DALLAS, April 14 (UPI) -- Nearly 80 percent of the state legislative seats in the nation will be up for election this year and experts warn they should not be overlooked.
Gary Moncrief, a professor of political science at Boise State University in Idaho, said Wednesday the decisions of legislators often have more impact on everyday life than the president, although they get much less attention.
Moncrief said gridlock in Washington and Supreme Court decisions are passing more domestic policy decisions on to legislatures. An example is the gay marriage issue, which is already becoming a hot topic in some legislatures.
A shift of only three seats would change party control in 22 of the 99 state legislative chambers this year, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.
Republicans control both houses of 21 legislatures and Democrats hold 17. The House and Senate are divided in 11 states and the unicameral Nebraska legislature is non-partisan.
