Election Name: | 1843–44 Massachusetts gubernatorial election |
Country: | Massachusetts |
Type: | Presidential |
Ongoing: | no |
Previous Election: | 1842 Massachusetts gubernatorial election |
Previous Year: | 1842 |
Next Election: | 1844 Massachusetts gubernatorial election |
Next Year: | 1844 |
Election Date: | November 13, 1843 (popular election) January 8, 1844 (legislative vote) |
1Blank: | Popular election |
2Blank: | Senate vote |
Nominee1: | George N. Briggs |
Party1: | Whig Party (United States) |
1Data1: | 57,899 (47.74%) |
2Data1: | 30 (83.33%) |
Nominee2: | Marcus Morton |
Party2: | Democratic Party (United States) |
1Data2: | 54,242 (44.72%) |
2Data2: | 6 (16.67%) |
Nominee3: | Samuel E. Sewall |
Party3: | Liberty Party (United States, 1840) |
1Data3: | 8,901 (7.34%) |
2Data3: | Did not qualify |
Map Size: | 300px |
Governor | |
Before Election: | Marcus Morton |
Before Party: | Democratic Party (United States) |
After Election: | George N. Briggs |
After Party: | Whig Party (United States) |
The 1843–44 Massachusetts gubernatorial election consisted of an initial popular election held on November 13, 1843, that was followed by a legislative vote held on January 8, 1844. The ultimate task of electing the governor had been placed before the Massachusetts General Court because no candidate received the majority of the vote that was constitutionally required for a candidate to be elected through the popular election. Incumbent Democratic Governor Marcus Morton was defeated by Whig Party nominee George N. Briggs.
As no candidate received a majority of the vote, the Massachusetts House of Representatives was required nominate two of the four top vote-getters to the Massachusetts Senate, which then chose one of the two as Governor. The House nominated Briggs and Morton.[1] The election in the Senate was held on January 8, 1844.