representation is a term used to describe a particular method of electing members of a multi-member state delegation to the
. States using this method elected their entire delegation in a state-wide manner, either on a single ballot (by means of
) or on separate ballots for each seat, but always allowing every voter in the state to vote for a candidate for each seat. It was a system used frequently until restricted by the 1842
and subsequent legislation, most recently in 1967. After 1842 it was used only occasionally when permitted for states with small delegations or in the years immediately following their admission to the union.
probably intended members of the House of Representatives to be elected from geographically defined single member districts, the Constitution did not so specify. For convenience or in order to assure majority control, many states adopted general ticket representation. In doing so it ensured that a group that might be a majority in only a portion of the state would be always out voted by the larger majority throughout the state.
This is a table of every instance of the use of the general ticket in the United States Congress
| Congress |
Dates |
State & Number of Representatives |
1st-House of Representatives:During this congress, five House seats were added for North Carolina and one House seat was added for Rhode Island when they ratified the Constitution.-Senate:* President: John Adams * President pro tempore: John Langdon... |
1789-1791 |
CT (5), NJ (4), NH (3), PA (8) |
2nd-House of Representatives:During this congress, two new House seats were added for each of the new states of Vermont and Kentucky. -Leadership:-Senate:*President: John Adams *President pro tempore:** Richard Henry Lee... |
1791-1793 |
CT (5), NJ (4), NH (3) |
3rdThe Third United States Congress was a meeting of the legislative branch of the United States federal government, consisting of the United States Senate and the United States House of Representatives... |
1793-1795 |
CT (7), GA (2), NJ (5), NH (4), PA (13), RI (2) |
4th-House of Representatives:- Senate :* President: John Adams * President pro tempore:** Henry Tazewell , first elected December 7, 1795** Samuel Livermore , first elected May 6, 1796** William Bingham , first elected February 16, 1797... |
1795-1797 |
CT (7), GA (2), NJ (5), NH (4), RI (2) |
5thThe Fifth United States Congress was a meeting of the legislative branch of the United States federal government, consisting of the United States Senate and the United States House of Representatives... |
1797-1799 |
CT (7), GA (2), NJ (5), NH (4), RI (2) |
6thThe Sixth United States Congress was a meeting of the legislative branch of the United States federal government, consisting of the United States Senate and the United States House of Representatives. It met at Congress Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and in Washington, D.C. from March 4, 1799... |
1799-1801 |
CT (7), GA (2), NH (4), RI (2) |
7th- House of Representatives :-Senate:* President: Aaron Burr * President pro tempore:** Abraham Baldwin , first elected December 7, 1801** Stephen R. Bradley , first elected December 14, 1802-House of Representatives:... |
1801-1803 |
CT (7), GA (2), NJ (5), NH (4), RI (2) |
8th- Senate :* President: Aaron Burr * President pro tempore: John Brown , October 17, 1803 – February 26, 1804** Jesse Franklin , March 10, 1804 – November 4, 1804** Joseph Anderson , January 15, 1805 – December 1, 1805- House of Representatives :... |
1803-1805 |
CT (7), GA (4), NJ (6), NH (5), RI (2), TN (3) |
9th- Senate :* President: George Clinton * President pro tempore: Samuel Smith - House of Representatives :* Speaker: Nathaniel Macon -Members:This list is arranged by chamber, then by state... |
1805-1807 |
CT (7), GA (4), NJ (6), NH (5), RI (2) |
10th- House of Representatives :- Senate :*President: George Clinton *President pro tempore: Samuel Smith , elected April 16, 1808** Stephen R. Bradley , elected December 28, 1808** John Milledge , elected January 30, 1809... |
1807-1809 |
CT (7), GA (4), NJ (6), NH (5), RI (2) |
