1797 Vermont gubernatorial election

The Vermont gubernatorial election of 1797 took place on September 5, 1797.^[1] It resulted in the election of Isaac Tichenor to a one-year term.^[2]

The Vermont General Assembly met in Windsor on October 12.^[2] The Vermont House of Representatives appointed a committee to examine the votes of the freemen of Vermont for governor, lieutenant governor, treasurer, and members of the governor's council.^[2]

Thomas Chittenden, who had been governor from 1778 to 1789, and again starting in 1790, died in August 1797.^[2] Paul Brigham, the incumbent lieutenant governor, served as governor from Chittenden's death until the election of a successor.^[2]

In the popular election, no candidate received a majority.^[2] In keeping with the Vermont Constitution, the Vermont General Assembly was required to make a selection.^[2] On October 13, the Assembly chose Isaac Tichenor and a committee was appointed to notify him.^[2] Tichenor indicated that he would notify the General Assembly the following day as to whether he would accept the position.^[2] On October 14, Tichenor indicated his acceptance.^[2] He appeared before the Assembly on October 15 and took his oath of office.^[2]

In the election for lieutenant governor, the voters selected Paul Brigham for a second one-year term.^[2] The freemen also re-elected Samuel Mattocks as treasurer, his eleventh one-year term.^[2] The balloting totals for governor were given as indicated below.^[3] In the general assembly election for governor, the totals were recorded as: Tichenor, 94; Moses Robinson, 41; Israel Smith, 17; Gideon Olin 4; Elijah Paine, 1; Noah Smith, 1.^[3]