And that there may be a due meeting of senators and representatives on the first Wednesday of December, biennially, the secretary of state shall, as soon as may be, examine the returned copy of such records; and fourteen days before the first Wednesday of December, he shall issue his summons to such persons as appear to be chosen senators and representatives, by a plurality of votes, to attend and take their seats on that day.

June 2, 1784. President and 3 of the council to issue summons to senators to take their seats.

Amended 1792 changing president to governor and specific number of councilors to majority of councilors.

Amended 1877 changing annually to biennially.

Amended 1889 changing June to January for beginning of session.

Amended 1912 substituting "plurality of votes" for "majority of votes."

Amended 1968 deleting proviso relating to the first year.

Amended 1974 changing meeting to first Wednesday of December.

Amended 1976 providing that the secretary of state should examine the returns and notify those elected instead of governor.