Events in state capitals during electoral vote count (January 6, 2021)

Breach of U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021

Breach of U.S. Capitol during electoral vote count (January 6, 2021)

Aftermath of the January 6, 2021, breach of the U.S. Capitol

Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the United States Capitol

Reactions to U.S. Capitol breach

Events in state capitals during electoral vote certification

Counting of electoral votes (January 6-7, 2021)

Impeachment of Donald Trump, 2021

Congress convened a joint session on January 6, 2021, to count electoral votes by state and confirm the result of the 2020 presidential election. Supporters of President Donald Trump (R) breached the U.S. Capitol Building, trespassing through several security barriers and having altercations with police and other security officials. Hundreds reached the interior of the Capitol and vandalized the building.

Trump supporters also gathered at capitol buildings in state capitals around the country. This page provides information on events that took place at state capitols on January 6.

Ballotpedia identified events in 24 state capitals. Eleven events occurred in states with Republican trifectas (meaning Republicans controlled the governorship and both chambers of the state legislature), eight occurred in states with Democratic trifectas, and five occurred in states with divided governments. Click on a capital to learn more about the event there. Email us if you know of a state capitol gathering on January 6 not accounted for below.

• Phoenix, Arizona (Republican trifecta)
• Sacramento, California (Democratic trifecta)
• Denver, Colorado (Democratic trifecta)
• Tallahassee, Florida (Republican trifecta)
• Atlanta, Georgia (Republican trifecta)
• Honolulu, Hawaii (Democratic trifecta)
• Des Moines, Iowa (Republican trifecta)
• Topeka, Kansas (Divided government)
• Lansing, Michigan (Divided government)
• St. Paul, Minnesota (Divided government)
• Carson City, Nevada (Democratic trifecta)
• Santa Fe, New Mexico (Democratic trifecta)
• Albany, New York (Democratic trifecta)
• Columbus, Ohio (Republican trifecta)
• Oklahoma City, Oklahoma (Republican trifecta)
• Salem, Oregon (Democratic trifecta)
• Harrisburg, Pennsylvania (Divided government)
• Columbia, South Carolina (Republican trifecta)
• Nashville, Tennessee (Republican trifecta)
• Austin, Texas (Republican trifecta)
• Salt Lake City, Utah (Republican trifecta)
• Olympia, Washington (Democratic trifecta)
• Madison, Wisconsin (Divided government)
• Cheyenne, Wyoming (Republican trifecta)

Click here for more on the U.S. Capitol breach.

Phoenix, Arizona

The Arizona Republican Party and the Patriot Party of Arizona each held events outside the state capitol in Phoenix, Arizona. Combined, the two events saw a peak of around 1,000 Trump supporters, according to the Arizona Republic. "No one attempted to get inside the building, but banging on the doors cracked a window," according to the Republic. One group of people brought a guillotine to the event. The group wrote in a statement, "Let it be known, if the Constitution, our way of life, and the Freedoms that we hold so dear are threatened by internal or external enemies, we will rise to the challenge and defend this great nation by all means necessary. While we pray for Peace, but we do not fear war."

Sacramento, California

ABC 10 reported that hundreds participated in the "Wild Protest MAGA March" outside the capitol in Sacramento, California. The Sacramento Police Department reported that 11 people were arrested for illegal possession of pepper spray.

Denver, Colorado

The Denver Post reported that hundreds attended a "We Are the Storm" rally outside the capitol in Denver. There were three arrests connected to the event—one for alleged fighting, one for alleged disturbance of the peace, and one for alleged brandishing of a Taser.

Tallahassee, Florida

The Tallahassee Democrat reported that 100 to 150 Trump supporters gathered at the capitol in Tallahassee, Florida, for a rally.

Atlanta, Georgia

Reuters reported that around 60 Trump supporters rallied outside the capitol in Atlanta, Georgia. Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger (R) decided to leave the building and was escorted out by police. Raffensperger's staff left the building as well. A courthouse complex and two other government buildings were closed down during the event as a precaution.

