The Potential for Minority Rule in
U.S. State Elections

February 2002

Alaska House of Representatives

Votes Received % of Total Votes Cast
40 Winners (13D, 27R) 171,898 64.23
21 Low-Vote Winners (10D, 11R) 72,047 26.92
21 Low-Vote Majority Party (R) 85,941 32.11

Voters (2000) Percent
Republican House Candidates (35)-27W 142,479 53.24
Democratic House Candidates (28)-13W 82,704 30.90
All Other House Candidates (?)-0W 22,702 8.48
Non-Votes in House Races 19,729 7.37
Total Votes Cast in Election 2000 267,614 100.00

Source: Alaska Elections Website

Arkansas House of Representatives

Votes Received % of Total Votes Cast
Winners Incomplete Data Incomplete Data
Low-Vote Winners
Low-Vote Majority Party

Voters (2000) Percent
Republican House Candidates Incomplete Data Incomplete Data
Democratic House Candidates
All Other House Candidates
Non-Votes in House Races
Total Votes Cast in Election 2000

Source: Arkansas Secretary of State Website

Arizona House of Representatives

Votes Received % of Total Votes Cast
60 Winners (24D, 36R) 1,481,817 47.51
31 Low-Vote Winners (20D, 11R) 515,958 16.54*
31 Low-Vote Majority Party (R) 844,029 27.06*

Voters (2000) Percent
Republican House Candidates (48)-36W 1,255,620 40.26
Democratic House Candidates (42)-24W 808,495 25.92
All Other House Candidates (?)-0W 46,745 1.50
Non-Votes in House Races 1,008,180 32.32
Total Votes Cast in Election 2000 3,119,040 100.00

*Minority Rule Percentages

Source: Arizona Secretary of State Website (.pdf)

California Assembly

Votes Received % of Total Votes Cast
80 Winners (50D, 30R) 6,565,774 58.92
41 Low-Vote Winners (30D, 11R) 2,611,157 23.43*
41 Low-Vote Majority Party (D) 2,874,093 25.79*

Voters (2000) Percent
Republican House Candidates (80)-30W 4,373,700 39.25
Democratic House Candidates (79)-50W 5,356,237 48.07
Non-Votes/Other House Candidates 1,412,906 12.68
Total Votes Cast in Election 2000 11,142,843 100.00

*Minority Rule Percentages

Source: CA Secretary of State-Statement of Vote-2000

Colorodo House of Representatives

Votes Received % of Total Votes Cast
65 Winners (27D, 38R) 1,030,276 59.16
33 Low-Vote Winners (21D, 12R) 382,066 21.94*
33 Low-Vote Majority Party (R) 530,077 30.44*

Voters (2000) Percent
Republican House Candidates (58)-38W 848,629 48.73
Democratic House Candidates (51)-27W 611,518 35.12
All Other House Candidates (?)-0W 122,641 7.04
Non-Votes in House Races 158,580 9.11
Total Votes Cast in Election 2000 1,741,368 100.00

*Minority Rule Percentages

Source: Colorado Secretary of State Website

Georgia House of Representatives

Votes Received % of Total Votes Cast
180 Winners (104D, 74R, 2IND) 1,731,929 66.69
91 Low-Vote Winners (76D, 13R, 2IND) 608,509 23.43*
91 Low-Vote Majority Party (D) 638,391 24.58*

Voters (2000) Percent
Republican House Candidates (103)-74W 1,057,990 40.74
Democratic House Candidates (133)-104W 960,610 36.99
All Other House Candidates (?)-2W 18,076 0.70
Non-Votes in House Races 560,128 21.57
Total Votes Cast in Election 2000 2,596,804 100.00

*Minority Rule Percentages

Source: Georgia Secretary of State Website

Hawaii House of Representatives

Votes Received % of Total Votes Cast
38 Winners (23D, 15R) 153,950 57.92
20 Low-Vote Winners (12D, 8R) 63,995 24.07*
20 Low-Vote Majority Party (D) 76,626 28.83*

Voters (2000) Percent
Republican House Candidates (37)-15W 104,470 39.30
Democratic House Candidates (38)-23W 139,918 52.64
All Other House Candidates (?)-0W 5,735 2.16
Non-Votes in House Races 15,693 5.90
Total Votes Cast in Election 2000 265,816 100.00

*Minority Rule Percentages

Source: Hawaii Elections Website (.pdf)

