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
Jan. 17, 2024 KY SB 10 Amends State Election Dates Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 9)
Jan. 8, 2024 NY S 5943 Amends the Order in Which Candidates Appear on State and Federal Ballots Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 17)
Jan. 8, 2024 NY S 5943 Amends the Order in Which Candidates Appear on State and Federal Ballots Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 17)
Dec. 21, 2023 NJ A 3690 Authorizes Minors to Vote in a State Primary Election if They Turn 18 Prior to the General Election Date Concurrence Vote Passed - House (47 - 19)
Dec. 21, 2023 NJ A 3690 Authorizes Minors to Vote in a State Primary Election if They Turn 18 Prior to the General Election Date Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11)
Nov. 9, 2023 MI SB 374 Requires Candidates for Public Office File Financial Disclosure Reports Before Assuming Office Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 8)
Nov. 9, 2023 IL HB 351 Prohibits Officials Convicted of a Felony, Bribery, or Perjury While in Office from Holding Any Local or State Office in the Future Concurrence Vote Passed - House (88 - 18)
Nov. 9, 2023 WI SJR 78 Prohibits the Use of Private Funds to Pay for Election Equipment and Administration Concurrence Vote Passed - House (60 - 35)
Nov. 9, 2023 WI SJR 73 Amends the State Constitution to Add a Photo-ID Requirement to Vote Concurrence Vote Passed - House (62 - 35)
Nov. 9, 2023 WI SJR 71 Prohibits Non-Citizens from Voting in Any State Primary or General Election Concurrence Vote Passed - House (60 - 34)
Nov. 9, 2023 MI SB 374 Requires Candidates for Public Office File Financial Disclosure Reports Before Assuming Office Bill Passed - House (56 - 53)
Nov. 9, 2023 MI SB 570 Authorizes County Clerks to Appoint a Designee to Conduct Election Audits Under Certain Circumstances Bill Passed - House (56 - 53)
Nov. 9, 2023 MI SB 613 Requires Broad Financial Disclosure for State Officials Bill Passed - House (59 - 49)
Nov. 9, 2023 MI SB 616 Prohibits Certain Candidate Expenditures and Disbursements Bill Passed - House (62 - 46)
Nov. 9, 2023 MI SB 616 Prohibits Certain Candidate Expenditures and Disbursements Bill Passed - House (62 - 46)
Nov. 9, 2023 MI SB 615 Establishes Exceptions for Expenditure Disclosure Requirements Bill Passed - House (61 - 47)
Nov. 9, 2023 MI SB 615 Establishes Exceptions for Expenditure Disclosure Requirements Bill Passed - House (61 - 47)
Nov. 9, 2023 MI SB 614 Requires Broad Financial Disclosure for State Candidates for Public Office Bill Passed - House (61 - 47)
Nov. 9, 2023 MI SB 614 Requires Broad Financial Disclosure for State Candidates for Public Office Bill Passed - House (61 - 47)
Nov. 9, 2023 MI SB 613 Requires Broad Financial Disclosure for State Officials Bill Passed - House (59 - 49)
Nov. 9, 2023 WI AB 298 Prohibits Cities or Counties from Closing More than Half of Their Polling Places 30 Days Before an Election Bill Passed - House (95 - 2)
Nov. 9, 2023 MI HB 4127 Prohibits Open Carrying at Polling Places Bill Passed - House (56 - 53)
Nov. 9, 2023 WI AB 493 Prohibits Counting Write-In Campaigns Bill Passed - House (52 - 45)
Nov. 9, 2023 MI HB 4128 Prohibits Open Carrying at Ballot Drop Box Locations Bill Passed - House (56 - 53)
Nov. 7, 2023 WI SJR 78 Prohibits the Use of Private Funds to Pay for Election Equipment and Administration Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (21 - 10)
Nov. 7, 2023 WI SB 98 Amends Rules Concerning Voter Registration List ID Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 10)
Nov. 7, 2023 WI SJR 73 Amends the State Constitution to Add a Photo-ID Requirement to Vote Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (21 - 10)
Nov. 7, 2023 WI SJR 71 Prohibits Non-Citizens from Voting in Any State Primary or General Election Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (21 - 10)
Nov. 2, 2023 MI HB 4984 Authorizes Individuals the Option to Decline Voter Registration on a Driver's License Application Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18)
Nov. 2, 2023 MI SB 615 Establishes Exceptions for Expenditure Disclosure Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 2)
Nov. 2, 2023 MI SB 615 Establishes Exceptions for Expenditure Disclosure Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 2)
Nov. 2, 2023 MI SB 570 Authorizes County Clerks to Appoint a Designee to Conduct Election Audits Under Certain Circumstances Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18)
