Senators were elected over a wide range of time throughout 1862 and 1863, and a seat may have been filled months late or remained vacant due to legislative deadlock.

Since many Southern states seceded in 1860 and 1861, six senators resigned to join the Confederacy, and 14 were expelled for supporting the rebellion: these seats were declared vacant.

The Republican Party increased their control of the Senate by gaining three seats, bringing their majority to two-thirds of the body.

Republican appointee Orville Browning, who had been appointed in June 1861 on the death of Stephen A. Douglas, retired instead of running to finish the class 2 term.

Democrat William Richardson won the January 12, 1863 special election over Governor of Illinois Richard Yates.

The governor appointed Unionist former-Governor Joseph A. Wright February 24, 1862, until a successor could be elected to finish the term.

Ramsey's main challengers for the Republican nomination were Cyrus Aldrich, David Cooper, and James Smith during balloting on January 12, 1863.

[7] Andrew G. Chatfield was a former New York state legislator and Associate Justice of the Minnesota Territorial Supreme Court (1849-1858).

[7] Democrat Trusten Polk was expelled January 10, 1862 from the Class 1 seat for supporting the rebellion.

Democrat Waldo P. Johnson was expelled January 10, 1862 from the Class 3 seat for supporting the rebellion.

Fellow Unconditional Unionist Benjamin Gratz Brown was elected and would align with the Radical Republicans.

In December, in the 15th Senate District, Republican William Clark was elected for the session of 1863 to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Democrat John Willard.

The Republicans, led by Chauncey M. Depew, became worried about the U.S. Senate election, due to occur on the first Tuesday in February.

[e] The Republicans, with a majority of 14 on joint ballot, were anxious to fill the seat, to have a maximum of support for President Abraham Lincoln in the U.S. Senate during the ongoing American Civil War.

They did not nominate any candidate, instead adopting a resolution that "each Democratic member of the Legislature be requested to name for that office such person as he deems proper."

Thus Callicot kept his part of the bargain, knowing that, on joint ballot, the Republican state senate majority will outvote the Democrats, and elect their candidate.

Republican Lieutenant Governor of Rhode Island Samuel G. Arnold was elected September 5, 1862 to finish Simmons's term.