1866–67 United States Senate elections
elections for the US Senate
The 1866–67 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 1866 and 1867, 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 Republican Party gained two seats, as several states in the region of the Southern United States were readmitted during Reconstruction, enlarging their majority.
Results summary
Senate party division, 40th Congress (1867–1869)
Majority party: Republican (57)
Minority party: Democratic (9)
Other parties: (0)
Vacant: (6)
Total seats: 72
Change in Senate composition
Before the elections
After August 31, 1866, appointment in New Hampshire.
As a result of the elections
Beginning of the next Congress
Race summaries
Special elections during the 39th Congress
In these special elections, the winners were seated during 1866 or in 1867 before March 4; ordered by election date.
Races leading to the 40th Congress
In these regular elections, the winners were elected for the term beginning March 4, 1867; ordered by state.
All of the elections involved the Class 3 seats.
Elections during the 40th Congress
New York
The New York election was held on January 15, 1867, by the New York State Legislature.
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