Divided Government

Divided government occurs when the presidency and at least one chamber of Congress are held by different parties. It was relatively uncommon for much of the twentieth century, but since Richard Nixon took office in 1969 it has been the norm, prevailing in roughly two-thirds of the years since. Periods of unified control have been brief, such as 1977 to 1981, 1993 to 1995, 2009 to 2011, 2017 to 2019, 2021 to 2023, and from 2025. The President's party usually loses seats in midterm elections, often producing divided government in the second half of a term.

Political scientists disagree about its effects. In Divided We Govern, published in 1991, David Mayhew found that major laws passed at roughly the same rate under divided and unified government between 1946 and 1990, and that major investigations of the executive occurred under both. Later scholars, including Sarah Binder, found that legislative gridlock on salient issues rises under divided government, especially as the parties have become more polarized. Divided government has coincided with most recent government shutdowns, debt ceiling standoffs, and impeachments.

Some voters may deliberately split their tickets to balance the parties, though split-ticket voting has declined sharply since the 1980s. Supporters of divided government say it forces compromise, moderates policy, and strengthens congressional oversight of the executive. Critics say it blurs accountability, since voters cannot tell which party is responsible for results, and encourages Presidents to rely on executive orders and emergency powers when Congress will not act. Republicans hold unified control in the 119th Congress, and the November 2026 midterm elections will determine whether that continues.