The 1794–95 United States House of Representatives elections were held on various dates in various states between August 25, 1794 (New Hampshire), and September 5, 1795 (Kentucky). Each state set its own date for its elections to the House of Representatives before the first session of the 4th United States Congress convened on December 7, 1795. They were held during PresidentGeorge Washington's second term. Elections were held for all 105 seats, representing 15 states.
In the first election for the House of Representatives with organized political parties, the Democratic-Republican Party, which opposed the incumbent Washington Administration, defeated the pro-administration Federalist Party. The outgoing speaker, Frederick Muhlenberg, had supported the pro-administration forces during his first two terms, but was elected by a coalition made up mainly of anti-administration members in 1793, and by 1795 he was seen as more favorable to the Democratic-Republicans. Despite the Democratic-Republican majority, however, Muhlenberg was not re-elected, and was succeeded by Federalist Jonathan Dayton.[3]
Election summary
During this period, each state fixed its own date for a congressional general election. Elections took place both in the even-numbered year before and in the odd-numbered year when a Congress convened. In some states, the congressional delegation was not elected until after the legal start of the Congress (on the 4th day of March in the odd-numbered year).
Incumbent resigned November 8, 1794. New member electedDecember 8, 1794. Pro-Administration hold. Successor was not elected to the next term, see below. Successor seated in January 1795.
Incumbent died September 15, 1794. New member electedJanuary 11, 1795.[8] Pro-Administration hold. Successor had already been elected to the next term, see below. Successor seated January 29, 1795.
Incumbent representative-elect declined to serve. New member electedJanuary 19–20, 1795.[9] Anti-Administration gain. Successor seated December 7, 1795.
Incumbent Representative-elect declined to serve when elected U.S. Senator. New member electedApril 13, 1795.[4] Federalist hold. Successor seated December 7, 1795.
Only two candidates are recorded for Delaware's congressional election in 1794, suggesting that the voting procedure in place for the first three Congresses for two candidates had been changed.
Massachusetts redistricted between the 3rd and 4th Congress, dividing itself into 14 districts. The 12th-14th districts were in the District of Maine (the modern State of Maine). A majority was required for election. Additional ballots were required in five districts due to the majority requirement not being met on the first ballot.
Incumbent lost re-election. New member elected. Democratic-Republican gain.
A petition by various citizens of Massachusetts contested the election. The Committee on Elections ruled in the winner's favor and added "that the attempt to deprive him of his seat was rather the act of malevolence than a desire to promote the public good." On January 25, 1797, these words were stricken out and expressions of compliment to the member were substituted, and the report was agreed to.[2]
Under New Hampshire's electoral laws, a majority of voters (12.5% of votes) was required for election. Only three candidates achieved a majority, and so a run-off election was held for the fourth seat.
Pennsylvania once again divided itself into districts instead of electing representatives at-large, as it had for the 3rd Congress. The state divided intself into 12 districts, one of which (the 4th) had two seats. Pennsylvania would continue to use one or more plural districts until 1842.
Incumbent lost re-election. New member elected. James Morris disputed the election. The original returns showed Morris in 2nd place and Richards in a close 3rd place, but Richards disputed it. Morris died July 10, 1795, before the House could act. The Elections Committee ruled in favor of Richards on January 18, 1796.
New member elected. Democratic-Republican gain. Successor declined to serve and a special election was held to fill the resulting vacancy, electing Wade Hampton (Democratic-Republican).
Representative-elect Barnwell of the 2nd district declined to serve. A special election was held to fill the resulting vacancy, electing Wade Hampton (Democratic-Republican).
Vermont law required a majority for election to Congress, with a second election to be held if the first did not return a majority. Run-off elections were required in both districts.
New non-partisan delegate electedon an unknown date by the territorial legislature. Member seated September 3, 1794 as Congress's first non-voting delegate. Successor also elected to the next term, see below.
^Including the late election from Tennessee who was admitted to the union after the 4th Congress had started to meet, and did not hold their elections for U.S. representatives until October 1796
^Federalist Jonathan Dayton was elected Speaker of the House, despite being from the smaller party.
^3 additional ballots were required in 5 districts held January 17, March 23, and June 1, 1795.
^a run-off was required for the 4th seat held on December 8, 1794.
^an additional ballot was required in both districts held on February 10, 1795.