State legislature

U.S. Congress
State executive officials
State legislatures
Elections

A state legislature is a generic term referring to the legislative body of any of the country's 50 states. The formal name varies from state to state. In 24 states, the legislature is simply called the "Legislature," or the "State Legislature," while in 19 states, the legislature is called the "General Assembly." In Massachusetts and New Hampshire, the legislature is called the "General Court," while North Dakota and Oregon designate the legislature as the "Legislative Assembly."

Composition

Every state (except Nebraska) has a bicameral legislature, meaning that the legislature consists of two separate legislative chambers (or "houses"); Nebraska has a unicameral, or one-chamber legislature. In all bicameral legislatures, the smaller chamber is called the "Senate" and is usually referred to as the "upper house." (Nebraskan legislators are referred to as "senators" for historical reasons; when the legislature was reorganized, the lower house was abolished and the Senate renamed). The smaller chamber usually, but not always, has the exclusive power to confirm appointments made by the governor and to try articles of impeachment. (In a few states, a separate Executive Council, composed of members elected from large districts, performs the confirmation function.) Members of the smaller chamber represent more citizens and usually serve for longer terms than members of the larger chamber, generally four years. In 41 states, the larger chamber is called the "House of Representatives." Five states designate the larger chamber the "Assembly" and three states call it the "House of Delegates." Members of the larger chamber usually serve for terms of two years. The larger chamber customarily has the exclusive power to initiate taxing legislation and articles of impeachment.

Elections

2020-2029 2026 elections 2025 elections 2024 elections 2023 elections 2022 elections 2021 elections 2020 elections

2010-2019 2019 elections 2018 elections 2017 elections 2016 elections 2015 elections 2014 elections 2013 elections 2012 elections 2011 elections 2010 elections

2000-2009 2009 elections 2008 elections 2007 elections 2006 elections 2005 elections 2004 elections 2003 elections 2002 elections 2001 elections 2000 elections