11th- House of Representatives :-Leadership:- Senate :* President: George Clinton * President pro tempore:** John Milledge ** Andrew Gregg , elected June 26, 1809** John Gaillard , elected February 28, 1810... |
1809-1811 |
CT (7), GA (4), NJ (6), NH (5), RI (2) |
12th- House of Representatives :During this congress, one new House seat was added for the new state of Louisiana.- Senate :*President: George Clinton *President pro tempore: William H. Crawford -House of Representatives:*Speaker: Henry Clay... |
1811-1813 |
CT (7), GA (4), NJ (6), NH (5), RI (2) |
13th- Senate :* President: Elbridge Gerry , until November 23, 1814, thereafter vacant.* President pro tempore: Joseph B. Varnum , December 6, 1813 – February 3, 1814** John Gaillard , elected November 25, 1814- House of Representatives :... |
1813-1815 |
CT (7), DE (2), GA (6), NH (6), RI (2), VT (6) |
14th- Senate :* President: Vacant* President pro tempore: John Gaillard of South Carolina, first elected December 4, 1815- House of Representatives :* Speaker: Henry Clay of Kentucky-Members:This list is arranged by chamber, then by state... |
1815-1817 |
CT (7), DE (2), GA (6), NJ (6), NH (6), RI (2), VT (6) |
15th-Leadership:- Senate :* President: Daniel D. Tompkins * President pro tempore:** John Gaillard , elected March 4, 1817** James Barbour , elected February 15, 1819- House of Representatives :*Speaker: Henry Clay -Members:... |
1817-1819 |
CT (7), DE (2), GA (6), NJ (6), NH (6), RI (2), VT (6) |
16th-House of Representatives:During this congress, one House seat was added for the new state of Alabama and one seat was reapportioned from Massachusetts to the new state of Maine. For the beginning of the next congress, six more seats from Massachusetts would be reapportioned to... |
1819-1821 |
CT (7), DE (2), GA (6), NJ (6), NH (6), RI (2), VT (6) |
17thThe Seventeenth United States Congress was a meeting of the legislative branch of the United States federal government, consisting of the United States Senate and the United States House of Representatives. It met in Washington, D.C. from March 4, 1821 to March 3, 1823, during the fifth and sixth... |
1821-1823 |
CT (7), DE (2), GA (6), NJ (6), NH (6), RI (2) |
18thThe Eighteenth United States Congress was a meeting of the legislative branch of the United States federal government, consisting of the United States Senate and the United States House of Representatives. It met in Washington, D.C. from March 4, 1823 to March 3, 1825, during the seventh and eighth... |
1823-1825 |
CT (6), GA (7), NJ (6), NH (6), RI (2), VT (5) |
19th-House of Representatives:-Leadership:- Senate :* President: John C. Calhoun * President pro tempore: John Gaillard , until December 4, 1825** Nathaniel Macon , from May 20, 1826- House of Representatives :* Speaker: John W. Taylor -Members:... |
1825-1827 |
CT (6), GA (7), NJ (6), NH (6), RI (2) |
20th-House of Representatives:-Leadership:- Senate :* President: John C. Calhoun * President pro tempore: Samuel Smith - House of Representatives :* Speaker: Andrew Stevenson -Members:This list is arranged by chamber, then by state... |
1827-1829 |
CT (6), NJ (6), NH (6), RI (2) |
21st-House of Representatives:-Leadership:- Senate :* President: John C. Calhoun * President pro tempore: Samuel Smith - House of Representatives :* Speaker: Andrew Stevenson -Members:This list is arranged by chamber, then by state... |
1829-1831 |
CT (6), GA (7), NJ (6), NH (6), RI (2) |
22nd-House of Representatives:-Leadership:- Senate :* President:** John C. Calhoun , resigned December 28, 1832, thereafter vacant.* President pro tempore:** Samuel Smith , first elected December 5, 1831** Littleton W... |
1831-1833 |
CT (6), GA (7), NJ (6), NH (6), RI (2) |
23rd-House of Representatives:For the beginning of this congress, the size of the House was increased from 213 seats to 240 seats, following the 1830 United States Census .- Leadership :- Senate :* President: Martin Van Buren... |
1833-1835 |
CT (6), GA (9), MO (2), MS (2), NJ (6), NH (5), RI (2) |
24th-House of Representatives:During this congress one House seat was added for each of the new states of Arkansas and Michigan.-Leadership:- Senate :* President: Martin Van Buren * President pro tempore: William R. King - House of Representatives :... |