Nov. 1, 2023 MI SB 614 Requires Broad Financial Disclosure for State Candidates for Public Office Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 2)
Nov. 1, 2023 MI SB 616 Prohibits Certain Candidate Expenditures and Disbursements Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 2)
Nov. 1, 2023 MI SB 616 Prohibits Certain Candidate Expenditures and Disbursements Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 2)
Nov. 1, 2023 MI SB 614 Requires Broad Financial Disclosure for State Candidates for Public Office Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 2)
Nov. 1, 2023 MI SB 613 Requires Broad Financial Disclosure for State Officials Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 2)
Nov. 1, 2023 MI SB 613 Requires Broad Financial Disclosure for State Officials Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 2)
Nov. 1, 2023 MI HB 4234 Authorizes Automatic Payment Deductions for Political Action Committee (PAC) Contributions Bill Passed - House (56 - 54)
Nov. 1, 2023 MI HB 4230 Repeals Restrictions on Public Employers Political Contribution Payroll Deduction Plans for Consenting Employees Bill Passed - House (56 - 54)
Oct. 18, 2023 PA SB 224 Amends the Date of the Upcoming State Presidential Primary to April 2, 2024 Bill Passed - House (104 - 99)
Oct. 12, 2023 MI SB 470 Amends Election Laws Concerning Electronic Return of Absent Voter Ballots By Uniformed Service members Bill Passed - House (56 - 54)
Oct. 11, 2023 OH SB 113 Prohibits Individuals from Servining In Public Office if they Have Not Signed Up for Selective Service Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 4)
Oct. 10, 2023 NC SB 749 Amends Membership Makeup of Both the County and State Boards of Elections Veto Override Passed - House (72 - 44)
Oct. 10, 2023 NC SB 747 Amends Various State Election Laws and Policies Veto Override Passed - House (72 - 44)
Oct. 10, 2023 NC SB 749 Amends Membership Makeup of Both the County and State Boards of Elections Veto Override Passed - Senate (30 - 19)
Oct. 10, 2023 NC SB 747 Amends Various State Election Laws and Policies Veto Override Passed - Senate (30 - 19)
Oct. 4, 2023 MI HB 4984 Authorizes Individuals the Option to Decline Voter Registration on a Driver's License Application Bill Passed - House (56 - 52)
Sept. 27, 2023 MI HB 4567 Repeals the Challenge Ballot Requirement that Flagged Voters that Register on Election Day Bill Passed - House (56 - 54)
Sept. 27, 2023 MI HB 4570 Authorizes Voters to Apply for Mail-In Ballots Through an Online Application Bill Passed - House (56 - 54)
Date No. Title Outcome
1/17 SB 10 Amends State Election Dates Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 9)
1/08 S 5943 Amends the Order in Which Candidates Appear on State and Federal Ballots Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 17)
1/08 S 5943 Amends the Order in Which Candidates Appear on State and Federal Ballots Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 17)
12/21 A 3690 Authorizes Minors to Vote in a State Primary Election if They Turn 18 Prior to the General Election Date Concurrence Vote Passed - House (47 - 19)
12/21 A 3690 Authorizes Minors to Vote in a State Primary Election if They Turn 18 Prior to the General Election Date Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11)
11/09 SB 374 Requires Candidates for Public Office File Financial Disclosure Reports Before Assuming Office Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 8)
11/09 HB 351 Prohibits Officials Convicted of a Felony, Bribery, or Perjury While in Office from Holding Any Local or State Office in the Future Concurrence Vote Passed - House (88 - 18)
11/09 SJR 78 Prohibits the Use of Private Funds to Pay for Election Equipment and Administration Concurrence Vote Passed - House (60 - 35)
11/09 SJR 73 Amends the State Constitution to Add a Photo-ID Requirement to Vote Concurrence Vote Passed - House (62 - 35)
11/09 SJR 71 Prohibits Non-Citizens from Voting in Any State Primary or General Election Concurrence Vote Passed - House (60 - 34)
11/09 SB 374 Requires Candidates for Public Office File Financial Disclosure Reports Before Assuming Office Bill Passed - House (56 - 53)
11/09 SB 570 Authorizes County Clerks to Appoint a Designee to Conduct Election Audits Under Certain Circumstances Bill Passed - House (56 - 53)
11/09 SB 613 Requires Broad Financial Disclosure for State Officials Bill Passed - House (59 - 49)
11/09 SB 616 Prohibits Certain Candidate Expenditures and Disbursements Bill Passed - House (62 - 46)
11/09 SB 616 Prohibits Certain Candidate Expenditures and Disbursements Bill Passed - House (62 - 46)
