2015 Worcester, Massachusetts mayoral election

The 2015 Worcester, Massachusetts mayoral election was held on November 3, 2015. It saw the reelection of incumbent mayor Joseph Petty to a third term.

Worcester mayoral election, 2015

November 3, 2015[1]
Turnout	20.51%
Nominee Joseph Petty Michael T. Gaffney William Coleman Party Nonpartisan Nonpartisan Nonpartisan Popular vote 9,978 7,859 1,335 Percentage 52.04% 40.99% 6.96%
Mayor before election Joseph Petty Democratic Elected Mayor Joseph Petty Democratic

Election system

In order to be elected mayor in Worcester, a person must place first in the mayor's race and also finish among the top six in the at-large city council election, being also elected a councilor at large. An individual cannot be elected mayor without additionally winning at at-large city council seat.[2][3]

In addition, the candidate elected to the office of councilor at large who receives the second-highest number of votes for the office of mayor will become vice-chair of the city council.[3]

Results

General election results[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Nonpartisan	Joseph M. Petty (incumbent)	9,978	52.04
	Nonpartisan	Michael T. Gaffney	7,859	40.99
	Nonpartisan	William S. Coleman III	1,335	6.96
Turnout			19,172	20.51

Petty also finished first in the at-large city council election.[1] Gaffney finished second and Coleman finished eleventh.[1] Gaffney, by the rules of the city charter, became the vice-chair of the Worcester City Council.

References

1. "SUMMARY REPORT CITY OF WORCESTER, MA MUNICIPAL ELECTION 10/03/2015 OFFICIAL RESULTS" (PDF). Worcester, Massachusetts. Retrieved December 2, 2019.
2. Kotsopoulos, Nick (September 21, 2019). "Politics and the City: And they're off and running for Worcester mayor". telegram.com. Retrieved November 28, 2019.
3. "Ordinances & Regulations | City of Worcester, MA". www.worcesterma.gov. Worcester. Retrieved April 25, 2020.