[1] This was the first legislative term since 1893, when the Democratic Party of Wisconsin held the Governor's office and majorities in both chambers of the Legislature.

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

Assembly members were elected to a two-year term.

Senators representing even-numbered districts were serving the third and fourth year of a four-year term, having been elected in the general election of November 7, 1972.

[1] The governor of Wisconsin during this entire term was Democrat Patrick Lucey, of Crawford County, serving the first two years of his second four-year term, having won re-election in the 1974 Wisconsin gubernatorial election.