Comparison of state upper houses

Chamber article	Members	Party control	Term Length	Term Limit	Session start date	Salary
Hawaii State Senate	25	Democratic Party	2-4-4 year system	None	January 21, 2026	$60,180/year + per diem
Idaho State Senate	35	Republican Party	2 years	None	January 12, 2026	$16,684/year + per diem
Indiana State Senate	50	Republican Party	4 years	None	December 1, 2025	$33,032.24/year + per diem
Kentucky State Senate	38	Republican Party	4 years	None	January 6, 2026	$203.28/calendar day for legislators elected before December 31, 2024. $221.94/calendar day for legislators elected after January 1, 2025. + per diem
Louisiana State Senate	39	Republican Party	4 years	3 terms (12 years)	March 9, 2026	$16,800/year; plus an additional $6,000/year as an unvouchered expense + per diem
Maine State Senate	35	Democratic Party	2 years	4 terms (8 years)	January 7, 2026	$25,000 for the first regular session. $20,000 for the second regular session. + per diem
Nebraska State Senate (Unicameral)	49	Republican Party	4 years	2 terms (8 years)	January 7, 2026	$12,000/year + per diem
Maryland State Senate	47	Democratic Party	4 years	None	January 14, 2026	$55,526/year + per diem
New Jersey State Senate	40	Democratic Party	2-4-4 year system	None	January 13, 2026	$49,000/year
New Mexico State Senate	42	Democratic Party	4 years	None	January 20, 2026	$0/year + per diem
North Carolina State Senate	50	Republican Party	2 years	None	April 21, 2026	$13,951/year + per diem and expenses
New York State Senate	63	Democratic Party	2 years	None	January 7, 2026	$142,000/year + per diem
North Dakota State Senate	47	Republican Party	4 years	2 terms (8 years)	No regular legislative session	$592/month + per diem
South Dakota State Senate	35	Republican Party	2 years	4 terms (8 years)	January 13, 2026	$16,348/year + per diem
Tennessee State Senate	33	Republican Party	4 years	None	January 13, 2026	$33,060/year + per diem
Texas State Senate	31	Republican Party	2-4-4 year system	None	No regular legislative session	$7,200/year + per diem
Utah State Senate	29	Republican Party	4 years	None	January 20, 2026	$301/legislative day + per diem
Washington State Senate	49	Democratic Party	4 years	None	January 9, 2017	$60,191/year for senators. $61,997/year for representatives. + per diem
Wisconsin State Senate	33	Republican Party	4 years	None	January 13, 2026	$60,924/year + per diem
Wyoming State Senate	31	Republican Party	4 years	None	February 9, 2026	$150/day + per diem
Alabama State Senate	35	Republican Party	4 years	None	January 13, 2026	$62,212/year
Arizona State Senate	30	Republican Party	2 years	4 terms (8 years)	January 12, 2026	$24,000/year + per diem
Arkansas State Senate	35	Republican Party	2-4-4 year system	12 consecutive years; can return after a four-year break	April 8, 2026	$45,244/year + per diem
California State Senate	40	Democratic Party	4 years	12 years	January 5, 2026	$132,703/year + per diem
Colorado State Senate	35	Democratic Party	4 years	2 terms (8 years)	January 14, 2026	$47,561/year for legislators whose terms began in 2025. $43,977/year for legislators whose terms began in 2023. + per diem
Connecticut State Senate	36	Democratic Party	2 years	None	February 4, 2026	$43,600/year
Georgia State Senate	56	Republican Party	2 years	None	January 12, 2026	$17,342/year + per diem
Massachusetts State Senate	40	Democratic Party	2 years	None	January 7, 2026	$82,044.31/year
Michigan State Senate	38	Democratic Party	4 years	12 combined years in the Legislature	January 14, 2026	$71,685/year + expenses
Minnesota State Senate	67	Republican Party	2-4-4 year system	None	February 17, 2026	$51,750/year + per diem
Mississippi State Senate	52	Republican Party	4 years	None	January 6, 2026	$23,500/year + per diem
Missouri State Senate	34	Republican Party	4 years	2 terms (8 years)	January 7, 2026	$41,770/year + per diem
Montana State Senate	50	Republican Party	4 years	2 terms (8 years)	No regular legislative session	$128.86/legislative day + per diem
New Hampshire State Senate	24	Democratic Party	2 years	None	January 7, 2026	$100/year
Ohio State Senate	33	Republican Party	4 years	2 terms (8 years)	January 5, 2026	$72,343/year
Oregon State Senate	30	Democratic Party	4 years	None	February 2, 2026	$43,440/year + per diem
Pennsylvania State Senate	50	Republican Party	4 years	None	January 6, 2026	$110,015.54/year + per diem
Nevada State Senate	21	Democratic Party	4 years	3 terms (12 years)	No regular legislative session	$130/legislative day + per diem
Alaska State Senate	20	Republican Party	4 years	None	January 20, 2026	$84,000/year + per diem
Delaware State Senate	21	Democratic Party	2-4-4 year system	None	January 13, 2026	$45,291/year
Florida State Senate	40	Republican Party	2-4-4 year system	2 terms (8 years)	January 13, 2026	$29,697/year + per diem
Illinois State Senate	59	Democratic Party	2-4-4 year system	None	January 14, 2026	$93,712/year + per diem
Kansas State Senate	40	Republican Party	4 years	None	January 12, 2026	$43,000/year + per diem
Oklahoma State Senate	48	Republican Party	4 years	12 year cumulative total, in either or both chambers	February 2, 2026	$47,500/year + per diem
Rhode Island State Senate	38	Democratic Party	2 years	None	January 6, 2026	$19,817/year
Vermont State Senate	30	Democratic Party	2 years	None	January 6, 2026	$897.29/week during session + per diem
South Carolina State Senate	46	Republican Party	4 years	None	January 13, 2026	$10,400/year + per diem
Virginia State Senate	40	Democratic Party	4 years	None	January 14, 2026	$18,000/year for senators. $17,640/year for delegates. + per diem
Iowa State Senate	50	Republican Party	4 years	None	January 12, 2026	$25,000/year + per diem
West Virginia State Senate	34	Republican Party	4 years	None	January 14, 2026	$23,000/year + per diem

