Too much presidential politics? State legislatures are also on the ballot

Some of the most consequential and controversial issues — abortion and voting access, education, health care and criminal justice — are largely decided by state lawmakers who are, more likely than not, on your ballot this year.

State legislators wield significant power, which has been amplified with Congress gridlocked and policymaking punted to the fifty so-called “laboratories of democracy” to pass laws dealing with abortion, guns, schools, voting, LGBTQ rights and more.

But, increasingly, voters’ attention is devoted to narratives spun in national politics, even as legislatures play an outside role in modern policymaking.

Political parties and interest groups are spending millions of dollars trying to sway legislative elections this year. In at least six states, the margins are so close that partisan control of the legislature could flip.

Republicans have more legislative power than Democrats heading into this year’s elections, controlling 55% of the nation’s 7,386 legislative seats, according to an NPR analysis. Overall, the GOP is on top in 57 of the country’s 99 legislative chambers.

Republicans have veto-proof majorities in 20 states, allowing them to override governors’ bill vetoes. Democrats have veto-proof majorities in nine states.

The ability to override a governor’s veto is especially potent in Kansas, Kentucky and North Carolina — states where Republicans have supermajority control of the Legislature and a Democratic governor. Democrats in Kansas and North Carolina are hoping to win enough seats to break Republican supermajorities this year.

Here's a look at some of the legislatures where partisan control hangs in the balance this year.

Arizona

Democrats believe they have a chance to win total control of