In accordance with the Vermont Constitution, because no candidate received 50 percent of the vote, the election was decided by the
Vermont General Assembly.[3] On October 16, with 110 votes by the combined
Vermont House of Representatives and
Vermont Senate necessary for a choice, Fairbanks won on the first ballot with 117 votes to 61 for Robinson and 40 for Brainerd.[3] On Monday October 18, Fairbanks took the oath of office and began a one-year term.[4]