For years in which a United States presidential election was held, the table indicates which party's nominees received the state's electoral votes, and whether they Y won the election or N lost the election.
Each time an official is elected or re-elected, a new box for that official is included to indicate their repeated political party strength.
^Starting at the 1848 election, the Free Soilers (mostly former members of the Liberty Party) and Democrats in Massachusetts established a formal coalition to contest elections for the General Court and for state offices. The makeup of the members of the coalition in the House in 1849 after the election was 53 Free Soilers and 30 Democrats.
^The makeup of the members of the minority coalition in the Senate in 1850 after the election was 7 Free Soilers and 6 Democrats.
^The makeup of the members of the minority coalition in the House in 1850 after the election was 56 Democrats, 42 Free Soilers, and 32 Free Soil Democrats.
^The makeup of the members of the majority coalition in the Senate in 1851 after the election was 15 Democrats and 11 Free Soilers.
^The makeup of the members of the majority coalition in the House in 1851 after the election was 110 Democrats, 98 Free Soilers, and 10 Free Soil Democrats.
^The makeup of the members of the majority coalition in the Senate in 1852 after the election was 15 Democrats and 13 Free Soilers.
^The makeup of the members of the majority coalition in the House in 1852 after the election was 118 Democrats and 90 Free Soilers.
^The makeup of the members of the minority coalition in the Senate in 1853 after the election was 4 Democrats and 4 Free Soilers.
^The makeup of the members of the minority coalition in the House in 1853 after the election was 83 Democrats and 54 Free Soilers.
^The makeup of the members of the minority coalition in the Senate in 1854 after the election was 6 Democrats and 4 Free Soilers.
^The makeup of the members of the minority coalition in the House in 1854 after the election was 64 Democrats and 48 Free Soilers.
^First elected attorney general (position was previously appointed).
^After a tied vote on the first ballot, the Democrats negotiated an agreement to give the Republicans, led by Henry H. Sprague, the Senate Presidency pro tempore in exchange for an even division of all committees.[5]
^ abcdefThe Massachusetts General Court did not meet for this session.
^After 114 ballots, an agreement was negotiated, with Democrats led by Chester A. Dolan Jr. receiving the Presidency for 1949, while Republicans led by Harris S. Richardson receiving it in 1950. Additionally, the Democrats received the majority on the Ways and Means Committee while all Republican-appointed employees of the Senate retained their jobs.[6]