1835-1837 |
CT (6), GA (9), MO (2), MS (2), NJ (6), NH (5), RI (2) |
25th-House of Representatives:-Leadership:- Senate :* President: Richard Mentor Johnson * President pro tempore: William R. King - House of Representatives :* Speaker: James K. Polk -Members:This list is arranged by chamber, then by state... |
1837-1839 |
NH (5), GA (9), MO (2), MS (2), NJ (6), RI (2) |
26th-House of Representatives:- Leadership :- Senate :*President: Richard M. Johnson *President pro tempore: William R. King - House of Representatives :*Speaker: Robert M.T. Hunter -Members:This list is arranged by chamber, then by state... |
1839-1841 |
NH (5), GA (9), MO (2), MS (2), NJ (6), RI (2) |
27thThe Twenty-seventh United States Congress was a meeting of the legislative branch of the United States federal government, consisting of the United States Senate and the United States House of Representatives. It met in Washington, D.C. from March 4, 1841 to March 3, 1843, during the one-month... |
1841-1843 |
AL (5), GA (9), MO (2), MS (2), NH (5), NJ (6), RI (2) |
28th-House of Representatives:Following the 1840 United States Census, Congress reapportioned the House to include 223 seats . During this congress, one House seat was added for the new state of Florida .- Senate :*President: Vacant... |
1843-1845 |
NH (4), GA (8), MO (5), MS (4) |
29th-House of Representatives:During this congress, two House seats were added for each of the new states of Texas and Iowa.-Leadership:-Senate:* President: George M. Dallas * President pro tempore: Willie P. Mangum... |
1845-1847 |
IA (2), NH (4), MO (5), MS (4) |
30thThe Thirtieth United States Congress was a meeting of the legislative branch of the United States federal government, consisting of the United States Senate and the United States House of Representatives. It met in Washington, D.C. from March 4, 1847 to March 3, 1849, during the last two years of... |
1847-1849 |
WI (2) |
31stThe Thirty-first United States Congress was a meeting of the legislative branch of the United States federal government, consisting of the United States Senate and the United States House of Representatives. It met in Washington, D.C. from March 4, 1849 to March 3, 1851, during the last 17 months... |
1849-1851 |
CA (2) |
32ndThe Thirty-second United States Congress was a meeting of the legislative branch of the United States federal government, consisting of the United States Senate and the United States House of Representatives. It met in Washington, D.C. from March 4, 1851 to March 3, 1853, during the third and... |
1851-1853 |
CA (2) |
33rdThe Thirty-third United States Congress was a meeting of the legislative branch of the United States federal government, consisting of the United States Senate and the United States House of Representatives. It met in Washington, D.C. from March 4, 1853 to March 3, 1855, during the first two years... |
1853-1855 |
CA (2) |
34thThe Thirty-fourth United States Congress was a meeting of the legislative branch of the United States federal government, consisting of the United States Senate and the United States House of Representatives. It met in Washington, D.C. from March 4, 1855 to March 4, 1857, during the last two years... |
1855-1857 |
CA (2) |
35thThe 35th United States Congress was a meeting of the legislative branch of the United States federal government, consisting of the United States Senate and the United States House of Representatives. It met in Washington, D.C. from March 4, 1857 to March 3, 1859, during the first two years of James... |
1857-1859 |
CA (2), MN (2) |
36thThe Thirty-sixth United States Congress was a meeting of the legislative branch of the United States federal government, consisting of the United States Senate and the United States House of Representatives. It met in Washington, D.C. from March 4, 1859 to March 4, 1861, during the third and fourth... |
1859-1861 |
CA (2), MN (2) |
37thThe Thirty-seventh United States Congress was a meeting of the legislative branch of the United States federal government, consisting of the United States Senate and the United States House of Representatives. It met in Washington, D.C. from March 4, 1861 to March 4, 1863, during the first two... |
