2000 United States state legislative elections

2000 United States state legislative elections

November 7, 2000

86 legislative chambers in 44 states
  Majority party Minority party Third party
 
Party Republican Democratic Coalition
Chambers before 48[a][b] 49 0
Chambers after 50 46[a][c] 1 [d]
Overall change 2 3 1

Map of upper house elections:
     Democrats gained control      Democrats retained control
     Republicans gained control      Republicans retained control
     Coalition gained control
     Split body formed
     Non-partisan legislature
     No regularly-scheduled elections

Map of lower house elections:
     Democrats retained control
     Republicans gained control      Republicans retained control
     Split body maintained
     Non-partisan legislature
     No regularly-scheduled elections

Elections to state legislatures were held on November 7, 2000, simultaneously with the 2000 United States presidential election. Elections were held for 86 legislative chambers in 44 states, simultaneous to those states' gubernatorial elections.[1] Election occurred in both chambers of each state's legislature, except for Alabama, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, New Jersey, and Virginia. Michigan held elections for the lower house. Six territorial chambers in four territories and the District of Columbia were up as well. These elections determined the redistricting process after the 2000 census.

Democrats won control of the Colorado Senate for the first time since 1963. Republicans won control of the Missouri Senate for the first time since 1949, the New Hampshire Senate (which was previously tied), the South Carolina Senate for the first time since 1879 (which also meant they controlled both chambers of the state legislature for the first time since 1877), and the Vermont House of Representatives. Additionally, a coalition government replaced the Republican-controlled Arizona Senate,[2] and the Democratic-controlled Maine Senate became tied.[3]

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 6,015 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.[4] 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.

State Upper House[4] Lower House[4]
Seats up Total % up Term Seats up Total % up Term
Alaska 19 20 95 4 40 40 100 2
Arizona 30 30 100 2 60 60 100 2
Arkansas 35 35 100 2/4[e] 100 100 100 2
California 20 40 50 4 80 80 100 2
Colorado 18 35 51 4 65 65 100 2
Connecticut 36 36 100 2 151 151 100 2
Delaware 21 21 100 2/4[e] 41 41 100 2
Florida 40 40 100 2/4[e] 120 120 100 2
Georgia 56 56 100 2 180 180 100 2
Hawaii 25 25 100 2/4[e] 51 51 100 2
Idaho 35 35 100 2 70 70 100 2
Illinois 59 59 100 2/4[e] 118 118 100 2
Indiana 25 50 50 4 100 100 100 2
Iowa 25 50 50 4 100 100 100 2
Kansas 40 40 100 4 125 125 100 2
Kentucky 19 38 50 4 100 100 100 2
Louisiana 0 39 0 4 0 105 0 4
Maine 35 35 100 2 151 151 100 2
Maryland 0 47 0 4 0 141 0 4
Massachusetts 40 40 100 2 160 160 100 2
Michigan 0 38 0 4 110 110 100 2
Minnesota 67 67 100 2/4[e] 134 134 100 2
Mississippi 0 52 0 4 0 122 0 4
Missouri 17 34 50 4 163 163 100 2
Montana 25 50 50 4 100 100 100 2
Nebraska 25[f] 49[f] 51[f] 4 N/A (unicameral)
Nevada 10 21 48 4 42 42 100 2
New Hampshire 24 24 100 2 400 400 100 2
New Jersey 0 40 0 2/4[e] 0 80 0 2
New Mexico 42 42 100 4 70 70 100 2
New York 62 62 100 2 150 150 100 2
North Carolina 50 50 100 2 120 120 100 2
North Dakota 23 47 49 4 47 94 50 4
Ohio 16 33 48 4 99 99 100 2
Oklahoma 24 48 50 4 101 101 100 2
Oregon 15 30 50 4 60 60 100 2
Pennsylvania 25 50 50 4 203 203 100 2
Rhode Island 38 38 100 2 75 75 100 2
South Carolina 46 46 100 4 124 124 100 2
South Dakota 35 35 100 2 70 70 100 2
Tennessee 16 33 48 4 99 99 100 2
Texas 16 31 52 2/4[e] 150 150 100 2
Utah 15 29 52 4 75 75 100 2
Vermont 30 30 100 2 150 150 100 2
Virginia 0 40 0 4 0 100 0 2
Washington 25 49 51 4 98 98 100 2
West Virginia 17 34 50 4 100 100 100 2
Wisconsin 16 33 48 4 99 99 100 2
Wyoming 15 30 50 4 60 60 100 2
Total 1280 1971 65 N/A 4595 5411 85 N/A

