The Mayor shall serve for a term of four years beginning on the first Monday of January following his election. He shall not be eligible for election for more than two successive terms; and he shall not during his term of office be a candidate for any other elective office whatsoever. Should he announce his candidacy for any other office, he shall be automatically disqualified to continue to serve as Mayor, and the office shall be deemed vacant.

ANNOTATION

Sources: As to term of office, Act of June 25, 1919, P.L. 581, Article II, Section 2, as amended.

Purposes: While the Mayor is given the present four year term of office, two limitations are imposed:

1. His successive terms are limited to two terms. He may be elected to serve for a total of two terms of four years each when one follows the other. He may not be elected for the next term following although if he is out of office thereafter for a term or more he may again be elected as Mayor and re-elected for a successive term. Should he fill a vacancy other than by election, he may still serve in addition thereto, two successive terms of four years each by election.

2. The other limitation, of his office being vacated by his becoming a candidate for another elective office, will prevent a Mayor from neglecting the duties of his office as Mayor while he seeks election to another office. It will also tend to avoid official decisions of a Mayor from being influenced by conflicting interests which might arise if he were, while Mayor, a candidate for another public office. The nomination for an office at a primary election or the Mayor's announcement at any time that he is a candidate for another office will serve to vacate his office.