1983 Boston City Council election

Boston City Council elections were held on November 15, 1983, with preliminary elections on October 11, 1983. This election transitioned the Council from having 9 members (all at-large) to having 13 members (9 district representatives and 4 at-large). All 13 seats were contested in both the preliminary and general election.

Incumbents
Each of the nine incumbent at-large councillors ran for Boston public office.

At-large
In the preliminary election, ten names appeared on the ballot, with voters able to choose four; the top eight vote-getters then appeared on the ballot in the general election.

Voters in the general election could select four of the eight final candidates; Councillors McCormack, Iannella, Tierney, and O'Neil received the most votes, so were re-elected and filled the four at-large seats, while Councillor McDermott finished fifth and was not re-elected.

District 1
Robert Travaglini was elected.

District 2
James M. Kelly was elected.

District 3
James E. Byrne was elected.

District 4
Charles Yancey was elected.

District 5
Thomas Menino was elected.

District 6
At-large councillor Maura Hennigan was elected.

District 7
At-large councillor Bruce Bolling was elected.

District 8
David Scondras was elected, becoming the first openly gay Boston City Council member.

District 9
Brian J. McLaughlin was elected.