State legislative elections, 2025

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2025 elections
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Two of the country's 99 state legislative chambers are holding regularly-scheduled elections in 2025. Elections in those two chambers represent 180 of the country's 7,386 state legislative seats (2.4%).

General elections in New Jersey and Virginia will take place on November 4, 2025.

Off-year elections in Virginia are often studied as a forecast of the broader political trends to expect from the following year's national elections.[1] The New York Times' Neil Vigdor wrote in December 2024, "In recent elections, Virginia has become a vessel for millions of dollars in spending by outside groups, and its open governor’s seat and divided legislature appears likely to continue that trend."[2]

States are also holding special state legislative elections in 2025 to fill vacant seats. Click here for more.


Explore Ballotpedia's coverage of these elections:
  • Partisan balance
    The partisan balance of state legislatures
    Read more
  • Battlegrounds
    Information on battleground elections
    Read more
  • On the ballot
    A list of elections on the ballot
    Read more
  • Pre-election analysis
    Analysis published before the election
    Read more
  • Important dates and deadlines
    A list of important dates and deadlines for the 2025 election cycle
    Read more
  • Satellite spending
    Information about satellite spending in the 2025 election cycle
    Read more


Partisan balance

See also: Partisan composition of state legislatures

As of October 6th, 2025, Republicans controlled 55.43% of all state legislative seats nationally, while Democrats held 43.68%. Republicans held a majority in 57 chambers, and Democrats held the majority in 39 chambers. Two chambers (Alaska House and Alaska Senate) were organized under multipartisan, power-sharing coalitions. One chamber (Minnesota House of Representatives) was split evenly between both parties.

Partisan balance of all 7,386 state legislative seats
Legislative chamber Democratic Party Republican Party Grey.png Other Vacant
State senates 833 1,120 5 15
State houses 2,393 2,974 20 26
Total: 3,226

4,094

25

41

Battlegrounds

Click the tabs below to view detailed information regarding battleground districts in the 2025 state legislative elections. In this section, you will find:

  • Our list of battleground chambers in the general election
  • A list of districts targeted by each political party

Ballotpedia is tracking one state legislative battleground chamber in 2025.

The columns in the chart below list the following:

  • Seats up in 2025: This is the number of seats that are up for election in 2025.
  • Margin: This is the difference in seats between the majority and minority parties.
  • Majority share of seats: This is the percentage of the chamber's seats controlled by the majority party.
  • Last time party control changed: This is the election where the current majority took control of the chamber.
State legislative battleground chambers, 2025
Chamber Offices up in 2025 Margin Majority share of seats Last time party control changed
Virginia House of Delegates All 100 D+2 51% 2023

On the ballot

Click the tabs below to view information about the elections this year. In this section, you will find:

  • A list of states holding elections
  • Information about special elections
  • Ballotpedia's Sample Ballot Lookup Tool

The table below highlights each state holding legislative elections in 2025. To learn more about elections in a particular chamber, click the link in the chamber column.

State legislative elections, 2025
StateChamberRepublicanDemocraticOtherVacanciesTotal
New JerseyHouse28520080
VirginiaHouse495100100

Electoral competitiveness

See also: Annual State Legislative Competitiveness Report: Vol. 15, 2025

Ballotpedia's 15th Annual State Legislative Competitiveness Report analyzes all 180 state legislative seats that are up for election on Nov. 4, 2025, in two states.

Competitiveness in 2025 was down from the record high in 2021, but still the second-highest since 2011.

In 2025, the nationwide State Legislative Competitiveness Index is 38.1, down from 40.0 in 2021 but above the average of 31.6 since 2011.

While the percentage of open seats was lower than in any odd year since 2011 (4.4%), the share of incumbents in contested primaries was above the average of 21.0% (22.1%), and the percentage of seats contested by both major parties was the second-highest since 2011 (87.8%).

Key findings of this report include:

  • Eight seats were open (4.4%), the smallest percentage since 2011.
  • 38 incumbents faced contested primaries (22.1%), above the average of 21.0% since 2011.
  • 158 seats are contested by both major parties (87.8%), the second-highest percentage after 92.7% in 2021.


    • Nationwide State Legislative Competitiveness Index, 2025
    Chamber Open seats Incs. in contested primaries Major party competition Competitiveness Index
    House 4.4% 22.1% 87.8% 38.1
    Senate - - - 0.0
    Total 4.4% 22.1% 87.8% 38.1

    The graphic below combines these figures for every election cycle from 2011 to 2025, showing the change in competitiveness, and how each criterion affects the overall competitiveness indices, over time.

