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.
![]() | |||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||
![]() Popular election results by county Briggs: 40–50% 50–60% 60–70% Morton: 40–50% 50–60% | |||||||||||||||||||||
|
Candidates
edit- Marcus Morton, Democratic, incumbent Governor
- George N. Briggs, Whig, former U.S. Representative
- Samuel E. Sewall, Liberty
Popular election
editParty | 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
editAs 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.
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Whig | George N. Briggs | 30 | 80.0 | |
Democratic | Marcus Morton | 6 | 20.0 | |
Turnout | 36 | |||
Whig gain from Democratic |
Notes
editReferences
edit- ^ "MA Governor, 1843". Our Campaigns. Retrieved October 8, 2021.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Glashan, Roy R. (1979). American Governors and Gubernatorial Elections, 1775-1978. Westport, CT: Meckler Books. pp. 142–143. ISBN 0-930466-17-9.
- ^ The Massachusetts Register, and United States Calendar, for 1844. Boston: James Loring, Publisher. 1768. p. 40.
- ^ Gubernatorial Elections, 1787-1997. Washington, D.C.: Congressional Quarterly Inc. 1998. p. 58. ISBN 1-56802-396-0.
- ^ Kallenbach and Kallenbach 1977, p. 277.
- ^ "Massachusetts". New-York Daily Tribune. New York, N.Y. January 10, 1844. p. 2. Retrieved October 8, 2021.
- ^ Kallenbach and Kallenbach 1977, p. 294.
- ^ "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.