The Assembly districts were made up of entire towns, or city wards,[1] forming a contiguous area, all within the same county.

The approximate party strength at this election, as expressed by the vote for Governor, was: Democratic 520,000; Republican 489,000; Prohibition 3,400; and Greenback 1,400.

The Legislature met for the regular session at the Old State Capitol in Albany on January 2, 1877; and adjourned on May 24.

On April 3, the Legislature re-elected Superintendent of Public Instruction Neil Gilmour to a term of three years.

On August 17, Superintendent of the New York State Banking Department DeWitt C. Ellis was removed from office.