Comparison of state lower houses

Chamber article	Members	Party control	Term Length	Term Limit	Session start date	Salary
Alaska House of Representatives	40	Split	2 years	None	January 20, 2026	$84,000/year + per diem
Arizona House of Representatives	60	Republican Party	2 years	4 terms (8 years)	January 12, 2026	$24,000/year + per diem
Alabama House of Representatives	105	Republican Party	4 years	None	January 13, 2026	$62,212/year
Arkansas House of Representatives	100	Republican Party	2 years	12 consecutive years; can return after a four-year break	April 8, 2026	$45,244/year + per diem
California State Assembly	80	Democratic Party	2 years	12 years	January 5, 2026	$132,703/year + per diem
Colorado House of Representatives	65	Democratic Party	2 years	4 terms (8 years)	January 14, 2026	$47,561/year for legislators whose terms began in 2025. $43,977/year for legislators whose terms began in 2023. + per diem
Connecticut House of Representatives	151	Democratic Party	2 years	None	February 4, 2026	$43,600/year
Delaware House of Representatives	41	Democratic Party	2 years	None	January 13, 2026	$45,291/year
Florida House of Representatives	120	Republican Party	2 years	4 terms (8 years)	January 13, 2026	$29,697/year + per diem
Georgia House of Representatives	180	Republican Party	2 years	None	January 12, 2026	$17,342/year + per diem
Hawaii House of Representatives	51	Democratic Party	2 years	None	January 21, 2026	$60,180/year + per diem
Idaho House of Representatives	70	Republican Party	2 years	None	January 12, 2026	$16,684/year + per diem
Illinois House of Representatives	118	Democratic Party	2 years	None	January 14, 2026	$93,712/year + per diem
Indiana House of Representatives	100	Republican Party	2 years	None	December 1, 2025	$33,032.24/year + per diem
Iowa House of Representatives	100	Republican Party	2 years	None	January 12, 2026	$25,000/year + per diem
Kansas House of Representatives	125	Republican Party	2 years	None	January 12, 2026	$43,000/year + per diem
Kentucky House of Representatives	100	Republican Party	2 years	None	January 6, 2026	$203.28/calendar day for legislators elected before December 31, 2024. $221.94/calendar day for legislators elected after January 1, 2025. + per diem
Louisiana House of Representatives	105	Republican Party	4 years	3 terms (12 years)	March 9, 2026	$16,800/year; plus an additional $6,000/year as an unvouchered expense + per diem
Maryland House of Delegates	141	Democratic Party	4 years	None	January 14, 2026	$55,526/year + per diem
Massachusetts House of Representatives	160	Democratic Party	2 years	None	January 7, 2026	$82,044.31/year
Michigan House of Representatives	110	Democratic Party	2 years	12 combined years in the Legislature	January 14, 2026	$71,685/year + expenses
Minnesota House of Representatives	134	Republican Party	2 years	None	February 17, 2026	$51,750/year + per diem
Mississippi House of Representatives	122	Republican Party	4 years	None	January 6, 2026	$23,500/year + per diem
Montana House of Representatives	100	Republican Party	2 years	4 terms (8 years)	No regular legislative session	$128.86/legislative day + per diem
New Hampshire House of Representatives	400	Democratic Party	2 years	None	January 7, 2026	$100/year
New Jersey General Assembly	80	Democratic Party	2 years	None	January 13, 2026	$49,000/year
New Mexico House of Representatives	70	Democratic Party	2 years	None	January 20, 2026	$0/year + per diem
New York State Assembly	150	Democratic Party	2 years	None	January 7, 2026	$142,000/year + per diem
North Carolina House of Representatives	120	Republican Party	2 years	None	April 21, 2026	$13,951/year + per diem and expenses
North Dakota House of Representatives	94	Republican Party	4 years	2 terms (8 years)	No regular legislative session	$592/month + per diem
Ohio House of Representatives	99	Republican Party	2 years	4 terms (8 years)	January 5, 2026	$72,343/year
Oklahoma House of Representatives	101	Republican Party	2 years	12 year cumulative total, in either or both chambers	February 2, 2026	$47,500/year + per diem
Oregon House of Representatives	60	Democratic Party	2 years	None	February 2, 2026	$43,440/year + per diem
Pennsylvania House of Representatives	203	Democratic	2 years	None	January 6, 2026	$110,015.54/year + per diem
Rhode Island House of Representatives	75	Democratic Party	2 years	None	January 6, 2026	$19,817/year
South Carolina House of Representatives	124	Republican Party	2 years	None	January 13, 2026	$10,400/year + per diem
South Dakota House of Representatives	70	Republican Party	2 years	4 terms (8 years)	January 13, 2026	$16,348/year + per diem
Texas House of Representatives	150	Republican Party	2 years	None	No regular legislative session	$7,200/year + per diem
Utah House of Representatives	75	Republican Party	2 years	None	January 20, 2026	$301/legislative day + per diem
Vermont House of Representatives	150	Democratic Party	2 years	None	January 6, 2026	$897.29/week during session + per diem
Virginia House of Delegates	100	Democratic Party	2 years	None	January 14, 2026	$18,000/year for senators. $17,640/year for delegates. + per diem
West Virginia House of Delegates	100	Republican Party	2 years	None	January 14, 2026	$23,000/year + per diem
Wisconsin State Assembly	99	Republican Party	2 years	None	January 13, 2026	$60,924/year + per diem
Wyoming House of Representatives	62	Republican Party	2 years	None	February 9, 2026	$150/day + per diem
Washington House of Representatives	98	Democratic Party	2 years	None	January 12, 2026	$60,191/year for senators. $61,997/year for representatives. + per diem
Maine House of Representatives	151	Democratic Party	2 years	4 terms (8 years)	January 7, 2026	$25,000 for the first regular session. $20,000 for the second regular session. + per diem
Missouri House of Representatives	163	Republican Party	2 years	4 terms (8 years)	January 7, 2026	$41,770/year + per diem
Nevada State Assembly	42	Democratic Party	2 years	6 terms (12 years)	No regular legislative session	$130/legislative day + per diem
Tennessee House of Representatives	99	Republican Party	2 years	None	January 13, 2026	$33,060/year + per diem

