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Pennsylvania state legislative districts
 |
List of state legislative districts |
There are 253 seats in the Pennsylvania General Assembly. Only 25 of the 50 seats of the Pennsylvania State Senate are up for election every two years. Each senator serves four-year terms. All 203 seats of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, are up for election every two years.
Chambers
Click the following tabs for more information about each chamber:
Senate
The Pennsylvania State Senate is the upper house of the Pennsylvania General Assembly. Senators are elected for four years. Senators' terms are staggered with only half of the Senate contested at each election.
As of the 2020 Census, Pennsylvania state senators represented an average of 260,237 residents. After the 2010 Census, each member represented 254,698 residents.
Qualifications
Article II of the Pennsylvania Constitution states:[1]
| “ | Senators shall be at least 25 years of age and Representatives 21 years of age. They shall have been citizens and inhabitants of the State four years, and inhabitants of their respective districts one year next before their election (unless absent on the public business of the United States or of this State), and shall reside in their respective districts during their terms of service.[2] | ” |
Vacancies
If there is a vacancy in the Pennsylvania General Assembly, a special election must be held to fill the vacant seat. The presiding officer in the house where the vacancy happened must call for an election. There are no deadlines set in the state constitution on when a special election can be held.[3]
See sources: Pennsylvania Cons. Art. II, §2
Salaries
- See also: Comparison of state legislative salaries
| State legislative salaries, 2024[4] | |
|---|---|
| Salary | Per diem |
| $106,422.33/year | $185/day |
Pension
Districts
These are links to every district in the Pennsylvania State Senate.
House
The Pennsylvania House of Representatives is the lower house of the Pennsylvania General Assembly. There are 203 members, elected for two year terms from single member districts. Elections are held in November of even numbered years.
As of the 2020 Census, Pennsylvania state representatives represented an average of 64,098 residents. After the 2010 Census, each member represented 62,734 residents.
Qualifications
Article II of the Pennsylvania Constitution states:[5]
| “ | Senators shall be at least 25 years of age and Representatives 21 years of age. They shall have been citizens and inhabitants of the State four years, and inhabitants of their respective districts one year next before their election (unless absent on the public business of the United States or of this State), and shall reside in their respective districts during their terms of service.[2] | ” |
Vacancies
If there is a vacancy in the Pennsylvania General Assembly, a special election must be held to fill the vacant seat. The presiding officer in the house where the vacancy happened must call for an election. There are no deadlines set in the state constitution on when a special election can be held.[6]
See sources: Pennsylvania Cons. Art. II, §2
Salaries
- See also: Comparison of state legislative salaries
| State legislative salaries, 2024[7] | |
|---|---|
| Salary | Per diem |
| $106,422.33/year | $185/day |
Pension
Districts
These are links to every district in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.
Redistricting
In Pennsylvania, the statutory authority to draw congressional district boundaries is vested with the Pennsylvania General Assembly. These lines are subject to gubernatorial veto.[8]
State legislative district lines are drawn by a politician commission. Established in 1968, the commission comprises five members:[8]
- The majority leader of the Pennsylvania State Senate appoints one member.
- The minority leader of the Pennsylvania State Senate appoints one member.
- The majority leader of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives appoints one member.
- The minority leader of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives appoints one member.
- The first four commissioners appoint a fifth member to serve as the commission's chair. If the commission is unable to reach an agreement, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court must appoint a commission chair.[8]
The Pennsylvania Constitution requires that state legislative districts be contiguous and compact. Further, state legislative districts should "respect county, city, incorporated town, borough, township and ward boundaries." There are no such requirements in place for congressional districts.[8]
On February 4, 2022, the Pennsylvania Legislative Reapportionment Commission voted 4-1 to approve new state House and Senate maps.[9] House Majority Leader Kerry Benninghoff (R) voted no, while Senate Majority Leader Kim Ward (R), state Rep. Joanna McClinton (D), state Sen. Jay Costa (D), and chairman Mark Nordenberg voted yes.[9] These maps took effect for Pennsylvania's 2022 legislative elections.
Senate elections
Pennsylvania state senators serve staggered, four-year terms and half of the Senate is up for election every two years. Pennsylvania holds elections for its legislature in even years.
2026
Elections for the Pennsylvania State Senate will take place in 2026. The general election is on November 3, 2026.
2024
Elections for the Pennsylvania State Senate took place in 2024. The general election was on November 5, 2024. The primary was April 23, 2024. The filing deadline was February 13, 2024.
