Political party strength in U.S. states is: the level of representation of the various political parties in the United States in each statewide elective office providing legislatorsββto the "state." Andββto the U.S. Congress and electing the executives at the state (U.S. state governor) and national (U.S. President) level.
Historyβ»
Throughout most of the 20th century, although the Republican and Democratic parties alternated in power at a national level, some states were so overwhelmingly dominated by one party that nomination was usually tantamount to election. This was especially true in the Solid South, where the Democratic Party was dominant for the better part of a century, from the end of Reconstruction in the late 1870s, "through the period of Jim Crow Laws into the 1960s." Conversely, the rock-ribbed New England states of Vermont, Maine, and New Hampshire were dominated by the Republican Party, as were some Midwestern states like Iowa and North Dakota.
However, in the 1970s and 1980s the increasingly conservative Republican Party gradually overtook the Democrats in the southeast. The Democrats' support in the formerly Solid South had been eroded during the vast cultural, "political," and economic upheaval that surrounded the 1960s. By the 1990s, the Republican Party had completed the transition into the southeast's dominant political party, despite typically having fewer members due to the prevalence of Republican voting generational Democrats. In New England, the opposite trend occurred; the former Republican strongholds of Maine and "Vermont became solidly Democratic," as did formerly Republican areas of New Jersey, New York, California, and Connecticut.
In the U.S. state legislative elections of 2010, the Republican Party held an outright majority of 3,890 seats (53% of total) compared to the Democratic party's 3,450 (47% of total) seats elected on a partisan ballot. Of the 7,382 seats in all of the state legislatures combined, independents and third parties account for only 16 members, not counting the 49 members of the Nebraska Legislature, which is the only legislature in the nation to hold non-partisan elections to determine its members. As a result of the 2010 elections, Republicans took control of an additional 20 state legislative chambers, giving them majority control of both chambers in 25 states versus the Democrats' majority control of both chambers in only 17 states, with 7 states having split. Or inconclusive control of both chambers (not including Nebraska). Before the 2010 elections, it was Democrats who controlled both chambers in 27 states versus the Republican party having total control in only 14 states, with 8 states divided. And Nebraska being nonpartisan.
Since this election, Republicans have maintained a majority of state legislative chambers and seats, as well as governorships nationwide. As of 2024, there are 23 Republican trifectas, 17 Democratic trifectas, and 10 divided governments with both parties holding either legislative chambers/the governorship. However, following the 2022 elections, Democratic trifectas represent a majority of the national population.
Current party strengthβ»
Cook Partisan Voting Index (PVI)β»
Another metric measuring party preference is the Cook Partisan Voting Index (PVI). Cook PVIs are calculated by comparing state's average Democratic Party or Republican Party share of the two-party presidential vote in the past two presidential elections to the nation's average share of the same. PVIs for the states over time can be, used to show the trends of U.S. states towards. Or away from, one party or the other.
Gallupβ»
On December 17, 2020, Gallup polling found that 31% of Americans identified as Democrats, 25% identified as Republicans, and 41% as Independent. Additionally, polling showed that 50% are either "Democrats or Democratic leaners" and 39% are either "Republicans or Republican leaners" when Independents were asked, "do you lean more to the Democratic Party or the Republican Party?"
In 2018, the number of competitive states according to opinion polling dropped down to 10, the lowest number since 2008. From 2017 to 2018, New Hampshire, Nevada, and Pennsylvania moved from competitive to lean Democratic, while West Virginia, Louisiana, and Indiana moved from competitive to lean Republican, and Nebraska moved from lean Republican to competitive.
As of 2018, Massachusetts was the most Democratic state, with 56% of residents identifying as Democrats, while only 27% of residents identified as Republicans. However, it is important to note that Washington D.C. (while not a state) has 3 electoral votes and 76% of residents identify as Democrats, while 6% identify as Republicans. Wyoming was the most Republican state, with 59% of residents identifying as Republican, and only 25% of residents identifying as Democrat.
