American Psephology

The 1788 Senate Election in Massachusetts

On November 24, 1788, the legislature of Massachusetts chose two senators. The balloting of the House is as follows:

Ballot 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Caleb Strong 125
Tristam Dalton 71 78
Nathan Dane 74 74
Charles Jarvis 79 113 108 Victory
Theodore Sedgwick 67
John Lowell 59
Holten 39
(Nathaniel?) Gorham 23
Others 91 77 10 71 67
Choice Strong Dalton

Strong was chosen by the House on the first ballot and confirmed by the Senate 27-2.

Jarvis was chosen by the House on the second ballot, and the Senate instead suggested John Lowell.

Jarvis was chosen again by the House on the third ballot, and the Senate instead suggested Azor Orne.

Jarvis was chosen again by the House on the fourth ballot, and the Senate instead suggested Tristram Dalton.

Nobody was chosen by the House on the fifth ballot.

Dane was chosen by the House on the sixth ballot, and the Senate instead suggested Tristram Dalton again.

Dalton was chosen by the House on the seventh ballot, and the Senate confirmed him.