Map of upper house elections: Democrats retained control Republicans gained control Republicans retained control Non-partisan legislature No regularly-scheduled elections
Map of lower house elections: Democrats retained control Republicans gained control Republicans retained control Coalition retained control Non-partisan legislature No regularly-scheduled elections
Prior to the elections, Democrats held 15 trifectas (control of the governor's office and legislative chambers), Republicans held 21 trifectas, and 14 states have a divided government. Nationwide, Republicans controlled approximately 60 percent of the legislative chambers and 52 percent of the legislative seats.[1] These elections had a major impact on the 2020 redistricting cycle, as many states held their final legislative elections prior to the decennial drawing of new congressional and state legislative districts.
Due to the impact the redistricting cycle will have on partisan control of Congress and state legislatures, the Democrats, who had not been in control of a majority of state legislatures across the U.S. since 2010, had hoped to retake control of key chambers in advance. However, despite fundraising efforts and projections of several Republican-held chambers in competitive states flipping, the Democrats failed to flip any state chambers, which they attributed to gerrymandering in the wake of the 2010 elections, as well as state laws restricting voting, President Donald Trump being on the ballot, and the Democrats' campaigning methods. In fact, Republicans flipped both chambers in the New Hampshire legislature.[2][3][4][5]
Following the election, Republicans controlled redistricting in 20 state governments, totaling 188 House districts, whereas Democrats had control in states with a total of 73 districts.[6] Overall, these elections saw the fewest partisan changes in state legislatures since 1944.[7]
Summary table
Regularly scheduled elections were held in 86 of the 99 state legislative chambers in the United States. Nationwide, regularly scheduled elections were held for 5,876 of the 7,383 legislative seats. Many legislative chambers held elections for all seats, but some legislative chambers that use staggered elections held elections for only a portion of the total seats in the chamber.[8] The chambers not up for election either hold regularly scheduled elections in odd-numbered years, or have four-year terms and hold all regularly scheduled elections in presidential midterm election years.
Note that this table only covers regularly scheduled elections; additional special elections took place concurrently with these regularly scheduled elections.
Louis Jacobson of The Cook Political Report predicted that Republican-held chambers that could potentially flip to Democratic control included both chambers in Arizona, the Florida Senate, both chambers in Georgia, the Iowa House, the Michigan House, the Minnesota Senate, both chambers in North Carolina, both chambers in Pennsylvania, and the Texas House. He predicted that Republicans could potentially gain control of the Maine Senate, the Minnesota House, and both chambers in New Hampshire, all of which were controlled by the Democratic Party. Additionally, Jacobson predicted that Republicans could win control of the Alaska House, which was currently controlled by a coalition of Democrats and Republicans.[9]
Writing for Sabato's Crystal Ball, Chaz Nuttycombe highlighted the Alaska House and the New Hampshire Senate as the top pick-up opportunities for Republicans, and lists the Arizona House, the Arizona Senate, the Iowa House, the Michigan House, the Minnesota Senate, the North Carolina House, the North Carolina Senate, the Pennsylvania House, and the Texas House as the top pick-up opportunities for Democrats.[10]
Most election predictors use:
"Tossup": No advantage
"Tilt": Advantage that is not quite as strong as "lean"
"Lean": Slight advantage
"Likely": Significant, but surmountable, advantage
States holding regularly-scheduled legislative and gubernatorial elections in 2020:
Governor and all legislative chambers
All legislative chambers
A portion of legislative chambers
None
Partisan control of state and territorial governments following the 2020 elections:
Democratic trifecta maintained
Republican trifecta maintained
Republican trifecta established
Divided government established
Divided government maintained
Officially non-partisan legislature
Upper house seats by party holding majority in each state
Republican
50–60%
60–70%
70–80%
80–90%
90–100%
Democratic
50–60%
60–70%
70–80%
80–90%
90–100%
Lower house seats by party holding majority in each state
Republican
50–60%
60–70%
70–80%
80–90%
Democratic
50–60%
60–70%
70–80%
80–90%
90–100%
Net changes to upper house seats after the 2020 elections +1 Dem seat +2 Dem seats +4 Dem seats +1 Rep seat +2 Rep seats +3–4 Rep seats
Net changes to lower house seats after the 2020 elections +1 Dem seat +2 Dem seats +1 Rep seat +2 Rep seats +3–5 Rep seats +6–47 Rep seats +1 Lib seats +2 Ind seats
Half of the seats of the Alaska Senate and all of the seats of the Alaska House of Representatives were up for election in 2020. The Alaska Senate is controlled by Republicans, while the Alaska House of Representatives is controlled by a coalition of Democrats, Republicans, and independents.[12] The Alaska House of Representatives is currently the only state legislative chamber controlled by a cross-partisan coalition.
