At the municipal election held in 1951, and in every fourth year thereafter, one councilman shall be elected from each councilmanic district and seven from the City at large. Each elector shall have the right to vote for one district councilman and for five councilmen-at-large. To this end not more than five candidates for councilmen-at-large shall be nominated pursuant to law by any party or other political body. Should a vacancy occur in the office of any councilman, the President of the Council shall issue a writ of election to the board of elections having jurisdiction over elections in the City for a special election to fill the vacancy for the balance of the unexpired term, which election shall be held on a date specified in the writ, but not less than thirty days after its issuance. The President of Council may fix as the date of the special election, the date of the next primary, municipal or general election.

ANNOTATION

Sources: Act of June 25, 1919, P.L. 581, Article XVI, Section 2, as amended.

Purposes: This section provides for the manner of electing Councilmen. Each of the districts specified in Section 2-102 elects one Councilman. Councilmen-at-large are elected by all the voters of the City. Minority representation is assured by the requirement that no more than five candidates may be elected for Councilmen-at-large by any one party or political body. Should a vacancy occur in the office of a minority representative, it is not required that the vacancy must be filled from the minority party as such a requirement would prove to be impracticable.