Honolulu, Hawaii

U.S. News & World Report reported that around 100 people lined the road outside the capitol in Honolulu, Hawaii, waving Trump 2020 and American flags.

Des Moines, Iowa

Around 100 people rallied outside the capitol in Des Moines, Iowa.

Topeka, Kansas

Around 200 people rallied at the statehouse in Topeka, Kansas. Some of the protesters entered the statehouse through security checkpoints to demonstrate inside. Terry Golightley, public information officer of the Kansas Capitol Police, told Reuters the organizer of the event had obtained a permit.

Lansing, Michigan

An estimated 700-800 people gathered outside the capitol in Lansing, Michigan, The Detroit Free Press reported.

St. Paul, Minnesota

KTTC reported that more than 2,000 people rallied outside the capitol in St. Paul, Minnesota, and then gathered outside the governor's mansion.

Carson City, Nevada

The Nevada Independent reported that a few hundred people demonstrated on the main thoroughfare in Carson City, Nevada.

Santa Fe, New Mexico

The Associated Press reported that hundreds of Trump supporters gathered outside the statehouse in Santa Fe, New Mexico, and that state police ordered people to evacuate the building. No threats or violence were reported.

Albany, New York

Trump supporters and opponents gathered outside the capitol in Albany, New York. Two men were stabbed and one man was charged with assault, criminal possession of a weapon, and menacing. The man's defense attorney said he was defending himself against the men he stabbed, who the attorney said identified themselves as members of the Proud Boys.

Columbus, Ohio

Groups supporting and opposing Trump gathered outside the statehouse in Columbus, Ohio. Fights broke out between supporting and opposing groups. No injuries or arrests were reported, according to 10 WBNS.

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Around 1,000 Trump supporters gathered outside the statehouse in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The Associated Press reported one person was arrested "on complaints of attempted arson and assault and battery after they attempted to light other people's flags on fire."

Salem, Oregon

Trump supporters and opponents gathered outside the capitol in Salem, Oregon. The Oregon State Police declared an unlawful assembly and ordered people to disperse, tweeting that those who did not do so may be subject "to arrest and/or use of force; to include impact munitions and riot control agents." KGW 8 reported that two people were arrested, one for alleged harassment and disorderly conduct and the other for trespassing while in possession of a firearm.

Harrisburg, Pennsylvania

NBC News reported that a group in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania "remained largely peaceful on the sidewalk as they had not obtained a permit to be on the steps, according to state officials."

Columbia, South Carolina

Trump supporters gathered outside the capitol in Columbia, South Carolina.

Nashville, Tennessee

State Sen. Mark Pody (R) and state Rep. Bruce Griffey (R) held a prayer rally outside the capitol in Nashville, Tennessee.

Austin, Texas

KXAN reported that 700-800 people rallied outside the capitol in Austin, Texas. The state Department of Public Safety closed the capitol as a precautionary measure.

Salt Lake City, Utah

The Associated Press reported that Trump supporters rallied outside the capitol in Salt Lake City, Utah. Someone in the crowd pepper-sprayed a Salt Lake Tribune photographer, and the incident was being investigated. Workers at the capitol were given the option to leave work early.

Olympia, Washington

A group of Trump supporters gathered in Olympia, Washington. Around 50 from the group breached a gate at the governor's mansion and were on the property for roughly half an hour, according to the Washington State Patrol.

Madison, Wisconsin

According to the Associated Press, "Trump supporters circled the state Capitol building in Madison, Wisconsin, in cars and trucks adorned with Trump and U.S. flags for several hours Wednesday, blaring their horns."

Cheyenne, Wyoming

The Wyoming Tribune Eagle reported that the Cheyenne Tea Party organized a protest outside the capitol in Cheyenne, Wyoming. Around 300 people attended. The Wyoming Highway Patrol locked down the capitol as a precautionary measure.

See also

• Counting of electoral votes (January 6-7, 2021)
• Breach of U.S. Capitol during electoral vote count (January 6, 2021)
• Reactions to U.S. Capitol breach during electoral vote count (January 6, 2021)

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