This was the first election held under the New Jersey Constitution of 1844, which was adopted on June 29 and reformed the state government, notably establishing an independent executive branch. Before 1844, New Jersey Governors were elected by a majority of theNew Jersey Legislative Council and held office as a member of that body.[1] Although the new constitution formally lifted the constitutional property requirement for suffrage, it added race and sex requirements; only white males over the age of 21 were eligible to vote in this election.[2]
The Whigs were able to flip both houses of thestate legislature, giving Stratton a trifecta that lasted his entire term.[5] In theGeneral Assembly, Whigs were able to win 40 seats to the Democrats 18, a gain of 17 seats in the lower hose. Meanwhile, in theSenate, Whigs won 13 seats to the Democrats 6, a gain of 7.
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