List of United States state legislatures

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US state governments (governor and legislature) by party control
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Democratic control
Republican control
Split control US state Legislature and Governor Control.svg
US state governments (governor and legislature) by party control
  Democratic control
  Republican control
  Split control

This is a list of United States state legislatures. Each state in the United States has a legislature as part of its form of civil government. Most of the fundamental details of the legislature are specified in the state constitution. With the exception of Nebraska, all state legislatures are bicameral bodies, composed of a lower house (Assembly, General Assembly, State Assembly, House of Delegates, or House of Representatives) and an upper house (Senate). The United States also has one federal district and five non-state territories with local legislative branches, which are listed below. Among the states, the Nebraska Legislature is the only state with a unicameral body. However, three other jurisdictions the District of Columbia, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands also have unicameral bodies.

Contents

The exact names, dates, term lengths, term limits, electoral systems, electoral districts, and other details are determined by an individual state's laws.

Party summary

Party control of legislatures
Republican 28
Democratic 20
Split [nb 1] 2
Total50
US state legislatures by party control
Democratic control
Republican control
Split control US State Government Control Map.svg
US state legislatures by party control
  Democratic control
  Republican control
  Split control

Note: A party with a numerical majority in a chamber may be forced to share power with other parties due to informal coalitions or may cede power outright because of divisions within its caucus.

Party control of state governments
Republican trifecta 23
Democratic trifecta17
Democratic governor/Republican legislature5
Republican governor/Democratic legislature3
Democratic governor/Split legislature1
Republican governor/Split legislature1
Total50