State summaries

Alaska

All of the seats of the Alaska House of Representatives and half of the Alaska Senate were up for election. Republicans maintained control of both chambers.

Alaska Senate
Party Before After Change
Republican 15 14 1
Democratic 5 6 1
Total 20 20
Alaska House of Representatives
Party Before After Change
Republican 26 27 1
Democratic 14 13 1
Total 40 40

Arizona

All of the seats of the Arizona Legislature were up for election. Republicans maintained control of the House of Representatives and the Senate was replaced by a Republican-led coalition.

Arizona Senate
Party Before After Change
Republican 16 12 1
3
Democratic 14 15 1
Total 30 30
Arizona House of Representatives
Party Before After Change
Republican 40 36 4
Democratic 20 24 4
Total 60 60

Arkansas

All of the seats of the Arkansas House of Representatives and half of the Arkansas Senate were up for election. Democrats maintained control of both state legislative chambers.

Arkansas Senate
Party Before After Change
Democratic 30 27 3
Republican 5 8 3
Total 35 35
Arkansas House of Representatives
Party Before After Change
Democratic 76 72 4
Republican 24 28 4
Total 100 100

California

All of the seats of the California House of Representatives and half of the California Senate were up for election. Democrats maintained control of both state legislative chambers.

California State Senate
Party Before After Change
Democratic 25 26 1
Republican 15 14 1
Total 40 40
California State Assembly
Party Before After Change
Democratic 47 50 3
Republican 32 30 2
Total 80 80

Colorado

All of the seats of the Colorado House of Representatives and half of the Colorado Senate were up for election. Republicans held control of the House of Representatives, while Democrats won control of the Senate.

Colorado Senate
Party Before After Change
Republican 21 17 4
Democratic 14 18 4
Total 35 35
Colorado House of Representatives
Party Before After Change
Republican 39 38 1
Democratic 26 27 1
Total 65 65

Connecticut

All of the seats of the Connecticut Legislature were up for election. Democrats maintained control of both state legislative chambers.

Connecticut State Senate
Party Before After Change
Democratic 19 21 2
Republican 17 15 2
Total 36 36
Connecticut House of Representatives
Party Before After Change
Democratic 96 100 4
Republican 55 51 4
Total 151 151

Delaware

All of the seats of the Delaware House of Representatives and half of the Delaware Senate were up for election. Democrats maintained control of the Senate while Republicans maintained control of the House.

Delaware Senate
Party Before After Change
Democratic 13 13
Republican 8 8
Total 21 21
Delaware House of Representatives
Party Before After Change
Republican 26 26
Democratic 15 15
Total 41 41

Florida

All of the seats of the Florida House of Representatives and half of the Florida Senate were up for election. Republicans maintained control of both state legislative chambers.

Florida Senate
Party Before After Change
Republican 25 25
Democratic 15 15
Total 40 40
Florida House of Representatives
Party Before After Change
Republican 75 77 2
Democratic 45 43 2
Total 120 120

Georgia

All of the seats of the Georgia Legislature were up for election. Democrats maintained control of both chambers.

