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 10, 2012 AZ SB 1449 Establishes a Recall Primary Election for a Recall Election Bill Passed - House (36 - 22)
April 5, 2012 MN HF 2738 Requires Photo Identification to Vote Conference Report Adopted - Senate (35 - 29)
April 4, 2012 CT HJ 2 Authorizes Absentee Ballots for Any Reason Resolution Passed - House (97 - 50)
April 4, 2012 LA HB 209 Reduces Voting Hours Bill Passed - House (60 - 41)
April 3, 2012 MN HF 2738 Requires Photo Identification to Vote Conference Report Adopted - House (72 - 57)
March 29, 2012 MO HB 1046 Requires Proof of Citizenship for Presidential Candidates Bill Passed - House (92 - 49)
March 29, 2012 MI HB 5061 Requires Photo Identification for Absentee Ballots Bill Passed - House (65 - 45)
March 28, 2012 NH HB 592 State House Redistricting Veto Override Passed - Senate (17 - 7)
March 28, 2012 NH HB 592 State House Redistricting Veto Override Passed - House (246 - 112)
March 28, 2012 OH SB 295 Repealing Provisions of the Election Revision Code Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 10)
March 27, 2012 FL SJR 2B State Senate Redistricting Joint Resolution Passed - House (61 - 47)
March 22, 2012 FL SJR 2B State Senate Redistricting Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (31 - 6)
March 21, 2012 AZ HB 2862 Appropriates Funds for Independent Redistricting Commission Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 9)
March 21, 2012 NH SB 318 Requires In-State Residency to Vote Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 5)
March 20, 2012 AZ HB 2862 Appropriates Funds for Independent Redistricting Commission Bill Passed - House (36 - 20)
March 20, 2012 CO HB 1111 Voter Identification Amendments Bill Passed - House (33 - 31)
March 20, 2012 MN HF 2738 Requires Photo Identification to Vote Bill Passed - House (72 - 62)
March 15, 2012 KY SB 18 Amends Redistricting Requirements Amendment Adopted - Senate (27 - 11)
March 14, 2012 PA HB 934 Amends Voter Identification Laws Concurrence Vote Passed - House (104 - 88)
March 14, 2012 NY A 9525 State Legislative Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 0)
March 14, 2012 NY A 9525 State Legislative Redistricting Bill Passed - House (98 - 44)
March 8, 2012 VA SB 1 Requires Photo Identification to Vote Bill Passed - House (66 - 31)
March 8, 2012 ME LD 1774 Campaign Finance Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 15)
March 7, 2012 PA HB 934 Amends Voter Identification Laws Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 23)
March 7, 2012 NH SB 289 Requires Photo Identification to Vote Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 5)
March 6, 2012 WI AJR 63 Limits Recalls of Elected Officials Amendment Adopted - House (60 - 37)
March 5, 2012 AZ SB 1449 Establishes a Recall Primary Election for a Recall Election Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 11)
Feb. 28, 2012 AZ SCR 1021 Repeals Public Campaign Financing Resolution Passed - Senate (21 - 9)
Feb. 27, 2012 VA HB 9 Voter Identification Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 20)
Feb. 23, 2012 ID HB 391 Repeals the Presidential Primary Election Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 16)
Feb. 23, 2012 CO SB 147 Prohibits False Information Regarding Election Procedures and Voter Eligibility Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 16)
Feb. 23, 2012 KS HB 2437 Amends Voting Registration Requirements Bill Passed - House (81 - 43)
Feb. 21, 2012 WI SB 386 Removes Voter Registration at High Schools Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 16)
Feb. 17, 2012 WY HB 32 State House and Senate Redistricting Bill Passed - House (49 - 9)
Feb. 16, 2012 UT HB 90 Prohibiting Government Meetings on Caucus Nights Bill Passed - House (38 - 34)
Feb. 16, 2012 KY HB 70 Authorizes People Convicted of Certain Felonies to Vote Bill Passed - House (78 - 18)
Feb. 15, 2012 AK HB 311 Amends Requirements for Electronic Campaign Finance Disclosure Conference Report Adopted - House (26 - 5)
Feb. 15, 2012 AK HB 311 Amends Requirements for Electronic Campaign Finance Disclosure Conference Report Adopted - Senate (14 - 2)
Feb. 15, 2012 MI HB 5085 Prohibits public employers from deducting political contributions from employee paychecks Concurrence Vote Passed - House (62 - 43)
Feb. 14, 2012 MI HB 5085 Prohibits public employers from deducting political contributions from employee paychecks Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 12)
Feb. 14, 2012 MI SB 751 Photo Identification Requirements for Absentee Voters Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 12)
Feb. 14, 2012 MI SB 754 Requires Photo Identification for Voter Registration Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 12)