1861-1863 |
CA (3), MN (2) |
38th-House of Representatives:Before this Congress, the 1860 United States Census and resulting reapportionment changed the size of the House to 241 members... to 42ndThe Forty-second United States Congress was a meeting of the legislative branch of the United States federal government, consisting of the United States Senate and the United States House of Representatives. It met in Washington, D.C. from March 4, 1871 to March 3, 1873, during the third and fourth... |
1863-1873 |
CA (3) |
43rdThe Forty-third United States Congress was a meeting of the legislative branch of the United States federal government, consisting of the United States Senate and the United States House of Representatives. It met in Washington, D.C. from March 4, 1873 to March 4, 1875, during the fifth and sixth... to 47thThe Forty-seventh United States Congress was a meeting of the legislative branch of the United States federal government, consisting of the United States Senate and the United States House of Representatives. It met in Washington, D.C. from March 4, 1881 to March 4, 1883, during the administration... |
1873-1883 |
Fl (2), KS (3) |
48thThe Forty-eighth United States Congress was a meeting of the legislative branch of the United States federal government, consisting of the United States Senate and the United States House of Representatives. It met in Washington, D.C. from March 4, 1883 to March 4, 1885, during the last two years... |
1883-1885 |
ME (4) |
51stThe Fifty-first United States Congress, referred to by some critics as the Billion Dollar Congress, was a meeting of the legislative branch of the United States federal government, consisting of the United States Senate and the United States House of Representatives. It met in Washington, D.C... |
1889-1891 |
SD (2) |
52ndThe Fifty-second United States Congress was a meeting of the legislative branch of the United States federal government, consisting of the United States Senate and the United States House of Representatives. It met in Washington, D.C... |
1891-1893 |
SD (2) |
53rdThe Fifty-third United States Congress was a meeting of the legislative branch of the United States federal government, consisting of the United States Senate and the United States House of Representatives. It met in Washington, D.C. from March 4, 1893 to March 4, 1895, during the fifth and sixth... |
1893-1895 |
SD (2), WA (2) |
54th- House of Representatives :-Leadership:- Senate :* President: Adlai E. Stevenson * President pro tempore: William P. Frye - Majority leadership :* Republican Conference Chairman: John Sherman- Minority leadership :... |
1895-1897 |
SD (2), WA (2) |
55th-House of Representatives:* Republican: 206 * Democratic: 124* Populist: 22* Silver Republican: 3* Silver: 1* Independent Republican: 1TOTAL members: 357-Leadership:-Senate:* President: Garret Hobart * President pro tempore: William P... |
1897-1899 |
SD (2), WA (2) |
56th-House of Representatives:- Leadership :- Senate :* President: Garret Hobart , until November 21, 1899 , vacant thereafter.* President pro tempore: William P. Frye * Democratic Caucus Chairman: James K. Jones... |
1899-1901 |
SD (2), WA (2) |
57th-House of Representatives:*Democratic: 151*Republican: 200 *Populist: 5*Silver : 1TOTAL members: 357-Leadership:-Senate:* President: Theodore Roosevelt , until September 14, 1901, vacant thereafter.... |
1901-1903 |
SD (2), WA (2) |
58th- House of Representatives :* Republican : 209 * Democratic : 176* Silver Republican : 1TOTAL members: 386-Senate:* President: Vacant* President pro tempore: William P. Frye -Members:... |
1903-1905 |
ND (2), SD (2), WA (3) |
59thThe Fifty-ninth United States Congress was a meeting of the legislative branch of the United States federal government, composed of the United States Senate and the United States House of Representatives. It met in Washington, DC from March 4, 1905 to March 4, 1907, during the fifth and sixth... |
1905-1907 |
ND (2), SD (2), WA (3) |
60thThe Sixtieth United States Congress was a meeting of the legislative branch of the United States federal government, composed of the United States Senate and the United States House of Representatives. It met in Washington, DC from March 4, 1907 to March 4, 1909, during the last two years of... |