Georgia State Senate
Party Before After Change
Democratic 34 32 2
Republican 22 24 2
Total 56 56
Georgia House of Representatives
Party Before After Change
Democratic 102 105 3
Republican 78 74 4
Independent 0 1 1
Total 180 180

Hawaii

All of the seats of the Hawaii House of Representatives and half of the Hawaii Senate were up for election. Democrats maintained control of both state legislative chambers.

Hawaii Senate
Party Before After Change
Democratic 23 22 1
Republican 2 3 1
Total 25 25
Hawaii House of Representatives
Party Before After Change
Democratic 39 32 7
Republican 12 19 7
Total 51 51

Idaho

All of the seats of the Idaho Legislature were up for election. Republicans maintained control of both state legislative chambers.

Idaho Senate
Party Before After Change
Republican 31 32 1
Democratic 4 3 1
Total 35 35
Idaho House of Representatives
Party Before After Change
Republican 58 61 3
Democratic 12 9 3
Total 70 70

Illinois

All of the seats of the Illinois House of Representatives and 2/3rds of the Illinois Senate were up for election. Democrats maintained control of the House of Representatives and Republicans maintained control of the Senate.

Illinois Senate
Party Before After Change
Republican 32 32
Democratic 27 27
Total 59 59
Illinois House of Representatives
Party Before After Change
Democratic 62 62
Republican 56 56
Total 118 118

Indiana

All of the seats of the Indiana House of Representatives and half of the Indiana Senate were up for election. Republicans maintained control of the Senate and Democrats maintained control of the House of Representatives.

Indiana Senate
Party Before After Change
Republican 31 32 1
Democratic 19 18 1
Total 50 50
Indiana House of Representatives
Party Before After Change
Democratic 53 53
Republican 47 47
Total 100 100

Iowa

All of the seats of the Iowa House of Representatives and half of the Iowa Senate were up for election. Republicans maintained control of both chambers.

Iowa Senate
Party Before After Change
Republican 30 30
Democratic 20 20
Total 50 50
Iowa House of Representatives
Party Before After Change
Republican 56 56
Democratic 44 44
Total 100 100

Kansas

All of the seats of the Kansas Senate and Kansas House of Representatives were up for election. Republicans maintained control of both chambers.

Kansas Senate
Party Before After Change
Republican 27 30 3
Democratic 13 10 3
Total 40 40
Kansas House of Representatives
Party Before After Change
Republican 77 79 2
Democratic 48 46 2
Total 125 125

Kentucky

All of the seats of the Kentucky House of Representatives and half of the Kentucky Senate were up for election. Republicans maintained control of the Senate and Democrats maintained control of the House of Representatives.

Kentucky Senate
Party Before After Change
Republican 20 20
Democratic 18 18
Total 38 38
Kentucky House of Representatives
Party Before After Change
Democratic 66 64 2
Republican 34 36 2
Total 100 100

Maine

All of the seats of the Maine Legislature were up for election. Democrats maintained control of the House of Representatives, while the Senate became tied.

Maine Senate
Party Before After Change
Democratic 20 17 3
Republican 14 17 3
Independent 1 1
Total 35 35
Maine House of Representatives
Party Before After Change
Democratic 79 88 9
Republican 71 62 9
Independent 1 1
Total 151 151

Massachusetts

All of the seats of the Massachusetts Legislature were up for election. Democrats maintained control of both state legislative chambers.

Massachusetts Senate
Party Before After Change
Democratic 33 34 1
Republican 7 6 1
Total 40 40
Massachusetts House of Representatives
Party Before After Change
Democratic 131 137 6
Republican 28 23 5
Independent 1 0 1
Total 160 160

Michigan

All of the seats of the Michigan House of Representatives were up for election. Republicans maintained control of the House.

Michigan House of Representatives
Party Before After Change
Republican 58 59 1
Democratic 52 51 1
Total 110 110

Minnesota

All of the seats of the Minnesota House of Representatives and Minnesota Senate were up. Republicans maintained control of the House and Democrats maintained control of the Senate.

