The Pennsylvania State Capitol rotunda as seen last year. Aimee Dilger/AP hide caption

Aimee Dilger/AP

While races for Congress or governors' mansions may dominate the airwaves, some of the most competitive and significant contests are farther down the ballot.

More than 6,100 seats are up for election in state legislatures , which make most of the laws on education, taxes, reproductive rights, crime and social media access, among other things.

"The fact of the matter is the day in, day out basis, state governments, state lawmakers, state governors have a greater impact on our everyday lives than what takes place in Washington, D.C.," said John Kennedy, a political science professor at West Chester University in Pennsylvania.

Republicans control the legislature in 28 states, while Democrats have control of 18 legislatures.…