On the Ballot: The state of the states: Which states are most likely to see trifectas in November

While much of the national focus this cycle has been centered on the competitive Senate and House races that will determine which parties control Congress, there’s plenty of reasons why folks should also be turning their attention to state Capitols and gubernatorial elections next month. State legislative races used to be sleepier affairs, but they’ve grown in importance over the last 15 years, in particular, as both parties have started to invest more in the downballotelections. For one, local lawmakers pass laws that often impact constituents’ lives more directly and immediately than at the federal level. Growing attention has also been placed on state Capitols and state Supreme Courts as local lawmakers and judges have been increasingly caught in the crosshairs on issues that have bubbled up at the national level – redistricting, abortion access, school choice and election disputes and law changes, among others. State legislatures are also important to keep track of because they serve as incubators fordifferent issues and trends that can later catch attention at the national level. Right now, Republicans hold more state trifectas (meaning a single party controls both legislative chambers and the governor’s mansion) – 23 – compared to Democrats’ 16. The remaining 11 states have divided government. Trifectas give the parties tighter reigns on state power; the trifectas created after this November will give either party more authority to weigh in on upcoming consequential iss…