State legislatures

StateState executiveLegislature nameLower houseUpper house
NameSize [1] Party strengthTerm (yrs.)NameSize [1] Party strengthTerm (yrs.)
Flag of Alabama.svg  Alabama Governor Legislature House of Representatives 105R 76–294 Senate 35R 27–84
Flag of Alaska.svg  Alaska Governor Legislature House of Representatives 40MC 23–16, 1 NCR [nb 2] 2 Senate 20Coal. 17–0, 3 NCR [nb 3] 4
Flag of Arizona.svg  Arizona Governor State Legislature House of Representatives 60R 31–292 Senate 30R 16–142
Flag of Arkansas.svg  Arkansas Governor General Assembly House of Representatives 100R 82–182 Senate 35R 29–64
Flag of California.svg  California Governor State Legislature [nb 4] State Assembly 80D 62–182 State Senate 40D 32–84
Flag of Colorado.svg  Colorado Governor General Assembly House of Representatives 65D 46–192 Senate 35D 23–124
Flag of Connecticut.svg  Connecticut Governor General Assembly House of Representatives 151D 98–532 State Senate 36D 24–122
Flag of Delaware.svg  Delaware Governor General Assembly House of Representatives 41D 26–152 Senate 21D 15–64
Flag of Florida.svg  Florida Governor Legislature House of Representatives 120R 84–362 Senate 40R 28–124
Flag of Georgia (U.S. state).svg  Georgia Governor General Assembly House of Representatives 180R 102–782 State Senate 56R 33–232
Flag of Hawaii.svg  Hawaii Governor Legislature House of Representatives 51D 45–62 Senate 25D 23–24
Flag of Idaho.svg  Idaho Governor Legislature House of Representatives 70R 59–112 Senate 35R 28–72
Flag of Illinois.svg  Illinois Governor General Assembly House of Representatives 118D 78–402 Senate 59D 40–192 or 4
Flag of Indiana.svg  Indiana Governor General Assembly House of Representatives 100R 70–302 Senate 50R 40–104
Flag of Iowa.svg  Iowa Governor General Assembly House of Representatives 100R 64–362 Senate 50R 34–164
Flag of Kansas.svg  Kansas Governor Legislature House of Representatives 125R 85–402 Senate 40R 28–11, 1 ind.4
Flag of Kentucky.svg  Kentucky Governor General Assembly House of Representatives 100R 80–202 Senate 38R 31–74
Flag of Louisiana.svg  Louisiana Governor Legislature [nb 5] House of Representatives 105R 73–324 State Senate 39R 28–114
Flag of Maine.svg  Maine Governor Legislature House of Representatives 151D 81–68, 2 ind. [nb 6] 2 Senate 35D 22–132
Flag of Maryland.svg  Maryland Governor General Assembly House of Delegates 141D 102–394 Senate 47D 34–134
Flag of Massachusetts.svg  Massachusetts Governor General Court House of Representatives 160D 134–25, 1 ind.2 Senate 40D 36–42
Flag of Michigan.svg  Michigan Governor Legislature House of Representatives 110D 56–542 Senate 38D 20–184
Flag of Minnesota.svg  Minnesota Governor Legislature House of Representatives 134DFL 70–642 Senate 67DFL 34–332, 4, 4
Flag of Mississippi.svg  Mississippi Governor Legislature House of Representatives 122R 79–41, 2 ind.4 State Senate 52R 36–164
Flag of Missouri.svg  Missouri Governor General Assembly House of Representatives 163R 111–522 Senate 34R 24–104
Flag of Montana.svg  Montana Governor Legislature House of Representatives 100R 68–322 Senate 50R 34–164
Flag of Nebraska.svg  Nebraska Governor Legislature (Unicameral) Legislature [nb 7] 49R 33–15, 1 ind. [nb 8] 4
Flag of Nevada.svg  Nevada Governor Legislature Assembly 42D 28–142 Senate 21D 13–84
Flag of New Hampshire.svg  New Hampshire Governor General Court House of Representatives 400R 201–196, 3 ind.2 Senate 24R 14–102
Flag of New Jersey.svg  New Jersey Governor Legislature General Assembly 80D 52–282 Senate 40D 25–152, 4, 4
Flag of New Mexico.svg  New Mexico Governor Legislature House of Representatives 70D 45–252 Senate 42D 27–154
Flag of New York.svg  New York Governor State Legislature State Assembly 150D 102–482 State Senate 63D 42–212
Flag of North Carolina.svg  North Carolina Governor General Assembly House of Representatives 120R 72–482 Senate 50R 30–202
Flag of North Dakota.svg  North Dakota Governor Legislative Assembly House of Representatives 94R 82–124 Senate 47R 43–44
Flag of Ohio.svg  Ohio Governor General Assembly House of Representatives 99R 67–322 Senate 33R 26–74
Flag of Oklahoma.svg  Oklahoma Governor Legislature House of Representatives 101R 81–202 Senate 48R 40–84
Flag of Oregon.svg  Oregon Governor Legislative Assembly House of Representatives 60D 35–252 State Senate 30D 17–12, 1 ind.4
Flag of Pennsylvania.svg  Pennsylvania Governor General Assembly House of Representatives 203D 102–1012 State Senate 50R 28–224
Flag of Rhode Island.svg  Rhode Island Governor General Assembly House of Representatives 75D 65–9, 1 ind.2 Senate 38D 33–52
Flag of South Carolina.svg  South Carolina Governor General Assembly House of Representatives 124R 88–362 Senate 46R 30–15, 1 ind.4
Flag of South Dakota.svg  South Dakota Governor Legislature House of Representatives 70R 63–72 Senate 35R 31–42
Flag of Tennessee.svg  Tennessee Governor General Assembly House of Representatives 99R 75–242 Senate 33R 27–64
Flag of Texas.svg  Texas Governor Legislature House of Representatives 150R 86–642 Senate 31R 19–124
Flag of Utah.svg  Utah Governor State Legislature [nb 9] House of Representatives 75R 61–142 State Senate 29R 23–64
Flag of Vermont.svg  Vermont Governor General Assembly House of Representatives 150MC 112–38 [nb 10] 2 Senate 30MC 23–7 [nb 11] 2
Flag of Virginia.svg  Virginia Governor General Assembly House of Delegates 100D 51–492 Senate 40D 21–194
Flag of Washington.svg  Washington Governor State Legislature [nb 12] House of Representatives 98D 58–402 State Senate 49D 29–204
Flag of West Virginia.svg  West Virginia Governor Legislature House of Delegates 100R 89–112 Senate 34R 31–34
Flag of Wisconsin.svg  Wisconsin Governor State Legislature State Assembly 99R 64–352 Senate 33R 22–114
Flag of Wyoming.svg  Wyoming Governor Legislature House of Representatives 62R 57–52 Senate 31R 29–24

