LINCOLN- Nebraskan voters did not make any dramatic changes in the makeup of state lawmakers this election cycle. Republicans now hold a strong majority (32) over Democrats (17), although the Legislature is officially nonpartisan.

This session the lawmakers will be tasked with redistricting the Legislature's 49 districts. The Legislature previously approved a redistricting reform bill in 2016 before it was vetoed by the governor, which would it have been passed would have allowed an independent commission to draw the legislative districts. With that bill failing to become law, members appointed to the redistricting committee will has out boundary lines before their proposal eventually is voted on by the full body.

Progress in diversity of gender and ethnicity in the body however seems to be one step forward two steps back for the legislature. The 2021 session will have one less woman legislator following last session’s historicly high number of 14. Senator-Elect Jen Day, who beat incumbent Senator Andrew La Grone of Gretna said "I've always wanted to see better representation in the Nebraska Legislature for women, something that was somewhat more proportional to the population in Nebraska."

While the proportion of women decreased, ethnic diversity increased by adding Raymond Aguilar and Rita Sanders, both people of color. They have brought the number of nonwhite lawmakers to 12%. In 2015, that rate was at just 4%. Age wise, following the departure of Senator Ernie Chambers there are no members in their 80s, and now 17 members are under 40.Professions are very diverse, with about a dozen legislators having law degrees, 14% are farmers, many small business owners and a few bankers, retired educators and health administrators.

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