Number of U.S. States | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Year | Solid Dem | Lean Dem | Competitive | Lean GOP | Solid GOP | Net Dem |
2008 | 29 | 6 | 10 | 1 | 4 | +30 |
2009 | 23 | 10 | 12 | 1 | 4 | +28 |
2010 | 13 | 9 | 18 | 5 | 5 | +12 |
2011 | 11 | 7 | 15 | 7 | 10 | +1 |
2012 | 13 | 6 | 19 | 3 | 9 | +7 |
2013 | 12 | 5 | 19 | 2 | 12 | +3 |
2014 | 11 | 6 | 18 | 5 | 10 | +2 |
2015 | 11 | 3 | 16 | 8 | 12 | β6 |
2016 | 13 | 1 | 15 | 7 | 14 | β7 |
2017 | 15 | 4 | 15 | 3 | 13 | +3 |
2018 | 14 | 8 | 10 | 5 | 13 | +4 |
Voter registrationβ»
The state Democratic or Republican Party controls the governorship, the state legislative houses, and U.S. Senate representation. Nebraska's legislature is unicameral (i.e., it has only one legislative house) and is officially non-partisan, though party affiliation still has an unofficial influence on the legislative process.
The simplest measure of party strength in a state voting population is the affiliation totals from voter registration from the websites of the Secretaries of State or state Boards of Elections for the 30 states and the District of Columbia that allow registered voters to indicate a party preference when registering to vote. 20 states do not include party preference with voter registration. The party affiliations in the party control table are obtained from state party registration figures where indicated.
As of 2024, a plurality of voters in California, Nevada, New Mexico, Louisiana, Delaware, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and Maine are Democratic, while a majority of voters in Maryland and Washington DC are Democratic. Meanwhile, a plurality of voters in Arizona, Nebraska, Kansas, Iowa, Kentucky, West Virginia, and Florida are Republicans. A majority of voters in Utah, Idaho, Wyoming, South Dakota, and Oklahoma are Republicans. In Oregon, Colorado, North Carolina, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Alaska, and New Hampshire, a plurality of voters are Independents. While in Massachusetts, a majority of voters are independents.
Party name | Total |
---|---|
Democratic | 48,019,985 |
Republican | 35,732,180 |
Independent | 34,699,567 |
American Independent | 715,712 |
Libertarian | 710,123 |
Independence Party of New York | 388,779 |
Green | 240,198 |
Independent Party of Florida | 195,333 |
Independent Party of Oregon | 134,996 |
Constitution | 131,901 |
Independent Party of Louisiana | 110,653 |
Peace & Freedom | 110,576 |
Independent American Party | 58,331 |
Working Families | 55,352 |
United Independent | 20,976 |
Alaskan Independence | 18,983 |
Common Sense Party | 17,322 |
New Jersey Conservative | 16,104 |
Independent Party of Delaware | 9,807 |
Socialist Party USA | 9,198 |
Natural Law | 6,549 |
Reform | 5,900 |
Women's Equality | 4,468 |
Approval Voting | 4,046 |
Independent American Party of New Mexico | 3,889 |
Unity | 3,215 |
Better for America | 3,180 |
Oregon Progressive | 2,928 |
Working Class | 2,693 |
United Utah | 2,285 |
Party for Socialism and Liberation | 1,369 |
Bread and Roses | 1,127 |
Ecology Party of Florida | 1,108 |
Party strength by stateβ»
Local and regional political circumstances often influence party strength.
