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Ballotpedia's 2015-2016 state legislative election coverage plan

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Welcome to Ballotpedia’s one-stop source for information about the 2015 and 2016 state legislative elections. On this page you can find comprehensive, unbiased coverage of candidates and elections, including links to every state’s general election page on Ballotpedia and unique election reporting.

If you have any questions about state legislative elections please contact Tyler King.

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Click here for an index of all State Legislature related Ballotpedia reports.

Overview

Our coverage

In 2015, we will cover elections in Louisiana, Mississippi, New Jersey and Virginia. A total of 538 seats are up for election in the seven chambers with elections. Our 2016 coverage will include elections in 86 state legislative chambers in 44 states. Additionally, Ballotpedia will be covering any special elections in 2015 and 2016.

Our candidate pages

There are two types of candidates: current officials who are running for office and new candidates who do not currently hold an office we cover on Ballotpedia. For all candidates we strive to provide you, our reader, with the following information:

  • Clear biographical information, including education
  • Who the candidates is running against and when the elections will be held
  • Photo of the candidate
  • Campaign themes
  • Links including their campaign website, LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter campaign accounts, Project Vote Smart and Follow the Money
  • Election results

Signature filing deadlines

Each state sets the deadline for when candidates must declare for election. Once the filing deadline passes, the state will verify signatures and issue an official list of candidates document. The timing of a document like this varies for each state. Some states will immediately release a document that is an unofficial list of candidates -- meaning it could contain some candidates who ultimately may either withdraw or be disqualified prior to the primary. In these situations, Ballotpedia staff will be adding links to these lists and adding names of candidates to election pages within 1-2 weeks of the list being released. Profiles will then be built for the final list of candidates.

However, in other situations, states do not release any compiled list of candidates until weeks or even months have elapsed past the deadline. In these situations, Ballotpedia staff will work to build as many candidates profiles based on news reports and direct contact with candidates.

Primary elections

As each primary takes place, Ballotpedia staff will be indicating the winners and losers within 24-48 hours of the primary. Candidates who defeat an opponent in a primary will then have an election box added to the profile.

Example: Mark Frechette

Following the primary, the elections page will be updated to indicate which candidates will appear in the general election. The timing of the results will vary by state.

Example: Arizona State Senate elections, 2016

General election

In the months leading up to the general election, Ballotpedia staff will build profiles of candidates, as well as identify certain “game-changers” or “races to watch.”

On election night, Ballotpedia staff will update election pages with check marks (Approveda) to indicate the winner of the race. We will also indicate which party wins the majority in each of the chambers, with a particular emphasis on the chambers that might have flipped partisan control.

Throughout this presidential election season, Ballotpedia staff will create analysis pages regarding the state legislative races. For example:

  • List of state legislative incumbents retiring, displaying all state legislative incumbents who are not seeking re-election to the same chamber.
  • Comparing the competitiveness index for state legislative elections. For the sixth and seventh consecutive elections, Ballotpedia staff will be conducting our competitiveness analysis. This studies analyzes the lists of candidates in state legislative races and provides a competitiveness rating based on three factors -- whether the incumbent is running; whether the incumbent, if running, will face a primary opponent; and finally, if there is a candidate from both major parties appearing on the general election ballot.
  • As an extension of the competitiveness index, we will also take a look at incumbent turnover in state legislatures. This study focuses on incumbents who retired, leaving open seats; districts where incumbents faced primary opposition; incumbents who were defeated by primary challengers; and overall turnover and the number of open seats heading into the general election.
  • Our 2016 coverage will include a detailed look at key races. Using data on partisan balance, seats up for election and competitive districts, Ballotpedia staff will identify the top 20 state legislative chambers to watch in 2016.

2015 election pages

Louisiana

Senate Partisan Breakdown: Democratic Party (13) Republican Party (26)
House Partisan Breakdown: Democratic Party (44) Republican Party (59) Grey.png (2)

All 39 seats in the Louisiana State Senate and 105 seats in the Louisiana House of Representatives were up for election in 2015.[1] Republicans controlled both chambers heading into the election.

