Chamber:
	Senate
Dates of elections / renewal (from/to):
	3 November 1992
Purpose of elections:
	Elections were held for all the seats of the House of Representatives and one-third (35) of those of the Senate on the normal expiry of the members’ term of office. The US Constitution does not provide for dissolution of Congress or early elections.
Background and outcome of elections:
	The campaign for the simultaneous 1993 presidential and congressional elections officially opened on 7 September. Opposing incumbent President George Bush (Republican Party) was Mr. Bill Clinton, the nominee of the Democratic Party, and Mr. Ross Perot, an independent candidate. Main issues debated concerned the country’s economy, foreign affairs, abortion, educational reform, military spending, the environment and health care. Furthermore, as is customarily the case in the legislative races, local issues were often paramount. Mr. Clinton, Governor of the State of Arkansas, especially criticised the economic record of the Bush Administration and underlined that it was time for a change after 12 years of Republican presidency. Mr. Bush countered by using his powers as President to take actions aimed at improving his popularity while adopting a negative strategy in attacking his opponent’s character. In a speech of September 10, the President presented a new economic package which included a proposal for large tax cuts. Despite this, he failed to pull ahead in opinion polls. In the congressional races, there were altogether 1017 candidates for the House of Representatives and 145 for the 35 Senate seats at stake. On a polling day marked by the highest voter turnout (55%) in 20 years, the Democrats maintained a majority in both Houses despite losing some seats. Mr. Clinton’s presidential victory (with 435 of the votes, to 38% for Mr. Bush and 19% for Mr. Perot – the best showing by a third contender in 80 years) allowed his party to regain control of both the executive and legislative branches, which it had lost in 1980. More specifically, 110 new Representatives and 14 Senators entered Congress as many incumbents had chosen to retire or been defeated in primaries; women and minority groups arrived at record representation levels; and the membership of Congress as a whole became younger. The new (103rd) Congress convened on 3 January 1993. President Clinton and his running mate, Vice President Albert Gore, Jr., were sworn in on 20 January.

STATISTICS

Round no 1 (3 November 1992): Elections results
Number of registered electors	133,821,178*
Voters	81,759,048

Comments:
	* Excluding the States of North Dakota and Wisconsin, which do not require voter registration.

Round no 1: Distribution of votes
Political Group	Candidates	Votes	%
Democratic Party	36	41,526,106	50.8
Republican Party	36	36,400,464	44.5
Others	73	3,832,478	4.7

Round no 1: Distribution of seats
Political Group	Total	Seats 1992
Democratic Party	57	20
Republican Party	43	15
Others	0	0

Distribution of seats according to sex:
Men:	94
Women:	6

Distribution of seats according to profession:
Law	58
Business/Banking	27
Education	12
Public service/Politics	12
Journalism	8
Agriculture	9
Real Estate	4
Professional Sports	1
Clergy	1
Aeronautics	1
Military	1

Comments:
	Some Members list more than one occupation, leading to occupation totals higher than actual membership in each House of Congress.