When state legislators assume office after a general election

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The day that state legislators are sworn into and assume office after they are elected varies from state-to-state. In 34 states, legislators who are elected in November don't assume office until the following year, while in 16 states, legislators assume office before December 31 of the year in which they were elected.

Swearing-in and term-end dates
View swearing-in and term-end dates by year:

States where legislators assume office the year after their election

Legislature (H/S) When terms begin
Alaska

(H, S)

Alaska legislators assume office on the third Tuesday of January following their election.[1][2]
Arizona

(H, S)

Arizona legislators assume office on the first day of the session after they are elected. Each regular session begins on the second Monday in January.[3]
Arkansas

(H, S)

Arkansas legislators assume office on the second Monday of January following their election.[4]
Colorado

(H, S)

Colorado legislators assume office on the first day of the legislative session after their election. The legislative session must begin no later than 10:00 AM on the second Wednesday of January.[5] The state constitution requires the newly elected governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, treasurer, and secretary of state to take office on the second Tuesday of January.[6] In the year after those offices are elected, the legislative session must begin before the second Tuesday of January to declare the winners of those races.[7][8]
Connecticut

(H, S)

Connecticut legislators assume office the Wednesday following the first Monday of January after their election.[9]
Georgia

(H, S)

Georgia legislators assume office the second Monday in January.[10]
Illinois

(H, S)

Illinois legislators assume office the second Wednesday in January.[11]
Iowa

(H, S)

Iowa state representatives always assume office the first day of January after their election.[12] Iowa state senators assume office on the first day of January which is not a Sunday or legal holiday.[13][14]
Kansas

(H, S)

Kansas legislators assume office the second Monday of January after their election.[15]
Kentucky

(H, S)

Kentucky legislators assume office the first day of January after their election.[16]
Louisiana

(H, S)

Louisiana legislators assume office at noon on the second Monday in January after their election.[17][18]
Maryland

(H, S)

Maryland legislators assume office the second Wednesday in January after the election.[19]
Massachusetts

(H, S)

Massachusetts legislators assume office the first Wednesday in January after the election.[20]
Michigan

(H, S)

Michigan legislators assume office at noon on the first day of January.[21]
Minnesota

(H, S)

Minnesota legislators assume office on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in January after the election. When the first Monday in January falls on January 1, legislators assume office on the first Wednesday after the first Monday.[22][23]
Mississippi

(H, S)

Mississippi legislators assume office the Tuesday after the first Monday of January.[24]
Missouri

(H, S)

Missouri legislators assume office the first day of the legislative session, which is the first Wednesday after the first Monday in January at 12:00pm.[25]
Montana

(H, S)

Montana legislators assume office the first Monday of January following the election. If January 1 is a Monday, legislators assume office on the first Wednesday.[26]
Nebraska Nebraska legislators assume office the first Wednesday after the first Monday in January.[27]
New Jersey

(GA, S)

New Jersey legislators assume office at noon on the second Tuesday in January following the election.[28]
New Mexico

(H, S)

New Mexico legislators assume office on the first day of January after a general election.[29]
New York

(A, S)

New York legislators assume office the first day of January after a general election.[30]
North Carolina

(H, S)

North Carolina legislators assume office on January 1 the year after their election.[31]
Ohio

(H, S)

Ohio legislators assume office the first day of January after a general election.[32][33]
Oregon

(H, S)

Oregon legislators assume office the second Monday in January following the election.[34]
Rhode Island

(H, S)

Rhode Island legislators assume office the first Tuesday in January.[35]
South Dakota

(H, S)

South Dakota legislators assume office the second Tuesday in January after the general election.[36]
Texas

(H, S)

Texas legislators assume office at the beginning of the legislative session, which starts at noon on the second Tuesday in January in the year after the election.[37][38]
Utah

(H, S)

Utah legislators assume office the first day in January.[39][40]
Vermont

(H, S)

Vermont legislators assume office the first Wednesday after the first Monday in January after the election.[41]
Virginia

(H, S)

Virginia legislators assume office the second Wednesday in January after the election.[42][43]
Washington

(H, S)

Washington legislators assume office the second Monday of January.[44]
Wisconsin

(A, S)

Wisconsin legislators assume office the first Monday in January following the election, unless the first Monday of January falls on January 1 or 2. In those cases, legislators assume office on January 3.[45]
Wyoming

(H, S)

Wyoming legislators assume office the first Monday in January in odd-numbered years.[46]