Louisiana's state senators and state representatives are elected to four-year terms. Both chambers have term limits which prevent a state legislator from serving for more than three terms, or twelve years, in a particular chamber. Louisiana legislators assume office at noon on the second Monday in January after their election.[2][3]

Mississippi

Senate Partisan Breakdown: Democratic Party (20) Republican Party (31) Grey.png (1)
House Partisan Breakdown: Democratic Party (56) Republican Party (66)

All 52 seats in the Mississippi State Senate and 122 seats in the Mississippi House of Representatives were up for election in 2015.[4] Republicans controlled both chambers heading into the election.

Mississippi's state legislators are elected to four-year terms. Mississippi legislators assume office the Tuesday after the first Monday of January.[5]

New Jersey

New Jersey did not hold any state senate elections in 2015. New Jersey's state senators are elected to four-year terms. All 40 seats were elected in 2013.

General Assembly Partisan Breakdown: Democratic Party (48) Republican Party (32)

All 80 seats in the Republican-controlled New Jersey General Assembly were up for election in 2015. New Jersey's state representatives are elected to two-year terms. New Jersey legislators assume office at noon on the second Tuesday in January following the election.[6]

Virginia

Senate Partisan Breakdown: Democratic Party (19) Republican Party (21)
House Partisan Breakdown: Democratic Party (32) Republican Party (67) Grey.png (1)

All 40 seats in the Virginia State Senate and 100 seats in the Virginia House of Delegates were up for election in 2015.[7] Republicans controlled both chambers heading into the election.

Virginia's state senators are elected to four-year terms and state representatives are elected to two-year terms. Virginia legislators assume office the second Wednesday in January after the election.[8][9]

2015 election dates

Note: Ballot access is a complicated issue. The dates in the table below are primarily for candidates filing for access to the primary. For more detailed information about each state's qualification requirements -- including all relevant ballot access dates for the primary and general election -- click to our detailed pages in the state column.

2015 State Legislative Primary Information
State Filing Deadline Primary Date Days from Deadline to Primary
Louisiana Red padlock.png 9/10/2015[10] Red padlock.png 10/24/2015 44
Mississippi Red padlock.png 2/27/2015[11] Red padlock.png 8/4/2015 158
New Jersey Red padlock.png 3/30/2015[12] Red padlock.png 6/2/2015 64
Virginia Red padlock.png 3/9/2015[13] Red padlock.png 6/9/2015 92


2016 election pages

Alabama

Alabama did not hold any state legislative elections in 2016.

Alaska

Alaska's state senators are elected to four-year terms. Alaska legislators assume office on the third Tuesday of January following their election.[14][15]

Arizona

Arizona's state senators are elected to two-year terms. Arizona legislators assume office on the first day of the session after they are elected. Each regular session begins on the second Monday in January.[16] Members are limited to four terms, for a total of eight years.

Arkansas

Arkansas' state senators are elected to four-year terms. Arkansas legislators assume office on the second Monday of January following their election.[17] Members are limited to two terms, for a total of eight years.

California

California's state senators are elected to four-year terms. Senators are limited to serving no more than two four-year terms. California's state representatives are elected to two-year terms. Representatives are limited to serving no more than four two-year terms. California legislators assume office the first Monday in the December following their election.[18]

Colorado

Colorado's state senators are elected to four-year terms. Senators are limited to no more than two consecutive terms. Colorado's state representatives are elected to two-year terms. Representatives are limited to no more than four consecutive terms. Colorado legislators assume office on the first day of the legislative session after their election. The legislative session must begin no later than 10:00 AM on the second Wednesday of January.[19] The state constitution requires the newly elected governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, treasurer, and secretary of state to take office on the second Tuesday of January.[20] In the year after those offices are elected, the legislative session must begin before the second Tuesday of January to declare the winners of those races.[21][22]

Connecticut

Connecticut's state senators are elected to two-year terms. Connecticut's state representatives are elected to two-year terms. Connecticut legislators assume office the Wednesday following the first Monday of January after their election.[23]