Feb. 9, 2012 MO HB 1104 Requires Photo Identification to Vote Bill Passed - House (101 - 54)
Feb. 9, 2012 KS HB 2606 State House Redistricting Bill Passed - House (109 - 14)
Feb. 8, 2012 ID HB 391 Repeals the Presidential Primary Election Bill Passed - House (56 - 12)
Feb. 6, 2012 VA SB 1 Requires Photo Identification to Vote Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 20)
Feb. 3, 2012 FL SB 1174 Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - House (80 - 37)
Feb. 3, 2012 GA HB 829 State House Redistricting Bill Passed - House (101 - 53)
Feb. 3, 2012 UT HB 253 Removal of Voters from Voter Registration List Bill Passed - House (46 - 27)
Feb. 1, 2012 RI S 2178 State Senate, State House, and Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - House (56 - 12)
Feb. 1, 2012 WA EHCR 4409 Congressional and State Legislative Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (44 - 4)
Feb. 1, 2012 VA HB 9 Voter Identification Requirements Bill Passed - House (69 - 30)
Feb. 1, 2012 RI S 2178 State Senate, State House, and Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 2)
Jan. 31, 2012 CA AB 1148 Requires Political Advertisements to Disclose Funding Sources Bill Failed - House (52 - 26)
Jan. 27, 2012 UT HB 286 State House Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 0)
Jan. 27, 2012 UT SB 125 State Senate Redistricting Bill Passed - House (69 - 0)
Jan. 26, 2012 UT HB 50 Repeals the Election Campaign Fund Bill Passed - House (51 - 20)
Jan. 20, 2012 VA HB 251 Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 19)
Jan. 19, 2012 KY HB 1 State Senate, House, and Judicial Redistricting Concurrence Vote Passed - House (58 - 39)
Jan. 19, 2012 TN SB 1514 State Senate Redistricting Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (22 - 10)
Jan. 18, 2012 TN SB 1514 State Senate Redistricting Bill Passed - House (75 - 19)
Jan. 18, 2012 KY HB 1 State Senate, House, and Judicial Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 14)
Jan. 13, 2012 TN HB 1558 Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 9)
Jan. 13, 2012 TN HB 1555 State House Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 10)
Jan. 13, 2012 VA HB 251 Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - House (74 - 21)
Jan. 12, 2012 TN HB 1558 Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - House (68 - 25)
Jan. 12, 2012 TN HB 1555 State House Redistricting Bill Passed - House (67 - 25)
Dec. 20, 2011 PA SB 1249 Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - House (136 - 61)
Dec. 14, 2011 OH HB 369 Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 6)
Dec. 14, 2011 OH HB 369 Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - House (77 - 17)
Dec. 14, 2011 PA SB 1249 Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 24)
Dec. 1, 2011 National HR 3463 Repeals Taxpayer Financing of Presidential Election Campaigns Bill Passed - House (235 - 190)
Nov. 9, 2011 MI HB 4005 School Board Election Dates Concurrence Vote Passed - House (69 - 39)
Nov. 9, 2011 ND HB 1473 New Legislative Districts Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 14)
Nov. 8, 2011 ND HB 1473 State Legislative Redistricting Bill Passed - House (60 - 32)
Nov. 7, 2011 NC HB 777 State House Redistricting Bill Passed - House (62 - 49)
Nov. 7, 2011 NC SB 689 Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - House (62 - 46)
Nov. 7, 2011 NC HB 777 State House Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 10)
Nov. 7, 2011 NC SB 283 State Senate Redistricting Bill Passed - House (61 - 46)
Nov. 7, 2011 NC SB 283 State Senate Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 12)
Nov. 7, 2011 NC SB 689 Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 12)
Nov. 3, 2011 MI HB 4005 School Board Election Dates Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 14)
Oct. 24, 2011 SD HB 1001 State Legislative Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 4)
Oct. 24, 2011 SD HB 1001 State Legislative Redistricting Bill Passed - House (50 - 18)
Oct. 21, 2011 OH HB 318 Establishing New Dates for Primaries Concurrence Vote Passed - House (55 - 37)
Oct. 20, 2011 OH HB 318 Establishing New Dates for Primaries Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 10)
Oct. 20, 2011 MD SB 1 Congressional Redistricting Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 13)
Oct. 18, 2011 MD SB 1 Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - House (91 - 46)
Oct. 17, 2011 UT SB 3002 Congressional Redistricting Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (20 - 5)
Oct. 17, 2011 UT SB 3002 Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - House (50 - 19)
Oct. 17, 2011 MO SS for HCS for HB 3 Presidential Elections Amendment Rejected - Senate (16 - 16)
