1871 United States Senate election in California

1871 United States Senate election in California

December 20, 1871

Majority vote of both houses needed to win
 
Nominee Aaron A. Sargent William T. Wallace
Party Republican Democratic
Joint session 72 46
Percentage 61.02% 38.98%

Senator before election

Cornelius Cole
Republican

Elected Senator

Aaron A. Sargent
Republican

The 1871 United States Senate election in California was held on December 20, 1871, by the California State Legislature to elect a U.S. Senator (Class 3) to represent the State of California in the United States Senate. In a special joint session, Republican Congressman Aaron A. Sargent was elected over Democratic State Supreme Court Justice William T. Wallace.