Interparty Competition in the U. S. States: Legislative Elections, 1970-1978

The article examines patterns of interparty competition at the district level in legislative elections occurring in the American states during the 1970s. Data were collected for more than 90% of the district contests during the period. Results are reported by year, state, and chamber. Included are data on mean Democratic vote percentages, proportions of marginal districts, and proportions of uncontested districts. Democratic means were found to have varied considerably in many states during the decade, rising most sharply in 1974 and declining in later elections. Marginality decreased in a majority of states during the period, while uncontested districts (including Republican-held ones) increased in number in many states.