Federal district and territorial legislatures

Federal district or territoryGovernorNameLower houseUpper house
NameSize [1] Party strengthTerm (yrs)NameSize [1] Party strengthTerm (yrs)
Flag of American Samoa.svg  American Samoa Governor Fono House of Representatives 20NP 20 [nb 13] 2 Senate 18NP 184
Flag of Washington, D.C.svg  District of Columbia Mayor Council (Unicameral) Council 13D 11–0, 2 ind.4
Flag of Guam.svg  Guam Governor Legislature (Unicameral) Legislature 15D 9–62
Flag of the Northern Mariana Islands.svg  Northern Mariana Islands Governor Commonwealth Legislature House of Representatives 20Coal. 16–4 [nb 14] 2 Senate 9Coal. 5–4 [nb 15] 4
Flag of Puerto Rico.svg  Puerto Rico Governor Legislative Assembly House of Representatives 5126 PPD, 21 PNP, 2 MVC, 1 PIP, 1 PD [nb 16] 4 Senate 2712 PPD, 10 PNP, 2 MVC, 1 PIP, 1 PD, 1 ind. [nb 16] 4
Flag of the United States Virgin Islands.svg  United States Virgin Islands Governor Legislature (Unicameral) Legislature 15D 11–0, 4 ind.2

See also

Notes

  1. "Split" in the sense that each of the two chambers are controlled by a different party (e.g., a Democratic Senate and Republican House) or one chamber is evenly split between parties and thus "hung". The Nebraska Legislature is nonpartisan, and although the majority of members are registered members of the Republican Party, Nebraska's lack of formal party structure within its rules means that no single political party controls the Nebraska Legislature to the extent that political parties often control legislative bodies in other US states. However, for the general purposes of this information, understanding the Nebraska Legislature to be Republican-controlled is a merited oversimplification.
  2. The majority in the Alaska House of Representatives is held by a coalition of 20 Republicans, 2 Democrats and 1 Independent. The minority consists of 11 Democrats, 4 Independents and 1 Republican. There is also 1 Republican part of neither group.
  3. The majority in the Alaska Senate is held by a coalition of 9 Democrats and 8 Republicans. There are 3 Republicans outside the caucus.
  4. The Constitution of California names it the "California Legislature", but the legislature brands itself as the "California State Legislature".
  5. The Constitution of Louisiana vests legislative authority in "a legislature, consisting of a Senate and a House of Representatives," and refers to it as "the legislature" throughout, without officially designating a term for the two houses together. However, the two bodies do use the term "Louisiana State Legislature" in official references to itself.
  6. There are 3 additional non-voting seats allocated to sovereign tribal nations within Maine. Since 2018, only one seat (belonging to the Passamaquoddy) is filled; the tribal representative is a Democrat but is not counted in this total.
  7. When Nebraska switched to a unicameral legislature in 1937, the lower house was abolished. All current Nebraskan legislators are referred to as "Senators", as the pre-1937 senate was the retained house.
  8. Nebraska's legislature is de jure nonpartisan but senators' political affiliations are publicly known and voting often happens along party lines; the de facto composition is given here.
  9. The Constitution of Utah names it the "Legislature of the State of Utah", but the legislature brands itself as the "Utah State Legislature".
  10. The majority in the Vermont House of Representatives is held by a coalition of 104 Democrats, 5 Vermont Progressives and 3 independents. The minority consists of 37 Republicans and 1 Libertarian.
  11. The majority in the Vermont Senate is held by a coalition of 22 Democrats and 1 Vermont Progressive. 7 Republicans make up the minority.
  12. The Constitution of Washington names it "the legislature of the state of Washington", but the legislature brands itself as the "Washington State Legislature".
  13. The American Samoa House of Representatives also includes one nonpartisan non-voting delegate representing Swains Island.
  14. The majority in the Northern Mariana Islands House of Representatives is held by a coalition of 4 Democrats and 12 independents. The minority consists of 3 Republicans and 1 Independent.
  15. The majority in the Northern Mariana Islands Senate is held by a coalition of 3 independents and 2 Democrats. The minority consists of 4 Republicans.
  16. 1 2 The parties of Puerto Rico are separate from the Republican and Democratic parties.

Related Research Articles

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alaska House of Representatives</span> Lower house in the Alaska Legislature

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Utah State Legislature</span> Legislative branch of the state government of Utah

The Utah State Legislature is the state legislature of the U.S. state of Utah. It is a bicameral body, comprising the Utah House of Representatives, with 75 state representatives, and the Utah Senate, with 29 state senators. There are no term limits for either chamber.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nebraska Democratic Party</span> Political party in United States

The Nebraska Democratic Party is the affiliate of the Democratic Party in the state of Nebraska. Over 700 Democrats are elected across the state of Nebraska. Jane Kleeb is the chair of the Nebraska Democratic Party and also serves as the Midwest Chair of the Association of State Democratic Committees.