In the 2024 elections, Republicans maintained their 28-22 majority.
| Pennsylvania State Senate | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Party | As of November 5, 2024 | After November 6, 2024 | |
| Democratic Party | 22 | 22 | |
| Republican Party | 28 | 27 | |
| Vacancy | 0 | 1 | |
| Total | 50 | 50 | |
2022
Elections for the Pennsylvania State Senate took place in 2022. The general election was on November 8, 2022. A primary was scheduled for May 17, 2022. The filing deadline was March 28, 2022.
In the 2022 elections, Republicans maintained their majority in the chamber with 28 seats. Democrats gained a net one seat from independents, expanding their minority to 22 seats.
| Pennsylvania State Senate | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Party | As of November 8, 2022 | After November 9, 2022 | |
| Democratic Party | 21 | 22 | |
| Republican Party | 28 | 28 | |
| Independent | 1 | 0 | |
| Total | 50 | 50 | |
2020
Elections for the office of Pennsylvania State Senate took place in 2020. The general election was held on November 3, 2020. A primary was scheduled for June 2, 2020. The filing deadline was February 18, 2020.
In the 2020 elections, Republicans maintained their majority of 28-20 with one independent in the Pennsylvania State Senate. One seat was temporarily vacant when James Brewster (D) was not seated due to pending litigation contesting the November election results. Brewster took office on January 13, 2021.
| Pennsylvania State Senate | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Party | As of November 3, 2020 | After November 4, 2020 | |
| Democratic Party | 21 | 21 | |
| Republican Party | 28 | 28 | |
| Independent | 1 | 1 | |
| Total | 50 | 50 | |
2018
Elections for the Pennsylvania State Senate took place in 2018. A closed primary election took place on May 15, 2018, and the general election was held on November 6, 2018. The candidate filing deadline was March 6, 2018.
In the 2018 elections, the Republican majority in the Pennsylvania State Senate was reduced from 33-16 to 29-21.
| Pennsylvania State Senate | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Party | As of November 6, 2018 | After November 7, 2018 | |
| Democratic Party | 16 | 21 | |
| Republican Party | 33 | 29 | |
| Vacancy | 1 | 0 | |
| Total | 50 | 50 | |
2016
Elections for the Pennsylvania State Senate took place in 2016. The primary election was held on April 26, 2016, and the general election was held on November 8, 2016. The candidate filing deadline was February 16, 2016. A total of 25 seats out of the 50 seats in the Pennsylvania State Senate were up for election in 2016.
Heading into the election, Republicans held a 31-19 majority. Republicans gained three seats in the election, giving them a 34-16 majority.
| Pennsylvania State Senate | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Party | As of November 7, 2016 | After November 8, 2016 | |
| Democratic Party | 19 | 16 | |
| Republican Party | 31 | 34 | |
| Total | 50 | 50 | |
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2014Elections for the Pennsylvania State Senate took place in 2014. A primary election took place on May 20, 2014. The general election was held on November 4, 2014. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in that election was March 11, 2014. Heading into the election, Republicans held a 27-22 majority with one vacancy. Republicans gained three seats in the election, giving them a 30-20 majority.
2012Elections for the office of Pennsylvania State Senate took place in 2012. The primary election was held on April 24, 2012, and the general election was held on November 6, 2012. The candidate filing deadline was February 14, 2012. A total of 25 seats were up for election. Heading into the election, Republicans held a 29-20 majority with one vacancy. Republicans lost two seats in the election, giving them a 27-23 majority.
During the 2012 election, the total value of contributions to the 55 Senate candidates was $26,589,797. The top 10 contributors were:[10]
The following table details the 10 districts with the smallest margin of victory in the November 6 general election.
2010Elections for the office of Pennsylvania State Senate took place in 2010. The primary election was held on May 18, 2010, and the general election was held on November 2, 2010. The candidate filing deadline was March 9, 2010. A total of 25 seats were up for election. Heading into the election, Republicans held a 30-20 majority. No partisan change occurred in the election.