Delaware

Delaware's state senators are elected to four-year terms. Delaware's state representatives are elected to two-year terms. Delaware legislators assume office the first Wednesday after the first Monday in November (the day after election day).[24][25]

Florida

Florida's state senators are elected to four-year terms. Senators are limited to no more than two consecutive four-year terms. Florida's state representatives are elected to two-year terms. Representatives are limited to no more than four consecutive terms. Florida legislators assume office on the day they are elected in the general election.[26]

Georgia

Georgia's state senators are elected to four-year terms. Georgia's state representatives are elected to two-year terms. Georgia legislators assume office the second Monday in January.[27]

Hawaii

Hawaii's state senators are elected to four-year terms. Hawaii's state representatives are elected to two-year terms. Hawaii legislators assume office on the day they are elected in the general election.[28]

Idaho

Idaho's state senators are elected to two-year terms. Idaho's state representatives are elected to two-year terms. Idaho legislators assume office on the first day in December following the general election.[29]

Illinois

Illinois' state senators are elected to two or four-year terms. Under the Illinois Constitution of 1970, senators are divided into three groups, each group having a two-year term at a different part of the decade between censuses, with the rest of the decade being taken up by two four-year terms. Illinois' state representatives are elected to two-year terms. Illinois legislators assume office the second Wednesday in January.[30]

Indiana

Indiana's state senators are elected to four-year terms. Indiana's state representatives are elected to two-year terms. Indiana legislators assume office the day after their general election.[31]

Iowa

Iowa's state senators are elected to four-year terms. Iowa state senators assume office on the first day of January which is not a Sunday or legal holiday.[32][33] Iowa's state representatives are elected to two-year terms. Iowa state representatives always assume office the first day of January after their election.[34]

Kansas

Kansas' state senators are elected to four-year terms. Kansas' state representatives are elected to two-year terms. Kansas legislators assume office the second Monday of January after their election.[35]

Kentucky

Kentucky's state senators are elected to four-year terms. Kentucky's state representatives are elected to two-year terms. Kentucky legislators assume office the first day of January after their election.[36]

Louisiana

Louisiana did not hold any state legislative elections in 2016.

Maine

Maine's state senators are elected to two-year terms. Senators are limited to no more than four consecutive terms. Maine's state representatives are elected to two-year terms. Representatives are limited to no more than four consecutive terms. Maine legislators assume office the day before the first Wednesday of December following the general election.[37][38]

Maryland

Maryland did not hold any state legislative elections in 2016.

Massachusetts

Massachusetts' state senators are elected to two-year terms. Massachusetts' state representatives are elected to two-year terms. Massachusetts legislators assume office the first Wednesday in January after the election.[39]

Michigan

Michigan did not hold any state senate elections in 2016.

Michigan's state representatives are elected to two-year terms. Michigan legislators assume office at noon on the first day of January.[40]

Minnesota

Minnesota's state senators are elected to four-year terms. Minnesota's state representatives are elected to two-year terms. Minnesota legislators assume office on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in January after the election. When the first Monday in January falls on January 1, legislators assume office on the first Wednesday after the first Monday.[41][42]

Mississippi

Mississippi did not hold any state legislative elections in 2016.

Missouri

Missouri's state senators are elected to four-year terms. Senators are limited to no more than two four-year terms. Missouri's state representatives are elected to two-year terms. Representatives are limited to no more than four two-year terms. Missouri legislators assume office the first day of the legislative session, which is the first Wednesday after the first Monday in January at 12:00pm.[43]

Montana

Montana's state senators are elected to four-year terms. Montana term limits state that officials may not seek re-election if they have held office for eight years in a 16-year period. Montana's state representatives are elected to two-year terms. Montana term limits state that officials may not seek re-election if they have held office for eight years in a 16-year period. Montana legislators assume office the first Monday of January following the election. If January 1 is a Monday, legislators assume office on the first Wednesday.[44]

Nebraska

Nebraska's state senators are elected to four-year terms. Senators are limited to no more than two four-year terms. Nebraska legislators assume office the first Wednesday after the first Monday in January.[45]

Nevada

Nevada's state senators are elected to four-year terms. Nevada's state representatives are elected to two-year terms. Nevada legislators assume office on the first Wednesday after the first Monday in November (the day after election day).[46]

New Hampshire

New Hampshire's state senators are elected to two-year terms. New Hampshire's state representatives are elected to two-year terms. New Hampshire legislators assume office on the first Wednesday of December following the general election.[47]

New Jersey

New Jersey did not hold any state legislative elections in 2016.

