The 1849–50 Massachusetts gubernatorial election consisted of an initial popular election held on November 12, 1949[1] that was followed by a legislative vote held on January 7, 1850. The ultimate task of electing the governor had been placed before the Massachusetts General Court because no candidate received the majority of the vote required for a candidate to be elected through the popular election. Incumbent WhigGovernorGeorge N. Briggs won the legislative vote and was therefore elected, defeating Democratic nominee George S. Boutwell and Free Soil nominee Stephen C. Phillips.
As no candidate received a majority of the vote, the Massachusetts General Court was required to decide the election. Under Article III of the Constitution 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.[8]
Contemporary sources only record the House's vote as Briggs 157, Phillips 63, Boutwell 59, which would result in the nomination of Briggs but not Boutwell.[9][10][11][12][13][14][15]
The legislative election was held on January 7, 1850.[16]
^Glashan, Roy R. (1979). American Governors and Gubernatorial Elections, 1775-1978. Westport, CT: Meckler Books. pp. 142–143. ISBN 0-930466-17-9.
^Gubernatorial Elections, 1787-1997. Washington, D.C.: Congressional Quarterly Inc. 1998. p. 58. ISBN 1-56802-396-0.
^Dubin, Michael J. (2003). United States Gubernatorial Elections, 1776-1860: The Official Results by State and County. Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland. p. 116. ISBN 978-0-7864-1439-0.
^Kallenbach, Joseph E.; Kallenbach, Jessamine S., eds. (1977). American State Governors, 1776-1976. Vol. I. Dobbs Ferry, N.Y.: Oceana Publications, Inc. p. 278. ISBN 0-379-00665-0.
^ ab"Election of Gov. Briggs". Virginia free press. Charlestown, Va. January 17, 1850. p. 3. Retrieved October 31, 2022.
^ ab"Governor of Massachusetts". The Lancaster gazette. Lancaster, Ohio. January 18, 1850. p. 2. Retrieved October 31, 2022.
^ ab"Governor of Massachusetts". The daily crescent. New Orleans, La. January 18, 1850. p. 2. Retrieved October 31, 2022.
^ ab"Communicated". The Minnesota pioneer. St. Paul, Minn. Territory. February 27, 1850. p. 2. Retrieved October 31, 2022.
^ abKallenbach, Joseph E.; Kallenbach, Jessamine S., eds. (1977). American State Governors, 1776-1976. Vol. I. Dobbs Ferry, N.Y.: Oceana Publications, Inc. p. 294. ISBN 0-379-00665-0.
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