During the 2010 election, the total value of contributions to the 53 Senate candidates was $20,772,005. The top 10 contributors were:[11]
2008Elections for the office of Pennsylvania State Senate consisted of a primary election date on April 22, 2008, and a general election on November 4, 2008. A total of 25 seats were up for election. During the 2008 election, the total contributions to Senate candidates amounted to $30,928,634. The top 10 contributors were:[12]
2006Elections for the office of Pennsylvania State Senate consisted of a primary election date on May 16, 2006, and a general election on November 7, 2006. A total of 25 seats were up for election. During the 2006 election, the total value of contributions to the 63 Senate candidates was $22,233,800. The top 10 contributors were:[13]
2004Elections for the office of Pennsylvania State Senate consisted of a primary election date on April 27, 2004, and a general election on November 2, 2004. A total of 25 seats were up for election. During the 2004 election, the total value of contributions to the 52 Senate candidates was $18,023,643. The top 10 contributors were:[14]
2002Elections for the office of Pennsylvania State Senate consisted of a primary election date on May 21, 2002, and a general election on November 5, 2002. A total of 25 seats were up for election. During the 2002 election, the total value of contributions to the 53 Senate candidates was $19,135,990. The top 10 contributors were:[15]
2000Elections for the office of Pennsylvania State Senate consisted of a primary election date on April 4, 2000, and a general election on November 7, 2000. A total of 25 seats were up for election. During the 2000 election, the total value of contributions to the 49 Senate candidates was $10,724,732. The top 10 contributors were:[16]
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House elections
Pennsylvania state representatives serve two-year terms, with all seats up for election every two years. Pennsylvania holds elections for its legislature in even years.
2026
Elections for the Pennsylvania House of Representatives will take place in 2026. The general election is on November 3, 2026.
2024
Elections for the Pennsylvania House of Representatives took place in 2024. The general election was on November 5, 2024. The primary was April 23, 2024. The filing deadline was February 13, 2024.
In the 2024 elections, Democrats won 102 seats and Republicans won 101 seats.
| Pennsylvania House of Representatives | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Party | As of November 5, 2024 | After November 6, 2024 | |
| Democratic Party | 102 | 101 | |
| Republican Party | 101 | 101 | |
| Vacancy | 0 | 1 | |
| Total | 203 | 203 | |
2022
Elections for the Pennsylvania House of Representatives took place in 2022. The general election was on November 8, 2022. A primary was scheduled for May 17, 2022. The filing deadline was March 28, 2022.
In the 2022 elections, Democrats won 102 seats and Republicans won 101 seats. One seat was won by a Democratic representative who passed away prior to the election.
| Pennsylvania House of Representatives | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Party | As of November 8, 2022 | After November 9, 2022 | |
| Democratic Party | 88 | 101 | |
| Republican Party | 113 | 101 | |
| Vacancy | 2 | 1 | |
| Total | 203 | 203 | |
2020
Elections for the office of Pennsylvania House of Representatives took place in 2020. The general election was held on November 3, 2020. A primary was scheduled for June 2, 2020. The filing deadline was February 18, 2020.
In the 2020 elections, Republicans increased their majority in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives from 109-93 to 113-90.
| Pennsylvania House of Representatives | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Party | As of November 3, 2020 | After November 4, 2020 | |
| Democratic Party | 93 | 90 | |
| Republican Party | 109 | 113 | |
| Vacancy | 1 | 0 | |
| Total | 203 | 203 | |
2018
Elections for the Pennsylvania House of Representatives took place in 2018. A closed primary election took place on May 15, 2018, and the general election was held on November 6, 2018. The candidate filing deadline was March 6, 2018.
In the 2018 elections, the Republican majority in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives was reduced from 120-79 to 110-93.
| Pennsylvania House of Representatives | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Party | As of November 6, 2018 | After November 7, 2018 | |
| Democratic Party | 79 | 93 | |
| Republican Party | 120 | 110 | |
| Vacancy | 4 | 0 | |
| Total | 203 | 203 | |
2016
Elections for the Pennsylvania House of Representatives took place in 2016. The primary election was held on April 26, 2016, and the general election was held on November 8, 2016. The candidate filing deadline was February 16, 2016. All 203 seats in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives were up for election in 2016.
Heading into the election, Republicans held a 119-84 majority. Republicans gained two seats in the election, giving them a 121-82 majority.
| Pennsylvania House of Representatives | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Party | As of November 7, 2016 | After November 8, 2016 | |
| Democratic Party | 84 | 82 | |
| Republican Party | 119 | 121 | |
| Total | 203 | 203 | |
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2014Elections for the Pennsylvania House of Representatives took place in 2014. A primary election took place on May 20, 2014. The general election was held on November 4, 2014. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was March 11, 2014. Heading into the election, Republicans held a 111-91 majority with one vacancy. Republicans gained eight seats in the election, giving them a 119-84 majority.
2012Elections for the office of Pennsylvania House of Representatives took place in 2012. The primary election was held on April 24, 2012, and the general election was held on November 6, 2012. The candidate filing deadline was February 14, 2012. All 203 seats were up for election. Heading into the election, Republicans held a 110-91 majority with two vacancies. Democrats regained two vacant seats in the election, giving Republicans a 110-93 majority.
During the 2012 election, the total value of contributions to the 410 House candidates was $33,351,949. The top 10 contributors were:[17]
The following table details the 10 districts with the smallest margin of victory in the November 6 general election.
