The inability of Herbert Hoover to deal with the Great Depression was the main issue surrounding this election,[2][3] with his overwhelming unpopularity causing his Republican Party to lose 101 seats to Roosevelt's Democratic Party and the small Farmer–Labor Party, as the Democrats expanded the majority they had gained through special elections to a commanding level.

This round of elections was seen as a referendum on the once popular Republican business practices, which were eschewed for new, more liberal Democratic ideas.

Since no reapportionment (and in nearly all states no redistricting) had occurred after the 1920 census, the district boundary changes from the previous election were quite substantial, representing twenty years of population movement from small towns to the more Democratic cities.

There were special elections in 1932 to serve the remainder of the current 72nd United States Congress.

Kentucky, reapportioned from 11 districts down to 9, elected all of its representatives on a statewide at-large ticket.

Maine was redistricted from four seats down to three; of four Republican incumbents, only one was re-elected; one retired and two were defeated by Democratic challengers.

Minnesota, reapportioned from 10 seats down to 9, elected all representatives on a statewide general ticket.

New York, reapportioned from 43 to 45 seats, left its districts unchanged and elected the two new members at large.