The 18th 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 4, 1825, during the seventh and eighth years of James Monroe's presidency. The apportionment of seats in the House of Representatives was based on the 1820 United States census. Both chambers had a Democratic-Republican majority.
The 1822–23 United States House of Representatives elections were held on various dates in various states between July 1, 1822, and August 14, 1823. Each state set its own date for its elections to the House of Representatives before the first session of the 18th United States Congress convened on December 1, 1823. They occurred during President James Monroe's second term.
The 1820–21 United States Senate elections were held on various dates in various states, corresponding with James Monroe's landslide re-election. 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 1820 and 1821, 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 1822 United States House of Representatives elections in New York were held from November 4 to 6, 1822, to elect 34 U.S. Representatives to represent the State of New York in the United States House of Representatives of the 18th United States Congress.
The 1822–23 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 1822 and 1823, 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 1823 Pennsylvania gubernatorial election occurred on October 14, 1823. Incumbent Federalist governor, Joseph Hiester, did not seek re-election. The Democratic candidate, John Andrew Shulze, defeated Federalist candidate Andrew Gregg.
Maryland elected its members October 7, 1822.
Massachusetts elected its members November 4, 1822. Massachusetts law required a majority for election, which was not met in 3 districts, necessitating additional elections on March 3, 1823, and May 12, 1823; nevertheless, all elections were complete before the new Congress convened.
South Carolina elected its members February 12–13, 1823.
On April 21, 1823, William B. Rochester (DR) of New York's 28th district was appointed judge of the Eighth Circuit Court and resigned his seat in the House. A special election was held to fill the resulting vacancy.
In April, 1821, prior to the first meeting of the 17th Congress, Representative-elect James Duncan (DR) from Pennsylvania's 5th district resigned. A special election was held to fill the resulting vacancy on October 9, 1821.
On July 20, 1821, William Cox Ellis (F) from Pennsylvania's 10th district resigned. A special election was held to fill the resulting vacancy on October 9, 1821.
On May 8, 1822, the last day of the First Session of the 17th Congress, William Milnor (F) of Pennsylvania's 1st district resigned. A special election was held to fill the resulting vacancy on October 1, 1822, a week before the general elections for the 18th Congress.
On May 8, 1822, the last day of the First Session of the 17th Congress, Henry Baldwin (DR) of Pennsylvania's 14th district resigned from Congress. A special election was held on October 1, 1822 to fill the resulting vacancy.
On May 20, 1822, Samuel Moore (DR) of Pennsylvania's 6th district resigned. A special election was held on October 1, 1822 to fill the resulting vacancy.
On October 17, 1822, Ludwig Worman (F) of Pennsylvania's 7th district died in office. A special election was held to fill the resulting vacancy on December 10, 1822
Virginia lost one seat in reapportionment following the 1820 United States census. Nineteen incumbents ran for re-election, leaving three open seats. Virginia elected its members in April 1823 after the term began, but before the new Congress convened.
The 1823 Maine gubernatorial election took place on September 8, 1823. Incumbent Democratic-Republican Governor Albion Parris won re-election to a third term.
The 1823 Delaware gubernatorial special election was held on October 7, 1823. A few months into his three-year term, Democratic-Republican Governor Joseph Haslet died in office, elevating State Senate Speaker Charles Thomas to the governorship and triggering a special election in 1823. Justice of the Peace David Hazzard ran as the Democratic-Republican nominee to succeed Thomas and faced State Senator Samuel Paynter, the Federalist nominee. Paynter narrowly defeated Hazzard, regaining the office for the Federalists.
The 1823 New Hampshire gubernatorial election was held on March 11, 1823.