Partisan Control (1992-2013)

1992-2013

Praise or blame is extended to political parties for the economic, educational, health and other quality of life outcomes that result from the policies those parties enact into law. To better understand which political party enjoys power in each of the states, Ballotpedia has analyzed state government control from 1992-2013 using the concept of a "partisan trifecta." A partisan trifecta is defined as when a state's governorship and legislative chambers are controlled by the same political party.

The two major political parties claim that their policies will lead to better outcomes. What does the data show?

At Ballotpedia, we explored these issues in a three-part study, Who Runs the States.

Part 1: Partisanship

See also: Ballotpedia:Who Runs the States, Partisanship Results, Partisan Control of State Legislatures

We identified the party holding each state's legislature for the majority of time in each year from 1992 through 2013. Across the 49 states (excluding Nebraska with partisan legislatures, there were 827 years (76.7%) of legislature under the unified control of one party and 251 years (23.3%) of split legislatures. Among the unified legislatures, the Democrats had 443 years (53.6%) of legislative control, and the Republicans had 384 years (46.4%).

The trifecta analysis over this period shows a notable trend toward one-party control of state governments. At the outset of the study period (1992), 18 states had trifectas while 31 states had divided governments. In 2013, only 13 states had divided governments, while single-party trifectas hold sway in 36 states, the most in the 22 years we studied. The number of states with trifectas doubled between 1992 and 2013.

The trifecta analysis also allowed us to identify seven states that have experienced dramatic changes in partisan state government control from the first 11 years of the study to the last 11 years of the study. Studying the partisan composition of state governments as we do also allows a clean way to assess whether a state is "moving red" or "moving blue."

Visualizations

Legend for State government trifecta visualization -- Figures 10 and 11

Figure 10: Visualization of Trifectas from 1992-2013 -- Alabama-Missouri

Figure 11: Visualization of Trifectas from 1992-2013 -- Montana-Wyoming

Legend for State government visualization with Presidential Voting -- Figures 19 and 20

Figure 19: Visualization of State Partisanship (with Presidential voting) from 1992-2013 -- Alabama-Missouri

Figure 20: Visualization of State Partisanship (with Presidential voting) from 1992-2013 -- Montana-Wyoming

Infographic

Infographic of Partisanship Results
This infographic was created by Attwood Digital

See also

• State senates
• State houses
• Number of state legislators
• State legislatures with term limits

Footnotes

State legislatures

Legislatures

Alabama (H, S) · Alaska (H, S) · Arizona (H, S) · Arkansas (H, S) · California (A, S) · Colorado (H, S) · Connecticut (H, S) · Delaware (H, S) · Florida (H, S) · Georgia (H, S) · Hawaii (H, S) · Idaho (H, S) · Illinois (H, S) · Indiana (H, S) · Iowa (H, S) · Kansas (H, S) · Kentucky (H, S) · Louisiana (H, S) · Maine (H, S) · Maryland (H, S) · Massachusetts (H, S) · Michigan (H, S) · Minnesota (H, S) · Mississippi (H, S) · Missouri (H, S) · Montana (H, S) · Nebraska · Nevada (A, S) · New Hampshire (H, S) · New Jersey (GA, S) · New Mexico (H, S) · New York (A, S) · North Carolina (H, S) · North Dakota (H, S) · Ohio (H, S) · Oklahoma (H, S) · Oregon (H, S) · Pennsylvania (H, S) · Rhode Island (H, S) · South Carolina (H, S) · South Dakota (H, S) · Tennessee (H, S) · Texas (H, S) · Utah (H, S) · Vermont (H, S) · Virginia (H, S) · Washington (H, S) · West Virginia (H, S) · Wisconsin (A, S) · Wyoming (H, S)