The following table indicates the party of elected officials in the U.S. state of Minnesota:

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2010 United States state legislative elections</span> Election in the United States on 2010

The 2010 United States state legislative elections were held on November 2, 2010, halfway through President Barack Obama's first term in office. Elections were held for 88 legislative chambers, with all states but Louisiana, Mississippi, New Jersey, and Virginia holding elections in at least one house. Kansas and New Mexico held elections for their lower, but not upper houses. Four territorial chambers in three territories and the District of Columbia were up as well.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nebraska Legislature</span> Legislative branch of the state government of Nebraska

The Nebraska Legislature is the legislature of the U.S. state of Nebraska. The Legislature meets at the Nebraska State Capitol in Lincoln. With 49 members, known as "senators", the Nebraska Legislature is the smallest U.S. state legislature. A total of 25 members is required for a majority; however, in order to overcome a filibuster, a two-thirds vote of all members is required, which takes 33 votes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2020 United States state legislative elections</span> 2020 U.S. stage legislative elections

The 2020 United States state legislative elections were held on November 3, 2020, for 86 state legislative chambers in 44 states. Across the fifty states, approximately 65 percent of all upper house seats and 85 percent of all lower house seats were up for election. Nine legislative chambers in the five permanently-inhabited U.S. territories and the federal district of Washington, D.C. also held elections. The elections took place concurrently with several other federal, state, and local elections, including the presidential election, U.S. Senate elections, U.S. House elections, and gubernatorial elections.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2018 United States state legislative elections</span>

The 2018 United States state legislative elections were held on November 6, 2018, for 87 state legislative chambers in 46 states. Across the fifty states, approximately 56 percent of all upper house seats and 92 percent of all lower house seats were up for election. Additionally, six territorial chambers in four territories and the District of Columbia were up as well.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2014 United States state legislative elections</span>

Elections to state legislatures were held in 46 U.S. states in 2014 with a total of 6,049 seats up for election. Six territorial chambers were up in four territories and the District of Columbia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2016 United States state legislative elections</span> 2016 U.S. stage legislative elections

The 2016 United States state legislative elections were held on November 8, 2016, for 86 state legislative chambers in 44 states. Across the fifty states, approximately 65 percent of all upper house seats and 85 percent of all lower house seats were up for election. Nine legislative chambers in the five permanently-inhabited U.S. territories and the federal district of Washington, D.C. also held elections. The elections took place concurrently with several other federal, state, and local elections, including the presidential election, U.S. Senate elections, U.S. House elections, and gubernatorial elections.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2012 United States state legislative elections</span> 2012 U.S. stage legislative elections

The 2012 United States state legislative elections were held on November 6, 2012, for 86 state legislative chambers in 44 states. Across the fifty states, approximately 65 percent of all upper house seats and 85 percent of all lower house seats were up for election. Nine legislative chambers in the five permanently-inhabited U.S. territories and the federal district of Washington, D.C. also held elections. The elections took place concurrently with several other federal, state, and local elections, including the presidential election, U.S. Senate elections, U.S. House elections, and gubernatorial elections.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2008 United States state legislative elections</span> Election in the United States on 2008

Elections to state legislatures were held on November 4, 2008, alongside other elections, in which Democrats scored significant gains in a blue wave election. Elections were held for 85 legislative chambers, with all states but Louisiana, Mississippi, New Jersey, Alabama, Maryland, and Virginia holding elections in at least one house. Michigan and Minnesota held elections for their lower, but not upper houses. Seven territorial chambers in four territories and the District of Columbia were up.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2006 United States state legislative elections</span> Election in the United States on 2006

The 2006 United States state legislative elections were held on November 7, 2006, halfway through President George W. Bush's second term in office. This election was a wave elections in the United States election, and saw Democrats simultaneously reclaim both houses of Congress and pick up six governorships. Elections were held for 90 legislative chambers, with all states but Louisiana, Mississippi, New Jersey, and Virginia holding elections in at least one house. Kansas, New Mexico, and South Carolina held elections for their lower, but not upper house. Four territorial chambers in three territories and the District of Columbia were up, including the newly created territorial legislature in the U.S. Virgin Islands.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2000 United States state legislative elections</span> Election in the United States in 2000

Elections to state legislatures were held on November 7, 2000, simultaneously with the 2000 United States presidential election. Elections were held for 86 legislative chambers in 44 states, simultaneous to those states' gubernatorial elections. Election occurred in both chambers of each state's legislature, except for Alabama, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, New Jersey, and Virginia. Michigan held elections for the lower house. Six territorial chambers in four territories and the District of Columbia were up as well. These elections determined the redistricting process after the 2000 census.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 The Book of the States (53 ed.). The Council of State Governments. January 7, 2022. Retrieved July 10, 2022.