    See also: Open seats in state legislative elections, 2025

    There are 180 state legislative seats up for election on November 4, 2025, in two states. Of that total, there are eight open seats, guaranteeing at least 4% of all seats will be won by newcomers. That was the lowest by percentage of any odd-year cycle since 2011.

    Ballotpedia uses the number and percentage of open seats to help determine the overall competitiveness of an election cycle. A greater number of open seats guarantees more newcomers entering legislatures and typically results in more candidates running for office. A smaller number of open seats guarantees fewer newcomers and typically results in fewer candidates running for office.

    In 2025:

  • There were four open Democratic seats, those most recently held by Democrats at the time of filing.
  • There were four open Republican seats, those most recently held by Republicans at the time of filing.
  • The total number of open seats—eight—was nine fewer and a 53% decrease from 2021.


    • Open state legislative seats, 2025
    Chamber Seats
    Democratic Republican Other Total
    # %
    House 180 4 4 0 8 4.4%
    Senate 0 0 0 0 0 -
    Total 180 4 4 0 8 4.4%

    Factors like the number of chambers holding elections, number of seats up for election, term limits, and redistricting can effect the number of open state legislative seats in a given year. In 2025, for example, there were two chambers holding elections for 180 total seats. In 2023, eight chambers held elections for 578 total seats, meaning greater potential for end-of-term retirements and incumbent ineligibility due to term limits. Elections following redistricting may also feature more open seats if incumbents are drawn into each other's districts. Incumbents may retire or challenge the other incumbent(s) for the overlapping district, leaving other districts open.

    The chart below shows a breakdown of open seats from 2011 to 2025. The "Other" value includes seats left open by minor party and independent officeholders.

    Pre-election analysis

    Click the tabs below to view detailed analysis from before the election. In this section, you will find:

    • Historical data related to competitiveness
    • The effect of term limits on these elections
    • Information about state government trifectas
    • Chambers that changed partisan control from 2010 to 2024
    • Trifecta status from 2010 to 2024


    See also: Annual State Legislative Competitiveness Report: Vol. 13, 2023

    Ballotpedia began examining the competitiveness of every state legislative race in the country in 2010. Three factors are used in this analysis: seats where the incumbent did not run for re-election, incumbents who ran in contested primaries, and seats contested by both major parties.

    The following table details competitiveness data collected from regularly scheduled state legislative elections between 2010 and 2023. Odd-year elections are shown grouped together first followed by even-year elections.

    Competitiveness in state legislative elections (2010-2023)
    Year Total seats Open seats No major party competition Incs. running Incs. in contested primaries
    # % # % # %
    Odd-year elections
    2023 578 138 23.9% 319 55.2% 443 115 26.0%
    2021 220 13 5.9% 9 4.1% 137 24 17.5%
    2019 538 105 19.5% 301 55.9% 433 125 28.9%
    2017 220 20 9.1% 45 20.5% 200 32 16.0%
    2015 538 79 14.7% 332 61.7% 460 107 23.3%
    2013 220 15 6.8% 61 27.7% 205 24 11.7%
    2011 578 98 17.0% 312 54.0% 485 104 21.4%
    Even-year elections
    2022 6,278 1,492 23.8% 2,560 40.8% 4,852 1,299 26.8%
    2020 5,875 876 14.9% 2,044 34.8% 4,999 1,006 20.1%
    2018 6,065 1,194 19.7% 2,045 33.7% 4,874 1,082 22.2%
    2016 5,916 1,032 17.4% 2,508 42.4% 4,887 985 20.2%
    2014 6,051 1,019 16.8% 2,663 44.0% 5,041 983 19.5%
    2012 6,013 1,314 21.9% 2,384 39.6% 4,790 1,117 23.3%
    2010 6,127 1,143 18.7% 2,142 35.0% 4,984 995 20.0%

    Important dates and deadlines

    The following table details 2025 state legislative filing deadlines and primary dates in each state. The signature filing deadline was the date by which candidates had to file nominating signatures with election officials in order to have their names placed on the ballot.

