Taking place during the Second Party System and a political conflict over the re-authorization of the Second Bank of the United States, the elections were contested between Andrew Jackson's Democratic Party and opponents of Jackson, including the National Republicans.

Though the Democrats retained the presidency and the House, they lost their Senate majority.

[3] In the presidential election, Democratic President Andrew Jackson easily defeated National Republican Senator Henry Clay from Kentucky.

[3] Also, for the first time, every state but South Carolina chose its presidential electors via statewide popular vote.

Following the 1830 census, the House increased in size, adding 27 seats.