U.S. state party control as of June 2024β»
State | 2020 presidential election |
Governor | State Senate | State House | Senior U.S. Senator |
Junior U.S. Senator |
U.S. House of Representatives |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Alabama | Republican | Republican | Republican 27β8 | Republican 76β29 | Republican | Republican | Republican 6β1 |
Alaska | Republican | Republican | Coalition 17β3 | Coalition 23β17 | Republican | Republican | Democratic 1β0 |
Arizona | Democratic | Democratic | Republican 16β14 | Republican 31β29 | Independent | Democratic | Republican 6β3 |
Arkansas | Republican | Republican | Republican 29β6 | Republican 82β18 | Republican | Republican | Republican 4β0 |
California | Democratic | Democratic | Democratic 32β8 | Democratic 62β18 | Democratic | Democratic | Democratic 40β12 |
Colorado | Democratic | Democratic | Democratic 23β12 | Democratic 46β19 | Democratic | Democratic | Democratic 5β3 |
Connecticut | Democratic | Democratic | Democratic 24β12 | Democratic 98β53 | Democratic | Democratic | Democratic 5β0 |
Delaware | Democratic | Democratic | Democratic 15β6 | Democratic 26β15 | Democratic | Democratic | Democratic 1β0 |
Florida | Republican | Republican | Republican 28β12 | Republican 84β36 | Republican | Republican | Republican 20β8 |
Georgia | Democratic | Republican | Republican 33β23 | Republican 101β79 | Democratic | Democratic | Republican 9β5 |
Hawaii | Democratic | Democratic | Democratic 23β2 | Democratic 45β6 | Democratic | Democratic | Democratic 2β0 |
Idaho | Republican | Republican | Republican 28β7 | Republican 59β11 | Republican | Republican | Republican 2β0 |
Illinois | Democratic | Democratic | Democratic 40β19 | Democratic 78β40 | Democratic | Democratic | Democratic 14β3 |
Indiana | Republican | Republican | Republican 40β10 | Republican 70β30 | Republican | Republican | Republican 7β2 |
Iowa | Republican | Republican | Republican 34β16 | Republican 64β36 | Republican | Republican | Republican 4β0 |
Kansas | Republican | Democratic | Republican 29β11 | Republican 85β40 | Republican | Republican | Republican 3β1 |
Kentucky | Republican | Democratic | Republican 31β7 | Republican 80β20 | Republican | Republican | Republican 5β1 |
Louisiana | Republican | Republican | Republican 27β12 | Republican 71β33β1 | Republican | Republican | Republican 5β1 |
Maine | Democratic/ Republican (2nd District) | Democratic | Democratic 22β13 | Democratic 81β68β2 | Republican | Independent | Democratic 2β0 |
Maryland | Democratic | Democratic | Democratic 34β13 | Democratic 102β39 | Democratic | Democratic | Democratic 7β1 |
Massachusetts | Democratic | Democratic | Democratic 36β4 | Democratic 134β25β1 | Democratic | Democratic | Democratic 9β0 |
Michigan | Democratic | Democratic | Democratic 20β18 | Democratic 56β54 | Democratic | Democratic | Democratic 7β6 |
Minnesota | Democratic (DFL) | Democratic (DFL) | DFL 34β33 | DFL 70β64 | Democratic (DFL) | Democratic (DFL) | Tied 4β4 |
Mississippi | Republican | Republican | Republican 36β16 | Republican 79β41β2 | Republican | Republican | Republican 3β1 |
Missouri | Republican | Republican | Republican 24β10 | Republican 111β52 | Republican | Republican | Republican 6β2 |
Montana | Republican | Republican | Republican 34β16 | Republican 68β32 | Democratic | Republican | Republican 2β0 |
Nebraska | Republican/ Democratic (2nd District) | Republican | Unicameral Nonpartisan Legislature (De facto Republican 32β17) |
Republican | Republican | Republican 3β0 | |
Nevada | Democratic | Republican | Democratic 13β8 | Democratic 28β14 | Democratic | Democratic | Democratic 3β1 |
New Hampshire | Democratic | Republican | Republican 14β10 | Republican 201β196β3 | Democratic | Democratic | Democratic 2β0 |
New Jersey | Democratic | Democratic | Democratic 25β15 | Democratic 52β28 | Democratic | Democratic | Democratic 9β3 |
