Vote Smart provides easy access to congressional and state voting records and maintains a collection of key votes grouped by issue. Vote Smart uses the following criteria to select key votes:
Vote Smart provides a summary of the version of the bill text associated with each selected key vote. Our summaries are written by Vote Smart's staff and interns, who adhere to our strict policies and procedures in order to guarantee absolute impartiality and accuracy. They do not necessarily reflect the content of the final version of the bill, but rather the version voted on in that stage. While many procedural votes take place before a full chamber vote, our voting stages reflect the final reading of each chamber vote. Each key vote selection is reviewed by the project's community of advisors, who are political scientists and journalists from all fifty states.
For more information about the legislative process, see here.
| Date | State | Bill No. | Title | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov. 5, 2013 | IL | SB 10 | Authorizes Same-Sex Marriage | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 21) |
| Nov. 5, 2013 | IL | SB 10 | Authorizes Same-Sex Marriage | Bill Passed - House (61 - 54) |
| June 13, 2013 | WA | HB 2075 | Repeals Marital Trust Estate Tax Exemption | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 19) |
| June 13, 2013 | WA | HB 2075 | Repeals Marital Trust Estate Tax Exemption | Bill Passed - House (53 - 33) |
| May 23, 2013 | NV | SJR 13 | Authorizes Same-Sex Marriage | Joint Resolution Passed - House (27 - 14) |
| May 13, 2013 | MN | HF 1054 | Authorizes Same-Sex Marriage | Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 30) |
| May 9, 2013 | MN | HF 1054 | Authorizes Same-Sex Marriage | Bill Passed - House (75 - 59) |
| May 7, 2013 | DE | HB 75 | Authorizes Same-Sex Marriage | Bill Passed - Senate (12 - 9) |
| May 2, 2013 | RI | H 5015 | Authorizes Same-Sex Marriage | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (56 - 15) |
| April 24, 2013 | RI | H 5015 | Authorizes Same-Sex Marriage | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 12) |
| April 23, 2013 | DE | HB 75 | Authorizes Same-Sex Marriage | Bill Passed - House (23 - 18) |
| April 22, 2013 | NV | SJR 13 | Authorizes Same-Sex Marriage | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (12 - 9) |
| April 18, 2013 | FL | SB 718 | Amends Alimony Provisions | Bill Passed - House (85 - 31) |
| April 4, 2013 | FL | SB 718 | Amends Alimony Provisions | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 11) |
| March 13, 2013 | CO | HB 1166 | Repeals Classification of Adultery as a Criminal Offense | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 10) |
| March 12, 2013 | CO | SB 11 | Authorizes Civil Unions | Bill Passed - House (39 - 26) |
| March 6, 2013 | OK | HB 1908 | Establishes a Marriage Promotion Campaign | Bill Passed - House (71 - 27) |
| Feb. 14, 2013 | IL | SB 10 | Authorizes Same-Sex Marriage | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 21) |
| Feb. 11, 2013 | CO | SB 11 | Authorizes Civil Unions | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14) |
| Jan. 30, 2013 | WY | HB 168 | Authorizes Same-Sex Civil Unions | Bill Failed - House (25 - 34) |
| Jan. 24, 2013 | RI | H 5015 | Authorizes Same-Sex Marriage | Bill Passed - House (51 - 19) |
| July 19, 2012 | National | H Amdt 1416 | Prohibits Use of Funds in Contravention of the Defense of Marriage Act | Amendment Adopted - House (247 - 166) |
| May 16, 2012 | MD | SB 1302 | Increases Tax Rates for Certain Individuals | Bill Passed - House (77 - 60) |
| May 15, 2012 | MD | SB 1302 | Increases Tax Rates for Certain Individuals | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 19) |
| May 9, 2012 | National | H Amdt 1096 | Prohibits Use of Funds in Contravention with the Defense of Marriage Act | Amendment Adopted - House (245 - 171) |
| March 21, 2012 | NH | HB 437 | Repeals Same-Sex Marriage | "Inexpedient to Legislate" Vote Passed - House (211 - 116) |
| March 15, 2012 | MD | SB 523 | Increases State Income Tax Rates | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 20) |
| March 14, 2012 | NH | HB 1264 | Authorizes Individuals to Refuse to Provide Services for Marriages | "Inexpedient to Legislate" Vote Passed - House (246 - 85) |
| Feb. 28, 2012 | UT | HB 316 | Extends Waiting Period for Divorce | Bill Passed - House (43 - 26) |
