1983 Birmingham municipal election

The 1983 Birmingham municpal elections included races for Mayor of Birmingham and Birmingham City Council, then elected at-large. The election was held on October 11, 1983 with two challengers vying trying to unseat Richard Arrington, Jr, then at the end of his first term of office.

In a contest billed by the newspapers as a "Battle of the Ph.D.s", Arrington soundly won a second term of office over City Council challenger John Katopodis.

Overall turnout was 83%. Voters in black precincts turned out at record levels, with 77% of eligible voters casting ballots.

Mayor's race

1. Richard Arrington, Jr: 56,967 votes (60%)
2. John Katopodis: 37,608 votes (40%)
3. Sonja Franeta: 171 votes (0.2%)

City Council election

• William Bell (62%), incumbent, re-elected for a four-year term
• Jeff Germany, incumbent, re-elected for a four-year term
• David Herring, incumbent, re-elected for a four-year term
• Russell Yarbrough, incumbent, re-elected for a four-year term
• Eddie Blankenship, elected to a two-year term

References

• Kelly, Mark (September 30, 1999) "William Bell: The Historical Perspective" Black & White
• Allers, Robyn, ed. (1999) Birmingham: A City Born Again: The Arrington Years 1979-1999. Birmingham: Elements/Jesse J. Lewis and Associates
• Archibald, John (October 9, 2009) "Archibald: What next? C-Notes for votes?" Birmingham News