In just a few weeks, a record number of women—approximately 3,564—will be on the ballot for state legislative seats around the country. According to the National Conference for State Legislatures, one-third of these women are running as incumbents, with 2,265 of them running for open seats or as challengers to sitting legislators. Here’s a look at the current state of female representation in state legislatures:
Average female representation in state legislatures currently sits at 25 percent
At roughly 40 percent, Vermont and Arizona lead the nation with the highest representation of female legislators. Twenty-eight states sit above the nationwide average of 25 percent female representation, while 22 states maintain below average representation. Oklahoma and Wyoming are the least female represented legislatures at 14 and 11 percent, respectively.
At the executive level, women hold six governorships, 12 lieutenant governorships, and 10 attorney general positions