Oct. 4, 2011 UT HB 3001 State House Redistricting Concurrence Vote Passed - House (71 - 1)
Oct. 4, 2011 UT SB 3001 State Senate Redistricting Bill Passed - House (60 - 9)
Oct. 4, 2011 UT HB 3001 State House Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 1)
Sept. 23, 2011 NM HB 39 State House Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 16)
Sept. 22, 2011 NM HB 39 State House Redistricting Bill Passed - House (36 - 34)
Sept. 21, 2011 OH HB 319 Congressional Redistricting Concurrence Vote Passed - House (60 - 35)
Sept. 21, 2011 OH HB 319 Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 7)
Sept. 21, 2011 NM SB 33 State Senate Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 15)
Sept. 19, 2011 NM SB 22 Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 14)
Date No. Title Outcome
4/10 SB 1449 Establishes a Recall Primary Election for a Recall Election Bill Passed - House (36 - 22)
4/05 HF 2738 Requires Photo Identification to Vote Conference Report Adopted - Senate (35 - 29)
4/04 HJ 2 Authorizes Absentee Ballots for Any Reason Resolution Passed - House (97 - 50)
4/04 HB 209 Reduces Voting Hours Bill Passed - House (60 - 41)
4/03 HF 2738 Requires Photo Identification to Vote Conference Report Adopted - House (72 - 57)
3/29 HB 1046 Requires Proof of Citizenship for Presidential Candidates Bill Passed - House (92 - 49)
3/29 HB 5061 Requires Photo Identification for Absentee Ballots Bill Passed - House (65 - 45)
3/28 HB 592 State House Redistricting Veto Override Passed - Senate (17 - 7)
3/28 HB 592 State House Redistricting Veto Override Passed - House (246 - 112)
3/28 SB 295 Repealing Provisions of the Election Revision Code Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 10)
3/27 SJR 2B State Senate Redistricting Joint Resolution Passed - House (61 - 47)
3/22 SJR 2B State Senate Redistricting Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (31 - 6)
3/21 HB 2862 Appropriates Funds for Independent Redistricting Commission Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 9)
3/21 SB 318 Requires In-State Residency to Vote Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 5)
3/20 HB 2862 Appropriates Funds for Independent Redistricting Commission Bill Passed - House (36 - 20)
3/20 HB 1111 Voter Identification Amendments Bill Passed - House (33 - 31)
3/20 HF 2738 Requires Photo Identification to Vote Bill Passed - House (72 - 62)
3/15 SB 18 Amends Redistricting Requirements Amendment Adopted - Senate (27 - 11)
3/14 HB 934 Amends Voter Identification Laws Concurrence Vote Passed - House (104 - 88)
3/14 A 9525 State Legislative Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 0)
3/14 A 9525 State Legislative Redistricting Bill Passed - House (98 - 44)
3/08 SB 1 Requires Photo Identification to Vote Bill Passed - House (66 - 31)
3/08 LD 1774 Campaign Finance Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 15)
3/07 HB 934 Amends Voter Identification Laws Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 23)
3/07 SB 289 Requires Photo Identification to Vote Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 5)
3/06 AJR 63 Limits Recalls of Elected Officials Amendment Adopted - House (60 - 37)
3/05 SB 1449 Establishes a Recall Primary Election for a Recall Election Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 11)
2/28 SCR 1021 Repeals Public Campaign Financing Resolution Passed - Senate (21 - 9)
2/27 HB 9 Voter Identification Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 20)
2/23 HB 391 Repeals the Presidential Primary Election Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 16)
2/23 SB 147 Prohibits False Information Regarding Election Procedures and Voter Eligibility Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 16)
2/23 HB 2437 Amends Voting Registration Requirements Bill Passed - House (81 - 43)
2/21 SB 386 Removes Voter Registration at High Schools Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 16)
2/17 HB 32 State House and Senate Redistricting Bill Passed - House (49 - 9)
2/16 HB 90 Prohibiting Government Meetings on Caucus Nights Bill Passed - House (38 - 34)
2/16 HB 70 Authorizes People Convicted of Certain Felonies to Vote Bill Passed - House (78 - 18)
2/15 HB 311 Amends Requirements for Electronic Campaign Finance Disclosure Conference Report Adopted - House (26 - 5)
2/15 HB 311 Amends Requirements for Electronic Campaign Finance Disclosure Conference Report Adopted - Senate (14 - 2)
2/15 HB 5085 Prohibits public employers from deducting political contributions from employee paychecks Concurrence Vote Passed - House (62 - 43)
2/14 HB 5085 Prohibits public employers from deducting political contributions from employee paychecks Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 12)