Idaho House of Representatives

Votes Received % of Total Votes Cast
70 Winners (9D, 61R) 667,772 66.56
36 Low-Vote Winners (4D, 32R) 282,464 28.16*
36 Low-Vote Majority Party (R) 290,494 28.96*

Voters (2000) Percent
Republican House Candidates (66)-61W 617,351 61.54
Democratic House Candidates (38)-9W 227,971 22.72
All Other House Candidates (?)-0W 18,571 1.85
Non-Votes in House Races 139,349 13.89
Total Votes Cast in Election 2000 1,003,242 100.00

*Minority Rule Percentages

Source: Idaho Secretary of State Website

Indiana House of Representatives

Votes Received % of Total Votes Cast
100 Winners (53D, 47R) 1,459,030 66.34
51 Low-Vote Winners (38D, 13R) 601,157 27.33*
51 Low-Vote Majority Party (D) 647,219 29.43*

Voters (2000) Percent
Republican House Candidates (81)-47W 1,040,365 47.30
Democratic House Candidates (77)-53W 869,140 39.52
All Other House Candidates (?)-0W 20,530 0.93
Non-Votes in House Races 269,267 12.24
Total Votes Cast in Election 2000 2,199,302 100.00

*Minority Rule Percentages

Source: Indiana Secretary of State Website

Kansas House of Representatives

Votes Received % of Total Votes Cast
125 Winners (46D, 79R) 755,583 69.15
63 Low-Vote Winners (35D, 28R) 278,901 25.52*
63 Low-Vote Majority Party (R) 377,084 34.51*

Voters (2000) Percent
Republican House Candidates (109)-79W 608,824 55.72
Democratic House Candidates (83)-46W 341,837 31.28
All Other House Candidates (?)-0W 2,280 0.21
Non-Votes in House Races 139,775 12.79
Total Votes Cast in Election 2000 1,092,716 100.00

*Minority Rule Percentages

Source: Kansas Secretary of State Website

Maryland House of Representatives

Votes Received % of Total Votes Cast
Winners Not Applicable Not Applicable
Low-Vote Winners Not Applicable Not Applicable
Low-Vote Majority Party Not Applicable Not Applicable

Voters (2000) Percent
Republican House Candidates (99)-35W 1,229,352 37.04
Democratic House Candidates (132)-106W 2,089,938 62.96
All Other House Candidates (?)-0W 3,458 .10
Non-Votes in House Races
Total Votes Cast in Election 2000 3,319,290 100

Due to 2 and 3 member districts, no minority rule percentages can properly be done. Data available for each grouping of district type: contact the Center for Voting and Democracy.

Source: Maryland Elections Website

Massachusetts House of Representatives

Votes Received % of Total Votes Cast
160 Winners (136D, 24R) 1,937,750 70.81
81 Low-Vote Winners (74D, 7R) 780,697 28.53*
81 Low-Vote Majority Party (D) 789,361 28.84*

Voters (2000) Percent
Republican House Candidates (60)-24W 537,925 19.66
Democratic House Candidates (147)-136W 1,684,893 61.57
All Other House Candidates (?)-0W 59,347 2.17
Non-Votes in House Races 454,419 16.61
Total Votes Cast in Election 2000 2,736,584 100.00

*Minority Rule Percentages

Source:

Michigan Legislature

Votes Received % of Total Votes Cast
110 Winners (52D, 58R) 2,681,867 62.67
56 Low-Vote Winners (34D, 22R) 1,144,039 26.73*
56 Low-Vote Majority Party (R) 1,422,919 33.25*

Voters (2000) Percent
Republican House Candidates (109)-58W 1,919,869 44.86
Democratic House Candidates (109)-52W 2,016,994 47.13
All Other House Candidates (?)-0W 47,439 1.11
Non-Votes in House Races 294,997 6.89
Total Votes Cast in Election 2000 4,279,299 100

Source: Michigan Secretary of State Website

Minnesota House of Representatives

Votes Received % of Total Votes Cast
167 Winners (65D, 72R) 1,484,798 60.43
68 Low-Vote Winners (42D, 26R) 615,525 25.05*
68 Low-Vote Majority Party (R) 818,949 33.33*

Voters (2000) Percent
Republican House Candidates (132)-72W 1,171,702 47.69
Democratic House Candidates (121)-65W 1,058,824 43.09
All Other House Candidates (?)-0W 49,123 2.00
Non-Votes in House Races 177,507 7.22
Total Votes Cast in Election 2000 2,457,156 100.00

