The 1878–79 United States House of Representatives elections were held on various dates in various states between June 3, 1878 and September 3, 1879. Each state set its own date for its elections to the House of Representatives before or after the first session of the 46th United States Congress convened on March 18, 1879. Elections were held for all 293 seats, representing 38 states. This was the last election cycle that at least one state held its regular congressional election in an odd-numbered year. These elections occurred in the middle of President Rutherford B. Hayes's term. With a sour economy as the nation's pressing issue, both major parties lost seats to the new Greenback Party, which was established to promote the long-term use of paper money as a solution to stop enormous economic fluctuations. The Democratic Party remained the largest party, but lost its majority. However, it allied with several independent politicians and was able to remain in power. This was the fourth and last recorded House election where both major parties lost seats at the same time. Election summaries Election dates In most states, the elections were held November 5, 1878. In 1845, Congress set a uniform nationwide date for choosing presidential electors. This Act of Congress did not affect election dates for Congress, which remained within the jurisdiction of state governments, but over time, the states moved their congressional elections to this date as well. In this cycle, there were still 7 states with earlier election dates, and 1 with a later election date: Early elections June 3, 1878: Oregon September 3, 1878: Vermont September 9, 1878: Maine October 7, 1878: Indiana October 8, 1878: Iowa, Ohio, West Virginia Standard election date November 5, 1878 Late election September 3, 1879: California California's elections were the last time a state held congressional general elections after November. Special elections Elections are listed by date and district. |- ! | John E. Leonard | | Republican | 1876 | | Incumbent died March 15, 1878.New member elected elected November 5, 1878.Democratic hold. | nowrap | |- ! | Frank Welch | | Republican | 1876 | | Incumbent died September 4, 1878.New member elected elected November 5, 1878.Republican hold. | nowrap | |- ! | Terence J. Quinn | | Democratic | 1876 | | Incumbent died June 18, 1878.New member elected November 5, 1878.Republican gain.Successor also elected the same