To amend S. 1612, by requiring the voter using the federal ballot to insert the name of the candidate instead of merely writing in the name of the party.

On Feb 4, 1944, the Senate voted 39–45 (S 1612). Result: failed. By party: Democrats 12–44, Republicans 26–3, Others 1–0. It was a split vote: the parties took opposite sides, with some members crossing over. 15 members voted against their own party.

During the 78th Congress (1943–1944), Franklin D. Roosevelt was president, and Democrats held majorities in both the House and Senate.

Yes: 39
No: 45
Did not vote: 15
Date: Feb 4, 1944

By party

Democrats12 yes · 44 no · 4 didn’t vote
Republicans26 yes · 3 no · 11 didn’t vote
Others1 yes · 0 no

Who broke with their party

Eugene Donald Millikin R-CO voted no
Francis Thomas Maloney D-CT voted yes
Guy Mark Gillette D-IA voted yes
John Holmes Overton D-LA voted yes
Millard Evelyn Tydings D-MD voted yes
Burton Kendall Wheeler D-MT voted yes
Robert Rice Reynolds D-NC voted yes
James Michael Mead D-NY voted yes
Robert Ferdinand Wagner D-NY voted yes
Harold Hitz Burton R-OH voted no
Peter Goelet Gerry D-RI voted yes
Harlan John Bushfield R-SD voted no
Kenneth Douglas Mckellar D-TN voted yes
Thomas Terry (Tom) Connally D-TX voted yes
Harry Flood Byrd D-VA voted yes

How each senator voted: Yes

How each senator voted: No

Voted present

Did not vote

Other votes

From Voteview roll call records.

Cite or embed this page

Capitol Receipts, “To amend S. 1612, by requiring the voter…: Senate Vote, Feb 4, 1944,” https://www.capitolreceipts.com/vote/78-S-138/to-amend-s-1612-by-requiring-the-voter-using (accessed 2026-10-17).