Under the provisions of the
New York Constitution of 1821, 32 Senators were elected on general tickets in eight senatorial districts for four-year terms. They were divided into four classes, and every year eight Senate seats came up for election. Assemblymen were elected countywide on general tickets to a one-year term, the whole Assembly being renewed annually. On April 18, 1826, the Legislature amended the senatorial district apportionment: Delaware Co. was transferred from the 6th to the 2nd District; and Steuben Co. was transferred from the 8th to the 6th District. They also amended the Assembly district apportionment: Chautauqua, Erie, New York, St. Lawrence and Tompkins gained one seat each; and Hamilton/Montgomery, Orange, Queens, Ulster and Washington lost one seat each. State Senator
George Brayton resigned on April 18, 1826, leaving a vacancy in the Fifth District. State Senator
Jedediah Morgan resigned due to ill health, leaving a vacancy in the Seventh District. At this time, the
Democratic-Republican Party was split into two factions: the "Bucktails" (led by U.S. Senator
Martin Van Buren) and the "Clintonians" (supporters of Gov.
DeWitt Clinton). On September 21, 1826, the Clintonian state convention met at
Utica;
Pierre Van Cortlandt was Chairman; and
Samuel Stevens and
Simon G. Throop were Secretaries. The delegates nominated Gov. DeWitt Clinton for re-election; and
Henry Huntington for lieutenant governor. On October 4, 1826, the Bucktail state convention met at
Herkimer;
James L. Hogeboom was Chairman; and
David E. Evans and Assembly Clerk
Edward Livingston were Secretaries. The delegates nominated Circuit Judge
William B. Rochester for governor; and
Nathaniel Pitcher for lieutenant governor. On September 11, 1826, began the affair surrounding the abduction, and probable murder, of
William Morgan which led to the foundation of the
Anti-Masonic Party in 1828. ==Elections==