1840 Philadelphia mayoral election

{{short description|none}}

{{Use American English|date=January 2025}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2023}}

{{Infobox election

| election_name = 1840 Philadelphia mayoral election

| country =

| type = presidential

| ongoing = no

| previous_year = 1839

| next_year = 1841

| election_date =

| image1 = John-Swift-Mayor-of-Philadelphia-e1486412581340 (1).jpg

| nominee1 = John Swift

| party1 =

| popular_vote1 = 6,355

| percentage1 = 56.87%

| image2 = 3x4.svg

| nominee2 = Henry Horn

| party2 =

| popular_vote2 = 4,820

| percentage2 = 43.13%

| map_image =

| map_size =

| map_caption =

| title = Mayor

| before_election = John Swift

| before_party = Whig Party (United States)

| after_election = John Swift

| after_party = Whig Party (United States)

}}

{{ElectionsPA}}

The 1840 Philadelphia mayoral election saw John Swift reelected to office for his eighth overall non-consecutive term.

This was the first Philadelphia mayoral election in which the mayor wound up being solely elected by the general public. Since Swift received a majority in the general election, the City Council did not select the mayor. 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.