Less than a quarter of state legislators are women

At the swearing of the 114th Congress, 100 women will join in its ranks, a first in US history. Local legislatures and governments on the other hand haven't seen the same kind of progress in recent decades.

Women are the majority of the population in 39 states, but make up less than one-fourth of state legislatures in most states.

Hover over a state to see how well women are represented.

Anand Katakam for Vox/Center for American Women and Politics

Representation has gradually improved over the past 50 years, in part due to a higher number of women seeking an elected office. But in the last ten years, progress has stalled and the female share of elected officials has plateaued:

Anand Katakam for Vox/Center for American Women and Politics

The share of women holding statewide executive office (governor, attorney general, secretary of state, etc.) has also been stagnant in recent years. Currently, out of 318 positions, only about 72 are held by women which accounts for about 22.6 percent nationwide:

Anand Katakam for Vox/Center for American Women and Politics

Women make up an even smaller share of mayoral posts; only about 18.4 percent of mayors in cities with over 30,000 people are women.

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