| Feb. 23, 2012 | MD | HB 438 | Authorizes Same-Sex Marriage | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 22) |
| Feb. 17, 2012 | MD | HB 438 | Authorizes Same-Sex Marriage | Bill Passed - House (72 - 67) |
| Feb. 16, 2012 | NJ | S 1 | Authorizes Same-Sex Marriage | Bill Passed - House (42 - 33) |
| Feb. 13, 2012 | NJ | S 1 | Authorizes Same-Sex Marriage | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 16) |
| Feb. 8, 2012 | WA | SB 6239 | Authorizes Same-Sex Marriage | Bill Passed - House (55 - 43) |
| Feb. 1, 2012 | WA | SB 6239 | Authorizes Same-Sex Marriage | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 21) |
| Jan. 9, 2012 | NJ | A 4366 | Amending Annulment Requirements and Eliminating Marriage Wait Period | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13) |
| Jan. 9, 2012 | NJ | A 4366 | Amending Annulment Requirements and Eliminating Marriage Wait Period | Bill Passed - House (46 - 23) |
| Dec. 15, 2011 | National | HR 1540 | National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012 | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (86 - 13) |
| Dec. 14, 2011 | National | HR 1540 | National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012 | Conference Report Adopted - House (283 - 136) |
| Sept. 13, 2011 | NC | SB 514 | Constitutional Amendment to Define Marriage | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 16) |
| Sept. 12, 2011 | NC | SB 514 | Constitutional Amendment to Define Marriage | Bill Passed - House (75 - 42) |
| June 24, 2011 | NY | A 8354 | Marriage Equality Enactment | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 29) |
| June 15, 2011 | NY | A 8354 | Marriage Equality Enactment | Bill Passed - House (80 - 63) |
| May 21, 2011 | MN | SF 1308 | Prohibiting Same-Sex Marriage | Amendment Adopted - House (70 - 62) |
| May 11, 2011 | MN | SF 1308 | Prohibiting Same-Sex Marriage | Amendment Adopted - Senate (38 - 27) |
| April 21, 2011 | WA | HB 1267 | Definition of Parenthood | Conference Report Adopted - House (57 - 40) |
| April 21, 2011 | WA | HB 1267 | Definition of Parenthood | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (27 - 21) |
| April 14, 2011 | DE | SB 30 | Same-Sex Civil Unions | Bill Passed - House (26 - 15) |
| April 7, 2011 | DE | SB 30 | Same-Sex Civil Unions | Bill Passed - Senate (13 - 6) |
| April 1, 2011 | TX | Amdt 143 | Requiring Public Colleges and Universities to Fund Student Centers for Family and Traditional Values | Amendment Adopted - House (110 - 24) |
| March 24, 2011 | CO | SB 172 | Authorizes Civil Unions | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12) |
| March 9, 2011 | MD | Amendment 223923 | Civil Marriage Protection Act | Amendment Rejected - House (63 - 72) |
| March 2, 2011 | WY | HB 74 | Prohibiting Recognition of Out-of-State Same-Sex Marriages | Conference Report Rejected - Senate (14 - 16) |
| March 2, 2011 | WY | HB 74 | Prohibiting Recognition of Out-of-State Same-Sex Marriages | Conference Report Adopted - House (31 - 28) |
| Feb. 28, 2011 | WA | HB 1267 | Definition of Parenthood | Bill Passed - House (57 - 41) |
| Feb. 23, 2011 | MD | SB 116 | Civil Marriage Protection Act | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 22) |
| Feb. 22, 2011 | UT | SB 96 | Alimony Amendments | Bill Failed - Senate (11 - 17) |
| Feb. 18, 2011 | WY | HB 74 | Prohibiting the Recognition of Same-Sex Marriage | Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 14) |
| Feb. 16, 2011 | HI | SB 232 | Civil Unions for All Couples | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (18 - 5) |
| Feb. 11, 2011 | HI | SB 232 | Civil Unions for All Couples | Bill Passed - House (31 - 19) |
| Feb. 9, 2011 | WY | HB 256 | Tenant Rights in Domestic and Sexual Violence Cases | Bill Passed - House (33 - 26) |
| Feb. 1, 2011 | IA | HJR 6 | Banning Same Sex Marriage | Amendment Adopted - House (62 - 37) |
| Jan. 28, 2011 | HI | SB 232 | Civil Unions for All Couples | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 6) |
| Jan. 27, 2011 | WY | SJ 5 | Definition of Marriage | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (20 - 10) |
| Jan. 24, 2011 | WY | HB 74 | Prohibiting the Recognition of Same-Sex Marriage | Bill Passed - House (32 - 27) |
| Dec. 18, 2010 | National | HR 2965 | Don't Ask, Don't Tell Repeal Act | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (65 - 31) |
| Dec. 15, 2010 | National | HR 2965 | Don't Ask, Don't Tell Repeal Act | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (250 - 175) |