States where legislators assume office the year of their election

Legislature (H/S) When terms begin
Alabama

(H, S)

Alabama legislators assume office the day following their election.[47]
California

(A, S)

California legislators assume office the first Monday in the December following their election.[48]
Delaware

(H, S)

Delaware legislators assume office the first Wednesday after the first Monday in November (the day after election day).[49][50][51]
Florida

(H, S)

Florida legislators assume office on the day they are elected in the general election.[52]
Hawaii

(H, S)

Hawaii legislators assume office on the day they are elected in the general election.[53]
Idaho

(H, S)

Idaho legislators assume office on the first day in December following the general election.[54]
Indiana

(H, S)

Indiana legislators assume office the day after their general election.[55]
Maine

(H, S)

Maine legislators assume office on the first Wednesday of December following the general election.[56][57]
Nevada

(A, S)

Nevada legislators assume office on the first Wednesday after the first Monday in November (the day after election day).[58]
New Hampshire

(H, S)

New Hampshire legislators assume office on the first Wednesday of December following the general election.[59]
North Dakota

(H, S)

North Dakota legislators assume office December 1st.[60]
Oklahoma

(H, S)

Oklahoma legislators assume office 15 days following the general election.[61][62]
Pennsylvania

(H, S)

Pennsylvania legislators assume office on the first day of December after a general election.[63]
South Carolina

(H, S)

South Carolina legislators assume office the Monday after the election.[64]
Tennessee

(H, S)

Tennessee legislators assume office on the day they are elected in the general election.[65]
West Virginia

(H, S)

West Virginia legislators assume office on the first day of December following their election.[66]