Minnesota House of Representatives
Party Before After Change
Democratic (DFL) 41 39 2
Republican 25 27 2
Independent 1 1
Total 67 67
Minnesota House of Representatives
Party Before After Change
Republican 70 69 1
Democratic (DFL) 63 65 2
Independence 1 0 1
Total 134 134

Missouri

All of the seats of the Missouri House of Representatives and half of the Missouri Senate were up for election. Republicans won control of the Senate, and Democrats maintained control of the House of Representatives.

Missouri Senate
Party Before After Change
Republican 16 18 2
Democratic 18 16 2
Total 34 34
Missouri House of Representatives
Party Before After Change
Democratic 85 87 2
Republican 78 76 2
Total 163 163

Montana

All of the seats of the Montana House of Representatives and half of the Montana Senate were up for election. Republicans held control of both chambers.

Montana Senate
Party Before After Change
Republican 32 31 1
Democratic 18 19 1
Total 50 50
Montana House of Representatives
Party Before After Change
Republican 59 58 1
Democratic 41 42 1
Total 100 100

Nebraska

Nebraska is the only U.S. state with a unicameral legislature; half of the seats of the Nebraska Legislature were up for election. 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. Republicans maintained control.

Nebraska Legislature
Party Before After Change
Republican 29 31 2
Democratic 18 16 2
Independent 2 2
Total 49 49

Nevada

All of the seats of the Nevada House of Representatives and half of the Nevada Senate were up for election. Democrats maintained control of the House, while Republicans maintained control of the Senate.

Nevada Senate
Party Before After Change
Republican 12 12
Democratic 9 9
Total 21 21
Nevada Assembly
Party Before After Change
Democratic 28 27 1
Republican 14 15 1
Total 42 42

New Hampshire

All of the seats of the New Hampshire House of Representatives and the New Hampshire Senate were up for election. Republicans maintained control of the House of Representatives, and flipped control of the Senate from a tie.

New Hampshire Senate
Party Before After Change
Republican 12 13 1
Democratic 12 11 1
Total 24 24
New Hampshire House of Representatives
Party Before After Change
Republican 245 256 11
Democratic 155 144 11
Total 400 400

New Mexico

All of the seats of the New Mexico Legislature were up for election; Democrats maintained control of both chambers.

New Mexico Senate
Party Before After Change
Democratic 25 24 1
Republican 17 18 1
Total 42 42
New Mexico House of Representatives
Party Before After Change
Democratic 40 42 2
Republican 30 28 2
Total 70 70

New York

All of the seats of the New York Legislature were up for election. Republicans maintained control of the Senate, while Democrats maintained control of the Assembly.

New York State Senate
Party Before After Change
Republican 35 36 1
Democratic 26 25 1
Total 61 61
New York State Assembly
Party Before After Change
Democratic 98 98
Republican 52 52
Total 150 150

North Carolina

All of the seats of the North Carolina House of Representatives and half of the North Carolina Senate were up for election. Democrats maintained control of both chambers.

North Carolina Senate
Party Before After Change
Democratic 35 35
Republican 15 15
Total 50 50
North Carolina House of Representatives
Party Before After Change
Democratic 66 62 4
Republican 54 58 4
Total 120 120

North Dakota

All of the seats of the North Dakota House of Representatives and half of the North Dakota Senate were up for election. Republicans maintained control of both state legislative chambers.

North Dakota Senate
Party Before After Change
Republican 31 32 1
Democratic-NPL 18 17 1
Total 49 49
North Dakota House of Representatives
Party Before After Change
Republican 64 69 5
Democratic-NPL 34 29 5
Total 98 98

Ohio

All of the seats of the Ohio House of Representatives and half of the Ohio Senate were up for election. Republicans maintained control of both chambers.

