Election Results and Analysis
Each year through its StateVote project, NCSL provides comprehensive data and analysis on state elections, including legislative and gubernatorial races as well as ballot measure elections. Visit the new StateVote 2004 page in the near future to see what's in store for the upcoming elections.
Party Control
The importance of party control in legislatures cannot be overstated. If one party controls both chambers of a legislature, they can use their majorities to shape policy in line with party philosophy.
Neither major political party can claim complete dominance in state legislatures in early 2004 although nationwide there are 62 more Republican legislators than Democrats-less than a one percent margin of the 7382 legislative seats. The GOP also boasts an advantage in control of legislatures. Republicans hold the majority of both houses of the legislature in 21 states; Democrats control 17 states, and 11 states are divided. Candidates for the Unicameral Nebraska Legislature are chosen in a non-partisan election.
Historically, the two major parties have battled tooth and nail to win legislative majorities. From 1952 to 2002, Democrats held the overall edge. The 2002 election culminated the gradual shift to a Republican majority of all legislative seats-the first time that had happened in 50 years.
Fewer than two dozen of the 7382 state legislators are independents or members of third parties.
For more information on Elections - contact Tim Storey or Jennie Drage Bowser mailto:elections-info@ncsl.org?subject=[Party Comp].