1907-1909 |
ND (2), SD (2), WA (3) |
61stThe Sixty-first United States Congress was a meeting of the legislative branch of the United States federal government, composed of the United States Senate and the United States House of Representatives. It met in Washington, DC from March 4, 1909 to March 4, 1911, during the first two years of... |
1909-1911 |
ND (2), SD (2) |
62nd- House of Representatives :* Democratic : 230 * Republican : 162* Socialist : 1* Independent : 1TOTAL members: 394-Senate:* President: James S... |
1911-1913 |
ND (2), NM (2), SD (2) |
63rd- House of Representatives:*Democratic : 291 *Republican : 134*Progressive : 9*Independent : 1TOTAL members: 435-Senate:*President of the Senate: Thomas R. Marshall*President pro tempore: James P. Clarke-Senate:... |
1913-1915 |
ID (2), MT (2), UT (2) |
64thThe Sixty-fourth United States Congress was a meeting of the legislative branch of the United States federal government, composed of the United States Senate and the United States House of Representatives. It met in Washington, DC from March 4, 1915 to March 4, 1917, during the third and fourth... |
1915-1917 |
ID (2), MT (2) |
65thThe Sixty-fifth United States Congress was a meeting of the legislative branch of the United States federal government, composed of the United States Senate and the United States House of Representatives. It met in Washington, DC from March 4, 1917 to March 4, 1919, during the fourth and fifth... to 72ndThe Seventy-second United States Congress was a meeting of the legislative branch of the United States federal government, consisting of the United States Senate and the United States House of Representatives. It met in Washington, D.C. from March 4, 1931 to March 4, 1933, during the last two years... |
1917-1933 |
ID (2), MT (2) |
73rdThe Seventy-third United States Congress was a meeting of the legislative branch of the United States federal government, composed of the United States Senate and the United States House of Representatives. It met in Washington, DC from March 4, 1933 to January 3, 1935, during the first two years... |
1933-1935 |
KY (9), MN (9), MO (13), ND (2), VA (9) |
74th-House:Also 2 Delegates, 3 Resident Commissioners-Senate:*President of the Senate: John N. Garner *President pro tempore: Key Pittman -Majority leadership:*Majority leader: Joseph T. Robinson... |
1935-1937 |
ND (2) |
75thThe Seventy-fifth United States Congress was a meeting of the legislative branch of the United States federal government, composed of the United States Senate and the United States House of Representatives. It met in Washington, DC from January 3, 1937 to January 3, 1939, during the first two years... |
1937-1939 |
ND (2) |
76thThe Seventy-sixth United States Congress was a meeting of the legislative branch of the United States federal government, composed of the United States Senate and the United States House of Representatives. It met in Washington, DC from January 3, 1939 to January 3, 1941, during the seventh and... |
1939-1941 |
ND (2) |
77th-Major events:* December 7, 1941: Attack on Pearl Harbor* December 8, 1941: Joint Session of Congress met to hear President Roosevelt deliver his "Day of Infamy" speech... |
1941-1943 |
ND (2) |
78thThe Seventy-eighth United States Congress was a meeting of the legislative branch of the United States federal government, composed of the United States Senate and the United States House of Representatives. It met in Washington, DC from January 3, 1943 to January 3, 1945, during the last two years... |
1943-1945 |
AZ (2), NM (2), ND (2) |
79thThe Seventy-ninth United States Congress was a meeting of the legislative branch of the United States federal government, composed of the United States Senate and the United States House of Representatives. It met in Washington, DC from January 3, 1945 to January 3, 1947, during the last months of... |
1945-1947 |
AZ (2), NM (2), ND (2) |
