State Legislative Districts, Cycle 2024
Contents
The 2024 election cycle was a significant period for state legislative districts, as many states were using newly drawn maps based on the 2020 Census. The redistricting process, which occurs every ten years, often leads to legal challenges and new maps being adopted just before an election.
Here are some key points about the state legislative districts in the 2024 cycle:
| • | New Maps: Several states had new legislative district maps in effect for the 2024 elections due to court orders or legislative action. States with new maps for the upper legislative chamber (state senate) included Georgia, Minnesota, Montana, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Washington, and Wisconsin. States with new lower legislative chamber (state house) maps included Georgia, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, South Carolina, Washington, and Wisconsin. |
| • | Legal Battles: Redistricting frequently involves legal challenges, and the 2024 cycle was no exception. Cases were pending in several states, with challenges based on claims of partisan gerrymandering, racial gerrymandering, or violations of the Voting Rights Act. |
| • | Widespread Elections: The 2024 elections saw a substantial number of state legislative seats up for grabs. Elections were held for 85 state legislative chambers in 44 states, with about 65% of all upper house seats and 85% of all lower house seats up for election. |
| • | State-by-State Variations: The number of seats and the length of terms for state legislators vary significantly. Some states, like Arizona and Idaho, elect all their legislators for two-year terms, while others, like Nebraska (which has a unicameral legislature) and North Dakota, have a mix of two- and four-year terms. |
The U.S. Census Bureau provides reference maps and data files for the state legislative districts that were in effect for the 2024 election cycle, which can be a valuable resource for those seeking to understand the specific district boundaries.
State Legislative Districts, Cycle 2024