Key Votes

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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:

  1. The vote should be helpful in portraying how a member stands on a particular issue
  2. The vote should be clear for any person to understand
  3. The vote has received media attention
  4. The vote was passed or defeated by a very close margin
  5. Occasionally, if a specific bill is consistently inquired about on the Voter's Research Hotline, the vote will be added

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.


results per page:
Date State Bill No. Title Outcome
April 4, 2023 AZ HB 2415 Authorizes the Removal of Voters from Arizona's Permanent Mail-In Voting List Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 14)
March 30, 2023 NJ S 2866 Establishes the Elections Transparency Act Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 12)
March 30, 2023 AR HB 1407 Establishes the Voter Registration and Secure Voter Records Act of 2023 Concurrence Vote Passed - House (93 - 0)
March 30, 2023 NJ S 2866 Establishes the Elections Transparency Act Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 12)
March 30, 2023 NJ S 2866 Establishes the Elections Transparency Act Bill Passed - House (45 - 31)
March 30, 2023 NJ S 2866 Establishes the Elections Transparency Act Bill Passed - House (45 - 31)
March 30, 2023 MD SB 798 Establishes a Voter Referendum for 2024 Election that Enshrines Individual's Constitutional Right to Reproductive Freedom Bill Passed - House (98 - 38)
March 29, 2023 GA SB 222 Requires All Election Expenses be Paid for with State Public Funds Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 21)
March 29, 2023 KS HB 2053 Appropriates Resources to Provide for a Presidential Preference Primary Election in 2024 Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 12)
March 29, 2023 AZ HB 2477 Specifies the Importance of the Electoral College to United States Elections Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 13)
March 29, 2023 VT S 32 Authorizes Ranked Choice Voting for the 2028 Presidential Primary Election Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 7)
March 28, 2023 MS HB 1310 Authorizes Restoring the Voting Rights of Military Veterans Convicted of Felonies Conference Report Adopted - House (72 - 42)
March 28, 2023 MS HB 1310 Authorizes Restoring the Voting Rights of Military Veterans Convicted of Felonies Conference Report Adopted - Senate (36 - 16)
March 27, 2023 GA SB 129 Requires Employees Get Time Off to Vote Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (46 - 3)
March 27, 2023 GA SB 222 Requires All Election Expenses be Paid for with State Public Funds Bill Passed - House (100 - 69)
March 23, 2023 GA SB 129 Requires Employees Get Time Off to Vote Bill Passed - House (161 - 9)
March 23, 2023 ID H 138 Amends Date of the State Presidential Primary from March to May Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 11)
March 22, 2023 WI SJR 21 Authorizes a Special Election to Fill Secretary of State Concurrence Vote Passed - House (62 - 35)
March 22, 2023 WI SJR 21 Authorizes a Special Election to Fill Secretary of State Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (20 - 11)
March 22, 2023 OR SB 166 Classifies Harassment Against an Election Worker as Aggravated Harassment Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 8)
March 21, 2023 AZ SB 1135 Authorizes the State to Exit the Electronic Registration Information Center Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 13)
March 16, 2023 NY S 1327 Amends Various Voter Registration Laws and Deadlines Bill Passed - House (97 - 47)
March 15, 2023 MS HB 1306 Amends the Mississippi Election Code and Protects Against Fraudulent Voters Concurrence Vote Passed - House (73 - 38)
March 14, 2023 MS SB 2358 Prohibits a Third-Party From Collecting and Delivering Somebody Else's Absentee Ballot Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (33 - 13)
March 14, 2023 NM SB 180 Amends Various State Election Laws Bill Passed - House (44 - 25)
March 14, 2023 TX SB 2 Classifies Illegal Voting as a Felony Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 12)
March 14, 2023 MD SB 798 Establishes a Voter Referendum for 2024 Election that Enshrines Individual's Constitutional Right to Reproductive Freedom Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 15)
March 9, 2023 ID H 124 Prohibits Using Student ID at Voting Polls Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 7)
March 8, 2023 NM HB 4 Expands Various Voting Rights Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 14)
March 8, 2023 WA HB 1241 Establishes Harassing Election Workers as a Felony Crime Bill Passed - House (90 - 7)
March 8, 2023 OK HB 1415 Establishes a Committee to Oversee Election Operations Bill Passed - House (77 - 20)
March 8, 2023 NC HB 151 Authorizes a Joint Resolution Establishing Term Limits for Congress Joint Resolution Passed - House (69 - 48)
