1896–97 United States Senate elections
1896, 1897 US Senate elections
The 1896–97 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 1896 and 1897, 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 seven seats, mostly to smaller third parties.
Results summary
Senate party division, 55th Congress (1897–1899)
Majority party: Republican (43)
Minority party: Democratic (33)
Other parties: Populist (5); Silver (5); Silver Republican (2)
Total seats: 90
Vacant: 2, later filled by 1 Republican and 1 Democrat.
Change in Senate composition
Before the elections
Result of the general elections
Beginning of the next Congress
Race summaries
Elections during the 54th Congress
In these elections, the winners were seated during 1896 or in 1897 before March 4; ordered by election date.
Elections leading to the 55th Congress
In these regular elections, the winners were elected for the term beginning March 4, 1897; ordered by state.
All of the elections involved the Class 3 seats.
Elections during the 55th Congress
In these elections, the winners were elected in 1897 after March 4; ordered by date.
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