The Thirty-Second Wisconsin Legislature convened from January 8, 1879, to March 5, 1879, 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 6, 1877.

[1] The governor of Wisconsin during this entire term was Republican William E. Smith, of Milwaukee County, serving the second year of a two-year term, having won election in the 1877 Wisconsin gubernatorial election.