March 8, 2023 NC HB 151 Authorizes a Joint Resolution Establishing Term Limits for Congress Joint Resolution Passed - House (69 - 48)
March 8, 2023 CO HB 23-1185 Establishes Limitations on Candidates Who Can Replace Recalled Elected Officials (48 - 14)
March 7, 2023 MS SB 2358 Prohibits a Third-Party From Collecting and Delivering Somebody Else's Absentee Ballot Bill Passed - House (73 - 44)
March 7, 2023 AZ SB 1597 Requires On-Site Tabulation of All Election Ballots Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 14)
March 7, 2023 RI H 5305 Specifies that Public Elementary and Secondary Schools will be Closed on Election Day Bill Passed - House (71 - 0)
March 7, 2023 AZ HB 2613 Requires 100% of a Voting Machine be Manufactured in the United States Bill Passed - House (31 - 29)
March 6, 2023 SD SB 160 Requires Ballots be Audited Within 15 Days Following a Primary or General Election Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (34 - 1)
March 6, 2023 AR HB 1419 Increases Number of Counties Where a Minimum Number of Signatures Must be Submitted from 15 to 50 Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 8)
March 6, 2023 SD SB 207 Establishes Penalties for Appropriating Public Funds to Influence an Election Result Bill Passed - House (62 - 6)
March 2, 2023 SD SB 139 Establishes a 30-Day State Residency Requirement to Vote Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 4)
March 2, 2023 UT HB 347 Prohibits Tampering With Ballot Boxes Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 6)
March 2, 2023 AZ HB 2078 Authorizes a State Audit Process of Election Results Bill Passed - House (31 - 28)
March 2, 2023 VT H 429 Authorizes Several Changes to Vermont Election Laws Bill Failed - House (59 - 78)
March 2, 2023 MT SB 420 Requires City Official Elections be Held in Even Numbered Years Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 20)
March 2, 2023 GA SB 222 Requires All Election Expenses be Paid for with State Public Funds Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 23)
March 2, 2023 AZ SB 1264 Prohibits Election Officials or Workers from Being in Political Action Committees Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 14)
March 1, 2023 SD HB 1165 Prohibits Absentee Ballot Drop Boxes Concurrence Vote Passed - House (57 - 11)
March 1, 2023 SD SB 55 Prohibits Ranked-Choice Voting Bill Passed - House (63 - 5)
March 1, 2023 AZ HB 2552 Prohibits Ranked Choice Voting Bill Passed - House (31 - 28)
March 1, 2023 AZ HB 2691 Requires a Video Livestream of Ballots During the Signature Matching Process Bill Passed - House (31 - 28)
Feb. 28, 2023 WY SF 131 Prohibits the Distribution of Unsolicited Absentee Ballot Forms Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (20 - 10)
Feb. 28, 2023 AZ SB 1565 Prohibits Arizona Counties from Using Artificial Intelligence in Verifying a Voter's Signature Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 13)
Feb. 28, 2023 WY SF 131 Prohibits the Distribution of Unsolicited Absentee Ballot Forms Bill Passed - House (54 - 5)
Feb. 28, 2023 AZ HB 2319 Amends How Judges Interpret Election Laws Bill Passed - House (31 - 26)
Feb. 28, 2023 AZ SB 1180 Prohibits an Individual From Being Paid on the Basis of How Many Voter Registration Forms They Collect Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 14)
Feb. 28, 2023 AZ SB 1201 Reduces the Number of Signatures Election Officials Could Use to Verify Ballot Signatures Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 14)
Feb. 28, 2023 AZ SB 1066 Requires All Nongovernmental Entities Sending Election-Related Information Specify Their Status Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 14)
Feb. 28, 2023 AZ SB 1141 Requires Voter ID at Polling Places and for Absentee Ballot Submission Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 14)
Feb. 27, 2023 SD HB 1165 Prohibits Absentee Ballot Drop Boxes Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 4)
Feb. 25, 2023 NM SB 180 Amends Various State Election Laws Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 13)
Feb. 24, 2023 WY HB 103 Specifies Process for Declaration or Change of Voter Party Affiliation Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 11)
Feb. 24, 2023 ID H 138 Amends Date of the State Presidential Primary from March to May Bill Passed - House (61 - 6)
Feb. 23, 2023 SD SB 102 Requires Continuous Updating of Candidate Lists Prior to an Election Bill Passed - House (66 - 2)
Feb. 23, 2023 KS SB 208 Repeals All Ballot Drop Boxes in the State Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
Feb. 23, 2023 KS HB 2056 Requires All Advance Voting Ballots be Returned by 7:00 P.M. on Election Day Bill Passed - House (77 - 45)
Feb. 22, 2023 SD HB 1200 Require Citizens Collect 1,000 Signatures from Each Legislative District to Put Constitutional Amendments to a Statewide Vote Bill Passed - House (47 - 22)
Feb. 22, 2023 AR HB 1419 Increases Number of Counties Where a Minimum Number of Signatures Must be Submitted from 15 to 50 Bill Passed - House (79 - 19)