New Mexico

New Mexico's state senators are elected to four-year terms. New Mexico's state representatives are elected to two-year terms. New Mexico legislators assume office on the first day of January after a general election.[48]

New York

New York's state senators are elected to two-year terms. New York's state representatives are elected to two-year terms. New York legislators assume office the first day of January after a general election.[49]

North Carolina

North Carolina's state senators are elected to two-year terms. North Carolina's state representatives are elected to two-year terms. North Carolina legislators assume office on January 1 the year after their election.[50]

North Dakota

North Dakota's state senators are elected to four-year terms. North Dakota's state representatives are elected to four-year terms. North Dakota legislators assume office December 1st.[51]

Ohio

Ohio's state senators are elected to four-year terms. Senators are limited to no more than two consecutive terms. Ohio's state representatives are elected to two-year terms. Representatives are limited to no more than four consecutive terms. Ohio legislators assume office the first day of January after a general election.[52][53]

Oklahoma

Oklahoma's state senators are elected to four-year terms. Senators are limited to no more than a combined total of twelve years in the senate and house of representatives. Oklahoma's state representatives are elected to two-year terms. Representatives are limited to no more than a combined total of twelve years in the senate and house of representatives. Oklahoma legislators assume office 15 days following the general election.[54][55]

Oregon

Oregon's state senators are elected to four-year terms. Oregon's state representatives are elected to two-year terms. Oregon legislators assume office the second Monday in January following the election.[56]

Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania's state senators are elected to four-year terms. Pennsylvania's state representatives are elected to two-year terms. Pennsylvania legislators assume office on the first day of December after a general election.[57]

Rhode Island

Rhode Island's state senators are elected to two-year terms. Rhode Island's state representatives are elected to two-year terms. Rhode Island legislators assume office the first Tuesday in January.[58]

South Carolina

South Carolina's state senators are elected to four-year terms. South Carolina's state representatives are elected to two-year terms. South Carolina legislators assume office the Monday after the election.[59]

South Dakota

South Dakota's state senators are elected to two-year terms. Senators are limited to no more than four consecutive terms. South Dakota's state representatives are elected to two-year terms. Representatives are limited to no more than four consecutive terms. South Dakota legislators assume office the second Tuesday in January after the general election.[60]

Tennessee

Tennessee's state senators are elected to four-year terms. Tennessee's state representatives are elected to two-year terms. Tennessee legislators assume office on the day they are elected in the general election.[61]

Texas

Texas' state senators are elected to four-year terms. Texas' state representatives are elected to two-year terms. Texas legislators assume office at the beginning of the legislative session, which starts at noon on the second Tuesday in January in the year after the election.[62][63]

Utah

Utah's state senators are elected to four-year terms. Utah's state representatives are elected to two-year terms. Utah legislators assume office the first day in January.[64][65]

Vermont

Vermont's state senators are elected to two-year terms. Vermont's state representatives are elected to two-year terms. Vermont legislators assume office the first Wednesday after the first Monday in January after the election.[66]

Virginia

Virginia did not hold any state legislative elections in 2016.

