1862 United States elections

Elections occurred in the middle of Republican President Abraham Lincoln's first term, during the Third Party System and the Civil War. Members of the 38th United States Congress were chosen in this election. West Virginia and Nevada joined the union during the 38th Congress, but several states were in rebellion, reducing the size of both chambers of Congress. The Republican Party kept control of Congress, although it was reduced to a plurality in the House.

1862 United States elections

← 1860          1861          1862          1863          1864 → Midterm elections
Incumbent president	Abraham Lincoln (Republican)
Next Congress	38th
Senate elections
Overall control	Republican hold
Seats contested	22 of 48 seats[1]
Net seat change	Republican +1[2]
House elections
Overall control	Republican hold
Seats contested	All 184 voting seats
Net seat change	Democratic +27[2]
1862 House of Representatives election results   Democratic seat   Republican seat   Independent seat

In the House, Democrats won several seats, ending the Republican majority. Republicans won a plurality of seats, while several seats were occupied by politicians identifying as Unionists.^[3] Republican Schuyler Colfax won election as Speaker of the House.

In the Senate, Republicans picked up a small number of seats, retaining a commanding majority.^[4]

See also

• 1862–63 United States House of Representatives elections
• 1862–63 United States Senate elections
• Unconditional Union Party
• Constitutional Union Party