| April 8, 2010 | AZ | HB 2650 | Authorizing Extension of Divorce Waiting Period | Bill Failed - House (27 - 28) |
| July 18, 2006 | National | H J Res 88 | Same-Sex Marriage Resolution | Joint Resolution Failed - House (236 - 187) |
| June 7, 2006 | National | S J Res 1 | Same Sex Marriage Resolution | Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (49 - 48) |
| July 14, 2004 | National | S J Res 40 | Federal Marriage Amendment | Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (48 - 50) |
| April 28, 2004 | National | HR 4181 | Marriage Penalty Tax Bill | Bill Passed - House (323 - 95) |
| Sept. 13, 2000 | National | HR 4810 | Marriage Tax Relief Bill | Veto Override Failed - House (270 - 158) |
| July 21, 2000 | National | HR 4810 | Marriage Tax Relief Bill | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (60 - 34) |
| July 20, 2000 | National | HR 4810 | Marriage Tax Relief Bill | Conference Report Adopted - House (271 - 156) |
| Date | No. | Title | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11/05 | SB 10 | Authorizes Same-Sex Marriage | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 21) |
| 11/05 | SB 10 | Authorizes Same-Sex Marriage | Bill Passed - House (61 - 54) |
| 6/13 | HB 2075 | Repeals Marital Trust Estate Tax Exemption | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 19) |
| 6/13 | HB 2075 | Repeals Marital Trust Estate Tax Exemption | Bill Passed - House (53 - 33) |
| 5/23 | SJR 13 | Authorizes Same-Sex Marriage | Joint Resolution Passed - House (27 - 14) |
| 5/13 | HF 1054 | Authorizes Same-Sex Marriage | Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 30) |
| 5/09 | HF 1054 | Authorizes Same-Sex Marriage | Bill Passed - House (75 - 59) |
| 5/07 | HB 75 | Authorizes Same-Sex Marriage | Bill Passed - Senate (12 - 9) |
| 5/02 | H 5015 | Authorizes Same-Sex Marriage | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (56 - 15) |
| 4/24 | H 5015 | Authorizes Same-Sex Marriage | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 12) |
| 4/23 | HB 75 | Authorizes Same-Sex Marriage | Bill Passed - House (23 - 18) |
| 4/22 | SJR 13 | Authorizes Same-Sex Marriage | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (12 - 9) |
| 4/18 | SB 718 | Amends Alimony Provisions | Bill Passed - House (85 - 31) |
| 4/04 | SB 718 | Amends Alimony Provisions | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 11) |
| 3/13 | HB 1166 | Repeals Classification of Adultery as a Criminal Offense | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 10) |
| 3/12 | SB 11 | Authorizes Civil Unions | Bill Passed - House (39 - 26) |
| 3/06 | HB 1908 | Establishes a Marriage Promotion Campaign | Bill Passed - House (71 - 27) |
| 2/14 | SB 10 | Authorizes Same-Sex Marriage | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 21) |
| 2/11 | SB 11 | Authorizes Civil Unions | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14) |
| 1/30 | HB 168 | Authorizes Same-Sex Civil Unions | Bill Failed - House (25 - 34) |
| 1/24 | H 5015 | Authorizes Same-Sex Marriage | Bill Passed - House (51 - 19) |
| 7/19 | H Amdt 1416 | Prohibits Use of Funds in Contravention of the Defense of Marriage Act | Amendment Adopted - House (247 - 166) |
| 5/16 | SB 1302 | Increases Tax Rates for Certain Individuals | Bill Passed - House (77 - 60) |
| 5/15 | SB 1302 | Increases Tax Rates for Certain Individuals | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 19) |
| 5/09 | H Amdt 1096 | Prohibits Use of Funds in Contravention with the Defense of Marriage Act | Amendment Adopted - House (245 - 171) |
| 3/21 | HB 437 | Repeals Same-Sex Marriage | "Inexpedient to Legislate" Vote Passed - House (211 - 116) |
| 3/15 | SB 523 | Increases State Income Tax Rates | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 20) |
| 3/14 | HB 1264 | Authorizes Individuals to Refuse to Provide Services for Marriages | "Inexpedient to Legislate" Vote Passed - House (246 - 85) |
| 2/28 | HB 316 | Extends Waiting Period for Divorce | Bill Passed - House (43 - 26) |
| 2/23 | HB 438 | Authorizes Same-Sex Marriage | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 22) |
| 2/17 | HB 438 | Authorizes Same-Sex Marriage | Bill Passed - House (72 - 67) |
| 2/16 | S 1 | Authorizes Same-Sex Marriage | Bill Passed - House (42 - 33) |
| 2/13 | S 1 | Authorizes Same-Sex Marriage | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 16) |