Feb. 22, 2023 IN HB 1334 Increases Restrictions on Voter Registration Bill Passed - House (64 - 28)
Feb. 22, 2023 AZ HB 2322 Amends and Codifies Outdated Signature Verification Guidelines Bill Passed - House (47 - 13)
Feb. 21, 2023 MN HF 28 Expands Voting Rights to Ex-Felons Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 30)
Feb. 21, 2023 NM HB 4 Expands Various Voting Rights Bill Passed - House (41 - 26)
Feb. 21, 2023 AZ HB 2477 Specifies the Importance of the Electoral College to United States Elections Bill Passed - House (31 - 29)
Feb. 21, 2023 AZ HB 2415 Authorizes the Removal of Voters from Arizona's Permanent Mail-In Voting List Bill Passed - House (31 - 29)
Date No. Title Outcome
4/04 HB 2415 Authorizes the Removal of Voters from Arizona's Permanent Mail-In Voting List Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 14)
3/30 S 2866 Establishes the Elections Transparency Act Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 12)
3/30 HB 1407 Establishes the Voter Registration and Secure Voter Records Act of 2023 Concurrence Vote Passed - House (93 - 0)
3/30 S 2866 Establishes the Elections Transparency Act Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 12)
3/30 S 2866 Establishes the Elections Transparency Act Bill Passed - House (45 - 31)
3/30 S 2866 Establishes the Elections Transparency Act Bill Passed - House (45 - 31)
3/30 SB 798 Establishes a Voter Referendum for 2024 Election that Enshrines Individual's Constitutional Right to Reproductive Freedom Bill Passed - House (98 - 38)
3/29 SB 222 Requires All Election Expenses be Paid for with State Public Funds Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 21)
3/29 HB 2053 Appropriates Resources to Provide for a Presidential Preference Primary Election in 2024 Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 12)
3/29 HB 2477 Specifies the Importance of the Electoral College to United States Elections Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 13)
3/29 S 32 Authorizes Ranked Choice Voting for the 2028 Presidential Primary Election Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 7)
3/28 HB 1310 Authorizes Restoring the Voting Rights of Military Veterans Convicted of Felonies Conference Report Adopted - House (72 - 42)
3/28 HB 1310 Authorizes Restoring the Voting Rights of Military Veterans Convicted of Felonies Conference Report Adopted - Senate (36 - 16)
3/27 SB 129 Requires Employees Get Time Off to Vote Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (46 - 3)
3/27 SB 222 Requires All Election Expenses be Paid for with State Public Funds Bill Passed - House (100 - 69)
3/23 SB 129 Requires Employees Get Time Off to Vote Bill Passed - House (161 - 9)
3/23 H 138 Amends Date of the State Presidential Primary from March to May Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 11)
3/22 SJR 21 Authorizes a Special Election to Fill Secretary of State Concurrence Vote Passed - House (62 - 35)
3/22 SJR 21 Authorizes a Special Election to Fill Secretary of State Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (20 - 11)
3/22 SB 166 Classifies Harassment Against an Election Worker as Aggravated Harassment Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 8)
3/21 SB 1135 Authorizes the State to Exit the Electronic Registration Information Center Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 13)
3/16 S 1327 Amends Various Voter Registration Laws and Deadlines Bill Passed - House (97 - 47)
3/15 HB 1306 Amends the Mississippi Election Code and Protects Against Fraudulent Voters Concurrence Vote Passed - House (73 - 38)
3/14 SB 2358 Prohibits a Third-Party From Collecting and Delivering Somebody Else's Absentee Ballot Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (33 - 13)
3/14 SB 180 Amends Various State Election Laws Bill Passed - House (44 - 25)
3/14 SB 2 Classifies Illegal Voting as a Felony Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 12)
3/14 SB 798 Establishes a Voter Referendum for 2024 Election that Enshrines Individual's Constitutional Right to Reproductive Freedom Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 15)
3/09 H 124 Prohibits Using Student ID at Voting Polls Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 7)
3/08 HB 4 Expands Various Voting Rights Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 14)
3/08 HB 1241 Establishes Harassing Election Workers as a Felony Crime Bill Passed - House (90 - 7)
3/08 HB 1415 Establishes a Committee to Oversee Election Operations Bill Passed - House (77 - 20)
3/08 HB 151 Authorizes a Joint Resolution Establishing Term Limits for Congress Joint Resolution Passed - House (69 - 48)
3/08 HB 151 Authorizes a Joint Resolution Establishing Term Limits for Congress Joint Resolution Passed - House (69 - 48)
3/08 HB 23-1185 Establishes Limitations on Candidates Who Can Replace Recalled Elected Officials (48 - 14)
