The 26th 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, 1839, to March 4, 1841, during the third and fourth years of Martin Van Buren's presidency. The apportionment of seats in the House of Representatives was based on the 1830 United States census. Both chambers had a Democratic majority.
The 1838–39 United States House of Representatives elections were held on various dates in various states between July 2, 1838 and November 5, 1839. Each state set its own date for its elections to the House of Representatives before the first session of the 26th United States Congress convened on December 2, 1839. They occurred during President Martin Van Buren's term. Elections were held for all 242 seats, representing 26 states.
The 1839—1840 United States Senate election in New York was held on February 5, 1839 and January 14, 1840. Incumbent Senator Nathaniel P. Tallmadge was re-elected to a second term in office over scattered opposition.
The 1840–41 United States Senate elections were held on various dates in various states. As these U.S. Senate elections were prior to the ratification of the Seventeenth Amendment in 1913, senators were chosen by state legislatures. Senators were elected over a wide range of time throughout 1840 and 1841, and a seat may have been filled months late or remained vacant due to legislative deadlock. In these elections, terms were up for the senators in Class 2.
The 1838–39 United States Senate elections were held on various dates in various states. As these U.S. Senate elections were prior to the ratification of the Seventeenth Amendment in 1913, senators were chosen by state legislatures. Senators were elected over a wide range of time throughout 1838 and 1839, and a seat may have been filled months late or remained vacant due to legislative deadlock. In these elections, terms were up for the senators in Class 1.
The 1839 United States Senate election in Massachusetts was held on January 17 and 18, 1839.
The 1840 United States Senate election in Pennsylvania was held on January 14, 1840, after the regularly scheduled election in December 1838 was postponed due to the Buckshot War. Daniel Sturgeon was elected by the Pennsylvania General Assembly to the United States Senate.
On June 29, 1837, a special election was held in Pennsylvania's 3rd congressional district to fill a vacancy left by the death of Francis J. Harper (D) on March 18, 1837.
On March 8, 1838, a special election was held in Pennsylvania's 9th congressional district to fill a vacancy left by the resignation of Henry A. P. Muhlenberg (D) on February 9, 1838.
On November 20, 1839, a special election was held in Pennsylvania's 14th congressional district to fill a vacancy caused by the death of William W. Potter (D) on October 28 of that year, before the start of the first session of the 26th Congress.
On October 13, 1840, the same day as the general elections for the 27th Congress, a special election was held in Pennsylvania's 22nd congressional district to fill a vacancy caused by the resignation of Richard Biddle (AM).
On November 20, 1840, a special election was held in Pennsylvania's 13th congressional district to fill a vacancy caused by the death of William S. Ramsey on October 17 of the same year.
Elections to Liverpool Town Council were held on Wednesday 1 November 1839. One third of the council seats were up for election, the term of office of each councillor being three years.
The 1839 Philadelphia mayoral election saw John Swift return to office for a seventh overall non-consecutive term.
The 1839 Michigan gubernatorial election was held from November 4, 1839 to November 5, 1839. Whig nominee William Woodbridge defeated Democrat nominee Elon Farnsworth with 51.64% of the vote.
The 1839 Connecticut gubernatorial election was held on April 1, 1839. Incumbent governor and Whig nominee William W. Ellsworth was re-elected, defeating former senator and Democratic nominee John M. Niles with 51.52% of the vote.
The 1839 Georgia gubernatorial election was held on October 7, 1839, to elect the governor of Georgia. The Democratic Union candidate Charles McDonald won the election defeating Whig State Rights Candidate Charles Dougherty, with the election being decided by 1,907 votes.
The 1839 Rhode Island gubernatorial election was held on April 17, 1839.
The 1839 New Hampshire gubernatorial election was held on March 12, 1839.
The 1839 Vermont gubernatorial election was held on September 3, 1839. Incumbent Whig Governor Silas H. Jennison defeated Democratic nominee Nathan Smilie with 52.48% of the vote.