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
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)
Date No. Title Outcome
6/21 HB 41 Amends Absentee Voting Procedures Bill Passed - House (64 - 30)
6/06 SB 655 Establishes New Primary Election Dates Bill Passed - House (71 - 46)
6/01 SB 3 Establishes New Voter Eligibility Requirements Bill Passed - House (191 - 162)
5/31 H 5702A Authorizes Automatic Voter Registration at DMV Bill Passed - House (62 - 10)
5/06 HB 25 Prohibits One-Punch Straight Ticket Voting Bill Passed - House (88 - 57)
5/05 SB 1933 Authorizes Automatic Voter Registration Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 0)
5/04 AB 84 Authorizes Earlier Presidential Primary Bill Passed - House (52 - 20)
4/27 HB 4177 Amends Guidelines for Party Labels on Ballots Bill Passed - House (63 - 46)
4/25 S 1229 Establishes Term Limits for Legislative Leadership Positions Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 9)
4/24 LB 75 Restores Voting Rights Upon Completion of a Felony Sentence Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 13)
4/21 SB 368 Increases the Individual Limit for Campaign Contributions Bill Passed - House (54 - 46)
4/05 SB 27 Establishes Bipartisan Commission for Drawing Legislative Districts Bill Passed - Senate (12 - 7)
4/03 SB 38 Amends Provisions for Campaign Fundraising Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 2)
4/03 SB 38 Amends Provisions for Campaign Fundraising Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 2)
3/30 LD 156 Authorizes National Popular Vote Interstate Compact Bill Failed - House (66 - 73)
3/28 SB 3 Establishes New Voter Eligibility Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 9)
3/23 HF 516 Requires Identification to Vote Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 21)
3/20 AB 18 Authorizes a Ballot Measure to Appropriate $3 Billion to State Parks Bill Passed - House (59 - 19)
3/16 S 3048 Requires Presidential Candidates to Disclose Tax Returns Bill Passed - House (49 - 25)
3/13 S 3048 Requires Presidential Candidates to Disclose Tax Returns Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11)
3/09 HF 516 Requires Identification to Vote Bill Passed - House (59 - 40)
3/08 H 100 Restores Partisan Court Elections Concurrence Vote Passed - House (74 - 43)
3/08 HB 1047 Requires Voters to Provide Identification When Voting Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 8)
2/22 IP 1 Requires Automatic Voter Registration when Applying for Driver's License Bill Passed - House (27 - 15)
1/31 HB 1047 Requires Voters to Provide Identification When Voting Bill Passed - House (74 - 21)
9/14 HB 1631 Requires Individuals to Present Certain Identification to Vote Veto Override Passed - Senate (24 - 7)
9/14 HB 1631 Requires Individuals to Present Certain Identification to Vote Veto Override Passed - House (115 - 41)
8/16 AB 2466 Expands Voting Rights for Certain Convicted Felons Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 13)
6/27 SB 897 Establishes Electoral Districts for City of Asheville Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 16)
5/31 AB 2466 Expands Voting Rights for Certain Convicted Felons Bill Passed - House (41 - 37)
5/25 SB 296 Requires Bond for Extended Polling Hours Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 10)
5/25 SB 296 Requires Bond for Extended Polling Hours Bill Passed - House (64 - 32)
5/19 SB 250 Establishes Automatic Voter Registration Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 16)
5/04 HB 1631 Requires Individuals to Present Certain Identification to Vote Concurrence Vote Passed - House (112 - 38)
5/03 HB 1631 Requires Individuals to Present Certain Identification to Vote Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 8)
4/27 HB 598 Amends Voter Registration Policies for Convicted Felons Bill Failed - House (37 - 60)
4/21 SJRCA 30 Amends Redistricting Process Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 19)
4/13 LB 580 Establishes Independent Redistricting Commission Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 15)
4/04 LB 10 Establishes Winner-Take-All Election System Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 15)
3/29 H 7024 Authorizes Online Voting Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 6)
3/29 SB 1516 Repeals Certain Campaign Finance Reforms Bill Passed - House (31 - 27)
3/29 SB 164 Amends Absentee Voting Requirements Bill Failed - Senate (11 - 24)
3/21 HB 1007 Establishes Electronic Voter Registration Bill Passed - House (93 - 43)
3/14 HB 290 Authorizes In-Person Absentee Voting Bill Passed - House (57 - 37)
3/10 SB 8 Requires the State Supreme Court to Review Judicial Districts Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 12)
3/08 SB 1516 Repeals Certain Campaign Finance Reforms Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 10)
3/02 SB 74 Authorizes Voters to Opt Out of Mail Ballots Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17)
2/24 SJR 2 Urges Congress to Repeal the 17th Amendment Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 6)
2/24 HB 868 Amends State Supreme Court District Boundaries Bill Passed - House (71 - 50)
2/24 SB 112 Requires Certain Number of Polling Centers Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17)
