This was the first election in Maine since its separation from Massachusetts. In the previous election, Massachusetts had had 20 representatives. Seven seats (representing the -) were reassigned from Massachusetts to Maine. In addition, under the terms of the law which admitted Maine to the union, any vacancies in the 16th Congress by Representatives elected to represent Massachusetts but residing in the new states of Maine would be filled by a resident of Maine. John Holmes, who had been elected to the House for the former was elected as one of the first two senators for Maine. The vacancy was filled in a special election by

Joseph Dane Joseph Dane (October 25, 1778May 1, 1858) was a United States representative from Maine, serving from 1820 to 1823. Biography Dane was born in Beverly, Massachusetts, on October 25, 1778. He received his early education in Beverly, attended Phi ...

(Federalist). Dane was the only Representative officially considered as representing Maine in the 16th Congress. The Representatives from the 15th-20th districts were still classified as being from Massachusetts for the remainder of the 16th Congress. Maine elected its members November 7, 1820. Maine law required a majority to win election necessitating additional ballots if a majority was not received so additional ballots were held January 22, 1821 and September 10, 1821, after the term began but before the new Congress convened.

References

United States House of Representatives elections in Maine Maine Maine United States House of Representatives United States House of Representatives {{Maine-election-stub

See also

References