3/07 SB 2358 Prohibits a Third-Party From Collecting and Delivering Somebody Else's Absentee Ballot Bill Passed - House (73 - 44)
3/07 SB 1597 Requires On-Site Tabulation of All Election Ballots Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 14)
3/07 H 5305 Specifies that Public Elementary and Secondary Schools will be Closed on Election Day Bill Passed - House (71 - 0)
3/07 HB 2613 Requires 100% of a Voting Machine be Manufactured in the United States Bill Passed - House (31 - 29)
3/06 SB 160 Requires Ballots be Audited Within 15 Days Following a Primary or General Election Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (34 - 1)
3/06 HB 1419 Increases Number of Counties Where a Minimum Number of Signatures Must be Submitted from 15 to 50 Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 8)
3/06 SB 207 Establishes Penalties for Appropriating Public Funds to Influence an Election Result Bill Passed - House (62 - 6)
3/02 SB 139 Establishes a 30-Day State Residency Requirement to Vote Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 4)
3/02 HB 347 Prohibits Tampering With Ballot Boxes Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 6)
3/02 HB 2078 Authorizes a State Audit Process of Election Results Bill Passed - House (31 - 28)
3/02 H 429 Authorizes Several Changes to Vermont Election Laws Bill Failed - House (59 - 78)
3/02 SB 420 Requires City Official Elections be Held in Even Numbered Years Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 20)
3/02 SB 222 Requires All Election Expenses be Paid for with State Public Funds Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 23)
3/02 SB 1264 Prohibits Election Officials or Workers from Being in Political Action Committees Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 14)
3/01 HB 1165 Prohibits Absentee Ballot Drop Boxes Concurrence Vote Passed - House (57 - 11)
3/01 SB 55 Prohibits Ranked-Choice Voting Bill Passed - House (63 - 5)
3/01 HB 2552 Prohibits Ranked Choice Voting Bill Passed - House (31 - 28)
3/01 HB 2691 Requires a Video Livestream of Ballots During the Signature Matching Process Bill Passed - House (31 - 28)
2/28 SF 131 Prohibits the Distribution of Unsolicited Absentee Ballot Forms Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (20 - 10)
2/28 SB 1565 Prohibits Arizona Counties from Using Artificial Intelligence in Verifying a Voter's Signature Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 13)
2/28 SF 131 Prohibits the Distribution of Unsolicited Absentee Ballot Forms Bill Passed - House (54 - 5)
2/28 HB 2319 Amends How Judges Interpret Election Laws Bill Passed - House (31 - 26)
2/28 SB 1180 Prohibits an Individual From Being Paid on the Basis of How Many Voter Registration Forms They Collect Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 14)
2/28 SB 1201 Reduces the Number of Signatures Election Officials Could Use to Verify Ballot Signatures Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 14)
2/28 SB 1066 Requires All Nongovernmental Entities Sending Election-Related Information Specify Their Status Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 14)
2/28 SB 1141 Requires Voter ID at Polling Places and for Absentee Ballot Submission Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 14)
2/27 HB 1165 Prohibits Absentee Ballot Drop Boxes Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 4)
2/25 SB 180 Amends Various State Election Laws Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 13)
2/24 HB 103 Specifies Process for Declaration or Change of Voter Party Affiliation Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 11)
2/24 H 138 Amends Date of the State Presidential Primary from March to May Bill Passed - House (61 - 6)
2/23 SB 102 Requires Continuous Updating of Candidate Lists Prior to an Election Bill Passed - House (66 - 2)
2/23 SB 208 Repeals All Ballot Drop Boxes in the State Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
2/23 HB 2056 Requires All Advance Voting Ballots be Returned by 7:00 P.M. on Election Day Bill Passed - House (77 - 45)
2/22 HB 1200 Require Citizens Collect 1,000 Signatures from Each Legislative District to Put Constitutional Amendments to a Statewide Vote Bill Passed - House (47 - 22)
2/22 HB 1419 Increases Number of Counties Where a Minimum Number of Signatures Must be Submitted from 15 to 50 Bill Passed - House (79 - 19)
2/22 HB 1334 Increases Restrictions on Voter Registration Bill Passed - House (64 - 28)
2/22 HB 2322 Amends and Codifies Outdated Signature Verification Guidelines Bill Passed - House (47 - 13)
2/21 HF 28 Expands Voting Rights to Ex-Felons Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 30)
2/21 HB 4 Expands Various Voting Rights Bill Passed - House (41 - 26)
2/21 HB 2477 Specifies the Importance of the Electoral College to United States Elections Bill Passed - House (31 - 29)
2/21 HB 2415 Authorizes the Removal of Voters from Arizona's Permanent Mail-In Voting List Bill Passed - House (31 - 29)

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