80thThe Eightieth United States Congress was a meeting of the legislative branch of the United States federal government, composed of the United States Senate and the United States House of Representatives. It met in Washington, DC from January 3, 1947 to January 3, 1949, during the third and fourth... |
1947-1949 |
AZ (2), NM (2), ND (2) |
| 81st The Eighty-first United States Congress was a meeting of the legislative branch of the United States federal government, composed of the United States Senate and the United States House of Representatives... |
1949-1951 |
NM (2), ND (2) |
| 82nd The Eighty-second United States Congress was a meeting of the legislative branch of the United States federal government, composed of the United States Senate and the United States House of Representatives. It met in Washington, DC from January 3, 1951 to January 3, 1953, during the last two years... |
1951-1953 |
NM (2), ND (2) |
| 83rd The Eighty-third United States Congress was a meeting of the legislative branch of the United States federal government, composed of the United States Senate and the United States House of Representatives. It met in Washington, DC from January 3, 1953 to January 3, 1955, during the first two years... |
1953-1955 |
NM (2), ND (2) |
84thThe Eighty-fourth United States Congress was a meeting of the legislative branch of the United States federal government, composed of the United States Senate and the United States House of Representatives. It met in Washington, DC from January 3, 1955 to January 3, 1957, during the third and... |
1955-1957 |
NM (2), ND (2) |
| 85th The Eighty-fifth United States Congress was a meeting of the legislative branch of the United States federal government, composed of the United States Senate and the United States House of Representatives. It met in Washington, DC from January 3, 1957 to January 3, 1959, during the fifth and sixth... |
1957-1959 |
NM (2), ND (2) |
| 86th The Eighty-sixth United States Congress was a meeting of the legislative branch of the United States federal government, composed of the United States Senate and the United States House of Representatives. It met in Washington, DC from January 3, 1959 to January 3, 1961, during the last two years... |
1959-1961 |
NM (2), ND (2) |
87th-House of Representatives :-Senate:* President: Richard Nixon , until January 20, 1961** Lyndon Johnson , from January 20, 1961* President pro tempore: Carl Hayden -House of Representatives:... |
1961-1963 |
NM (2), ND (2) |
| 88th The Eighty-eighth United States Congress was a meeting of the legislative branch of the United States federal government, composed of the United States Senate and the United States House of Representatives. It met in Washington, DC from January 3, 1963 to January 3, 1965, during the last year of... |
1963-1965 |
AL (8), HI (2), NM (2) |
| 89th -House of Representatives:- Senate :* President of the Senate: Hubert Humphrey , starting January 20, 1965* President pro tempore: Carl Hayden - Majority leadership :* Majority Leader and Democratic Conference Chairman: Mike Mansfield... |
1965-1967 |
HI (2), NM (2) |
90thThe Ninetieth United States Congress was a meeting of the legislative branch of the United States federal government, composed of the United States Senate and the United States House of Representatives. It met in Washington, DC from January 3, 1967 to January 3, 1969, during the last two years of... |
1967-1969 |
HI (2), NM (2) |
91stThe Ninety-first United States Congress was a meeting of the legislative branch of the United States federal government, composed of the United States Senate and the United States House of Representatives. It met in Washington, DC from January 3, 1969 to January 3, 1971, during the first two years... |
1969-1971 |
HI (2) |
by which the electors of a department voted for all the deputies to be elected in that department. It was comparable with the general ticket. It was distinguished from the
, under which the electors in each arrondissement voted only for the deputy to be elected in it.
, general ticket representation is the system used to elect one fifth of the members of the
s since 1995. As in French version, its goal is to ensure the assembly control by the leading coalition of parties. Differently from France, it is used on a single round of vote.