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 Popular election results by county Briggs: 40–50% 50–60% 60–70% | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The1845–46 Massachusetts gubernatorial election consisted of an initial popular election held on November 10, 1845[1] that was followed by a legislative vote held on January 12, 1846. The ultimate task of electing the governor had been placed before theMassachusetts General Court because no candidate received the majority of the vote required for a candidate to be elected through the popular election. IncumbentWhigGovernorGeorge N. Briggs defeatedDemocratic nomineeIsaac Davis,Liberty Party nomineeSamuel E. Sewall andKnow Nothing nomineeHenry Shaw.
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Whig | George N. Briggs | 51,638 | 48.75% |  3.08 | |
| Democratic | Isaac Davis | 37,427 | 35.33% | 5.43 | |
| Liberty | Samuel E. Sewall | 8,316 | 7.85% |  0.67 | |
| Know Nothing | Henry Shaw | 8,089 | 7.64% | N/A | |
| Independent Democrat | Frederick Robinson | 368 | 0.35% | N/A | |
| Write-in | 86 | 0.08% | |||
| Majority | 14,211 | 13.42% | |||
| Turnout | 105,924 | ||||
As no candidate received a majority of the vote, theMassachusetts General Court was required to decide the election. Under Article III of theConstitution of Massachusetts, the House of Representatives chose two candidates from the top four vote-getters, the Senate electing the Governor from the House's choice.[9]
The House sent the names of Briggs and Davis to the Senate on January 10.[10][11][12]
The legislative election was held on January 12, 1846.[11][13]
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Whig | George N. Briggs | unanimous | ||
| Whighold | ||||
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