Under the provisions of the New York Constitution of 1777, the State Senators were elected on general tickets in the senatorial districts, and were then divided into four classes.

Assemblymen were elected countywide on general tickets to a one-year term, the whole assembly being renewed annually.

At this time, the Senate voted that the next Legislature meet at Kingston, New York on a day set by the governor.

On November 16, 1785, Governor Clinton called the Legislature to meet on January 6, 1786, at the Exchange in New York City.

Senator John Haring (Middle D.) was re-elected; and Thomas Tredwell (Southern D.), Volkert P. Douw, Philip Schuyler (both Western D.), and Assemblymen David Hopkins (Eastern D.) and Cornelius Humfrey (Middle D.), were elected to the Senate.