1879 Norwegian parliamentary election

1879 Norwegian parliamentary election

July–December 1879
All 114 seats in the Storting 58 seats needed for a majority
Registered	87,173
Turnout	48.67%
Prime Minister before election Frederik Gottschalck Haxthausen Due Prime Minister after election Frederik Gottschalck Haxthausen Due

Parliamentary elections were held in Norway in 1879. The elections were not held on a specific date, as the various cities and Amts held the election at their own choice. Instead, the elections stretched from June to several months later. Voting rights were highly limited, as women were not allowed to vote and there were strong restrictions on men's ability to vote. It has been estimated that only 2.5% of the population of Christiania (Oslo), and 4.6% of the national population, was eligible to vote. The national election turnout was 48.7% (85% in Christiania), and 114 representatives were elected for the Norwegian Parliament, an increase of three seats compared to the Storting elected in 1876.

While there were no official parties, two informal groups existed, namely Venstre (meaning Left), or "the Liberals" (de liberale), and Høire. The latter list was called Aftenpostens og Morgenbladets liste in Christiania. The Venstre opposition, led by Johan Sverdrup, gained popularity particularly in the districts, while Høire remained the most popular in the cities. In Christiania, the Aftenpostens og Morgenbladets liste won about 1,800 of the votes, while Venstre won about 600.

Results

Of the 114 seats, 52 were won by farmers, sheriffs, church singers and teachers, 30 by civil servants and 29 by people with other professions.

Party		Votes	%	Seats
	Independents			114
Total				114
Total votes		42,430	–
Registered voters/turnout		87,173	48.67
Source: Nohlen & Stöver, NSSDS