2026

State legislative elections (2026) • State legislative special elections (2026) • Primary dates and filing requirements • 2026 Session Dates

2025

State legislative elections (2025) • State legislative special elections (2025) • Primary dates and filing requirements • 2025 Session Dates

Historical elections

2024 • 2023 • 2022 • 2021 • 2020 • 2019 • 2018 • 2017 • 2016 • 2015 • 2014 • 2013 • 2012 • 2011 • 2010 • 2009 • 2008 • 2007 • 2006 • 2005 • 2004 • 2003 • 2002 • 2001 • 2000

Features of state legislatures

How vacancies are filled in state legislatures • States with a full-time legislature • State legislatures with term limits • Comparison of state legislative salaries • When state legislators assume office after a general election • Population represented by state legislators • State constitutional articles governing state legislatures • State legislative sessions • Resign-to-run law • State legislature candidate requirements by state • Official names of state legislatures • State legislative chambers that use multi-member districts • Factors Affecting Competitiveness in State Legislative Elections

State senates

Length of terms of state senators • State senators • Partisan composition of state senates • State senators sorted by year first elected

State houses

Length of terms of state representatives • State representatives • Partisan composition of state houses • State representatives sorted by year first elected

Leadership positions

President of the Senate • President Pro Tempore • Senate Majority Leader • Senate Minority Leader • House Majority Leader • House Minority Leader • State Speaker of the House

Ballotpedia

About

Overview • What people are saying • Support Ballotpedia • Contact • Contribute • Job opportunities

---

Executive: Leslie Graves, Founder and CEO • Gwen Beattie, Chief Operating Officer

Communications: Alison Graves, Director of Communications • Carley Allensworth • Abigail Campbell • Sarah Groat • Nathaniel Harwood • Dillon Redmond
External Relations: Geoff Pallay, Director of External Relations • Ken Carbullido, Vice President of Election Product and Technology Strategy • Ashley Fleming • Thomas Mardik • Hannah Nelson
Operations: Meghann Olshefski, Director of Operations • Amanda Herbert • Mandy Morris • Caroline Presnell • Kelly Rindfleisch
Tech: Matt Latourelle, Director of Technology Operations • Ryan Burch • Kirsten Corrao • Beth Dellea • Travis Eden • Tate Kamish • Margaret Kearney • Eric Lotto • Joseph Sanchez • Mary Susmitha

Contributors: Scott Rasmussen

---

Editorial Content

Josh Altic, Director of Content • Daniel Anderson, Associate Director of Elections & Data • Cory Eucalitto, Associate Director of Features • Ryan Byrne, Managing Editor of Ballot Measures • Mandy McConnell, Managing Editor of News • Doug Kronaizl, Managing Editor of Local Expansion • Abbey Smith, Managing Editor of Elections • Janie Valentine, Managing Editor of Law • Joel Williams, Managing Editor of Events • Joseph Greaney, Managing Editor of Policy • Andrew Bahl • Jaclyn Beran • Marielle Bricker • Joseph Brusgard • Emma Burlingame • Kelly Coyle • Jon Dunn • Victoria Edwards • Thomas Ellis • Nicole Fisher • Thomas Grobben • Brianna Hosea • Molly Kehoe • Tyler King • Glorie Martinez • Norm Leahy, Senior Editor • Nathan Maxwell • Jimmy McAllister • Brandon McCauley • Andrew McNair • Ellie Mikus • Mackenzie Murphy • Kaley Platek • Samantha Post • Adam Powell • Annelise Reinwald • Spencer Richardson • Victoria Rose • Briana Ryan • Myj Saintyl • Maddy Salucka • Emma Soukup • Alexis Thacker • Mina Vogel • Samuel Wonacott • Trenton Woodcox