Every week, we compile the latest numbers on state legislative candidates across the country. As of April 22, we’ve collected post-filing deadline data in 25 states. In 2020, 3,166 state legislative seats are up for regular election in those states, compared to 3,102 in 2018.

6,705 major party candidates—3,259 Democrats and 3,446 Republicans—have filed to run for state legislature in these states, compared to 6,895—3,494 Democrats and 3,401 Republicans—in 2018.

Elections in open seats tend to be more competitive than those where an incumbent is seeking re-election. So far, there are fewer open seats in 2020 than in 2018. In 2020, 470 major party incumbents (14.8% of seats up for election) are not running for re-election, compared to 565 major party incumbents (18.2%) in 2018.

More incumbents face primary challenges in 2020 than in 2018. So far in 2020, 546 primaries feature a major-party incumbent. Additionally, one independent incumbent faced a top-two primary in California. In 2018, there were 538 such primaries in addition to a Libertarian incumbent facing a nonpartisan primary in Nebraska. In 2018, 86.8% of incumbents in these states won their primaries.

Overall, there are fewer contested state legislative primaries in 2020 than in 2018, with 1,074 and 1,172, respectively. These totals include all competitive top-two and nonpartisan primaries.

On November 3, 2020, 1,164 state senate seats and 4,711 state house seats are up for regular election for a total of 5,875 seats across 86 chambers in 44 states. There is a Republican majority in 52 chambers, a Democratic majority in 33, and a power sharing agreement in the Alaska House.