An update on state legislatures

This November, there will be elections for over 80% of all seats in state legislatures across the country. Right now, Democrats control 60 legislative houses, Republicans 36, two are tied and one (in Nebraska) is non-partisan. Based upon preliminary polling, however, NPR is predicting that Republicans have a chance of picking up 20 legislative houses. That would give the GOP 56 houses to the Democrats 40. Such a change is critical, not just to state matters. In the next two years, state legislatures have to approve redistricting plans based upon the 2010 census. If Republicans pick up these legislative seats, they will have sole control with regard to shaping about 100 more seats than the Democrats. The resulting maps could help determine the balance of power in Congress for the next ten years. Since NPR is clearly no friend of the Republicans, the figures being offered are probably slanted towards the Democrats if anything. Obama and his minions are facing a bleak November in the state legislatures.