Footnotes

  1. ↑ JUSTIA US Law, "Alaska Statutes, Sec. 24.05.080," accessed November 1, 2021
  2. ↑ Alaska’s Constitution, "A Citizen’s Guide," accessed November 1, 2021
  3. ↑ Arizona Revised Statutes, "41-1101, Section B," accessed November 22, 2016
  4. ↑ Justia, "Arkansas Constitution Article 5 - Legislative Department Section 5 - Time of meeting," accessed October 26, 2021
  5. ↑ Colorado Secretary of State, "Colorado Constitution - Article 5, Section 7," accessed February 9, 2021
  6. ↑ Colorado Secretary of State, "Colorado Constitution - Article 4, Section 1," accessed February 9, 2021
  7. ↑ Colorado Secretary of State, "Colorado Constitution - Article 4, Section 3," accessed February 9, 2021
  8. ↑ Colorado LegiSource, "Surprise! The 2019 Legislative Session Convening a Week Earlier," September 20, 2018
  9. ↑ Connecticut Constitution, "Article Three, Section 10," accessed November 1, 2021
  10. ↑ Georgia Secretary of State, "Georgia Constitution - Article III, Section IV, Paragraph I," accessed February 12, 2021
  11. ↑ Illinois Constitution, "Article 4, Section 5a," accessed November 1, 2021
  12. ↑ Iowa Constitution, "Article III, Legislative Department, Section 3," accessed November 1, 2021
  13. ↑ JUSTIA US Law, "Iowa Code, Section 39.8 - Term of office," accessed November 1, 2021
  14. ↑ Iowa Secretary of State, "Terms of Offices for Elected Officials," accessed November 1, 2021
  15. ↑ Kansas Constitution, "Article Two, Section 2", accessed February 9, 2021
  16. ↑ Kentucky Constitution, "Section 30," accessed February 10, 2021
  17. ↑ Louisiana Constitution, "Article 3, Section 5," accessed February 10, 2021
  18. ↑ Louisiana Constitution, "Article 4, Section 3," accessed February 10, 2021
  19. ↑ Maryland Constitution, "Article III, Section 6," accessed February 11, 2021
  20. ↑ Massachusetts Constitution, "Article LXXXII," accessed February 12, 2021
  21. ↑ Michigan Constitution, "Article XI, Section 2," accessed February 12, 2021
  22. ↑ Minnesota.gov, "Minnesota Statute 3.05," accessed February 12, 2021
  23. ↑ Minnesota.gov, "Minnesota Statute 3.011," accessed November 1, 2021
  24. ↑ Mississippi Constitution, "Article 4, Section 36," accessed November 1, 2021
  25. ↑ Missouri Revisor of Statutes, "Article III Section 20. Regular sessions of assembly — quorum — compulsory attendance — public sessions — limitation on power to adjourn.," accessed November 1, 2021
  26. ↑ Montana State Legislature, "Montana Code Annotated 2021, 5-2-102. Term of office," accessed November 4, 2021
  27. ↑ Nebraska Constitution, "Article III-10," accessed November 4, 2021
  28. ↑ New Jersey Constitution, "Article IV, Section II (2.)," accessed February 10, 2021
  29. ↑ New Mexico Constitution, "Article IV, Section 4, accessed November 1, 2021
  30. ↑ New York Senate, "New York Constitution, Article XIII, Section 4," accessed November 1, 2021
  31. ↑ North Carolina Constitution, "Article II, Section 9," accessed February 12, 2021
  32. ↑ Ohio Constitution, "Article 2, Section 02," accessed November 1, 2021
  33. ↑ Ohio.gov, "A Guidebook for Ohio Legislators," accessed November 1, 2021
  34. ↑ Oregon Constitution, "Article IV, Section 4," accessed February 17, 2021
  35. ↑ Rhode Island Constitution, "Article VI, Section 3," accessed February 17, 2021
  36. ↑ South Dakota Constitution, "Article 3, Section 7," accessed November 20, 2012
  37. ↑ Texas Government Code, "Title 3., Subtitle A., Sec. 301.001," accessed February 17, 2021
  38. ↑ Texas Constitution, "Article 3. Legislative Department, Section 4," accessed November 4, 2021
  39. ↑ Utah Constitution, "Article VI, Section 3," accessed February 17, 2021
  40. ↑ Utah Constitution, "Article VI, Section 4," accessed February 17, 2021
  41. ↑ Vermont Constitution, "Chapter II, Section 46," accessed February 4, 2021
  42. ↑ Virginia Legislative Information System, "Code of Virginia - § 24.2-214. Election and term of Senators." accessed January 6, 2022
  43. ↑ Virginia Legislative Information System, "Code of Virginia - § 24.2-215. Election and term of members of the House of Delegates." accessed January 6, 2022
  44. ↑ Washington State Legislature, "RCW 44.04.021 Commencement of terms of office," accessed February 17, 2021
  45. ↑ Wisconsin Statutes, "Chapter 13: Legislative Branch: 13.02 Regular sessions," accessed October 5, 2021
  46. ↑ Justia, "2020 Wyoming Statutes Title 22 - Elections Chapter 2 - General Provisions Section 22-2-107 - When Elected State and County Officers Assume Offices.," accessed November 4, 2021
  47. ↑ Justia, "Alabama Constitution, Article IV, Section 46," accessed November 22, 2016
  48. ↑ California Constitution, "Article 4, Section 2. (a)(3)," accessed November 1, 2021
  49. ↑ Delaware Constitution, "Article II, Section 3," accessed November 1, 2021
  50. ↑ Delaware Constitution, "Article II, Section 4," accessed November 1, 2021
  51. ↑ Delaware Legislature, "The Length of a General Assembly and a Legislator’s Term of Office," accessed November 2, 2022
  52. ↑ Florida Constitution, "Article III, Section 15(d)," accessed November 22, 2016
  53. ↑ Legislative Reference Bureau, "Hawaii Constitution, Article III, Section 4," accessed November 1, 2021
  54. ↑ Idaho Constitution, "Article III, Section 3," accessed December 18, 2019
  55. ↑ Indiana Constitution, "Article 4, Section 3," accessed November 1, 2021
  56. ↑ Maine Constitution, "Article IV. Part First., Section 2," accessed November 1, 2021
  57. ↑ Maine Constitution, "Article IV. Part Second., Section 5," accessed November 1, 2021
  58. ↑ Nevada Constitution, "Article 4, Section 4," accessed November 1, 2021
  59. ↑ New Hampshire Constitution, "Part II, Article 3," accessed February 10, 2021
  60. ↑ North Dakota Constitution, "Article IV, Section 7," accessed February 12, 2021
  61. ↑ Oklahoma State Courts Network, "Oklahoma Statutes Citationized 14 O.S. § 80.35.14," accessed November 2, 2021
  62. ↑ Oklahoma State Courts Network, "Oklahoma Statutes Citationized 14 O.S. § 141 ," accessed November 2, 2021
  63. ↑ Pennsylvania Constitution, "Article II, Section 2," accessed November 1, 2021
  64. ↑ South Carolina Constitution, "Article III, Section 10," accessed November 1, 2021
  65. ↑ Tennessee Constitution, "Article II, Section 3," accessed November 1, 2021
  66. ↑ West Virginia Constitution, "Article IV, Section 7," accessed February 9, 2021
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