The Twenty-Sixth Wisconsin Legislature convened from January 8, 1873, to March 20, 1873, in regular session.

Senators representing odd-numbered districts were newly elected for this session and were serving the first year of a two-year term.

Assembly members were elected to a one-year term.

Senators representing even-numbered districts were serving the second year of their two-year term, having been elected in the general election held on November 7, 1871.

[1] The governor of Wisconsin during this entire term was Republican Cadwallader C. Washburn, of La Crosse County, serving the second year of a two-year term, having won election in the 1871 Wisconsin gubernatorial election.