    2025 election dates and deadlines
    State Filing deadline Primary election
    New Jersey March 24 June 10
    Virginia April 3 June 17

    Satellite spending

    See also: Satellite spending

    Satellite spending describes political spending not controlled by candidates or their campaigns; that is, any political expenditures made by groups or individuals that are not directly affiliated with a candidate. This includes spending by political party committees, super PACs, trade associations, and 501(c)(4) nonprofit groups.[21][22][23]

    If available, this section includes links to online resources tracking satellite spending in this election. To notify us of a resource to add, email us.

    On Feb. 18, 2025, the Republican State Leadership Committee announced a six-figure Virginia ad campaign, stating:

    “ The RSLC PAC, in coordination with the Virginia House Republican Campaign Committee (HRCC), today launched a new digital ad exposing how Virginia House Democrats are breaking their promises to voters by pursuing an out-of-touch agenda in Richmond this legislative session. The ad will be backed by a six-figure buy on digital platforms throughout the state and highlights how Virginia House Democrats are blocking tax cuts and efforts to lower electric costs, as well as refusing to crack down on dangerous illegal immigrants.[24][5] ”



    On April 7, 2025, the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee announced a seven-figure Virginia ad campaign. DLCC Director Heather Williams said:

    “ Opportunities to move policy and build power aren’t happening in Washington – they’re happening in the statehouses. State legislative races are the most immediate opportunity for Democrats to defend and build sustainable power, and Virginia will be the highest profile, most data-rich election of 2025.[25][5] ”

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    See also

    Footnotes

    1. ↑ Politico, "Virginia is the bellwether to watch next week," November 11, 2023
    2. ↑ New York Times, December 2, 2024
    3. ↑ NBC News, "Democrats unveil state legislative map for the next election cycle, with eyes on opposing Trump's agenda and redistricting," February 11, 2025
    4. ↑ DLCC, "DLCC Priority," accessed March 19, 2025
    5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
    6. ↑ RSLC, "MEMO: RSLC Launches “Project Doorstrike” Initiative for 2025-2026 Election Cycle," September 4, 2025
    7. ↑ Totals may include minor party or independent officeholders.
    8. ↑ The Washington Post, "Virginia Republicans snatched control of the state Senate, ended budget-Medicaid impasse," June 9, 2014
    9. ↑ 2015 and 2013 are not included because no chambers changed those years.
    10. ↑ Chamber went from a Democratic majority to a 67-67 tie.
    11. ↑ Chamber went from a Republican majority to a bipartisan governing coalition.
    12. ↑ Democrats won a majority of seats, but did not have a majority when the legislative session began due to vacancies created during the interim.
    13. ↑ Chamber went from being controlled by a Democratic-led bipartisan coalition to being led by a coalition with power split between the parties.
    14. ↑ In this election, the Oregon House changed from a 30-30 tie to a 34-26 Democratic advantage.
    15. ↑ The chamber first changed from Democratic to Republican control in a February 2011 special election. Republicans increased their majority to 24-15 in the 2011 elections.
    16. ↑ The chamber changed partisan control prior to the 2011 elections due to Democrats switching to the Republican Party and special election wins by Republicans. Republicans increased their majority in the 2011 elections to 31-21.
    17. ↑ In the 2011 elections, the chamber changed from a 22-18 Democratic advantage to a 20-20 tie. Republicans effectively controlled the chamber because Lieutenant Gov. Bill Bolling (R) could cast tie-breaking votes.
    18. ↑ This chamber did not hold elections in 2010. It switched partisan control in December 2010 when Democrat Noble Ellington changed his party affiliation to Republican. In the regularly-scheduled 2011 elections, Republicans increased their majority to 58-45.
    19. ↑ This chamber went from a 50-50 tie to a 68-32 Republican advantage in the 2010 elections.
    20. ↑ This chamber went from a 36-24 Democratic advantage to a 30-30 tie in the 2010 elections.
    21. ↑ OpenSecrets.org, "Outside Spending," accessed December 12, 2021
    22. ↑ OpenSecrets.org, "Total Outside Spending by Election Cycle, All Groups," accessed December 12, 2021
    23. ↑ National Review.com, "Why the Media Hate Super PACs," December 12, 2021
    24. ↑ Republican State Leadership Committee, "NEW AD: RSLC PAC and Virginia House Republican Campaign Committee Launch Six-Figure Digital Ad Highlighting Broken Promises of Virginia House Democrats," February 18, 2025
    25. ↑ Virginia Mercury, "DLCC pours money into Virginia races, citing ‘All eyes on 2025,’" April 7, 2025
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