1830–31 United States House of Representatives elections

The 1830Ã¢ÂÂ31 United States House of Representatives elections were held on various dates in various states between July 5, 1830, and October 3, 1831. Each state set its own date for its elections to the House of Representatives before the first session of the 22nd United States Congress convened on December 5, 1831. Elections were held for all 213 seats, representing 24 states.

The supporters of President Andrew Jackson lost ten seats during his first term, but managed to maintain control of the chamber amidst the growth of two new opposition movements.

The brash style of Congress during the administration of Jackson caused a number of Americans to become dissatisfied with the government and both of the major parties. Anger over the Tariff of 1828 also provided a major issue, particularly in the agricultural South. The Jacksonians remained firmly in control of the House, but lost several seats, as did the minority National Republicans. The Anti-Masonic Party, an aspiring third party which was based on a single issue (distrust of Freemasonry), was actually able to gain a dozen seats, and four South Carolina Congressman who called themselves Nullifiers (based on the principle of states' rights) were also elected. Thus, this was the first election in the House where both major parties lost seats at the same time; this would not occur again until the 1854 elections.

Election summaries

Not including special elections.

Special elections

21st Congress

|- ! | John M. Goodenow | | Jacksonian | 1828 | | Incumbent resigned April 9, 1830, after being appointed judge of the Supreme Court of Ohio. New member elected October 11, 1830 and seated December 6, 1830. Winner was later elected to the next term; see below. | nowrap |

|- ! | Philip P. Barbour | | Jacksonian | 1815 1824 1827 | | Incumbent resigned October 15, 1830, after being appointed judge of US Circuit Court of the Eastern District of Virginia. New member elected November 25, 1830 and seated December 6, 1830. Jacksonian hold. | nowrap |

22nd Congress

Third ballot :

|- ! | George Fisher | | National Republican | 1828 | | Incumbent lost contested election February 5, 1830 to Silas Wright, who then failed to qualify. New member elected November 3, 1830 and seated December 6, 1830. Jacksonian gain. Winner was not a candidate for the next term; see below. | nowrap |

Alabama

Connecticut

Connecticut elected its six at-large members on a general ticket on April 14, 1831, after the term began but before the Congress convened.

Delaware

Georgia

Georgia elected its 7 at-large members on October 4, 1830.

Illinois

Illinois elected its sole member late on August 1, 1831.

Indiana

Indiana elected its three members late on August 5, 1831.

Kentucky

Louisiana

Maine

Maryland

Maryland elected its nine members on October 3, 1831. In the fifth district, two members were elected on a general ticket. There was a net gain of 2 National Republicans thereby increasing their ratio from 3-to-6 to 5-to-4.

Massachusetts

Former U.S. President John Quincy Adams was elected in , becoming the first former president to re-enter public life after leaving the presidency.

Elections were held November 1, 1830, but at least one district went to so many ballots it failed to achieve a majority election until 1832, just before the next cycle began.

(District numbers differ between sources. District numbers below reflect Martis's references. Where noted, Congressional Quarterly's "Guide to U.S. Elections" has different district numbers.)

Thirteenth ballot

Seventh ballot

Mississippi

Elections held early, from August 2 to 3, 1830

Missouri

Missouri elected its sole member late on August 2, 1831.

New Hampshire

New Hampshire elected its six members at-large late on March 8, 1831.

New Jersey

New Jersey elected its six members at-large on November 6, 1830.

New York

New York elected its 34 members from November 1 to 3, 1830.

North Carolina

North Carolina elected its members August 11, 1831, after the term began but before the new Congress convened.

Ohio

Pennsylvania

Rhode Island

Rhode Island elected its two members at-large late on August 23, 1831.

South Carolina

South Carolina elected its nine members from October 11 to 12, 1830.

Tennessee

Election held late, on August 4, 1831.

Vermont

Vermont elected its five members on September 6, 1830. Vermont required a majority vote for election, so the 3rd district election was settled on the second ballot on December 7, 1830, and the 4th district election was settled on the eleventh ballot on June 4, 1832.

Eleventh ballot

Virginia

Non-voting delegates

Arkansas Territory

Arkansas elected its delegate late on September 4, 1831.

Florida Territory

Florida elected its delegate on September 1, 1830.

Michigan Territory

Arkansas elected its delegate late on August 8, 1831.

Notes

References

Bibliography

External links

Office of the Historian (Office of Art & Archives, Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives)