Map of upper house elections: Democrats retained control Republicans gained control Republicans retained control Non-partisan legislature No regularly-scheduled elections
Map of lower house elections: Democrats retained control Republicans gained control Republicans retained control Coalition retained control Non-partisan legislature No regularly-scheduled 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.
Prior to the elections, Democrats held 15 trifectas (control of the governor's office and legislative chambers), Republicans held 21 trifectas, and 14 states have a divided government. Nationwide, Republicans controlled approximately 60 percent of the legislative chambers and 52 percent of the legislative seats.[1] These elections had a major impact on the 2020 redistricting cycle, as many states held their final legislative elections prior to the decennial drawing of new congressional and state legislative districts.
Due to the impact the redistricting cycle will have on partisan control of Congress and state legislatures, the Democrats, who had not been in control of a majority of state legislatures across the U.S. since 2010, had hoped to retake control of key chambers in advance. However, despite fundraising efforts and projections of several Republican-held chambers in competitive states flipping, the Democrats failed to flip any state chambers, which they attributed to gerrymandering in the wake of the 2010 elections, as well as state laws restricting voting, President Donald Trump being on the ballot, and the Democrats' campaigning methods.[2][3][4][5] Following the election, Republicans have control of redistricting in 20 state governments, totaling 188 House districts, whereas Democrats have control in states with a total of 73 districts.[6] Overall, these elections saw the fewest partisan changes in state legislatures since 1944.[7]
States holding regularly-scheduled legislative and gubernatorial elections in 2020:
Governor and all legislative chambers
All legislative chambers
A portion of legislative chambers
None
Seats parties gained in the lower houses 2020 elections:
Democratic majority and Democrats lost seats
Democratic majority and Democrats gained or held seats
Republican majority and Republicans lost seats
Republican majority and Republicans gained or held seats
Coalition majority and lost a seat
No election
Non-partisan
Partisan control of state and territorial governments following the 2020 elections:
Democratic trifecta maintained
Republican trifecta maintained
Republican trifecta established
Divided government established
Divided government maintained
Officially non-partisan legislature
Partisan control TBD
Regularly-scheduled elections were held in 86 of the 99 state legislative chambers in the United States. Nationwide, regularly-scheduled elections were held for 5,876 of the 7,383 legislative seats. Many legislative chambers held elections for all seats, but some legislative chambers that use staggered elections held elections for only a portion of the total seats in the chamber.[8] The chambers not up for election either hold regularly-scheduled elections in odd-numbered years, or have four-year terms and hold all regularly-scheduled elections in presidential midterm election years.
Note that this table only covers regularly-scheduled elections; additional special elections took place concurrently with these regularly-scheduled elections.
Louis Jacobson of The Cook Political Report predicted that Republican-held chambers that could potentially flip to Democratic control included both chambers in Arizona, the Florida Senate, both chambers in Georgia, the Iowa House, the Michigan House, the Minnesota Senate, both chambers in North Carolina, both chambers in Pennsylvania, and the Texas House. He predicted that Republicans could potentially gain control of the Maine Senate, the Minnesota House, and both chambers in New Hampshire, all of which were controlled by the Democratic Party. Additionally, Jacobson predicted that Republicans could win control of the Alaska House, which was currently controlled by a coalition of Democrats and Republicans.[9]
Writing for Sabato's Crystal Ball, Chaz Nuttycombe highlighted the Alaska House and the New Hampshire Senate as the top pick-up opportunities for Republicans, and lists the Arizona House, the Arizona Senate, the Iowa House, the Michigan House, the Minnesota Senate, the North Carolina House, the North Carolina Senate, the Pennsylvania House, and the Texas House as the top pick-up opportunities for Democrats.[10]
State summaries[]
Alaska[]
Main articles: 2020 Alaska Senate election and 2020 Alaska House of Representatives election
Half of the seats of the Alaska Senate and all of the seats of the Alaska House of Representatives were up for election in 2020. The Alaska Senate is controlled by Republicans, while the Alaska House of Representatives is controlled by a coalition of Democrats, Republicans, and independents.[11] The Alaska House of Representatives is currently the only state legislative chamber controlled by a cross-partisan coalition.
All of the seats of the Arizona Senate and the Arizona House of Representatives were up for election in 2020. Republicans have a government trifecta with control of the governorship and both state legislative chambers.
