1847 Philadelphia mayoral election

1847 Philadelphia mayoral election

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

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

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

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

General election

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)

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

1. "Mayors of the City of Philadelphia 1691-2000". City of Philadelphia. Retrieved April 28, 2019.