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              HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS.
 
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of the two Houses, in joint assembly, proceed to ballot for Senator by viva voce vote of members present.  The person receiving a majority of all the votes cast-a majority of the members of both Houses being present and voting-is declared elected; otherwise the joint assembly is renewed at noon each legislative day of the session, and at least one ballot taken until a Senator is chosen.  When a vacancy exists in the Senate at the time of the assembling of the Legislature, the same rule prevails as to the time of holding an election to fill it; and, if a vacancy occurs during the session, the Legislature is required to proceed to an election on the second Tuesday after having received official notice of such vacancy.  The tenure of a United States Senator for a full term is six years-the regular term beginning with a new Congress-the two Senators from each State belonging to different "classes," so that their terms expire alternately at periods of two and four years from each other.-2.  (PRESIDENTIAL ELECTORS).  The choice of Electors of President and Vice-President is made by popular vote taken quadrennially on the Tuesday after the first Monday in November.  The date of such election is fixed by act of Congress, being the same as that for Congressman, although the State Legislature prescribes the manner of conducting it and making returns of the same.  The number of Electors chosen equals the number of Senators and Representatives taken together (in 1899 it was twenty-four), and they are elected on a general ticket, a plurality of votes being sufficient to elect.  Electors meet at the State capital on the second Monday of January after their election (Act of Congress, 1887), to cast the vote of the State.-3.  (MEMBERS OF CONGRESS).  The election of Representatives in Congress is also held under United States law, occurring biennially (on the even years) simultaneously with the general State election in November.  Should Congress select a different date for such election, it would be the duty of the Legislature to recognize it by a corresponding change in the State law relating to the election of Congressmen.  The tenure of a Congressman is two years, the election being by Districts instead of a general ticket, as in the case of Presidential Electors-the term of each Representative for a full term beginning with a new