Become part of the movement for unbiased, accessible election information. Donate today.
State legislative special elections, 2024
2025 →
← 2023
|
Special Elections |
|
Alabama • Connecticut • Florida • Georgia • Hawaii • Illinois • Kentucky • Maine • Massachusetts • Michigan • Minnesota • New Hampshire • New York • North Dakota • Ohio • Oklahoma • Pennsylvania • South Carolina • Texas • Utah • Virginia • Wisconsin |
Other 2024 Election coverage |
State legislative elections Gubernatorial elections • Ballot measures |
In 2024, 52 state legislative special elections were scheduled for 2024 in 22 states. Between 2011 and 2023, an average of 71 special elections took place each year. See the sections below for additional information on state legislative special elections in 2024.
- Causes: This section provides information on why special elections are held.
- Partisan control: This section provides information on the impact of special elections on the partisan composition of state legislatures.
- Special elections by date: This section lists all special elections held in 2024 in the order they were held.
- Historical data: This section contains data on special elections going back to 2010.
- See also: State legislative elections, 2024
Causes
In 2024, special elections for state legislative positions were held for the following reasons:
- 31 due to resignation
- 11 due to appointment, election, or the seeking of election to another position
- 4 due to the death of the incumbent
- 6 due to redistricting
Partisan control
The partisan breakdown for the special elections was as follows:
- 25 Democratic seats
- 27 Republican seats
Noteworthy special elections
Special elections by date
Seats that changed party control
The table below details how many seats changed parties as the result of a special election in 2024. The number on the left reflects how many vacant seats were originally held by each party, while the number on the right shows how many vacant seats each party won in the special elections.
Note: This table reflects information for elections that were held and not the total number of vacant seats.
Partisan Change from Special Elections (2024) | |||
---|---|---|---|
Party | As of Special Election | After Special Election | |
Democratic Party | 26 | 29 | |
Republican Party | 26 | 23 | |
Independent | 0 | 0 | |
Total | 52 | 52 |
List of seats
In 2024, five seats changed party hands as a result of state legislative special elections.
Seats that changed from D to R
Seats that changed from R to D
- Florida House of Representatives District 35 (January 16)
- Alabama House of Representatives District 10 (March 26)
- North Dakota State Senate District 9 (November 5)
- North Dakota House of Representatives District 9 (November 5)
Vacancies
Partisan breakdown of vacancies
- See also: State legislative vacancies, 2024
In 2024, there were 144 state legislative vacancies in 40 states.
The process for filling vacancies varies among the state legislatures. Twenty-five states fill vacancies in the state legislature through special elections. Twenty-one states fill vacancies through appointments, and four states fill vacancies through a hybrid system that uses both appointments and special elections. The most common reasons for a state legislative vacancy include officeholders resigning, dying, leaving for a new job, being elected or appointed to a different office, or receiving a legal conviction.
The table below details the partisan breakdown for state legislative vacancies in 2024. The number on the left reflects how many vacant seats were originally held by each party, while the number on the right shows how many vacant seats each party held after the special elections and appointments took place.
Partisan breakdown of the vacancies (2024) | |||
---|---|---|---|
Party | As of vacancy | After vacancy | |
Democratic Party | |||
Republican Party | |||
Independent | |||
N/A | |||
Total | 144 | 144 |
Historical data
State breakdown by year
The table below details how many state legislative special elections were held in a state in a given year. From 2010 to 2024, Georgia held the most state legislative special elections with 82. Pennsylvania held the second-most special elections with 69.
Partisan breakdown by year
The average number of special elections per even year between 2011 and 2024 (2012, 2014, 2016, 2018, 2020, 2022, and 2024) was 59, while the average per odd year was 80. The most special elections in a single year during that same time frame was 99, which happened in 2018.
The table below details how many state legislative seats changed parties as the result of a special election between 2011 and 2024. The numbers on the left side of the table reflect how many vacant seats were originally held by each party, while the numbers on the right side of the table show how many vacant seats each party won in special elections.
