The 1940 United States House of Representatives elections were elections for the United States House of Representatives to elect members to serve in the 77th United States Congress. They were held for the most part on November 5, 1940, while Maine held theirs on September 9. They coincided with President Franklin D. Roosevelt's re-election to an unprecedented third term. His Democratic Party narrowly gained seats from the opposition Republican Party, cementing their majority. However, the election gave firm control of the US House of Representatives and Senate to the New Dealers once again, as Progressives dominated the election. The upswing in the economy that occurred following the Recession of 1937–38 encouraged voters that the New Deal plan had been working. This allowed the Democrats to stabilize their support. , this is the last time the House of Representatives was made up of six parties. Overall results Source: Election Statistics - Office of the Clerk Special elections Many special elections were held. The elected winner would serve only the remainder of the incumbent Congress. Sorted by election date. |- ! | Carl Mapes | | Republican | 1912 | | Incumbent died December 12, 1939.New member elected February 19, 1940.Republican hold.Winner was subsequently re-elected in November, see below. | nowrap | |- ! | William A. Ashbrook | | Democratic | 19061920 1934 | | Incumbent died January 1, 1940.New member elected February 27, 1940.Republican gain.Winner was subsequently re-elected in November, see below. | nowrap | |- ! | Chester C. Bolton | | Republican | 19281936 1938 | | Incumbent died October 29, 1939.New member elected February 27, 1940.Republican hold.Winner was subsequently re-elected in November, see below. | nowrap | |- ! | Cassius C. Dowell | | Republican | 1936 | | Incumbent died February 4, 1940.New member elected March 5, 1940.Republican hold.Winner was subsequently re-elected in November, see below. | nowrap | |- ! | George H. Heinke | | Republican | 1938 | | Incumbent died January 2, 1940.New member elected April 19, 1940.Republican hold.Winner did not run for re-election in November, see below. | nowrap | |- ! | Clyde H. Smith | | Republican | 1936 | | Incumbent died April 8, 1940.New member elected June 3, 1940.Republican hold.Winner was subsequently re-elected in November, see below. | nowrap | |- ! | W. Benjamin Gibbs | | Democratic | 1938 | | Incumbent died August