12,146

City Council (runoff) edit

1847 Philadelphia mayoral election results (City Council runoff)[1]
Candidate Votes %
John Swift (incumbent) 29 100%
Altamont Phillips 0 0.00%
Total votes 29

References edit

  1. ^ a b c d e "Mayors of the City of Philadelphia 1691-2000". City of Philadelphia. Retrieved April 28, 2019.