Half of the seats of the Arkansas Senate and all of the seats of the Arkansas House of Representatives were up for election in 2020. Republicans held control of both chambers, maintaining a government trifecta.
Half of the seats of the California State Senate and all of the seats of the California State Assembly were up for election in 2020. Democrats held control of both chambers, maintaining a government trifecta.
Half of the seats of the Colorado Senate and all of the seats of the Colorado House of Representatives were up for election in 2020. Democrats held control of both chambers, maintaining a government trifecta.
Half of the seats of the Delaware Senate and all of the seats of the Delaware House of Representatives were up for election in 2020. Democrats held control of both chambers, maintaining a government trifecta.
Half of the seats of the Florida Senate and all of the seats of the Florida House of Representatives were up for election in 2020. Republicans held control of both chambers, maintaining a government trifecta.
Half of the seats of the Hawaii Senate and all of the seats of the Hawaii House of Representatives were up for election in 2020. Democrats held control of both chambers, maintaining a government trifecta.
All of the seats of the Idaho Senate and the Idaho House of Representatives were up for election in 2020. Republicans held control of both chambers, maintaining a government trifecta.
One third of the seats of the Illinois Senate and all of the seats of the Illinois House of Representatives were up for election in 2020. Democrats held control of both chambers, maintaining a government trifecta.
Half of the seats of the Indiana Senate and all of the seats of the Indiana House of Representatives were up for election in 2020. Republicans held control of both chambers, maintaining a government trifecta.
Half of the seats of the Iowa Senate and all of the seats of the Iowa House of Representatives were up for election in 2020. Republicans held control of both chambers, maintaining a government trifecta.
Half of the seats of the Kentucky Senate and all of the seats of the Kentucky House of Representatives were up for election in 2020. Republicans held control of both chambers. Because the Kentucky legislature can override gubernatorial vetoes with a simple majority vote, Republicans have a veto-proof majority in the state legislature.[13]
All of the seats of the Maine Senate and the Maine House of Representatives were up for election in 2020. Democrats held control of both chambers, maintaining a government trifecta.
All of the seats of the Michigan House of Representatives were up for election in 2020. The Michigan Senate did not hold regularly scheduled elections in 2020. Republicans maintained control of the chamber.
All of the seats of the Minnesota Senate and the Minnesota House of Representatives were up for election in 2020. Republicans maintained control of the senate, while Democrats maintained control of the house of representatives.
Half of the seats of the Missouri Senate and all of the seats of the Missouri House of Representatives were up for election in 2020. Republicans held control of both chambers, maintaining a government trifecta.
Nebraska is the only U.S. state with a unicameral legislature; half of the seats of the Nebraska Legislature were up for election in 2020. Nebraska is also unique in that its legislature is officially non-partisan and holds non-partisan elections, although the Democratic and Republican parties each endorse legislative candidates.
Half of the seats of the Nevada Senate and all of the seats of the Nevada Assembly were up for election in 2020. Democrats held control of both chambers, maintaining a government trifecta.
All of the seats of the New York State Senate and the New York State Assembly were up for election in 2020. Democrats held control of both chambers, maintaining a government trifecta.
Half of the seats of the Ohio Senate and all of the seats of the Ohio House of Representatives were up for election in 2020. Republicans retained control of both chambers, maintaining a government trifecta.
Half of the seats of the Oklahoma Senate and all of the seats of the Oklahoma House of Representatives were up for election in 2020. Republicans retained control of both chambers, maintaining a government trifecta.
Half of the seats of the Oregon State Senate and all of the seats of the Oregon House of Representatives were up for election in 2020. Democrats retained control of both chambers, maintaining a government trifecta.
Half of the seats of the Tennessee Senate and all of the seats of the Tennessee House of Representatives were up for election in 2020. Republicans retained control of both chambers, maintaining a government trifecta.
Half of the seats of the Texas Senate and all of the seats of the Texas House of Representatives were up for election in 2020. Republicans retained control of both chambers, maintaining a government trifecta.
Half of the seats of the Utah State Senate and all of the seats of the Utah House of Representatives were up for election in 2020. Republicans retained control of both chambers, maintaining a government trifecta.
Half of the seats of the West Virginia Senate and all of the seats of the West Virginia House of Delegates were up for election in 2020. Republicans retained control of both chambers, maintaining a government trifecta.
Half of the seats of the Wisconsin Senate and all of the seats of the Wisconsin State Assembly were up for election in 2020. Republicans retained control of both chambers.
Half of the seats of the Wyoming Senate and all of the seats of the Wyoming House of Representatives were up for election in 2020. Republicans retained control of both chambers, maintaining a government trifecta.
All of the seats of the American Samoa Senate and the American Samoa House of Representatives were up for election. Members of the senate serve four-year terms, while members of the house of representative serve two-year terms. Gubernatorial and legislative elections are conducted on a nonpartisan basis in American Samoa.