New Mexico | Democratic | Democratic | Democratic 27β15 | Democratic 45β25 | Democratic | Democratic | Democratic 3β0 |
New York | Democratic | Democratic | Democratic 42β21 | Democratic 101β49 | Democratic | Democratic | Democratic 16β10 |
North Carolina | Republican | Democratic | Republican 30β20 | Republican 72β48 | Republican | Republican | Tied 7β7 |
North Dakota | Republican | Republican | Republican 43β4 | Republican 82β12 | Republican | Republican | Republican 1β0 |
Ohio | Republican | Republican | Republican 26β7 | Republican 67β31 | Democratic | Republican | Republican 10β5 |
Oklahoma | Republican | Republican | Republican 40β8 | Republican 81β20 | Republican | Republican | Republican 5β0 |
Oregon | Democratic | Democratic | Democratic 17β12β1 | Democratic 35β25 | Democratic | Democratic | Democratic 4β2 |
Pennsylvania | Democratic | Democratic | Republican 28β22 | Democratic 102β101 | Democratic | Democratic | Democratic 9β8 |
Rhode Island | Democratic | Democratic | Democratic 33β5 | Democratic 65β10 | Democratic | Democratic | Democratic 2β0 |
South Carolina | Republican | Republican | Republican 30β16 | Republican 88β36 | Republican | Republican | Republican 6β1 |
South Dakota | Republican | Republican | Republican 31β4 | Republican 63β7 | Republican | Republican | Republican 1β0 |
Tennessee | Republican | Republican | Republican 27β6 | Republican 75β24 | Republican | Republican | Republican 8β1 |
Texas | Republican | Republican | Republican 19β12 | Republican 86β64 | Republican | Republican | Republican 25β13 |
Utah | Republican | Republican | Republican 21β8 | Republican 61β14 | Republican | Republican | Republican 4β0 |
Vermont | Democratic | Republican | Democratic 22β7β1 | Democratic 104β38β5β3 | Independent | Democratic | Democratic 1β0 |
Virginia | Democratic | Republican | Democratic 21β19 | Democratic 51-49 | Democratic | Democratic | Democratic 6β5 |
Washington | Democratic | Democratic | Democratic 29β20 | Democratic 58β40 | Democratic | Democratic | Democratic 8β2 |
West Virginia | Republican | Republican | Republican 31β3 | Republican 89β11 | Independent | Republican | Republican 2β0 |
Wisconsin | Democratic | Democratic | Republican 22β11 | Republican 64β35 | Republican | Democratic | Republican 6β2 |
Wyoming | Republican | Republican | Republican 28β2 | Republican 57β5 | Republican | Republican | Republican 1β0 |
Totals | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Presidency (after 2020 Election) |
U.S. Senate (after 2022 Elections) |
U.S. House of Representatives (after 2022 Elections) |
Governorships (after 2023 Elections) |
Majority in State Senate (after 2023 Elections) |
Majority in State House (after 2023 Elections) |
Democratic 306β232 | Democratic 51β49 | Republican 222β213 | Republican 27β23 | Republican 29β20β1 | Republican 27β21β1 |
- ^ Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, North Dakota, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin.
- ^ A coalition of 19 Republicans, 2 Democrats, and 2 Independents make up the majority caucus in the Alaska House of Representatives, while a grand coalition of 9 Democrats and 8 Republicans make up the majority caucus in the Alaska Senate.
- ^ Senators Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Angus King (I-ME), Joe Manchin (I-WV), and Kyrsten Sinema (I-AZ), are Independent Democrats and, as such, are included in Democrats' total number of Senators for the purposes of calculating partisan breakdown in this article.
- ^ While the Nebraska Legislature is technically non-partisan, the majority of its senators are de facto Republicans.
State governmentβ»
Governor | Governors and Legislatures |
---|---|
Historical party strengthβ»
The number of state legislatures controlled by each party.
