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.^{[lower-alpha 4]} 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.

Quick Facts All 293 seats in the United States House of Representatives 147 seats needed for a majority, Majority party ...

1878 United States House of Representatives elections

← 1876 & 1877 June 3, 1878 – September 3, 1879 1880 →
All 293 seats in the United States House of Representatives 147 seats needed for a majority
Majority party Minority party   Leader Samuel J. Randall James A. Garfield Party Democratic Republican Leader's seat Pennsylvania 3rd Ohio 19th Last election 155 seats 136 seats Seats won 141[1][lower-alpha 1] 132[1][lower-alpha 1] Seat change 14 4 Popular vote 3,108,496 2,782,404 Percentage 44.20% 39.56% Swing 7.07% 6.91%   Third party Fourth party   Party Greenback Independent Last election 0 seats 2 seats[lower-alpha 2] Seats won 13[1] 7[lower-alpha 3] Seat change 13 5 Popular vote 864,325 193,666 Percentage 12.29% 2.75% Swing 11.38% 1.58%
Results      Democratic gain      Democratic hold      Republican gain      Republican hold      Independent gain      Independent hold      Greenback gain
Speaker before election Samuel Randall Democratic Elected Speaker Samuel Randall Democratic

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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.

In most states, the elections were held November 5, 1878.

In 1845, Congress set a uniform nationwide date for choosing presidential electors.^[2] 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.

Elections are listed by date and district.

Patterson successfully contested the election and was seated March 4, 1877.

In the 2nd district the difference between the two candidates, in the initial returns, was just 22 votes. Bisbee challenged Hull's election, and was eventually awarded the seat on January 22, 1881.

South Carolina was rampant with voter fraud, particularly through the use of tissue ballots, thin ballots hidden in the normal ballot, typically 10 to 20 at a time. The almost statewide exclusion of Republicans as Commissioners of Elections, and the ensuing appointment of nearly all Democratic Managers of Elections, allowed to Democratic Managers to perpetrate this scheme. When the votes were counted and more votes than voters were found, the Managers removed and destroyed the Republican ballots resulting in the complete takeover of the state.^[5][6][7]