Half of the seats of the Arkansas Senate and all of the seats of the Arkansas House of Representatives were up for election in 2020. Republicans held control of both chambers, maintaining a government trifecta.
Half of the seats of the California State Senate and all of the seats of the California State Assembly were up for election in 2020. Democrats held control of both chambers, maintaining a government trifecta.
Half of the seats of the Colorado Senate and all of the seats of the Colorado House of Representatives were up for election in 2020. Democrats held control of both chambers, maintaining a government trifecta.
All of the seats of the Connecticut State Senate and the Connecticut House of Representatives were up for election in 2020. Democrats held control of both chambers, maintaining a government trifecta.
Senate
Party
Before
After
Change
Democratic
22
24
2
Republican
14
12
2
Total
36
36
House of Representatives
Party
Before
After
Change
Democratic
97
97
Republican
54
54
Total
151
151
Delaware[]
Main articles: 2020 Delaware Senate election and 2020 Delaware House of Representatives election
Half of the seats of the Delaware Senate and all of the seats of the Delaware House of Representatives were up for election in 2020. Democrats held control of both chambers, maintaining a government trifecta.
Half of the seats of the Florida Senate and all of the seats of the Florida House of Representatives were up for election in 2020. Republicans held control of both chambers, maintaining a government trifecta.
All of the seats of the Georgia State Senate and the Georgia House of Representatives were up for election in 2020. Republicans held control of both chambers, maintaining a government trifecta.
Senate
Party
Before
After
Change
Republican
35
34
1
Democratic
21
22
1
Total
56
56
House of Representatives
Party
Before
After
Change
Republican
105
103
2
Democratic
75
77
2
Total
180
180
Hawaii[]
Main articles: 2020 Hawaii Senate election and 2020 Hawaii House of Representatives election
Half of the seats of the Hawaii Senate and all of the seats of the Hawaii House of Representatives were up for election in 2020. Democrats held control of both chambers, maintaining a government trifecta.
All of the seats of the Idaho Senate and the Idaho House of Representatives were up for election in 2020. Republicans held control of both chambers, maintaining a government trifecta.
One third of the seats of the Illinois Senate and all of the seats of the Illinois House of Representatives were up for election in 2020. Democrats held control of both chambers, maintaining a government trifecta.
Half of the seats of the Indiana Senate and all of the seats of the Indiana House of Representatives were up for election in 2020. Republicans held control of both chambers, maintaining a government trifecta.
Half of the seats of the Iowa Senate and all of the seats of the Iowa House of Representatives were up for election in 2020. Republicans held control of both chambers, maintaining a government trifecta.
Half of the seats of the Kentucky Senate and all of the seats of the Kentucky House of Representatives were up for election in 2020. Republicans held control of both chambers. Because the Kentucky legislature can override gubernatorial vetoes with a simple majority vote, Republicans have a veto-proof majority in the state legislature.[12]
All of the seats of the Maine Senate and the Maine House of Representatives were up for election in 2020. Democrats held control of both chambers, maintaining a government trifecta.
All of the seats of the Massachusetts Senate and the Massachusetts House of Representatives were up for election in 2020. Democrats retained control of both chambers.
Senate
Party
Before
After
Change
Democratic
34
37
3
Republican
6
3
3
Total
40
40
House of Representatives
Party
Before
After
Change
Democratic
127
129
2
Republican
32
30
2
Independent
1
1
Total
160
160
Michigan[]
Main article: 2020 Michigan House of Representatives election
All of the seats of the Michigan House of Representatives were up for election in 2020. The Michigan Senate did not hold regularly scheduled elections in 2020. Republicans maintained control of the chamber.
All of the seats of the Minnesota Senate and the Minnesota House of Representatives were up for election in 2020. Republicans maintained control of the senate, while Democrats maintained control of the house of representatives.
Half of the seats of the Missouri Senate and all of the seats of the Missouri House of Representatives were up for election in 2020. Republicans held control of both chambers, maintaining a government trifecta.
Half of the seats of the Montana Senate and all of the seats of the Montana House of Representatives were up for election in 2020. Republicans held control of both chambers, and also gained a government trifecta by winning the 2020 Montana gubernatorial election.
