Key Takeaways
Forty-six states held legislative elections in 2026 across 88 of the nation’s 99 chambers.
Seven states saw a change in legislative control. Democrats gained control of both chambers in New Hampshire and Wisconsin, and of one chamber each in Michigan, Minnesota, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Texas. Republicans have not flipped any chambers. Control in Alaska, Arizona, and Georgia has not yet been called.
Going into the election, there were 28 Republican-controlled legislatures, 18 Democratic-controlled legislatures, and 4 with split control. In 2027, there will be 22 Republican-controlled, 23 Democratic-controlled, and 2 split legislatures, with 3 not yet called.
States With Legislative Elections in 2026
Which States Had Legislative Elections in 2026?
Forty-six (46) states held legislative elections in 2026 for 88 of the nation’s 99 legislative chambers. Only four (4) states did not have legislative elections in 2026 (Louisiana, Mississippi, New Jersey, and Virginia). For context, all four elect their legislators in odd-numbered years. Louisiana and Mississippi last elected both chambers in 2023. New Jersey and Virginia elected their lower chambers in 2025 and their senates in 2023. The next elections in all four states are in 2027.
How Many Legislative Chambers Flipped Partisan Control in the 2026 Elections?
Seven (7) states saw a change in legislative control in the 2026 elections. Democrats flipped both chambers in New Hampshire and Wisconsin (R → D). They also flipped one chamber each in Michigan (the House), Minnesota (the House, which was previously tied), and Pennsylvania (the Senate), moving those states from split control to Democratic control (split → D). In North Carolina and Texas, Democrats flipped the House while Republicans kept the Senate, so both states moved from Republican to split control (R → split). As of 6:45 p.m. ET on November 4, 2026, control of the legislatures in three states has not been called: Alaska (likely coalition), Arizona (likely Democratic), and Georgia (unresolved).
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Forty (40) states did not see a change in legislative partisan control, including the four states that did not hold elections. Eighteen (18) remained under Democratic control (California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, and Washington). Twenty-two (22) remained under Republican control (Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, West Virginia, and Wyoming).
What Is the Legislative Partisan Control Breakdown in 2027?
Going into this election, there were 28 Republican-controlled legislatures, 18 Democratic-controlled legislatures, and 4 with split control. In 2027, there will be 22 Republican-controlled, 23 Democratic-controlled, and 2 split legislatures. Three states are not yet called: Alaska (split control going into the election), Arizona (Republican-controlled), and Georgia (Republican-controlled). Nebraska’s legislature is nonpartisan and is counted by its majority’s party affiliation (Republican). Going into the election, Alaska’s chambers were run by bipartisan coalitions, so the state was counted as split.
Which Party Controls the Legislature in Each State After the 2026 Elections?
Want More Election Coverage?
Visit MultiState’s Elections Hub to track governor races, legislative control, trifectas, statewide offices, and ballot measures across all 50 states, explore historical election results, and more. [Link: https://www.multistate.us/elections/general-2026]