11/09 SB 615 Establishes Exceptions for Expenditure Disclosure Requirements Bill Passed - House (61 - 47)
11/09 SB 615 Establishes Exceptions for Expenditure Disclosure Requirements Bill Passed - House (61 - 47)
11/09 SB 614 Requires Broad Financial Disclosure for State Candidates for Public Office Bill Passed - House (61 - 47)
11/09 SB 614 Requires Broad Financial Disclosure for State Candidates for Public Office Bill Passed - House (61 - 47)
11/09 SB 613 Requires Broad Financial Disclosure for State Officials Bill Passed - House (59 - 49)
11/09 AB 298 Prohibits Cities or Counties from Closing More than Half of Their Polling Places 30 Days Before an Election Bill Passed - House (95 - 2)
11/09 HB 4127 Prohibits Open Carrying at Polling Places Bill Passed - House (56 - 53)
11/09 AB 493 Prohibits Counting Write-In Campaigns Bill Passed - House (52 - 45)
11/09 HB 4128 Prohibits Open Carrying at Ballot Drop Box Locations Bill Passed - House (56 - 53)
11/07 SJR 78 Prohibits the Use of Private Funds to Pay for Election Equipment and Administration Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (21 - 10)
11/07 SB 98 Amends Rules Concerning Voter Registration List ID Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 10)
11/07 SJR 73 Amends the State Constitution to Add a Photo-ID Requirement to Vote Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (21 - 10)
11/07 SJR 71 Prohibits Non-Citizens from Voting in Any State Primary or General Election Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (21 - 10)
11/02 HB 4984 Authorizes Individuals the Option to Decline Voter Registration on a Driver's License Application Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18)
11/02 SB 615 Establishes Exceptions for Expenditure Disclosure Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 2)
11/02 SB 615 Establishes Exceptions for Expenditure Disclosure Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 2)
11/02 SB 570 Authorizes County Clerks to Appoint a Designee to Conduct Election Audits Under Certain Circumstances Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18)
11/01 SB 614 Requires Broad Financial Disclosure for State Candidates for Public Office Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 2)
11/01 SB 616 Prohibits Certain Candidate Expenditures and Disbursements Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 2)
11/01 SB 616 Prohibits Certain Candidate Expenditures and Disbursements Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 2)
11/01 SB 614 Requires Broad Financial Disclosure for State Candidates for Public Office Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 2)
11/01 SB 613 Requires Broad Financial Disclosure for State Officials Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 2)
11/01 SB 613 Requires Broad Financial Disclosure for State Officials Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 2)
11/01 HB 4234 Authorizes Automatic Payment Deductions for Political Action Committee (PAC) Contributions Bill Passed - House (56 - 54)
11/01 HB 4230 Repeals Restrictions on Public Employers Political Contribution Payroll Deduction Plans for Consenting Employees Bill Passed - House (56 - 54)
10/18 SB 224 Amends the Date of the Upcoming State Presidential Primary to April 2, 2024 Bill Passed - House (104 - 99)
10/12 SB 470 Amends Election Laws Concerning Electronic Return of Absent Voter Ballots By Uniformed Service members Bill Passed - House (56 - 54)
10/11 SB 113 Prohibits Individuals from Servining In Public Office if they Have Not Signed Up for Selective Service Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 4)
10/10 SB 749 Amends Membership Makeup of Both the County and State Boards of Elections Veto Override Passed - House (72 - 44)
10/10 SB 747 Amends Various State Election Laws and Policies Veto Override Passed - House (72 - 44)
10/10 SB 749 Amends Membership Makeup of Both the County and State Boards of Elections Veto Override Passed - Senate (30 - 19)
10/10 SB 747 Amends Various State Election Laws and Policies Veto Override Passed - Senate (30 - 19)
10/04 HB 4984 Authorizes Individuals the Option to Decline Voter Registration on a Driver's License Application Bill Passed - House (56 - 52)
9/27 HB 4567 Repeals the Challenge Ballot Requirement that Flagged Voters that Register on Election Day Bill Passed - House (56 - 54)
9/27 HB 4570 Authorizes Voters to Apply for Mail-In Ballots Through an Online Application Bill Passed - House (56 - 54)

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