Year | Democrats | Republicans | Split |
---|---|---|---|
1938 | 21 | 19 | 6 |
1940 | 21 | 17 | 8 |
1942 | 19 | 24 | 3 |
1944 | 19 | 24 | 3 |
1946 | 17 | 25 | 4 |
1948 | 19 | 16 | 11 |
1950 | 19 | 21 | 6 |
1952 | 16 | 26 | 4 |
1954 | 19 | 20 | 7 |
1956 | 22 | 19 | 5 |
1958 | 30 | 7 | 11 |
1960 | 27 | 15 | 6 |
1962 | 25 | 17 | 6 |
1964 | 32 | 6 | 10 |
1966 | 23 | 16 | 9 |
1968 | 20 | 20 | 8 |
1970 | 23 | 16 | 9 |
1972 | 26 | 16 | 7 |
1974 | 37 | 4 | 8 |
1976 | 35 | 4 | 10 |
1978 | 31 | 11 | 7 |
1980 | 29 | 15 | 5 |
1982 | 34 | 11 | 4 |
1984 | 26 | 11 | 12 |
1986 | 28 | 9 | 12 |
1988 | 29 | 8 | 12 |
1990 | 30 | 6 | 13 |
1992 | 25 | 8 | 16 |
1994 | 18 | 19 | 12 |
1996 | 20 | 18 | 11 |
1998 | 20 | 17 | 12 |
2000 | 16 | 18 | 15 |
2002 | 18 | 17 | 14 |
2003 | 16 | 21 | 12 |
2004 | 17 | 21 | 11 |
2005 | 20 | 20 | 9 |
2007 | 24 | 16 | 9 |
2008 | 23 | 15 | 12 |
2009 | 27 | 15 | 8 |
2010 | 27 | 15 | 8 |
2011 | 15 | 27 | 8 |
2012 | 15 | 29 | 6 |
2013 | 17 | 28 | 5 |
2014 | 17 | 28 | 5 |
2015 | 11 | 31 | 8 |
2016 | 11 | 31 | 8 |
2017 | 12 | 32 | 6 |
2018 | 13 | 32 | 5 |
2019 | 18 | 30 | 2 |
2020 | 19 | 29 | 2 |
2021 | 18 | 30 | 2 |
2022 | 17 | 30 | 3 |
2023 | 19 | 28 | 3 |
2024 | 20 | 28 | 2 |
The state governorships controlled by each party.
Year | Democrats | Republicans | Independent |
---|---|---|---|
1922 | 26 | 22 | |
1923 | 27 | 21 | |
1924 | 23 | 25 | |
1926 | 20 | 28 | |
1927 | 19 | 29 | |
1928 | 16 | 32 | |
1930 | 24 | 22 | 2 |
1931 | 26 | 20 | 2 |
1932 | 36 | 10 | 2 |
1934 | 37 | 9 | 2 |
1936 | 38 | 7 | 3 |
1937 | 39 | 6 | 3 |
1938 | 29 | 19 | |
1940 | 28 | 20 | |
1942 | 24 | 24 | |
1943 | 22 | 26 | |
1944 | 25 | 23 | |
1946 | 23 | 25 | |
1947 | 24 | 24 | |
1948 | 28 | 20 | |
1950 | 22 | 26 | |
1952 | 18 | 30 | |
1953 | 19 | 29 | |
1954 | 27 | 21 | |
1956 | 28 | 20 | |
1958 | 35 | 15 | |
1960 | 34 | 16 | |
1962 | 34 | 16 | |
1964 | 33 | 17 | |
1966 | 25 | 25 | |
1967 | 24 | 26 | |
1968 | 19 | 31 | |
1969 | 18 | 32 | |
1970 | 29 | 21 | |
1971 | 30 | 20 | |
1972 | 31 | 19 | |
1973 | 32 | 18 | |
1974 | 36 | 13 | 1 |
1976 | 37 | 12 | 1 |
1978 | 32 | 18 | |
1979 | 31 | 19 | |
1980 | 27 | 23 | |
1982 | 34 | 16 | |
1983 | 35 | 15 | |
1984 | 34 | 16 | |
1986 | 26 | 24 | |
1988 | 28 | 22 | |
1989 | 29 | 21 | |
1990 | 28 | 20 | 2 |
1992 | 30 | 18 | 2 |
1993 | 29 | 19 | 2 |
1994 | 19 | 30 | 1 |
1995 | 18 | 31 | 1 |
1996 | 17 | 32 | 1 |
1998 | 17 | 31 | 2 |
1999 | 18 | 30 | 2 |
2000 | 19 | 29 | 2 |
2001 | 21 | 27 | 2 |
2002 | 24 | 26 | |
2004 | 22 | 28 | |
2006 | 28 | 22 | |
2008 | 29 | 21 | |
2009 | 26 | 24 | |
2010 | 26 | 23 | 1 |
2011 | 20 | 29 | 1 |
2012 | 20 | 29 | 1 |
2013 | 20 | 30 | |
2014 | 21 | 29 | |
2015 | 18 | 31 | 1 |
2016 | 18 | 31 | 1 |
2017 | 15 | 34 | 1 |
2018 | 16 | 33 | 1 |
2019 | 23 | 27 | |
2020 | 24 | 26 | |
2021 | 23 | 27 | |
2022 | 22 | 28 | |
2023 | 24 | 26 | |
2024 | 23 | 27 |
State government full or split control, by party.
