The malicious in-fighting that has often accompanied the selection of Cambridge’s mayor could move to a citywide stage if a push for democratic mayoral elections continues to gain steam.

At a meeting last night, the City Council narrowly approved an order to explore—and possibly move toward legislation—shifting mayoral elections from the purview of the nine councillors into the hands of Cambridge voters.

Under Cambridge’s current system, city voters elect nine councillors and then these officials select the mayor in a subsequent vote.

Last night’s measure to explore popular mayoral elections passed by a 5-3 margin, with strong support from Mayor Michael A. Sullivan, Vice Mayor Marjorie C. Decker and Councillor Anthony D. Gallucio—all of whom could be candidates in a potential citywide vote.

The coming together of this five-member majority, which also included Councillors Kenneth E. Reeves ’72 and Timothy J. Toomey, was reminiscent of the coalition that formed to elect Sullivan mayor.

Last January, Gallucio, the former mayor and a perennial favorite of Cambridge voters, expressed an interest in the mayoral post. But he ultimately joined the four other councillors in selecting Sullivan for the position.

Councillor Henrietta Davis, who lost out to Gallucio in her bid for mayor earlier this year, led the opposition to the measure.

“I think there’s an inherent conflict if you want to have a city with a strong city manager,” Davis said last night, referring to a possible clash between a popularly elected mayor and the city manager.

The office of mayor, except for chairing the School Committee, is a largely ceremonial position. But Cambridge’s privately hired manager, Robert W. Healy, operates most of the city’s activities.

Gallucio maintained a mayor elected in a citywide election would not have any additional powers.

“This is not creating a strong or stronger mayor,” he said. “All we are doing is giving power to the people, which is a democratic thing.”

Councillor E. Denise Simmons voted “present,” effectively abstaining from the decision.

In the past, in-house votes for mayor among the nine elected city councillors have often sparked partisan rancor that can last long into the year. Last night, many councillors cited this bitterness in explaining their votes for the measure.

“After experiencing how we elect the mayor over the last several years, I just don’t have the confidence in our process,” Decker said, noting “the bad feelings and the tension that this mayor’s race provides among the colleagues.”

Reeves cautioned the Council to use discretion as it considers the initiative for democratic elections, citing personal ambitions of the councillors as a source for concern.