2010Elections for the office of Pennsylvania House of Representatives took place in 2010. The primary election was held on May 18, 2010, and the general election was held on November 2, 2010. The candidate filing deadline was March 9, 2010. All 203 seats were up for election. Heading into the election, Democrats held a 104-98 majority with one vacancy. Democrats lost 13 seats in the election, giving Republicans a 112-91 majority.
During the 2010 election, the total value of contributions to the 444 House candidates was $36,502,678. The top 10 contributors were:[18]
2008Elections for the office of Pennsylvania House of Representatives consisted of a primary election date on April 22, 2008, and a general election on November 4, 2008. All 203 seats were up for election. During the 2008 election, the total contributions to House candidates amounted to $44,969,581. The top 10 contributors were:[19]
2006Elections for the office of Pennsylvania House of Representatives consisted of a primary election date on May 16, 2006, and a general election on November 7, 2006. All 203 seats were up for election. During the 2006 election, the total value of contributions to the 531 House candidates was $50,730,125. The top 10 contributors were:[20]
2004Elections for the office of Pennsylvania House of Representatives consisted of a primary election date on April 27, 2004, and a general election on November 2, 2004. All 203 seats were up for election. During the 2004 election, the total value of contributions to the 391 House candidates was $32,641,151. The top 10 contributors were:[21]
2002Elections for the office of Pennsylvania House of Representatives consisted of a primary election date on May 21, 2002, and a general election on November 5, 2002. All 203 seats were up for election. During the 2002 election, the total value of contributions to the 420 House candidates was $29,793,903. The top 10 contributors were:[22]
2000Elections for the office of Pennsylvania House of Representatives consisted of a primary election date on April 4, 2000, and a general election on November 7, 2000. All 203 seats were up for election. During the 2000 election, the total value of contributions to the 395 House candidates was $24,838,142. The top 10 contributors were:[23]
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District maps
State Senate
State House
See also
- State legislature
- Pennsylvania State Legislature
- Pennsylvania State Senate
- Pennsylvania House of Representatives
- List of Pennsylvania state legislative elections
Footnotes
- ↑ The Constitution of Pennsylvania, "Article II, Section 5: Qualifications of members," accessed May 23, 2025
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ State of Pennsylvania, "Pennsylvania Constitution," accessed February 15, 2021 (Article II, Section 2)
- ↑ National Conference of State Legislatures, "2024 Legislator Compensation," August 21, 2024
- ↑ The Constitution of Pennsylvania, "Article II, Section 5: Qualifications of members," accessed May 23, 2025
- ↑ State of Pennsylvania, "Pennsylvania Constitution," accessed February 15, 2021 (Article II, Section 2)
- ↑ National Conference of State Legislatures, "2024 Legislator Compensation," August 21, 2024
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 All About Redistricting, "Pennsylvania," accessed May 8, 2015
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs nameddr - ↑ Follow the Money, "Pennsylvania State Senate 2012 Campaign Contributions," accessed May 2, 2014
- ↑ Follow the Money, "Pennsylvania State Senate 2010 Campaign Contributions," accessed May 2, 2014
- ↑ Follow the Money, "Pennsylvania State Senate 2008 Campaign Contributions"
- ↑ Follow the Money, "Pennsylvania State Senate 2006 Campaign Contributions," accessed May 2, 2014
- ↑ Follow the Money, "Pennsylvania State Senate 2004 Campaign Contributions," accessed May 2, 2014
- ↑ Follow the Money, "Pennsylvania State Senate 2002 Campaign Contributions," accessed May 2, 2014
- ↑ Follow the Money, "Pennsylvania State Senate 2000 Campaign Contributions," accessed May 2, 2014
- ↑ Follow the Money, "Pennsylvania House of Representatives 2012 Campaign Contributions," accessed May 2, 2014
- ↑ Follow the Money, "Pennsylvania House of Representatives 2010 Campaign Contributions," accessed May 2, 2014
- ↑ Follow the Money, "Pennsylvania House of Representatives 2008 Campaign Contributions"
- ↑ Follow the Money, "Pennsylvania House of Representatives 2006 Campaign Contributions," accessed May 2, 2014
- ↑ Follow the Money, "Pennsylvania House of Representatives 2004 Campaign Contributions," accessed May 2, 2014
- ↑ Follow the Money, "Pennsylvania House of Representatives 2002 Campaign Contributions," accessed May 2, 2014
- ↑ Follow the Money, "Pennsylvania House of Representatives 2000 Campaign Contributions," accessed May 2, 2014
