1848–49 United States Senate elections
elections for the U.S. Senate
The 1848–49 United States Senate elections were held on various dates in various states. As these U.S. Senate elections were prior to the ratification of the Seventeenth Amendment in 1913, senators were chosen by state legislatures. Senators were elected over a wide range of time throughout 1848 and 1849, and a seat may have been filled months late or remained vacant due to legislative deadlock. In these elections, terms were up for the senators in Class 3.
The Democratic Party lost seats but maintained control of the Senate.
Results
Senate party division, 31st Congress (1849–1851)
Majority party: Democratic (33–36)
Minority party: Whig Party (25–24)
Other parties: Free Soil (2)
Total seats: 60–62
Change in Senate composition
Before the elections
As a result of the elections
Note: "Re-elected" includes incumbent appointee elected to the next term.
Beginning of the next Congress
Race summaries
Special elections during the 30th Congress
In these special elections, the winners were seated during 1848 or in 1849 before March 4; ordered by election date.
Races leading to the 31st Congress
In these regular elections, the winners were elected for the term beginning March 4, 1849; ordered by state.
All of the elections involved the Class 3 seats.
Elections during the 31st Congress
In these elections, the winners were elected in 1849 after March 4.
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