Boston City Charter is amended to adopt the Plan A form of government.

By a margin of 126,687 to 64,386 (146,162-73,887-Galvin), voters approve changes to the city charter that increase the power of the mayor, replaces the 22-member council elected by ward with a nine-member body elected at-large, and retains the five-member school committee, but elects members to non-staggered, two-year terms. The changes also establishes non-partisan preliminary elections and run-off general elections, beginning in 1951. According to Jack Beatty, the changes and vote reflects a view that “[Boston is a city with] a corrupt mayor, a corrupt City Council, a corrupt press, a swollen city payroll, a dying city economy, and the highest taxes beneath the wandering moon.”