1868 and 1869 United States House of Representatives elections
The 1868 and 1869 United States House of Representatives elections coincided with the 1868 United States presidential election, which was won by Ulysses S. Grant. The Democrats gained 20 seats, but Grant's Republican Party retained a commanding majority in the Reconstruction era following the American Civil War, holding onto a firm legitimacy through an association with victory. As more Southern states exited Reconstruction, more Democratic seats appeared in the South. However, Democratic gains in the South were limited, as the Republican power-brokers of Reconstruction held a great deal of  influence. The small Conservative Party of Virginia also picked up several seats in Virginia, as it had support among wealthy Southern leaders who wanted to increase the region's power. Election summary. Mississippi, Texas, and Virginia were readmitted during this Congress, leaving Congress without vacant State delegations for the first time since 1860. Georgia had been partially readmitted in the previous Congress, but was not initially admitted to the 41st Congress. With Georgia's final readmission in 1870, all former Confederate states were once more represented in Congress. Election dates. Mississippi held rejected elections on July 1, 1868. New (accepted ) elections were held December 1, 1869. In 1845, Congress passed a law providing for a uniform nationwide date for choosing presidential electors. This law did not affect election dates for Congress, which remained within the jurisdiction of State governments, but over time, the States moved their congressional elections to that date. 1868 was the first year in which the majority of States (20 of 37) held their elections on that date. There were still 9 states which held elections before that date and 4 that held regular elections after that date, in addition to 4 readmitted states that held elections  after that date. Special elections. There were special elections in 1868 and 1869 to the 40th United States Congress and 41st United States Congress. Special elections are sorted by date then district. 40th Congress. Readmission of state are treated here as regular (late) elections, not special elections. 41st Congress. Readmission of state are treated here as regular (late) elections, not special elections. California. California's delegation remained at two Democrats and one Republican. Colorado Territory. See non-voting delegates, below. Dakota Territory. See non-voting delegates, below. Florida. Florida had been unrepresented in Congress since January 21, 1861, when its  sole member and both senators withdrew from Congress following the secession of Florida from the Union. Following the end of the Civil War, an election had been held in 1865, but it was rejected by Congress. In 1868, Congress readmitted Florida following Reconstruction. Election to the current term. The first election, for the duration of the 40th congress, was held May 5, 1868. Hamilton was seated on July 1, 1868, during the 2nd session of the 40th Congress. Election to the next term. Florida elected its one at-large member on December 29, 1868, re-electing Hamilton, who had just  been elected in May to finish the current term. Idaho Territory. See non-voting delegates, below. Massachusetts. ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! Mississippi. 1868 rejected elections. Mississippi elected its members July 1, 1868, but that election was later rejected by the House. 1869 accepted elections. Mississippi then held new elections December 1, 1869 both: to finish the term in the 40th Congress and to the next term (starting in 1871) in the 41st Congress. Both elections had the same vote totals and were accepted by the House. The new members were seated in 1870. Montana Territory. See non-voting delegates, below. Nebraska. ! New Mexico Territory . See non-voting delegates, below. Tennessee. ! ! ! ! ! ! ! Utah Territory. See non-voting delegates, below. Washington Territory. See non-voting delegates, below. West Virginia. ! ! Wisconsin. Wisconsin elected six members of congress on Election Day, November 3, 1868. Non-voting delegates. Montana Territory. The election date is speculative. Wyoming Territory. On July 25, 1868, an act of Congress gave Wyoming Territory the authority to elect a congressional delegate, although the first delegate did not take his seat until 1869.