Pennsylvania Statutes Title 53 P.S. Municipal and Quasi-Municipal Corporations § 41507. Organization;  election of mayor

(a) On the first Monday of January following the regular municipal election, the members of the city council shall assemble at the usual place of meeting and organize and choose one of their number as mayor unless otherwise provided.  The mayor shall be chosen by ballot by majority within five ballots to be taken within   1 two days of said organization meeting, to elect a mayor, then the member who in the election for members of to elect a mayor, then the member who in the election for members of the city council received the greatest number of votes shall be the mayor.  Should such person decline to accept the office, then the person receiving the next highest vote shall be the mayor, and so on, until the office is filled.

(b) On the recommendation of the charter commission as provided in section 213,  2 the mayor shall be elected directly by the voters of the city at the regular municipal election, in lieu of being chosen as provided in subsection (a) of this section 507.

(c) In cities wherein the mayor is chosen by council, on petition of thirty per centum of the number of residents of the city who voted at the last preceding general election, there shall be placed on the ballot at the next succeeding primary, municipal or general election a question on choosing of the mayor by council or election directly by the voters of the city.  Should a majority of those voting on the question be in favor of electing the mayor directly by the voters of the city, the office of mayor shall be filled by the election of a mayor at the next municipal election.