1845–46 Massachusetts gubernatorial election

The 1845–46 Massachusetts gubernatorial election consisted of an initial popular election held on November 10, 1845[1] that was followed by a legislative vote held on January 12, 1846. The ultimate task of electing the governor had been placed before the Massachusetts General Court because no candidate received the majority of the vote required for a candidate to be elected through the popular election. Incumbent Whig Governor George N. Briggs defeated Democratic nominee Isaac Davis, Liberty Party nominee Samuel E. Sewall and Know Nothing nominee Henry Shaw.

1845–46 Massachusetts gubernatorial election

November 10, 1845 (popular election)
January 12, 1846 (legislative vote)
 
Nominee George N. Briggs Isaac Davis
Party Whig Democratic
Popular election 51,638
48.75%
37,427
35.33%
Senate vote unanimous 0

 
Nominee Samuel E. Sewall Henry Shaw
Party Liberty KN
Popular election 8,316
7.85%
8,089
7.64%

Governor before election

George N. Briggs
Whig

Elected Governor

George N. Briggs
Whig

General election

Candidates

Results

1845 Massachusetts gubernatorial election[4][5][6][7][8]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Whig George N. Briggs 51,638 48.75%
Democratic Isaac Davis 37,427 35.33%
Liberty Samuel E. Sewall 8,316 7.85%
KN Henry Shaw 8,089 7.64%
Independent Democrat Frederick Robinson 368 0.35%
Scattering 86 0.08%
Majority 14,211 13.42%
Turnout 105,924

Legislative election

As no candidate received a majority of the vote, the Massachusetts General Court was required to decide the election. Under Article III of the Constitution of Massachusetts, the House of Representatives chose two candidates from the top four vote-getters, the Senate electing the Governor from the House's choice.[9]

The House sent the names of Briggs and Davis to the Senate on January 10.[10][11][12]

The legislative election was held on January 12, 1846.[11][13]

Legislative election[10][12]
Party Candidate Votes %
Whig George N. Briggs unanimous
Whig hold

References

  1. "Elections". Mobile register and journal. Mobile, Ala. November 10, 1845. p. 2. Retrieved 31 October 2022.
  2. "Massachusetts". American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper. Baltimore, Md. August 4, 1845. p. 4. Retrieved 31 October 2022.
  3. "Political". The New York herald. New York, N.Y. August 7, 1845. p. 1. Retrieved 31 October 2022.
  4. "MA Governor, 1845". Our Campaigns. Retrieved 31 October 2022.
  5. Glashan, Roy R. (1979). American Governors and Gubernatorial Elections, 1775-1978. Westport, CT: Meckler Books. pp. 142–143. ISBN 0-930466-17-9.
  6. Gubernatorial Elections, 1787-1997. Washington, D.C.: Congressional Quarterly Inc. 1998. p. 58. ISBN 1-56802-396-0.
  7. Dubin, Michael J. (2003). United States Gubernatorial Elections, 1776-1860: The Official Results by State and County. Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland. p. 115. ISBN 978-0-7864-1439-0.
  8. Kallenbach, Joseph E.; Kallenbach, Jessamine S., eds. (1977). American State Governors, 1776-1976. Vol. I. Dobbs Ferry, N.Y.: Oceana Publications, Inc. p. 277. ISBN 0-379-00665-0.
  9. "Massachusetts Constitution". The General Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Retrieved 31 October 2022.
  10. Kallenbach, Joseph E.; Kallenbach, Jessamine S., eds. (1977). American State Governors, 1776-1976. Vol. I. Dobbs Ferry, N.Y.: Oceana Publications, Inc. p. 294. ISBN 0-379-00665-0.
  11. "Massachusetts". New-York daily tribune. New-York, N.Y. January 13, 1846. p. 2. Retrieved 31 October 2022.
  12. "Massachusetts". Weekly national intelligencer. Washington, D.C. January 17, 1846. p. 4. Retrieved 31 October 2022.
  13. "Massachusetts". Der Lecha Patriot und Northampton Demokrat. Allentaun, Pa. January 28, 1846. p. 2. Retrieved 31 October 2022.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.