State legislative special election vacancies and results, 2011-2024 | ||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Year | Total elections held | Vacancies before elections | Seats held after elections | Net change | ||||
![]() |
![]() |
Minor party | ![]() |
![]() |
Minor party | |||
2024 | 52 | 26 | 26 | 0 | 29 | 23 | 0 | +3 D, -3 R |
2023 | 53 | 33 | 20 | 0 | 33 | 20 | 0 | - |
2022 | 54 | 36 | 18 | 0 | 36 | 18 | 0 | - |
2021 | 66 | 33 | 33 | 0 | 33 | 33 | 0 | - |
2020 | 59 | 21 | 38 | 0 | 27 | 32 | 0 | +6 D, -6 R |
2019 | 77 | 39 | 38 | 0 | 36 | 40 | 1 | -3 D, +2 R, +1 I |
2018 | 99 | 42 | 57 | 0 | 50 | 49 | 0 | +8 D, -8 R |
2017 | 98 | 45 | 53 | 0 | 56 | 42 | 0 | +11 D, -11 R |
2016* | 65 | 37 | 28 | 0 | 39 | 24 | 2 | +2 D, -4 R |
2015* | 89 | 42 | 46 | 1 | 38 | 50 | 1 | -4 D, +4 R |
2014 | 40 | 22 | 18 | 0 | 19 | 21 | 0 | -3 D, +3 R |
2013 | 84 | 51 | 33 | 0 | 48 | 36 | 0 | -3 D, +3 R |
2012 | 46 | 23 | 23 | 0 | 25 | 21 | 0 | +2 D, -2 R |
2011* | 95 | 49 | 45 | 1 | 46 | 48 | 1 | -3 D, +3 R |
Averages | 70 | 36 | 34 | N/A | 37 | 33 | N/A | N/A |
*Please see the year-specific pages for information regarding minor-party candidates. |
Seats that changed partisan control by year
Current as of January 17, 2025 (updated annually)
Since 2010, 121 state legislative seats have switched partisan control, or flipped, in special elections. The chart below shows the number of special elections that resulted in partisan changes in each year:
Flipped seats in state legislative special elections | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Year | Total special elections | Total flips | Democratic flips | Republican flips | Other flips |
2024 | 52 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 0 |
2023 | 53 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 0 |
2022 | 54 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
2021 | 66 | 6 | 3 | 3 | 0 |
2020 | 59 | 8 | 7 | 1 | 0 |
2019 | 77 | 8 | 2 | 5 | 1 |
2018 | 99 | 16 | 12 | 4 | 0 |
2017 | 98 | 17 | 14 | 3 | 0 |
2016 | 65 | 9 | 5 | 2 | 2 |
2015 | 89 | 16 | 5 | 9 | 2 |
2014 | 40 | 5 | 1 | 4 | 0 |
2013 | 84 | 7 | 1 | 6 | 0 |
2012 | 46 | 7 | 5 | 2 | 0 |
2011 | 95 | 11 | 4 | 6 | 1 |
2010 | 30 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Total | 1,007 | 121 | 66 | 49 | 6 |
Click here to see a list of all state legislative seats that have changed partisan control in special elections since 2010 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Days between vacancies and elections by year
The following table tracks the gap between when state legislative vacancies occurred and special elections were held from 2012 through September 12, 2025:
Analysis of state elections
- See also: State legislative elections, 2024
In the 50 states, there are 99 state legislative chambers altogether. Across 44 states, 85 of those chambers held regular legislative elections in 2024. These elections were for 5,807 of the country's 7,386 state legislative seats (79%). The general election for state legislative races was held on November 5, 2024.
Two state legislative chambers, the Michigan and Minnesota state Houses, changed party control following the 2024 general election. Republicans won control of the Michigan House from Democrats, and won a tie in the Minnesota House.
To learn more about the state legislative races that were on your ballot, click here to use our Sample Ballot Lookup tool.
States are also holding special state legislative elections in 2024 to fill vacant seats. Click here for more.
In the U.S. Territories, seven legislative chambers held regularly scheduled elections for 169 seats in 2024. Elections were held for the American Samoa House of Representatives, the Guam Legislature, the Puerto Rico Senate and House of Representatives, the Northern Mariana Islands Senate and House of Representatives, and the U.S. Virgin Islands Legislature.
