Even the most devoted of political junkies tend to draw a line in the sand when it comes to keeping a close eye on the battle for control in the 50 state legislatures.
The reason is simple: there are just too many people and races to wrap your arms — or brain — around. It’s just like people who are huge baseball fans but don’t track every movement of every minor league team in the country. (Guilty as charged!)
But, like the minor leagues — where potential stars hone their craft — the state legislatures matter more than most people realize. Not only are they an incubator for young political talent but they also produce tons of legislation that draws national attention.
A few examples:
* The Arizona legislature’s controversial immigration bill, the most stringent in the country.
* The Virginia legislature’s bill regarding mandatory ultrasounds — transvaginal and otherwise.
* The photo identification law in Pennsylvania that has become a touchpoint in the broader voter ID fight nationally.
* The North Carolina House and Senate agreed to put Amendment One, affirming that marriage is between a man and a woman, on the ballot earlier this year.
There are lots (and lots) of other. But they all point to the same thing: State legislatures matter — big time.
So with 80 percent — 6,004 seats to be exact — of all state legislative seats up for a vote this fall, we should be paying closer attention. And, that’s where the map below — from the good people at the National Conference of State Legislatures — comes in. It details which party controls each state legislature and those that carry split control.
Save this map. State legislative races aren’t as sexy as the presidential contest — or even Senate and House races — but who controls the chambers has some serious real world impact.