Washington

Washington's state senators are elected to four-year terms. Washington's state representatives are elected to two-year terms. Washington legislators assume office the second Monday of January.[67]

West Virginia

West Virginia's state senators are elected to four-year terms. West Virginia's state representatives are elected to two-year terms. West Virginia legislators assume office on the first day of December following their election.[68]

Wisconsin

Wisconsin's state senators are elected to four-year terms. Wisconsin's state representatives are elected to two-year terms. Wisconsin legislators assume office the first Monday in January following the election, unless the first Monday of January falls on January 1 or 2. In those cases, legislators assume office on January 3.[69]

Wyoming

Wyoming's state senators are elected to four-year terms. Wyoming's state representatives are elected to two-year terms. Wyoming legislators assume office the first Monday in January in odd-numbered years.[70]

Footnotes

  1. ↑ Louisiana Secretary of State, "Gubernatorial Elections: Offices Regularly Scheduled to be Filed," accessed January 20, 2015
  2. ↑ Louisiana Constitution, "Article 3, Section 5," accessed February 10, 2021
  3. ↑ Louisiana Constitution, "Article 4, Section 3," accessed February 10, 2021
  4. ↑ Mississippi Secretary of State, "eleChart-2000-12," accessed January 20, 2015
  5. ↑ Mississippi Constitution, "Article 4, Section 36," accessed November 1, 2021
  6. ↑ New Jersey Constitution, "Article IV, Section II (2.)," accessed February 10, 2021
  7. ↑ Virginia State Board of Elections, "Schedule of General Elections as of March 20, 2014," accessed January 20, 2015
  8. ↑ Virginia Legislative Information System, "Code of Virginia - § 24.2-214. Election and term of Senators." accessed January 6, 2022
  9. ↑ Virginia Legislative Information System, "Code of Virginia - § 24.2-215. Election and term of members of the House of Delegates." accessed January 6, 2022
  10. ↑ Louisiana Secretary of State, "2015 Elections," accessed January 2, 2015
  11. ↑ Mississippi Secretary of State, "2015 Election Calendar," accessed January 2, 2015
  12. ↑ New Jersey Department of Elections, "2015 Primary Election Timeline," accessed February 2, 2015
  13. ↑ Virginia State Board of Elections, "2015 November Election Calendar," accessed January 2, 2015
  14. ↑ JUSTIA US Law, "Alaska Statutes, Sec. 24.05.080," accessed November 1, 2021
  15. ↑ Alaska’s Constitution, "A Citizen’s Guide," accessed November 1, 2021
  16. ↑ Arizona Revised Statutes, "41-1101, Section B," accessed November 22, 2016
  17. ↑ Justia, "Arkansas Constitution Article 5 - Legislative Department Section 5 - Time of meeting," accessed October 26, 2021
  18. ↑ California Constitution, "Article 4, Section 2. (a)(3)," accessed November 1, 2021
  19. ↑ Colorado Secretary of State, "Colorado Constitution - Article 5, Section 7," accessed February 9, 2021
  20. ↑ Colorado Secretary of State, "Colorado Constitution - Article 4, Section 1," accessed February 9, 2021
  21. ↑ Colorado Secretary of State, "Colorado Constitution - Article 4, Section 3," accessed February 9, 2021
  22. ↑ Colorado LegiSource, "Surprise! The 2019 Legislative Session Convening a Week Earlier," September 20, 2018
  23. ↑ Connecticut Constitution, "Article Three, Section 10," accessed November 1, 2021
  24. ↑ Delaware Constitution, "Article II, Section 3," accessed November 1, 2021
  25. ↑ Delaware Constitution, "Article II, Section 4," accessed November 1, 2021
  26. ↑ Florida Constitution, "Article III, Section 15(d)," accessed November 22, 2016
  27. ↑ Georgia Secretary of State, "Georgia Constitution - Article III, Section IV, Paragraph I," accessed February 12, 2021
  28. ↑ Legislative Reference Bureau, "Hawaii Constitution, Article III, Section 4," accessed November 1, 2021
  29. ↑ Idaho Constitution, "Article III, Section 3," accessed December 18, 2019