As of September 24th, 2025, Republicans controlled 55.5% of all state legislative seats nationally, while Democrats held 43.68%. Republicans held a majority in 57 chambers, and Democrats held the majority in 39 chambers. Two chambers (Alaska House and Alaska Senate) were organized under multipartisan, power-sharing coalitions. One chamber (Minnesota House of Representatives) was split evenly between both parties.
Partisan balance of all 7,386 state legislative seats | ||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Legislative chamber | ![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
Vacant | ||||
State senates | 834 | 1,122 | 5 | 12 | ||||
State houses | 2,392 | 2,977 | 20 | 24 | ||||
Total: | 3,226
|
4,099
|
25
|
36 |
Featured analysis
- State legislative seats that changed party control in 2024: As a result of the Nov. 5, 2024, elections, partisan composition of all 7,386 state legislative seats changed by 0.7 percentage points. Democrats had a net loss of 54 seats, representing 0.7% of all state legislative seats. Republicans had a net gain of 55 seats, representing 0.7% of all state legislative seats. Independents and minor party officeholders had a net loss of one seat, representing 0.01% of all state legislative seats.
- Annual State Legislative Competitiveness Report: Vol. 12, 2022: Competitiveness refers to the presence of choice throughout the election cycle. A greater level of competitiveness means voters have the ability to make more decisions. A lower level of competitiveness equals fewer choices. State legislative competitiveness in 2022 reached its highest level compared to all even-year election cycles since 2010. In 2022, the nationwide State Legislative Competitiveness Index is 36.2, beating out 2018 (36.1) and the 2012 post-redistricting cycle (35.2).
Tap the box below to show more analysis articles related to the 2024 state legislative elections.
- Annual Competitiveness Report
- State legislative special elections
- Primary election competitiveness in state and federal government, 2024
- Impact of term limits
- Open seats
- Contested primaries
- Incumbents in contested primaries
- Data on incumbents defeated in 2024
- Major party competition
- Unconstested incumbents
- Trifecta vulnerability in the 2024 elections
- Candidates with the same last names, 2024
- Rematches in 2024 general elections
- Ballotpedia's Top 15 Elections to Watch, 2024
- Trends in the margins of victory for incumbents of three or more terms, 2018-2024
- Election results, 2024: State legislative veto-proof majorities
- Wave election analysis
- Election results, 2024: Incumbent win rates by state
- Election results, 2024: Uncontested races by state
- Incumbents who won primaries by five percentage points or fewer or with a plurality, 2024
- Margin of victory analysis for the 2024 state legislative elections
- Election results, 2024: State legislative races decided by fewer than 100 votes
See also
- Regular state legislative elections: 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018
- Special state legislative elections: 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018
Footnotes
- ↑ Mai Xiong campaign website, "Home page," accessed February 1, 2024
- ↑ Macomb Daily, "Xiong, Singer win 13th House district primaries," January 31, 2024
- ↑ Michigan Advance, "Here’s your look at the candidates for Michigan’s two empty state House seats," November 28, 2023
- ↑ Peter Herzberg, "About Me," accessed February 1, 2024
- ↑ Information submitted via Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey on January 10, 2024.
- ↑ Ann Johnson Stewart 2024 campaign website, "Home page," accessed September 27, 2024
- ↑ Minnesota Senate DFL, "State Senator Ann Johnson Stewart Announces She Won’t Run in Newly-Drawn Senate District 45," April 13, 2022
- ↑ Kathleen Fowke 2024 campaign website, "Home page," accessed September 27, 2024
- ↑ Candidates running for special elections in Connecticut are nominated through party conventions.
- ↑ If an elected senator leaves office after the primary filing period and a special election is called to fill the seat, only a candidate of the same party can be slated for the November ballot.
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 11.3 11.4 11.5 The seat was up for special election after U.S. District Court for the District of North Dakota Judge Peter Welte ruled that North Dakota had to redraw the District 9 and 15 boundaries. The seats were not scheduled to be up for election until 2026.
- ↑ Note: Because the vacancy was for a multi-member seat, the exact successor could not be determined after the election.
|