Due to a racially segregated election system and restrictive franchise requirements, the electorate consisted almost exclusively of white people (who were roughly 20% of the population).

Although the United Party was victorious, special wartime circumstances such as soldiers on active service being allowed to vote and Smuts's status as an international statesman probably exaggerated the depth and level of attachment to the United Party.

The United Party split in 1939, over the issue of South Africa's participation in the Second World War.

The then Deputy Prime Minister, General Jan Smuts, supported South African involvement in the war.

[2] The first term of the (white MPs) elected to represent black voters, from special electoral districts in Cape Province under the Representation of Natives Act 1936, expired on 30 June 1942.

[3] The South Africa Act 1909 had provided for a delimitation commission to define the boundaries for each electoral division.