1843–44 Massachusetts gubernatorial election

The 1843–44 Massachusetts gubernatorial election consisted of an initial popular election held on November 13, 1843, that was followed by a legislative vote held on January 8, 1844. The ultimate task of electing the governor had been placed before the Massachusetts General Court because no candidate received the majority of the vote that was constitutionally required for a candidate to be elected through the popular election. Incumbent Democratic Governor Marcus Morton was defeated by Whig Party nominee George N. Briggs.

1843–44 Massachusetts gubernatorial election

← 1842 November 13, 1843 (popular election)
January 8, 1844 (legislative vote)
1844 →
 
Nominee George N. Briggs Marcus Morton Samuel E. Sewall
Party Whig Democratic Liberty
Popular election 57,899
(47.74%)
54,242
(44.72%)
8,901
(7.34%)
Senate vote 30
(83.33%)
6
(16.67%)
Did not qualify

Popular election results by county
Briggs:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%
Morton:      40–50%      50–60%

Governor before election

Marcus Morton
Democratic

Elected Governor

George N. Briggs
Whig

Candidates

edit
edit
1843 Massachusetts gubernatorial election[1][2][3][4][a]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Whig George N. Briggs 57,899 47.74%
Democratic Marcus Morton 54,242 44.72%
Liberty Samuel E. Sewall 8,901 7.34%
Scattering 246 0.20%
Majority 3,657 3.02%
Turnout 121,288

Legislative vote

edit

As no candidate received a majority of the vote, the Massachusetts House of Representatives was required nominate two of the four top vote-getters to the Massachusetts Senate, which then chose one of the two as Governor. The House nominated Briggs and Morton.[7] The election in the Senate was held on January 8, 1844.

Legislative election[8][9]
Party Candidate Votes %
Whig George N. Briggs 30 80.0
Democratic Marcus Morton 6 20.0
Turnout 36
Whig gain from Democratic

Notes

edit
  1. ^ Some sources give Sewall's vote as 8,903.[5][6]

References

edit
  1. ^ "MA Governor, 1843". Our Campaigns. Retrieved October 8, 2021.
  2. ^ Dubin, Michael J. (2003). United States Gubernatorial Elections, 1776-1860: The Official Results by State and County. Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland. p. 114. ISBN 978-0-7864-1439-0.
  3. ^ Glashan, Roy R. (1979). American Governors and Gubernatorial Elections, 1775-1978. Westport, CT: Meckler Books. pp. 142–143. ISBN 0-930466-17-9.
  4. ^ The Massachusetts Register, and United States Calendar, for 1844. Boston: James Loring, Publisher. 1768. p. 40.
  5. ^ Gubernatorial Elections, 1787-1997. Washington, D.C.: Congressional Quarterly Inc. 1998. p. 58. ISBN 1-56802-396-0.
  6. ^ Kallenbach and Kallenbach 1977, p. 277.
  7. ^ "Massachusetts". New-York Daily Tribune. New York, N.Y. January 10, 1844. p. 2. Retrieved October 8, 2021.
  8. ^ Kallenbach and Kallenbach 1977, p. 294.
  9. ^ "Massachusetts". New-York Daily Tribune. New York, N.Y. January 11, 1844. p. 2. Retrieved October 8, 2021.

Bibliography

edit
  • Kallenbach, Joseph E.; Kallenbach, Jessamine S., eds. (1977). American State Governors, 1776-1976. Vol. I. Dobbs Ferry, N.Y.: Oceana Publications, Inc. ISBN 0-379-00665-0.