New York's at-large congressional seat

On three occasions in New York history, some members of the United States House of Representatives were elected statewide at-large. This was due to an increase of the number of representatives after the previous federal census, and the failure of the State Legislature to re-apportion the congressional districts in time for the next election.

New York's at-large congressional district
Obsolete district
Created	1870 1880 1930
Eliminated	1875 1885 1940
Years active	1873–1875 1883–1885 1933–1945

In 1872 and 1882, one representative each was elected for the ensuing term. The Legislature then re-apportioned the congressional districts before the elections in 1874 and 1884.

From 1933 to 1945, two representatives elected at-large sat in the House because the Legislature could not agree on a re-apportionment of the districts. For the election to the 79th United States Congress, which was held in 1944, the congressional districts were finally re-apportioned.

List of members representing the district

1873–1875: one seat

New York gained one seat following the 1870 census.

Representative	Party	Years	Cong ress	Electoral history
Lyman Tremain (Albany)	Republican	March 4, 1873 – March 3, 1875	43rd	Elected in 1872. Retired.

1883–1885: one seat

New York gained one seat following the 1880 census.

Representative	Party	Years	Cong ress	Electoral history
Henry W. Slocum (Brooklyn)	Democratic	March 4, 1883 – March 3, 1885	48th	Elected in 1882. [data missing]

1933–1945: two seats

New York gained two seats following the 1930 census.

Years	Cong ress		Seat A				Seat B
			Representative	Party	Electoral history		Representative	Party	Electoral history
March 4, 1933 – January 3, 1935	73rd		John Fitzgibbons (Oswego)	Democratic	Elected in 1932. Retired.		Elmer E. Studley (Queens)	Democratic	Elected in 1932. Retired.
January 3, 1935 – January 3, 1943	74th 75th 76th 77th		Matthew J. Merritt (Queens)	Democratic	Elected in 1934. Re-elected in 1936. Re-elected in 1938. Re-elected in 1940. Re-elected in 1942. Retired.		Caroline O'Day (Rye)	Democratic	Elected in 1934. Re-elected in 1936. Re-elected in 1938. Re-elected in 1940. Retired.
January 3, 1943 – January 3, 1945	78th						Winifred C. Stanley (Buffalo)	Republican	Elected in 1942. Retired.

References

• Martis, Kenneth C. (1989). The Historical Atlas of Political Parties in the United States Congress. New York: Macmillan Publishing Company.
• Martis, Kenneth C. (1982). The Historical Atlas of United States Congressional Districts. New York: Macmillan Publishing Company.
• Congressional Biographical Directory of the United States 1774–present