*Minority Rule Percentages

Source: Minnesota Secretary of State Website

Missouri House of Representatives

Votes Received % of Total Votes Cast
163 Winners (87D, 76R) 1,610,806 68.26
82 Low-Vote Winners (57D, 25R) 654,204 27.72
82 Low-Vote Majority Party (D) 716,999 30.38

Voters (2000) Percent
Republican House Candidates (116)-76W 1,024,912 43.43
Democratic House Candidates (131)-87W 1,042,251 44.17
All Other House Candidates (?)-0W 24,094 1.02
Non-Votes in House Races 268,635 11.38
Total Votes Cast in Election 2000 2,359,892 100.00

Source: Missouri Secretary of State Website

Nebraska Senators (Unicameral Legislature, Non-Partisan Elections)

Votes Received % of Total Votes Cast
26 Winners 235,988 62.89
14 Low-Vote Winners 95,410 25.42*
Low-Vote Majority Party Not Applicable Not Applicable

Voters (2000) Percent
Republican Candidates Not Applicable Not Applicable
Democratic Candidates Not Applicable Not Applicable
All Candidates 313,062 83.43
Non-Votes in Races 62,199 16.57
Total Votes Cast in Election 2000 375,261 100.00

*Minority Rule Percentage (2000 Seats Only)

Source: Nebraska Secretary of State Website

Nevada House of Representatives

Votes Received % of Total Votes Cast
42 Winners (27D, 15R) 353,994 57.71
22 Low-Vote Winners (21D, 1R) 103,164 16.82*
22 Low-Vote Majority Party (D) 104,048 16.96*

Voters (2000) Percent
Republican House Candidates (37)-15W 286,305 46.68
Democratic House Candidates (37)-27W 231,166 37.69
All Other House Candidates (?)-0W 24,287 3.96
Non-Votes in House Races 71,602 11.67
Total Votes Cast in Election 2000 613,360 100.00

*Minority Rule Percentage

Source: Nevada Secretary of State Website

New Hampshire House of Representatives

Votes Received % of Total Votes Cast
96 Winners (40D, 56R) 234,631 67.04
49 Low-Vote Winners (27D, 22R) 51,611 14.75*
49 Low-Vote Majority Party (R) 92,390 26.40*

Voters (2000) Percent
Republican House Candidates (80)-56W 183,975 52.56
Democratic House Candidates (65)-40W 118,749 33.93
All Other House Candidates (?)-0W 6,085 1.74
Non-Votes in House Races 41,191 11.77
Total Votes Cast in Election 2000 350,000 100.00

*Minority Rule Percentage

Source: New Hampshire Secretary of State Website

New Mexico House of Representatives

Votes Received % of Total Votes Cast
70 Winners (42D, 28R) 394,127 64.02
36 Low-Vote Winners (27D, 9R) 154,027 25.02*
36 Low-Vote Majority Party (D) 163,881 26.62*

Voters (2000) Percent
Republican House Candidates (55)-28W 256,228 41.62
Democratic House Candidates (56)-42W 261,587 42.49
All Other House Candidates (?)-0W 10,972 1.78
Non-Votes in House Races 86,820 14.10
Total Votes Cast in Election 2000 615,607 100.00

*Minority Rule Percentage

Source: New Mexico Elections Website

New York Assembly

Votes Received % of Total Votes Cast
150 Winners (98D, 52R) 4,149,404 59.71
76 Low-Vote Winners (59D, 17R) 1,678,287 24.15*
76 Low-Vote Majority Party (D) 1,758,902 25.31*

Voters (2000) Percent
Republican House Candidates (126)-52W 2,221,775 31.97
Democratic House Candidates (134)-98W 3,166,640 45.57
All Other House Candidates (?)-0W 93,279 1.34
Non-Votes in House Races 1,467,772 21.12
Total Votes Cast in Election 2000 6,949,466 100.00

*Minority Rule Percentage

Source: New York State Board of Elections Website (.pdf)

North Carolina House of Representatives

Votes Received % of Total Votes Cast
81 Winners (42D, 39R) 1,299,769 66.14
41 Low-Vote Winners (32D, 9R) 523,050 26.62*
41 Low-Vote Majority Party (R) 553,053 28.14*

Voters (2000) Percent
Republican House Candidates (62)-39W 935,647 47.61
Democratic House Candidates (62)-42W 798,439 40.63
All Other House Candidates (?)-0W 23,347 1.19
Non-Votes in House Races 207,669 10.57
Total Votes Cast in Election 2000 1,965,102 100.00