Ohio Senate
Party Before After Change
Republican 21 21
Democratic 12 12
Total 33 33
Ohio House of Representatives
Party Before After Change
Republican 59 60 1
Democratic 40 39 1
Total 99 99

Oklahoma

All of the seats of the Oklahoma House of Representatives and half of the Oklahoma Senate were up for election. Democrats maintained control of both chambers.

Oklahoma Senate
Party Before After Change
Democratic 33 30 3
Republican 15 18 3
Total 48 48
Oklahoma House of Representatives
Party Before After Change
Democratic 61 53 8
Republican 40 48 8
Total 101 101

Oregon

All of the seats of the Oregon House of Representatives and half of the Oregon Senate were up for election. Republicans maintained control of both chambers.

Oregon State Senate
Party Before After Change
Republican 17 16 1
Democratic 13 14 1
Total 30 30
Oregon House of Representatives
Party Before After Change
Republican 34 32 2
Democratic 25 27 2
Independent 1 1
Total 60 60

Pennsylvania

All of the seats of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives and half of the Pennsylvania Senate were up for election. Republicans maintained control of both chambers.

Pennsylvania State Senate
Party Before After Change
Republican 30 30
Democratic 20 20
Total 50 50
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Party Before After Change
Republican 103 104 1
Democratic 100 99 1
Total 203 203

Rhode Island

All of the seats of the Rhode Island Legislature were up for election. Democrats maintained control of both state legislative chambers.

Rhode Island Senate
Party Before After Change
Democratic 42 44 2
Republican 8 6 2
Total 50 50
Rhode Island House of Representatives
Party Before After Change
Democratic 86 85 1
Republican 13 15 2
Independent 1 0 1
Total 100 100

South Carolina

All of the seats of the South Carolina Legislature were up for election. Republicans maintained control of the House of Representatives, and won control of the Senate.

South Carolina Senate
Party Before After Change
Republican 21 25 4
Democratic 25 21 4
Total 46 46
South Carolina House of Representatives
Party Before After Change
Republican 67 71 4
Democratic 57 53 4
Total 124 124

South Dakota

All of the seats of the South Dakota Legislature were up for election. Republicans maintained control of both state legislative chambers.

South Dakota Senate
Party Before After Change
Republican 22 24 2
Democratic 13 11 2
Total 35 35
South Dakota House of Representatives
Party Before After Change
Republican 52 50 2
Democratic 18 20 2
Total 70 70

Tennessee

All of the seats of the Tennessee House of Representatives and half of the Tennessee Senate were up for election. Democrats maintained control of both chambers.

Tennessee Senate
Party Before After Change
Democratic 18 18
Republican 15 15
Total 33 33
Tennessee House of Representatives
Party Before After Change
Democratic 59 58 1
Republican 40 41 1
Total 99 99

Texas

All of the seats of the Texas House of Representatives and half of the Texas Senate were up for election. Republicans maintained control of the Senate, while Democrats maintained control of the House of Representatives.

Texas Senate
Party Before After Change
Republican 16 16
Democratic 15 15
Total 31 31
Texas House of Representatives
Party Before After Change
Democratic 78 78
Republican 72 72
Total 150 150

Utah

All of the seats of the Utah House of Representatives and half of the Utah Senate were up for election. Republicans maintained control of both state legislative chambers.

Utah State Senate
Party Before After Change
Republican 18 20 2
Democratic 11 9 2
Total 29 29
Utah House of Representatives
Party Before After Change
Republican 54 51 3
Democratic 21 24 3
Total 75 75

Vermont

All of the seats of the Vermont Legislature were up for election. Democrats maintained control of the Senate and Republicans won control of the House.

Vermont Senate
Party Before After Change
Democratic 17 16 1
Republican 13 14 1
Total 30 30
Vermont House of Representatives
Party Before After Change
Republican 66 83 17
Democratic 77 62 15
Progressive 4 4
Independent 3 1 2
Total 150 150

Washington

All of the seats of the Washington House of Representatives and half of the Washington Senate were up for election. Democrats maintained control of the Senate, while a split body was maintained in the House.

