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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 21, 2017 | OH | HB 41 | Amends Absentee Voting Procedures | Bill Passed - House (64 - 30) |
| June 6, 2017 | NC | SB 655 | Establishes New Primary Election Dates | Bill Passed - House (71 - 46) |
| June 1, 2017 | NH | SB 3 | Establishes New Voter Eligibility Requirements | Bill Passed - House (191 - 162) |
| May 31, 2017 | RI | H 5702A | Authorizes Automatic Voter Registration at DMV | Bill Passed - House (62 - 10) |
| May 6, 2017 | TX | HB 25 | Prohibits One-Punch Straight Ticket Voting | Bill Passed - House (88 - 57) |
| May 5, 2017 | IL | SB 1933 | Authorizes Automatic Voter Registration | Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 0) |
| May 4, 2017 | CA | AB 84 | Authorizes Earlier Presidential Primary | Bill Passed - House (52 - 20) |
| April 27, 2017 | MI | HB 4177 | Amends Guidelines for Party Labels on Ballots | Bill Passed - House (63 - 46) |
| April 25, 2017 | NY | S 1229 | Establishes Term Limits for Legislative Leadership Positions | Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 9) |
| April 24, 2017 | NE | LB 75 | Restores Voting Rights Upon Completion of a Felony Sentence | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 13) |
| April 21, 2017 | MT | SB 368 | Increases the Individual Limit for Campaign Contributions | Bill Passed - House (54 - 46) |
| April 5, 2017 | DE | SB 27 | Establishes Bipartisan Commission for Drawing Legislative Districts | Bill Passed - Senate (12 - 7) |
| April 3, 2017 | TN | SB 38 | Amends Provisions for Campaign Fundraising | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 2) |
| April 3, 2017 | TN | SB 38 | Amends Provisions for Campaign Fundraising | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 2) |
| March 30, 2017 | ME | LD 156 | Authorizes National Popular Vote Interstate Compact | Bill Failed - House (66 - 73) |
| March 28, 2017 | NH | SB 3 | Establishes New Voter Eligibility Requirements | Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 9) |
| March 23, 2017 | IA | HF 516 | Requires Identification to Vote | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 21) |
| March 20, 2017 | CA | AB 18 | Authorizes a Ballot Measure to Appropriate $3 Billion to State Parks | Bill Passed - House (59 - 19) |
| March 16, 2017 | NJ | S 3048 | Requires Presidential Candidates to Disclose Tax Returns | Bill Passed - House (49 - 25) |
| March 13, 2017 | NJ | S 3048 | Requires Presidential Candidates to Disclose Tax Returns | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11) |
| March 9, 2017 | IA | HF 516 | Requires Identification to Vote | Bill Passed - House (59 - 40) |
| March 8, 2017 | NC | H 100 | Restores Partisan Court Elections | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (74 - 43) |
| March 8, 2017 | AR | HB 1047 | Requires Voters to Provide Identification When Voting | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 8) |
| Feb. 22, 2017 | NV | IP 1 | Requires Automatic Voter Registration when Applying for Driver's License | Bill Passed - House (27 - 15) |
| Jan. 31, 2017 | AR | HB 1047 | Requires Voters to Provide Identification When Voting | Bill Passed - House (74 - 21) |
| Sept. 14, 2016 | MO | HB 1631 | Requires Individuals to Present Certain Identification to Vote | Veto Override Passed - Senate (24 - 7) |
| Sept. 14, 2016 | MO | HB 1631 | Requires Individuals to Present Certain Identification to Vote | Veto Override Passed - House (115 - 41) |
| Aug. 16, 2016 | CA | AB 2466 | Expands Voting Rights for Certain Convicted Felons | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 13) |
| June 27, 2016 | NC | SB 897 | Establishes Electoral Districts for City of Asheville | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 16) |
| May 31, 2016 | CA | AB 2466 | Expands Voting Rights for Certain Convicted Felons | Bill Passed - House (41 - 37) |
| May 25, 2016 | OH | SB 296 | Requires Bond for Extended Polling Hours | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 10) |
| May 25, 2016 | OH | SB 296 | Requires Bond for Extended Polling Hours | Bill Passed - House (64 - 32) |
| May 19, 2016 | IL | SB 250 | Establishes Automatic Voter Registration | Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 16) |