  30. ↑ Illinois Constitution, "Article 4, Section 5a," accessed November 1, 2021
  31. ↑ Indiana Constitution, "Article 4, Section 3," accessed November 1, 2021
  32. ↑ JUSTIA US Law, "Iowa Code, Section 39.8 - Term of office," accessed November 1, 2021
  33. ↑ Iowa Secretary of State, "Terms of Offices for Elected Officials," accessed November 1, 2021
  34. ↑ Iowa Constitution, "Article III, Legislative Department, Section 3," accessed November 1, 2021
  35. ↑ Kansas Constitution, "Article Two, Section 2", accessed February 9, 2021
  36. ↑ Kentucky Constitution, "Section 30," accessed February 10, 2021
  37. ↑ Maine Constitution, "Article IV. Part First., Section 2," accessed November 1, 2021
  38. ↑ Maine Constitution, "Article IV. Part Second., Section 5," accessed November 1, 2021
  39. ↑ Massachusetts Constitution, "Article LXXXII," accessed February 12, 2021
  40. ↑ Michigan Constitution, "Article XI, Section 2," accessed February 12, 2021
  41. ↑ Minnesota.gov, "Minnesota Statute 3.05," accessed February 12, 2021
  42. ↑ Minnesota.gov, "Minnesota Statute 3.011," accessed November 1, 2021
  43. ↑ Missouri Revisor of Statutes, "Article III Section 20. Regular sessions of assembly — quorum — compulsory attendance — public sessions — limitation on power to adjourn.," accessed November 1, 2021
  44. ↑ Montana State Legislature, "Montana Code Annotated 2021, 5-2-102. Term of office," accessed November 4, 2021
  45. ↑ Nebraska Constitution, "Article III-10," accessed November 4, 2021
  46. ↑ Nevada Constitution, "Article 4, Section 4," accessed November 1, 2021
  47. ↑ New Hampshire Constitution, "Part II, Article 3," accessed February 10, 2021
  48. ↑ New Mexico Constitution, "Article IV, Section 4, accessed November 1, 2021
  49. ↑ New York Senate, "New York Constitution, Article XIII, Section 4," accessed November 1, 2021
  50. ↑ North Carolina Constitution, "Article II, Section 9," accessed February 12, 2021
  51. ↑ North Dakota Constitution, "Article IV, Section 7," accessed February 12, 2021
  52. ↑ Ohio Constitution, "Article 2, Section 02," accessed November 1, 2021
  53. ↑ Ohio.gov, "A Guidebook for Ohio Legislators," accessed November 1, 2021
  54. ↑ Oklahoma State Courts Network, "Oklahoma Statutes Citationized 14 O.S. § 80.35.14," accessed November 2, 2021
  55. ↑ Oklahoma State Courts Network, "Oklahoma Statutes Citationized 14 O.S. § 141 ," accessed November 2, 2021
  56. ↑ Oregon Constitution, "Article IV, Section 4," accessed February 17, 2021
  57. ↑ Pennsylvania Constitution, "Article II, Section 2," accessed November 1, 2021
  58. ↑ Rhode Island Constitution, "Article VI, Section 3," accessed February 17, 2021
  59. ↑ South Carolina Constitution, "Article III, Section 10," accessed November 1, 2021
  60. ↑ South Dakota Constitution, "Article 3, Section 7," accessed November 20, 2012
  61. ↑ Tennessee Constitution, "Article II, Section 3," accessed November 1, 2021
  62. ↑ Texas Government Code, "Title 3., Subtitle A., Sec. 301.001," accessed February 17, 2021
  63. ↑ Texas Constitution, "Article 3. Legislative Department, Section 4," accessed November 4, 2021
  64. ↑ Utah Constitution, "Article VI, Section 3," accessed February 17, 2021
  65. ↑ Utah Constitution, "Article VI, Section 4," accessed February 17, 2021
  66. ↑ Vermont Constitution, "Chapter II, Section 46," accessed February 4, 2021
  67. ↑ Washington State Legislature, "RCW 44.04.021 Commencement of terms of office," accessed February 17, 2021
  68. ↑ West Virginia Constitution, "Article IV, Section 7," accessed February 9, 2021
  69. ↑ Wisconsin Statutes, "Chapter 13: Legislative Branch: 13.02 Regular sessions," accessed October 5, 2021
  70. ↑ Justia, "2020 Wyoming Statutes Title 22 - Elections Chapter 2 - General Provisions Section 22-2-107 - When Elected State and County Officers Assume Offices.," accessed November 4, 2021
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