Maps of Current State Houses and Senates

[muon2]

I've never realized until now that a California state senator represents a larger constituency than a Californian serving in the United States House of Representatives.

Somewhat impressive.  

Same with Texas.

I'd argue that both states should expand their state senate's to correct that, but interesting regardless.

Or you could argue that their Senates are consistent with typical sizes in other states, but the population is too large, and they should be divided into smaller states.

[muon2]

One potential change this year could come from a constitutional referendum petition circulating in IL. The main purpose is to enact legislative term limits, but in order to get around previous court decisions restricting the form of petitions, it also would change the IL House to 123 and the Senate to 41.

[muon2]

One potential change this year could come from a constitutional referendum petition circulating in IL. The main purpose is to enact legislative term limits, but in order to get around previous court decisions restricting the form of petitions, it also would change the IL House to 123 and the Senate to 41.

Was that the size before they changed the elections for representatives?  There were 3 representatives per senate district.

Prior to 1982 there were 59 Senators and 177 House members elected in three-member districts by a modified cumulative voting system. The Cutback Amendment of 1980 cut the House to 118 and changed to single-member districts. The new proposal would keep single member districts but change the nesting ratio to 3-1 from the current 2-1.

[muon2]

One potential change this year could come from a constitutional referendum petition circulating in IL. The main purpose is to enact legislative term limits, but in order to get around previous court decisions restricting the form of petitions, it also would change the IL House to 123 and the Senate to 41.

A court decision that actually makes a citizen initiative consist of more than one subject?  Odd.  Can you explain further?

Article XIV of the 1970 IL Constitution has this section for citizen initiative:

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I've bolded the critical  sentence. Article IV is the legislative article so its the only one that can be changed. The IL Supremes ruled that the conjunction "and" means both clauses must be true, so initiatives must be constructed to change both the structure and procedures of the General Assembly.

[muon2]

After 2016

State Senates

In Hawaii, EVERY state senator is a Democrat, literally 100% control. The next closest state to that is Wyoming, which is 90% Republican (27 to 3). Connecticut and Delaware have Democratic control due to their Governor/Lt Governor, but the numbers of Republicans and Democrats are tied.

D Pickups: NV, WA
R Pickups: IA, MN

State Houses

D Pickups: NV, NM
R Pickups: KY

Is Illinois a midwestern state?

Third coast.