*Minority Rule Percentage

Source:  North Carolina State Board of Elections Website

North Dakota House of Representatives

Votes Received % of Total Votes Cast
48 Winners (14D, 34R) 138,120 57.43
25 Low-Vote Winners (8D, 17R) 60,187 25.03*
25 Low-Vote Majority Party (R) 66,264 27.55*

Voters (2000) Percent
Republican House Candidates (47)-34W 129,833 53.99
Democratic House Candidates (48)-14W 109,702 45.62
All Other House Candidates (?)-0W 956 0.40
Non-Votes in House Races
Total Votes Cast in Election 2000 240,491 100.00

*Minority Rule Percentage

Source: North Dakota Secretary of State Website

Oklahoma House of Representatives

Votes Received % of Total Votes Cast
58 Winners (34D, 24R) 429,804 63.70
30 Low-Vote Winners (18D, 12R) 181,829 26.95*
30 Low-Vote Majority Party (D) 207,365 30.73*

Voters (2000) Percent
Republican House Candidates (58)-24W 314,893 46.67
Democratic House Candidates (56)-34W 355,824 52.74
All Other House Candidates (?)-0W 4,018 0.60
Non-Votes in House Races
Total Votes Cast in Election 2000 674,735 100.00

*Minority Rule Percentage

Source: Oklahoma State Election Board Website

Pennsylvania House of Representatives

Votes Received % of Total Votes Cast
203 Winners (99D, 104R) 3,422,345 69.66
102 Low-Vote Winners (64D, 38R) 1,444,471 29.40*
102 Low-Vote Majority Party (R) 1,795,774 36.55*

Voters (2000) Percent
Republican House Candidates (149)-99W 2,018,553 41.08
Democratic House Candidates (161)-104W 2,226,277 45.31
All Other House Candidates (?)-0W 32,872 0.67
Non-Votes in House Races 635,417 12.93
Total Votes Cast in Election 2000 4,913,119 100.00

*Minority Rule Percentage

Source: Pennsylvania Secretary of State Website, Election Archives, 2000 General Election

South Carolina House of Representatives

Votes Received % of Total Votes Cast
124 Winners (54D, 70R) 995,785 69.46
63 Low-Vote Winners 408,524 28.50*
63 Low-Vote Majority Party (R) 510,782 35.63*

Voters (2000) Percent
Republican House Candidates (85)-70W 654,416 45.65
Democratic House Candidates (82)-54W 525,334 36.65
All Other House Candidates (?)-0W 11,423 0.80
Non-Votes in House Races 242,360 16.91
Total Votes Cast in Election 2000 1,433,533 100.00

*Minority Rule Percentage

Source: South Carolina Secretary of State Website

South Dakota House of Representatives

Votes Received % of Total Votes Cast
68 Winners (19D, 49R) 357,425 57.10
35 Low-Vote Winners (15D, 20R) 148,633 23.75*
35 Low-Vote Majority Party (R) 174,222 27.84*

Voters (2000) Percent
Republican House Candidates (66)-49W 331,719 53.00
Democratic House Candidates (54)-19W 195,223 31.19
All Other House Candidates (?)-0W 11,608 1.85
Non-Votes in House Races 87,359 13.96
Total Votes Cast in Election 2000 625,909 100.00

*Minority Rule Percentage

Source: South Dakota Secretary of State Website

Tennessee House of Representatives

Votes Received % of Total Votes Cast
99 Winners (58D, 41R) 1,389,357 66.92
50 Low-Vote Winners (39D, 11R) 565,159 27.22*
50 Low-Vote Majority Party (D) 592,734 28.55*

Voters (2000) Percent
Republican House Candidates (64)-41W 840,136 40.47
Democratic House Candidates (70)-58W 816,593 39.33
All Other House Candidates (?)-0W 48,377 2.33
Non-Votes in House Races 371,075 17.87
Total Votes Cast in Election 2000 2,076,181 100.00

*Minority Rule Percentage

Source: Tennessee Secretary of State Website

Texas House of Representatives

Votes Received % of Total Votes Cast
150 Winners (78D, 72R) 4,436,911 69.24
76 Low-Vote Winners (58D, 18R) 1,652,363 25.79
76 Low-Vote Majority Party (D) 1,773,756 27.68

