The Assembly districts were made up of entire towns, or city wards,[2] forming a contiguous area, all within the same county.

The approximate party strength at this election, as expressed by the vote for Secretary of State, was: Republican 417,000; Democratic 404,000; Greenback 16,000; and Prohibition 4,500.

The Legislature met for the regular session at the State Capitol in Albany on January 3, 1882; and adjourned on June 2.

[3] On February 20, John W. Vrooman (R) was re-elected Clerk of the State Senate with the votes of the Tammany men;[4] and the right to appoint the standing committees was transferred to Lt. Gov.

Charles H. Russell, John W. Browning and Shepard P. Bowen changed from the Assembly to the Senate.