| 2/08 | SB 6239 | Authorizes Same-Sex Marriage | Bill Passed - House (55 - 43) |
| 2/01 | SB 6239 | Authorizes Same-Sex Marriage | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 21) |
| 1/09 | A 4366 | Amending Annulment Requirements and Eliminating Marriage Wait Period | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13) |
| 1/09 | A 4366 | Amending Annulment Requirements and Eliminating Marriage Wait Period | Bill Passed - House (46 - 23) |
| 12/15 | HR 1540 | National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012 | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (86 - 13) |
| 12/14 | HR 1540 | National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012 | Conference Report Adopted - House (283 - 136) |
| 9/13 | SB 514 | Constitutional Amendment to Define Marriage | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 16) |
| 9/12 | SB 514 | Constitutional Amendment to Define Marriage | Bill Passed - House (75 - 42) |
| 6/24 | A 8354 | Marriage Equality Enactment | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 29) |
| 6/15 | A 8354 | Marriage Equality Enactment | Bill Passed - House (80 - 63) |
| 5/21 | SF 1308 | Prohibiting Same-Sex Marriage | Amendment Adopted - House (70 - 62) |
| 5/11 | SF 1308 | Prohibiting Same-Sex Marriage | Amendment Adopted - Senate (38 - 27) |
| 4/21 | HB 1267 | Definition of Parenthood | Conference Report Adopted - House (57 - 40) |
| 4/21 | HB 1267 | Definition of Parenthood | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (27 - 21) |
| 4/14 | SB 30 | Same-Sex Civil Unions | Bill Passed - House (26 - 15) |
| 4/07 | SB 30 | Same-Sex Civil Unions | Bill Passed - Senate (13 - 6) |
| 4/01 | Amdt 143 | Requiring Public Colleges and Universities to Fund Student Centers for Family and Traditional Values | Amendment Adopted - House (110 - 24) |
| 3/24 | SB 172 | Authorizes Civil Unions | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12) |
| 3/09 | Amendment 223923 | Civil Marriage Protection Act | Amendment Rejected - House (63 - 72) |
| 3/02 | HB 74 | Prohibiting Recognition of Out-of-State Same-Sex Marriages | Conference Report Rejected - Senate (14 - 16) |
| 3/02 | HB 74 | Prohibiting Recognition of Out-of-State Same-Sex Marriages | Conference Report Adopted - House (31 - 28) |
| 2/28 | HB 1267 | Definition of Parenthood | Bill Passed - House (57 - 41) |
| 2/23 | SB 116 | Civil Marriage Protection Act | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 22) |
| 2/22 | SB 96 | Alimony Amendments | Bill Failed - Senate (11 - 17) |
| 2/18 | HB 74 | Prohibiting the Recognition of Same-Sex Marriage | Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 14) |
| 2/16 | SB 232 | Civil Unions for All Couples | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (18 - 5) |
| 2/11 | SB 232 | Civil Unions for All Couples | Bill Passed - House (31 - 19) |
| 2/09 | HB 256 | Tenant Rights in Domestic and Sexual Violence Cases | Bill Passed - House (33 - 26) |
| 2/01 | HJR 6 | Banning Same Sex Marriage | Amendment Adopted - House (62 - 37) |
| 1/28 | SB 232 | Civil Unions for All Couples | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 6) |
| 1/27 | SJ 5 | Definition of Marriage | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (20 - 10) |
| 1/24 | HB 74 | Prohibiting the Recognition of Same-Sex Marriage | Bill Passed - House (32 - 27) |
| 12/18 | HR 2965 | Don't Ask, Don't Tell Repeal Act | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (65 - 31) |
| 12/15 | HR 2965 | Don't Ask, Don't Tell Repeal Act | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (250 - 175) |
| 4/08 | HB 2650 | Authorizing Extension of Divorce Waiting Period | Bill Failed - House (27 - 28) |
| 7/18 | H J Res 88 | Same-Sex Marriage Resolution | Joint Resolution Failed - House (236 - 187) |
| 6/07 | S J Res 1 | Same Sex Marriage Resolution | Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (49 - 48) |
| 7/14 | S J Res 40 | Federal Marriage Amendment | Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (48 - 50) |
| 4/28 | HR 4181 | Marriage Penalty Tax Bill | Bill Passed - House (323 - 95) |
| 9/13 | HR 4810 | Marriage Tax Relief Bill | Veto Override Failed - House (270 - 158) |
| 7/21 | HR 4810 | Marriage Tax Relief Bill | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (60 - 34) |
| 7/20 | HR 4810 | Marriage Tax Relief Bill | Conference Report Adopted - House (271 - 156) |