However, in March 1991, voters approved a referendum to allow a strong mayor and to transition the city government to a mayor-council structure.

[1] Candidates for the general election included attorney and former state representative Joel T. Daves III, senior city planner Jim Exline, former city commissioner Nancy M. Graham, Josephine Stenson Grund, property management company owner and former mayor Michael D. Hyman, and former Palm Beach County commissioner Bill Medlen.

In the early history of West Palm Beach, mayors were elected by a direct vote, beginning with John S. Earman in 1894.

In a straw poll conducted by The Palm Beach Post in 1990, 78.5% of respondents indicated that they wanted to directly elect the mayor.

Additionally, the mayor would be authorized to line-item veto the budget, initiate investigations, and supervise contracts and purchases involving more than $5,000.

Therefore, Question 2 prevailed, allowing citizens of West Palm Beach to directly elect a strong mayor.

[6] With a turnout of approximately 28.7% of eligible voters, Nancy M. Graham won the election against Michael D. Hyman by a margin of 55.8%–44.2%, or 4,199–3,332 in total votes.