All of the seats of the unicameral Legislature of Guam were up for election. All members of the legislature serve a two-year term. Democrats retained control of the legislature.
A portion of the seats of the Northern Mariana Islands Senate, and all of the seats of the Northern Mariana Islands House of Representatives, were up for election. Members of the senate serve either four-year terms, while members of the house serve two-year terms. Republicans maintained control of the upper house, but the House was evenly split with one independent caucusing with the nine Republicans and two independents caucusing with the eight Democrats. Control of the chamber was secured for the Democratic-led caucus when one Republican crossed party lines to elect Democrat-aligned Independent Edmund Villagomez as Speaker of the House.[14]
All of the seats of the unicameral Legislature of the Virgin Islands were up for election in 2020. All members of the legislature serve a two-year term. Democrats retained control of the legislature.
Incumbent resigned November 1, 2019, after being appointed Western Regional Director of the U.S. Department of Labor.[28] New member elected November 3, 2020. Republican hold.
Incumbent resigned November 3, 2020, to consider a run for Hillsborough County Clerk of Court.[36] New member elected November 3, 2020. Republican hold.
Incumbent died December 22, 2019, of bile duct cancer.[40] New member elected March 3, 2020, after no one received over 50% of the vote on February 4, 2020. Republican hold.
Incumbent resigned January 3, 2021, to become a U.S. representative.[46] New member elected December 1, 2020 after no one received over 50% of the vote on November 3, 2020. Democratic hold.[f]
Incumbent resigned December 16, 2019, to become the Kentucky Commissioner of Local Government.[56] New member elected February 25, 2020. Democratic hold.
Incumbent resigned June 30, 2020, for personal reasons.[86] New member elected October 13, 2020, after no one received over 50% of the vote on September 22, 2020. Republican hold.
Incumbent resigned July 2, 2020, to become executive director of the Mississippi American Civil Liberties Union.[87] New member elected October 13, 2020, after no one received over 50% of the vote on September 22, 2020. Democratic hold.
Incumbent resigned June 30, 2020, for health reasons.[88] New member elected October 13, 2020, after no one received over 50% of the vote on September 22, 2020. Republican hold.
Incumbent resigned July 16, 2020, after she was appointed executive director of the Mississippi Public Utilities Staff by GovernorTate Reeves.[89] New member elected October 13, 2020, after no one received over 50% of the vote on September 22, 2020. Republican hold.
Incumbent resigned March 31, 2020.[90] New member elected November 24, 2020, after no one received over 50% of the vote on November 3, 2020. Republican hold.
Incumbent resigned January 31, 2020, to take a private sector job with Motorola Solutions.[97] New member elected outright after the November 3, 2020, general election was cancelled. Republican hold.
Incumbent resigned September 18, 2019, after being charged with possession of child pornography.[101] New member elected January 14, 2020. Republican hold.
Incumbent resigned December 13, 2019, after being charged with theft, perjury, and tampering with public records.[103] New member elected February 25, 2020. Democratic hold.
Incumbent resigned September 30, 2019, to join the University of Texas System.[117] New member elected January 28, 2020 after no one received over 50% of the vote on November 5, 2019. Republican hold.
Incumbent resigned June 17, 2019, after being elected Mayor of Dallas.[119] New member elected January 28, 2020 after no one received over 50% of the vote on November 5, 2019. Democratic hold.
Incumbent resigned September 30, 2019.[121] New member elected January 28, 2020 after no one received over 50% of the vote on November 5, 2019. Democratic hold.
Incumbent resigned April 30, 2020, to become the dean of the University of Houston's Hobby School of Public Affairs.[123] New member elected July 14, 2020 after Rodriguez withdrew from the runoff.[124] Democratic hold.
Incumbent resigned January 3, 2021 to become a U.S. representative.[126] New member elected December 19, 2020 after no one received over 50% of the vote on September 29, 2020. Republican hold.
Incumbent resigned June 28, 2020, after he was appointed to the Virginia General District Court.[128] New member elected November 3, 2020. Republican hold.
^ abThe Alaska House of Representatives is controlled by a coalition of Democrats, Republicans, and independents. The minority caucus consists of Republicans who are not part of the majority coalition.
^ abcdefghThe upper houses of Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Minnesota, New Jersey, and Texas use a 2-4-4 term length system.
^ abcThese figures represent the seats of Nebraska's unicameral legislature.
^Coalition consisted of 15 Democrats, 5 Republicans, and 2 Independents.
^Coalition consisted of 15 Democrats, 2 Republicans, and 4 Independents.
^Since Williams had already been made the party's nominee at the June 9, 2020 primary, this election was held as a Democratic Primary.
^McCoy was appointed to the seat in 2013, but was later elected to a full term in 2014.