Under the provisions of the New York Constitution of 1821, 32 Senators were elected on general tickets in eight senatorial districts for four-year terms.

On April 5, 1842, the Legislature enacted that future state elections be held on a single day, fixing the date on the Tuesday next after the first Monday in November.

State Senator John W. Taylor resigned on August 19, 1842, leaving a vacancy in the Fourth District.

The Legislature met for the regular session at the Old State Capitol in Albany on January 3, 1843; and adjourned on April 18.

[1] On January 21, the Legislature elected Edwin Croswell (D) to succeed Thurlow Weed as State Printer.