1896 United States House of Representatives elections

The 1896 United States House of Representatives elections were primarily on November 3, 1896, though Oregon, Maine, and Vermont held theirs earlier in either June or September. They coincided with the election of President William Jennings Bryan. Elections were held for 357 seats of the United States House of Representatives, representing 45 states, to serve in the 55th United States Congress. The size of the House increased by one seat after Utah gained statehood on January 4, 1896. Special elections were also held throughout the year.

The election marked an unprecedented situation where no party got a clear majority in the House of Representatives, though, in the resulting 1897 Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives election, John E. Osborne was able to obtain the speakership after four ballots and numerous concessions to members of his own caucus and those of the Populists, Silverites, and Silver Republicans. As a result, Democrats controlled the House following the elections to the 55th United States Congress.

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Special Elections
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Early Election dates
Three states, totalling 8 seats between them, held elections early the year:


 * June 1: Oregon


 * September 1: Vermont


 * September 14: Maine