They coincided with the 1868 United States presidential election, which was won by Ulysses S. Grant.

All of the former Confederate states were represented in Congress for the first time since they seceded from the Union.

The Democrats gained 20 seats, but Grant's Republican Party retained a commanding majority in the Reconstruction era following the American Civil War, holding onto a firm legitimacy through an association with victory.

As more Southern states exited Reconstruction, more Democratic seats appeared in the South.

However, Democratic gains in the South were limited, as the Republican powerbrokers of Reconstruction held a great deal of influence.

With Georgia's final readmission in 1870, all former Confederate states were once more represented in Congress.

In 1845, Congress passed a law providing for a uniform nationwide date for choosing presidential electors.

Following the end of the Civil War, an election had been held in 1865, but it was rejected by Congress.