The 1847 Philadelphia mayoral election saw John Swift reelected to office for an eleventh overall non-consecutive term.
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.
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.
Results General election
City Council (runoff)
References