Washington State Senate
Party Before After Change
Democratic 26 25 1
Republican 23 24 1
Total 49 49
Washington House of Representatives
Party Before After Change
Democratic 49 49
Republican 49 49
Total 98 98

West Virginia

All of the seats of the West Virginia House of Delegates and half of the West Virginia Senate were up for election. Democrats maintained control of both state legislative chambers.

West Virginia Senate
Party Before After Change
Democratic 29 28 1
Republican 5 6 1
Total 34 34
West Virginia House of Delegates
Party Before After Change
Democratic 75 75
Republican 25 25
Total 100 100

Wisconsin

All of the seats of the Wisconsin Assembly and half of the Wisconsin Senate were up for election. Republicans maintained control of the General Assembly and Democrats maintained control of the Senate.

Wisconsin Senate
Party Before After Change
Democratic 17 18 1
Republican 16 15 1
Total 33 33
Wisconsin State Assembly
Party Before After Change
Republican 55 56 1
Democratic 44 43 1
Total 99 99

Wyoming

All of the seats of the Wyoming House of Representatives and half of the Wyoming Senate were up for election. Republicans maintained control of both state legislative chambers.

Wyoming Senate
Party Before After Change
Republican 21 20 1
Democratic 9 10 1
Total 30 30
Wyoming House of Representatives
Party Before After Change
Republican 43 46 3
Democratic 17 14 3
Total 60 60

Territorial and federal district summaries

American Samoa

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 Representatives serve two-year terms. Gubernatorial and legislative elections are conducted on a nonpartisan basis in American Samoa.

Guam

All of the seats of the unicameral Legislature of Guam were up for election. All members of the legislature serve a two-year term. Republicans maintained control of the legislature.

Guam Legislature
Party Before After Change
Republican 10 8 2
Democratic 5 7 2
Total 15 15

Puerto Rico

All of the seats of the Senate of Puerto Rico and the House of Representatives of Puerto Rico are up for election. Members of the Senate and the House of Representatives both serve four-year terms. The Popular Democratic Party won control of both chambers.

Puerto Rico Senate
Party Before After Change
Popular Democratic 8 19 11
New Progressive 19 8 11
Puerto Rican Independence 1 1
Total 28 28
Puerto Rico House of Representatives
Party Before After Change
Popular Democratic 16 29 13
New Progressive 37 21 16
Puerto Rican Independence 1 1
Total 54 51

Washington, D.C.

The Council of the District of Columbia serves as the legislative branch of the federal district of Washington, D.C. Half of the council seats are up for election. Council members serve four-year terms. Democrats retained supermajority control of the council.

District of Columbia Council
Party Before After Change
Democratic 11 11
Republican 2 2
Total 13 13

Notes

  1. ^ a b The Washington House of Representatives was controlled by a power-sharing agreement between Democrats and Republicans. Thus, it is not counted in this total.
  2. ^ The New Hampshire Senate became evenly-split due to a special election. Thus, it is not included in the prior total.
  3. ^ The Maine Senate became evenly split and controlled by a power-sharing agreement between Democrats and Republicans.
  4. ^ The Arizona Senate was controlled by a coalition of Democrats and Republicans. The minority caucus consists of Republicans who were not part of the majority coalition.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h The upper houses of Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Minnesota, New Jersey, and Texas use a 2-4-4 term length system.
  6. ^ a b c These figures represent the seats of Nebraska's unicameral legislature.

References

  1. ^ "State legislative elections, 2000". Ballotpedia.
  2. ^ "Randall Gnat: Mushroom Power". Governing. October 16, 2010. Retrieved June 19, 2021.
  3. ^ "In Case of a Tie..." National Conference of State Legislatures.
  4. ^ a b c "2020 Legislative Races by State and Legislative Chamber". National Conference of State Legislatures.