The state legislative landscape nationwide

84 partisan legislative chambers in 43 states that have members up for re-election in November. There are currently 27 Democratic-controlled state senates and 20 Republican held senate chambers. Two are tied, and they are both neighboring states: Tennessee and Oklahoma. Nebraska has a nonpartisan unicameral Legislature. In the lower chambers, there are 30 Democratic-controlled Houses, and 19 Republican-controlled House chambers.

One reason this election cycle is crucial on the state level is that in many states, seizing control of a chamber can significantly shift the dynamics of redistricting. Several states have a system that allows lawmakers to redraw congressional districts in conjunction with their governors after the 2010 census. Here's more from stateline.org and the Roll Call column "Out There."

Only three Legislatures are more Democratic than ours: Hawaii, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts. The West Virginia House is closest to catching our 75-25 House composition with their current 72-28 makeup.