Some of the most consequential and controversial issues — abortion, voting access, education, health care and criminal justice — are largely decided by state lawmakers who are, more likely than not, on your ballot this year.
State legislators wield significant power, which has been amplified with Congress gridlocked and policymaking punted to the 50 "laboratories of democracy" to pass laws dealing with abortion, guns, schools, voting, LGBTQ+ rights and more.
But, increasingly, voters' attention is devoted to narratives spun in national politics, even as legislatures play an outsize role in modern policymaking.
Political parties and interest groups are spending millions of dollars to sway legislative elections this year. In at least six states, the margins are so close that partisan control of the legislature could flip.
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Republicans have more legislative power than Democrats heading into this year's elections, controlling 55% of the United States' 7,386 legislative seats, according to an NPR analysis. Overall, the Republican Party is on top in 57 of the country’s 99 legislative chambers.
Republicans have veto-proof majorities in 20 states, allowing them to override governors' vetoes. Democrats have veto-proof majorities in nine states.
The ability to override a governor's veto is especially potent in Kansas, Kentucky and North Carolina — states where Republicans have supermajority control of the legislature and a Democratic governor. Democrats in Kansas and North Carolina hope to win enough seats to break Republican supermajorities this year.
Click here to read about some of the legislatures where partisan control hangs in the balance this year:
- Arizona
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- New Hampshire
- Pennsylvania
- Wisconsin
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