Nebraska is the only U.S. state with a unicameral legislature; half of the seats of the Nebraska Legislature were up for election in 2020. Nebraska is also unique in that its legislature is officially non-partisan and holds non-partisan elections, although the Democratic and Republican parties each endorse legislative candidates.
Half of the seats of the Nevada Senate and all of the seats of the Nevada Assembly were up for election in 2020. Democrats held control of both chambers, maintaining a government trifecta.
All of the seats of the New Hampshire Senate and the New Hampshire House of Representatives were up for election in 2020. Republicans gained control of both chambers, establishing a government trifecta.
All of the seats of the New Mexico Senate and the New Mexico House of Representatives were up for election in 2020. Democrats held control of both chambers, maintaining a government trifecta.
All of the seats of the New York State Senate and the New York State Assembly were up for election in 2020. Democrats held control of both chambers, maintaining a government trifecta.
All of the seats of the North Carolina Senate and the North Carolina House of Representatives were up for election in 2020. Republicans retained control of both chambers.
Half of the seats of the North Dakota Senate and the North Dakota House of Representatives were up for election in 2020. Republicans retained control of both chambers, maintaining a government trifecta.
Half of the seats of the Ohio Senate and all of the seats of the Ohio House of Representatives were up for election in 2020. Republicans retained control of both chambers, maintaining a government trifecta.
Half of the seats of the Oklahoma Senate and all of the seats of the Oklahoma House of Representatives were up for election in 2020. Republicans retained control of both chambers, maintaining a government trifecta.
Senate
Party
Before
After
Change
Republican
39
39
Democratic
9
9
Total
48
48
House of Representatives
Party
Before
After
Change
Republican
77
82
5
Democratic
24
19
5
Total
101
101
Oregon[]
Main articles: 2020 Oregon State Senate election and 2020 Oregon House of Representatives election
Half of the seats of the Oregon State Senate and all of the seats of the Oregon House of Representatives were up for election in 2020. Democrats retained control of both chambers, maintaining a government trifecta.
Half of the seats of the Pennsylvania State Senate and all of the seats of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives were up for election in 2020. Republicans retained control of both chambers.
All of the seats of the Rhode Island Senate and the Rhode Island House of Representatives were up for election in 2020. Democrats retained control of both chambers, maintaining a government trifecta.
All of the seats of the South Carolina Senate and the South Carolina House of Representatives were up for election in 2020. Republicans retained control of both chambers, maintaining a government trifecta.
All of the seats of the South Dakota Senate and the South Dakota House of Representatives were up for election in 2020. Republicans retained control of both chambers, maintaining a government trifecta.
Half of the seats of the Tennessee Senate and all of the seats of the Tennessee House of Representatives were up for election in 2020. Republicans retained control of both chambers, maintaining a government trifecta.
Senate
Party
Before
After
Change
Republican
27
26
1
Democratic
5
6
1
Total
33
33
House of Representatives
Party
Before
After
Change
Republican
73
73
Democratic
26
26
Total
99
99
Texas[]
Main articles: 2020 Texas State Senate election and 2020 Texas House of Representatives election
Half of the seats of the Texas Senate and all of the seats of the Texas House of Representatives were up for election in 2020. Republicans retained control of both chambers, maintaining a government trifecta.
Half of the seats of the Utah State Senate and all of the seats of the Utah House of Representatives were up for election in 2020. Republicans retained control of both chambers, maintaining a government trifecta.
All of the seats of the Vermont Senate and the Vermont House of Representatives were up for election in 2020. Democrats retained control of both chambers.
State Senate
Party
Before
After
Change
Democratic
22
21
1
Republican
6
7
1
Progressive
2
2
Total
30
30
House of Representatives
Party
Before
After
Change
Democratic
95
93
2
Republican
43
45
2
Progressive
7
7
Independent
5
5
Total
150
150
Washington[]
Main articles: 2020 Washington State Senate election and 2020 Washington House of Representatives election
Half of the seats of the Washington State Senate and all of the seats of the Washington House of Representatives were up for election in 2020. Democrats retained control of both chambers, maintaining a government trifecta.
Half of the seats of the West Virginia Senate and all of the seats of the West Virginia House of Delegates were up for election in 2020. Republicans retained control of both chambers, maintaining a government trifecta.