Voters (2000) Percent
Republican House Candidates (95)-72W 2,943,035 45.93
Democratic House Candidates (97)-78W 2,129,633 33.24
All Other House Candidates (?)-0W 117,516 1.83
Non-Votes in House Races 1,217,453 19.00
Total Votes Cast in Election 2000 6,407,637 100.00

*Minority Rule Percentage

Source: Texas Secretary of State Website

Utah House of Representatives

Votes Received % of Total Votes Cast
75 Winners (25D, 50R) 493,652 62.92
38 Low-Vote Winners (19D, 19R) 182,423 23.25*
38 Low-Vote Majority Party (R) 233,481 29.76*

Voters (2000) Percent
Republican House Candidates (71)-50W 436,284 55.61
Democratic House Candidates (65)-25W 265,706 33.87
All Other House Candidates (?)-0W 17,723 2.26
Non-Votes in House Races 64,869 8.27
Total Votes Cast in Election 2000 784,582 100.00

*Minority Rule Percentage

Source: Utah Website

Virginia House of Representatives

Votes Received % of Total Votes Cast
100 Winners (34D, 64R, 2IND) 1,248,947 65.55
51 Low-Vote Winners (18D, 32R, 1IND) 517,520 27.16
51 Low-Vote Majority Party (R) 583,861 30.64

Voters (2000) Percent
Republican House Candidates (81)-64W 933,120 48.98
Democratic House Candidates (69)-34W 657,292 34.50
All Other House Candidates (?)-2W 91,895 4.82
Non-Votes in House Races 222,934 11.70
Total Votes Cast in Election 2000 1,905,241 100.00

*Minority Rule Percentage

Source: Virginia Secretary of State Website

Washington House of Representatives

Votes Received % of Total Votes Cast
98 Winners (49D, 49R) 2,862,324 57.54
50 Low-Vote Winners (25D, 25R) 1,235,619 24.84*
Low-Vote Majority Party Not Applicable Not Applicable

Voters (2000) Percent
Republican House Candidates (86)-49W 2,010,567 40.41
Democratic House Candidates (90)-49W 2,193,023 44.08
All Other House Candidates (?)-0W 148,701 2.99
Non-Votes in House Races 622,575 12.51
Total Votes Cast in Election 2000 4,974,866 100.00

*Minority Rule Percentage

49 Districts, 2 members per district, each runs at large in separate elections in same area.  D and R tie number of seats (49), all D Candidates had more votes.

Source: Washington Secretary of State Website

West Virgnia House of Representatives

Votes Received % of Total Votes Cast
33 Winners (20D, 13R) 145,478 68.02
17 Low-Vote Winners (12D, 5R) 64,210 30.02*
17 Low-Vote Majority Party (D) 68,875 32.20*

Voters (2000) Percent
Republican House Candidates (25)-13W 86,890 40.63
Democratic House Candidates (30)-20W 111,525 52.14
All Other House Candidates (?)-0W 4,200 1.96
Non-Votes in House Races 11,266 5.27
Total Votes Cast in Election 2000 213,881 100.00

*Minority Rule Percentage

Source: West Virginia Secretary of State Website (.pdf)

Wisconsin House of Representatives

Votes Received % of Total Votes Cast
99 Winners (43D, 56R) 1,698,578 65.36
50 Low-Vote Winners (26D, 24R) 715,232 27.52*
50 Low-Vote Majority Party (R) 854,691 32.89*

Voters (2000) Percent
Republican House Candidates (79)-56W 1,220,937 46.98
Democratic House Candidates (78)-43W 1,038,245 39.95
All Other House Candidates (?)-0W 18,490 0.71
Non-Votes in House Races 320,935 12.35
Total Votes Cast in CT Election 2000 2,598,607 100.00

*Minority Rule Percentage

Source: Wisconsin Secretary of State Website

Wyoming  House of Representatives

Votes Received % of Total Votes Cast
60 Winners (14D, 46R) 151,489 68.34
31 Low-Vote Winners (12D, 19R) 58,305 26.30*
31 Low-Vote Majority Party (R) 69,599 31.40*

Voters (2000) Percent
Republican House Candidates (53)-46W 132,999 59.99
Democratic House Candidates (36)-14W 56,613 25.54
All Other House Candidates (?)-0W 1,881 0.85
Non-Votes in House Races 30,192 13.62
Total Votes Cast in CT Election 2000 221,685 100.00

*Minority Rule Percentage

Source: Wyoming Secretary of State Website