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% | | |
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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