Senate
Party
Before
After
Change
Republican
20
23
3
Democratic
14
11
3
Total
34
34
House of Delegates
Party
Before
After
Change
Republican
58
76
18
Democratic
41
24
17
Independent
1
0
1
Total
100
100
Wisconsin[]
Main articles: 2020 Wisconsin State Senate election and 2020 Wisconsin State Assembly election
Half of the seats of the Wisconsin State Senate and all of the seats of the Wisconsin State Assembly were up for election in 2020. Republicans retained control of both chambers.
State Senate
Party
Before
After
Change
Republican
19
21
2
Democratic
14
12
2
Total
33
33
State Assembly
Party
Before
After
Change
Republican
63
61
2
Democratic
36
38
2
Total
99
99
Wyoming[]
Main articles: 2020 Wyoming State Senate election and 2020 Wyoming House of Representatives election
Half of the seats of the Wyoming Senate and all of the seats of the Wyoming House of Representatives were up for election in 2020. Republicans retained control of both chambers, maintaining a government trifecta.
All of the seats of the American Samoa Senate and the American Samoa House of Representatives are up for election. Members of the senate serve four-year terms, while members of the house of representative serve two-year terms. Gubernatorial and legislative elections are conducted on a nonpartisan basis in American Samoa.
All of the seats of the Senate of Puerto Rico and the House of Representatives of Puerto Rico are up for election in 2020. Members of the Senate and the House of Representatives both serve four-year terms. The New Progressive Party lost control of both chambers, although the Popular Democratic Party only managed to gain majority control in the House due to the number of third party candidates elected.
All of the seats of the unicameral Legislature of the Virgin Islands are up for election in 2020. All members of the legislature serve a two-year term.
Legislature
Party
Before
After
Change
Democratic
13
10
3
Independent
2
5
3
Total
15
15
Washington, D.C.[]
Main article: 2020 Council of the District of Columbia election
The Council of the District of Columbia serves as the legislative branch of the federal district of Washington, D.C. Half of the council seats are up for election in 2020. Council members serve four-year terms. Democrats retained supermajority control of the council.
Prior to the 2020 elections, Republicans control approximately 60 percent of the state legislative chambers and 52 percent of the state legislative seats in the United States.[1] Nationwide, approximately 40 percent of the population of the United States (including federal districts and territories) live in states with Republican control of the state government, 37 percent live in states with Democratic control, and 22 percent live in states with divided government.[f]
This table shows the partisan control of governor's offices and state legislative chambers in each state. In situations where one party controls the governor's office and both legislative chambers (known as a "government trifecta"),[15] that party is marked as having "overall" control of the state. Otherwise, overall control of the state is marked as being divided.
^ abcThe Alaska House of Representatives is controlled by a coalition of Democrats, Republicans, and independents. The minority caucus consists of Republicans who are not part of the majority coalition.
^ abcdefghThe upper houses of Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Minnesota, New Jersey, and Texas use a 2-4-4 term length system.
^ abcThese figures represent the seats of Nebraska's unicameral legislature.
^Consists of 15 Democrats, 5 Republicans, and 2 Independents.
^Consists of 15 Democrats, 3 Republicans, and 4 Independents.
^The remaining portion of the U.S. population lives in Nebraska or American Samoa (which have non-partisan legislatures), or Puerto Rico, where the PNP has a trifecta.
^Partisan seat figures were compiled in August 2020.
^ abcdNebraska has a unicameral, officially non-partisan legislature. For this reason, Nebraska is not included in the overall tallies of partisan control (except for governor) and the overall control column is labeled as "N/A".
^Republicans controlled the lower house in 29 states, Democrats controlled the lower house in 20 states, and one state, Alaska, had a lower house controlled by a coalition.
^Republicans held a trifecta in 20 states, Democrats held a trifecta in 15 states, and 14 states had a divided government.
^ abWashington, D.C., does not elect a governor or state legislature, but it does elect a mayor and a city council.
^ abAlthough elections for governor of American Samoa are non-partisan, Governor Lolo Matalasi Moliga has affiliated with the Democratic Party at the national level since re-election in 2016. He is counted as a Democrat for the overall tally.
^Puerto Rican Governor Wanda Vázquez Garced is a member of the Puerto Rican New Progressive Party and affiliates with the Republican Party at the national level. She is counted as a Republican in the overall tally.
^ abThe upper house tally includes the unicameral legislatures of Washington, D.C., Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.