1871 United States Senate election in California

{{Short description|none}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2023}}

{{Infobox election

| election_name = 1871 United States Senate election in California

| type = presidential

| ongoing = no

| flag_image = First Bear Flag of California (1846).svg{{!}}border

| previous_election = 1865 United States Senate election in California

| previous_year = 1865

| next_election = 1877 United States Senate election in California

| next_year = 1877

| election_date = December 20, 1871

| votes_for_election = Majority vote of both houses needed to win

| 1blank = Joint session

| 2blank = Percentage

| image1 = Aaron Augustus Sargent - Brady-Handy 3x4.jpg

| nominee1 = Aaron A. Sargent

| party1 = Republican Party (United States)

| 1data1 = 72

| 2data1 = 61.02%

| image2 = William T. Wallace CSCHS 3x4.jpg

| nominee2 = William T. Wallace

| party2 = Democratic Party (United States)

| 1data2 = 46

| 2data2 = 38.98%

| title = Senator

| before_election = Cornelius Cole

| before_party = Republican Party (United States)

| after_election = Aaron A. Sargent

| after_party = Republican Party (United States)

}}

{{ElectionsCA}}

The 1871 United States Senate election in California was held on December 20, 1871, by the California State Legislature to elect a U.S. Senator (Class 3) to represent the State of California in the United States Senate. In a special joint session, Republican Congressman Aaron A. Sargent was elected over Democratic State Supreme Court Justice William T. Wallace.{{cite news |author= |date=21 December 1871 |title=California Legislature |url=https://cdnc.ucr.edu/?a=d&d=MDA18711221.2.10&srpos=4&e=------187-en--20--1--txt-txIN-sargent+wallace+senate----1871--- |work=Marysville Daily Appeal |location=Marysville |access-date=4 November 2024}}