The Thirty-Fifth Wisconsin Legislature convened from January 11, 1882, to March 31, 1882, in regular session.[1]
Senators representing even-numbered districts were newly elected for this session and were serving the first year of a two-year term. Assembly members were elected to a one-year term. Assembly members and even-numbered senators were elected in the general election of November 8, 1881. Senators representing odd-numbered districts were serving the second year of their two-year term, having been elected in the general election held on November 2, 1880.[1]
August 3, 1882: U.S. President Chester A. Arthur signed the Immigration Act of 1882, which created the first U.S. bureaucracy for determining which immigrants would be allowed to settle in the United States.
November 7, 1882: At the state's general election, Wisconsin voters approved two amendments to the Constitution of Wisconsin.[2]
The first amendment removed the word "white" from the section of the constitution which defined eligible voters in the state.
The second amendment abolished special elections for county officers and instead gave the Governor power to appoint acting officers when a vacancy occurs, except for the clerks of the circuit court, where appointment power was granted to the circuit court judge. The amendment also standardized all county officer terms, with elections occurring in even-numbered years.
March 28, 1882: An Act to apportion the state into congressional districts, 1882 Act 244. Redrew Wisconsin's congressional districts for their new delegation, expanding to 8 seats from 6, following the 1880 United States census.
Joint Resolution ratifying amendments to section 4 of article VI, section 12 of article VII, and section 1 of article XIII of the constitution of the State of Wisconsin, so as to provide for biennial general elections, 1882 Joint Resolution 3. Second legislative approval of the proposed amendment to the Wisconsin Constitution to standardize county officer terms, and obviate special elections for county officers. The amendment was ratified by voters in the November 1882 general election.
Joint Resolution in relation to suffrage, 1882 Joint Resolution 5. Second legislative approval of the proposed amendment to the Wisconsin Constitution to strike the word "white" from the section defining eligible voters. The amendment was ratified by voters in the November 1882 general election.