2/19 HB 2 Amends Congressional Primary Election Date Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 15)
2/19 SB 2 Amends Congressional Districts Bill Passed - House (65 - 43)
2/19 HB 4013 Requires Certain Identification to Vote Bill Passed - House (64 - 34)
2/18 HB 2 Amends Congressional Primary Election Date Bill Passed - House (71 - 32)
2/18 SB 2 Amends Congressional Districts Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 15)
2/17 HB 138 Authorizes Certain Minors to Vote Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 16)
2/15 HB 2682 Establishes Automatic Voter Registration Bill Passed - House (55 - 42)
2/10 HB 2567 Repeals State Presidential Primary Election Process Bill Passed - House (37 - 22)
2/09 HB 980 Authorizes Felons to Vote While on Parole Veto Override Passed - Senate (29 - 18)
2/09 SB 295 Authorizes Voters to Register Online Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 13)
2/04 HB 1745 Amends Certain Election Procedures Bill Passed - House (50 - 47)
2/01 SB 106 Authorizes No-Excuse In-Person Absentee Voting Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
1/21 HB 1631 Requires Individuals to Present Certain Identification to Vote Bill Passed - House (114 - 39)
1/21 SB 4 Requires an Individual to Live in the State for 30 Days to be Eligible to Vote Bill Passed - Senate (12 - 11)
1/21 HJR 53 Requires Individuals to Show Identification in Order to Vote Joint Resolution Passed - House (116 - 40)
1/20 HB 980 Authorizes Felons to Vote While on Parole Veto Override Passed - House (85 - 56)
1/19 SB 10 Requires Gubernatorial Elections to be Held on Even-Numbered Years Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 9)
12/16 SB 571 Amends Ballot Advertising Restrictions Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 12)
12/16 SB 571 Amends Ballot Advertising Restrictions Bill Passed - House (58 - 48)
8/20 AB 1100 Increases Ballot Initiative Fee Concurrence Vote Passed - House (48 - 31)
8/17 AB 1100 Increases Ballot Initiative Fee Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 14)
6/03 SB 179 Amends Residency Requirement for Voter Eligibility Bill Passed - House (211 - 145)
6/02 AB 1461 Establishes the California New Motor Voter Program Bill Passed - House (52 - 26)
5/27 HB 153 Amends Date of Presidential Primary Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 10)
5/26 AB 884 Requires the Attorney General to Denote Ballot Initiatives That May Be Unconstitutional Bill Passed - House (50 - 26)
5/26 AB 1100 Increases Ballot Initiative Fee Bill Passed - House (46 - 28)
5/21 HB 2104 Requires Local Elections to be Moved from Spring to Fall Conference Report Adopted - House (64 - 58)
5/12 SB 421 Amends Primary Elections Procedures Bill Passed - Senate (11 - 9)
5/11 SF 455 Amends Elections Laws Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 28)
4/27 SB 466 Amends Voting Regulations Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (38 - 8)
4/23 SF 878 Authorizes Gun Silencers and Expands Ex-Felon Voting Rights Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 22)
4/21 HB 1333 Amends Valid Forms of Voter Identification Concurrence Vote Passed - House (68 - 23)
4/16 AB 252 Establishes Legislative Redistricting Commission Bill Passed - House (24 - 17)
4/15 SB 289 Requires Certain Political Groups to Disclose Expenditures Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 20)
4/10 SB 5153 Requires Nonprofits to Disclose Campaign Contributions Bill Passed - House (65 - 32)
4/08 HB 63 Prohibits Superintendents from Serving on Certain School Boards Veto Override Passed - Senate (24 - 9)
4/08 HB 63 Prohibits Superintendents from Serving on Certain School Boards Veto Override Passed - House (111 - 49)
4/06 HB 1181 Requires Special Election to Fill Vacant Senate Seat Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 20)
4/02 SB 127 Exempts Certain Public Officials from Late Filing Fees Conference Report Rejected - Senate (22 - 33)
4/01 SB 181 Requires the Redistricting of Wake County Bill Passed - House (66 - 47)
3/30 HB 2608 Amends Signature Requirements for Political Candidate Nominations Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 12)
3/28 SB 289 Requires Certain Political Groups to Disclose Expenditures Bill Passed - House (51 - 48)
3/26 SB 179 Amends Residency Requirement for Voter Eligibility Bill Passed - Senate (13 - 10)
3/19 SF 331 Authorizes Online Voter Registration Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 20)
3/18 HB 63 Prohibits Superintendents from Serving on Certain School Boards Concurrence Vote Passed - House (110 - 45)
3/18 SF 437 Authorizes Employees to Take Unpaid Leave to Participate in a Presidential Precinct Caucus Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 24)
3/17 HB 340 Amends Voter Identification Requirements Bill Passed - House (37 - 29)
3/12 HB 63 Prohibits Superintendents from Serving on Certain School Boards Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 3)
3/12 SB 181 Requires the Redistricting of Wake County Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 16)
3/11 SCR 1001 Amends Citizens Clean Elections Fund Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (17 - 12)

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