128 Assemblymen were elected in single-seat districts to a one-year term, the whole Assembly being renewed annually.

The Assembly districts were made up of entire towns, or city wards, forming a contiguous area, all in the same county.

Most of the Whigs which favored a compromise, or preferred to sidestep the issue, joined the Know Nothing movement which ran as the American Party.

The approximate party strength at this election, as expressed by the vote on Governor was: Whig/Anti-Nebraska/Temperance/Free Democratic/Anti-Rent fusion 156,800; Soft 156,500; American 122,000, and Hard 34,000.

The Legislature met for the regular session at the Old State Capitol in Albany on January 2, 1855; and adjourned on April 14.

On January 22, Josiah B. Williams (W) was elected president pro tempore of the State Senate.

On April 9, the Legislature passed "An Act for the prevention of Intemperance, Pauperism and Crime", thus enacting Prohibition.

[1] The law was declared unconstitutional in March 1856 by the New York Court of Appeals, thus repealing Prohibition.