| May 4, 2016 | MO | HB 1631 | Requires Individuals to Present Certain Identification to Vote | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (112 - 38) |
| May 3, 2016 | MO | HB 1631 | Requires Individuals to Present Certain Identification to Vote | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 8) |
| April 27, 2016 | LA | HB 598 | Amends Voter Registration Policies for Convicted Felons | Bill Failed - House (37 - 60) |
| April 21, 2016 | IL | SJRCA 30 | Amends Redistricting Process | Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 19) |
| April 13, 2016 | NE | LB 580 | Establishes Independent Redistricting Commission | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 15) |
| April 4, 2016 | NE | LB 10 | Establishes Winner-Take-All Election System | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 15) |
| March 29, 2016 | RI | H 7024 | Authorizes Online Voting | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 6) |
| March 29, 2016 | AZ | SB 1516 | Repeals Certain Campaign Finance Reforms | Bill Passed - House (31 - 27) |
| March 29, 2016 | LA | SB 164 | Amends Absentee Voting Requirements | Bill Failed - Senate (11 - 24) |
| March 21, 2016 | MD | HB 1007 | Establishes Electronic Voter Registration | Bill Passed - House (93 - 43) |
| March 14, 2016 | KY | HB 290 | Authorizes In-Person Absentee Voting | Bill Passed - House (57 - 37) |
| March 10, 2016 | KY | SB 8 | Requires the State Supreme Court to Review Judicial Districts | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 12) |
| March 8, 2016 | AZ | SB 1516 | Repeals Certain Campaign Finance Reforms | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 10) |
| March 2, 2016 | CO | SB 74 | Authorizes Voters to Opt Out of Mail Ballots | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17) |
| Feb. 24, 2016 | UT | SJR 2 | Urges Congress to Repeal the 17th Amendment | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 6) |
| Feb. 24, 2016 | MS | HB 868 | Amends State Supreme Court District Boundaries | Bill Passed - House (71 - 50) |
| Feb. 24, 2016 | CO | SB 112 | Requires Certain Number of Polling Centers | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17) |
| Feb. 19, 2016 | NC | HB 2 | Amends Congressional Primary Election Date | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 15) |
| Feb. 19, 2016 | NC | SB 2 | Amends Congressional Districts | Bill Passed - House (65 - 43) |
| Feb. 19, 2016 | WV | HB 4013 | Requires Certain Identification to Vote | Bill Passed - House (64 - 34) |
| Feb. 18, 2016 | NC | HB 2 | Amends Congressional Primary Election Date | Bill Passed - House (71 - 32) |
| Feb. 18, 2016 | NC | SB 2 | Amends Congressional Districts | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 15) |
| Feb. 17, 2016 | NM | HB 138 | Authorizes Certain Minors to Vote | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 16) |
| Feb. 15, 2016 | WA | HB 2682 | Establishes Automatic Voter Registration | Bill Passed - House (55 - 42) |
| Feb. 10, 2016 | AZ | HB 2567 | Repeals State Presidential Primary Election Process | Bill Passed - House (37 - 22) |
| Feb. 9, 2016 | MD | HB 980 | Authorizes Felons to Vote While on Parole | Veto Override Passed - Senate (29 - 18) |
| Feb. 9, 2016 | WI | SB 295 | Authorizes Voters to Register Online | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 13) |
| Feb. 4, 2016 | WA | HB 1745 | Amends Certain Election Procedures | Bill Passed - House (50 - 47) |
| Feb. 1, 2016 | VA | SB 106 | Authorizes No-Excuse In-Person Absentee Voting | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19) |
| Jan. 21, 2016 | MO | HB 1631 | Requires Individuals to Present Certain Identification to Vote | Bill Passed - House (114 - 39) |
| Jan. 21, 2016 | NH | SB 4 | Requires an Individual to Live in the State for 30 Days to be Eligible to Vote | Bill Passed - Senate (12 - 11) |
| Jan. 21, 2016 | MO | HJR 53 | Requires Individuals to Show Identification in Order to Vote | Joint Resolution Passed - House (116 - 40) |
| Jan. 20, 2016 | MD | HB 980 | Authorizes Felons to Vote While on Parole | Veto Override Passed - House (85 - 56) |
| Jan. 19, 2016 | KY | SB 10 | Requires Gubernatorial Elections to be Held on Even-Numbered Years | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 9) |