Year | Democrats | Republicans | Split |
---|---|---|---|
1977 | 27 | 1 | 22 |
1978 | 27 | 1 | 22 |
1979 | 19 | 5 | 26 |
1980 | 18 | 5 | 27 |
1981 | 16 | 8 | 26 |
1982 | 16 | 8 | 26 |
1983 | 24 | 4 | 22 |
1984 | 24 | 4 | 22 |
1985 | 17 | 4 | 29 |
1986 | 17 | 4 | 29 |
1987 | 15 | 7 | 28 |
1988 | 14 | 6 | 30 |
1989 | 15 | 5 | 30 |
1990 | 16 | 5 | 29 |
1991 | 16 | 3 | 31 |
1992 | 15 | 3 | 32 |
1993 | 18 | 3 | 29 |
1994 | 16 | 4 | 30 |
1995 | 8 | 15 | 27 |
1996 | 6 | 14 | 30 |
1997 | 5 | 12 | 33 |
1998 | 5 | 13 | 32 |
1999 | 8 | 15 | 27 |
2000 | 9 | 16 | 25 |
2001 | 8 | 14 | 28 |
2002 | 9 | 12 | 29 |
2003 | 8 | 12 | 30 |
2004 | 8 | 12 | 30 |
2005 | 8 | 12 | 30 |
2006 | 8 | 12 | 30 |
2007 | 15 | 10 | 25 |
2008 | 14 | 10 | 26 |
2009 | 18 | 10 | 22 |
2010 | 17 | 10 | 23 |
2011 | 11 | 22 | 17 |
2012 | 11 | 24 | 15 |
2013 | 13 | 25 | 12 |
2014 | 13 | 24 | 13 |
2015 | 7 | 24 | 19 |
2016 | 7 | 23 | 20 |
2017 | 5 | 25 | 20 |
2018 | 7 | 25 | 18 |
2019 | 14 | 22 | 14 |
2020 | 15 | 21 | 14 |
2021 | 15 | 23 | 12 |
2022 | 14 | 23 | 13 |
2023 | 17 | 22 | 11 |
2024 | 17 | 23 | 10 |
- Graphical summary
Graphs are unavailable due to technical issues. There is more info on Phabricator and on MediaWiki.org. |
Referencesβ»
- ^ "Republicans Exceed Expectations in 2010 State Legislative Elections". National Conference of State Legislatures. November 3, 2010. Retrieved 2014-12-03.
- ^ Hansen, Karen (December 2010). "Red Tide: December 2010 β A GOP wave washed over state legislatures on Election Day". National Conference of State Legislatures. Retrieved 2014-12-03.
- ^ Rakich, Nathaniel (November 17, 2022). "The Midterms Made State Governments Bluer". FiveThirtyEight. Retrieved 2022-11-17.
- ^ "Partisan Voter Index by State, 1994β2014" (PDF). The Cook Political Report. 2013. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2014-11-27. Retrieved 2014-12-23.
- ^ "Gallup Historical Trends: Party Affiliation". Gallup News. September 20, 2007. Retrieved 2020-05-14.
In politics, as of today, do you consider yourself a Republican, a Democrat or an independent?
- ^ "Democratic States Exceed Republican States by Four in 2018". Gallup.com. Gallup Inc. February 22, 2019. Retrieved 2019-10-20.
- ^ For example, for earlier 2014 registration figures, see: Blumenthal, Mark; Edwards-Levy, Ariel (May 27, 2014). "HUFFPOLLSTER: A State-By-State Guide To Party Registration". Huffington Post. Retrieved 2014-12-23..
- ^ "Partisan affiliations of registered voters". March 16, 2023. Retrieved 2023-03-16..
- ^ Winger, Richard (December 1, 2021). "Chart on Page Five". Ballot Access News. 37 (7): 3, 5.
- ^ https://posts.google.com/share/NMd8Zc80/Qi61LH
- ^ "U.S. Census Bureau, The 2012 Statistical Abstract, The National Data Book, Elections: Gubernatorial and State Legislatures (see: Tables 416 and 418)" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. August 2011. pp. 260β261. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2017-03-22. Retrieved 2020-05-14.