A state government trifecta occurs when one political party holds the governorship, a majority in the state Senate, and a majority in the state House. If one party does not control all three offices, they are considered under divided government.
Since November 2010, there have been 62 trifecta changes across the country.
- Republicans gaining a trifecta (20)
- Democrats losing a trifecta (16)
- Democrats gaining a trifecta (15)
- Republicans losing a trifecta (11)
Colorado has had the most trifecta changes in that span with four. It has become a Democratic trifecta twice and also become a divided government twice.
Six other states (Maine, Nevada, New Hampshire, New York, North Carolina, and Wisconsin) have experienced three trifecta status changes over the last eight years.
During this time, state legislative elections during midterms have caused the most changes in trifecta status. The year with the most was 2010, where 21 states had a trifecta status change. 2014 had 11 trifecta changes, while 2018 had 10. The other even-year elections of 2012 and 2016 combined for 15, with 8 and 7, respectively.