| Dec. 16, 2015 | MI | SB 571 | Amends Ballot Advertising Restrictions | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 12) |
| Dec. 16, 2015 | MI | SB 571 | Amends Ballot Advertising Restrictions | Bill Passed - House (58 - 48) |
| Aug. 20, 2015 | CA | AB 1100 | Increases Ballot Initiative Fee | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (48 - 31) |
| Aug. 17, 2015 | CA | AB 1100 | Increases Ballot Initiative Fee | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 14) |
| June 3, 2015 | NH | SB 179 | Amends Residency Requirement for Voter Eligibility | Bill Passed - House (211 - 145) |
| June 2, 2015 | CA | AB 1461 | Establishes the California New Motor Voter Program | Bill Passed - House (52 - 26) |
| May 27, 2015 | OH | HB 153 | Amends Date of Presidential Primary | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 10) |
| May 26, 2015 | CA | AB 884 | Requires the Attorney General to Denote Ballot Initiatives That May Be Unconstitutional | Bill Passed - House (50 - 26) |
| May 26, 2015 | CA | AB 1100 | Increases Ballot Initiative Fee | Bill Passed - House (46 - 28) |
| May 21, 2015 | KS | HB 2104 | Requires Local Elections to be Moved from Spring to Fall | Conference Report Adopted - House (64 - 58) |
| May 12, 2015 | NV | SB 421 | Amends Primary Elections Procedures | Bill Passed - Senate (11 - 9) |
| May 11, 2015 | MN | SF 455 | Amends Elections Laws | Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 28) |
| April 27, 2015 | IN | SB 466 | Amends Voting Regulations | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (38 - 8) |
| April 23, 2015 | MN | SF 878 | Authorizes Gun Silencers and Expands Ex-Felon Voting Rights | Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 22) |
| April 21, 2015 | ND | HB 1333 | Amends Valid Forms of Voter Identification | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (68 - 23) |
| April 16, 2015 | NV | AB 252 | Establishes Legislative Redistricting Commission | Bill Passed - House (24 - 17) |
| April 15, 2015 | MT | SB 289 | Requires Certain Political Groups to Disclose Expenditures | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 20) |
| April 10, 2015 | WA | SB 5153 | Requires Nonprofits to Disclose Campaign Contributions | Bill Passed - House (65 - 32) |
| April 8, 2015 | MO | HB 63 | Prohibits Superintendents from Serving on Certain School Boards | Veto Override Passed - Senate (24 - 9) |
| April 8, 2015 | MO | HB 63 | Prohibits Superintendents from Serving on Certain School Boards | Veto Override Passed - House (111 - 49) |
| April 6, 2015 | ND | HB 1181 | Requires Special Election to Fill Vacant Senate Seat | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 20) |
| April 2, 2015 | GA | SB 127 | Exempts Certain Public Officials from Late Filing Fees | Conference Report Rejected - Senate (22 - 33) |
| April 1, 2015 | NC | SB 181 | Requires the Redistricting of Wake County | Bill Passed - House (66 - 47) |
| March 30, 2015 | AZ | HB 2608 | Amends Signature Requirements for Political Candidate Nominations | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 12) |
| March 28, 2015 | MT | SB 289 | Requires Certain Political Groups to Disclose Expenditures | Bill Passed - House (51 - 48) |
| March 26, 2015 | NH | SB 179 | Amends Residency Requirement for Voter Eligibility | Bill Passed - Senate (13 - 10) |
| March 19, 2015 | IA | SF 331 | Authorizes Online Voter Registration | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 20) |
| March 18, 2015 | MO | HB 63 | Prohibits Superintendents from Serving on Certain School Boards | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (110 - 45) |
| March 18, 2015 | IA | SF 437 | Authorizes Employees to Take Unpaid Leave to Participate in a Presidential Precinct Caucus | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 24) |
| March 17, 2015 | NM | HB 340 | Amends Voter Identification Requirements | Bill Passed - House (37 - 29) |
| March 12, 2015 | MO | HB 63 | Prohibits Superintendents from Serving on Certain School Boards | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 3) |
| March 12, 2015 | NC | SB 181 | Requires the Redistricting of Wake County | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 16) |
| March 11, 2015 | AZ | SCR 1001 | Amends Citizens Clean Elections Fund | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (17 - 12) |