2/14 SB 751 Photo Identification Requirements for Absentee Voters Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 12)
2/14 SB 754 Requires Photo Identification for Voter Registration Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 12)
2/09 HB 1104 Requires Photo Identification to Vote Bill Passed - House (101 - 54)
2/09 HB 2606 State House Redistricting Bill Passed - House (109 - 14)
2/08 HB 391 Repeals the Presidential Primary Election Bill Passed - House (56 - 12)
2/06 SB 1 Requires Photo Identification to Vote Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 20)
2/03 SB 1174 Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - House (80 - 37)
2/03 HB 829 State House Redistricting Bill Passed - House (101 - 53)
2/03 HB 253 Removal of Voters from Voter Registration List Bill Passed - House (46 - 27)
2/01 S 2178 State Senate, State House, and Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - House (56 - 12)
2/01 EHCR 4409 Congressional and State Legislative Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (44 - 4)
2/01 HB 9 Voter Identification Requirements Bill Passed - House (69 - 30)
2/01 S 2178 State Senate, State House, and Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 2)
1/31 AB 1148 Requires Political Advertisements to Disclose Funding Sources Bill Failed - House (52 - 26)
1/27 HB 286 State House Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 0)
1/27 SB 125 State Senate Redistricting Bill Passed - House (69 - 0)
1/26 HB 50 Repeals the Election Campaign Fund Bill Passed - House (51 - 20)
1/20 HB 251 Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 19)
1/19 HB 1 State Senate, House, and Judicial Redistricting Concurrence Vote Passed - House (58 - 39)
1/19 SB 1514 State Senate Redistricting Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (22 - 10)
1/18 SB 1514 State Senate Redistricting Bill Passed - House (75 - 19)
1/18 HB 1 State Senate, House, and Judicial Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 14)
1/13 HB 1558 Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 9)
1/13 HB 1555 State House Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 10)
1/13 HB 251 Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - House (74 - 21)
1/12 HB 1558 Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - House (68 - 25)
1/12 HB 1555 State House Redistricting Bill Passed - House (67 - 25)
12/20 SB 1249 Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - House (136 - 61)
12/14 HB 369 Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 6)
12/14 HB 369 Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - House (77 - 17)
12/14 SB 1249 Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 24)
12/01 HR 3463 Repeals Taxpayer Financing of Presidential Election Campaigns Bill Passed - House (235 - 190)
11/09 HB 4005 School Board Election Dates Concurrence Vote Passed - House (69 - 39)
11/09 HB 1473 New Legislative Districts Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 14)
11/08 HB 1473 State Legislative Redistricting Bill Passed - House (60 - 32)
11/07 HB 777 State House Redistricting Bill Passed - House (62 - 49)
11/07 SB 689 Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - House (62 - 46)
11/07 HB 777 State House Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 10)
11/07 SB 283 State Senate Redistricting Bill Passed - House (61 - 46)
11/07 SB 283 State Senate Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 12)
11/07 SB 689 Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 12)
11/03 HB 4005 School Board Election Dates Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 14)
10/24 HB 1001 State Legislative Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 4)
10/24 HB 1001 State Legislative Redistricting Bill Passed - House (50 - 18)
10/21 HB 318 Establishing New Dates for Primaries Concurrence Vote Passed - House (55 - 37)
10/20 HB 318 Establishing New Dates for Primaries Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 10)
10/20 SB 1 Congressional Redistricting Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 13)
10/18 SB 1 Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - House (91 - 46)
10/17 SB 3002 Congressional Redistricting Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (20 - 5)
10/17 SB 3002 Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - House (50 - 19)
10/17 SS for HCS for HB 3 Presidential Elections Amendment Rejected - Senate (16 - 16)
10/04 HB 3001 State House Redistricting Concurrence Vote Passed - House (71 - 1)
10/04 SB 3001 State Senate Redistricting Bill Passed - House (60 - 9)
10/04 HB 3001 State House Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 1)
9/23 HB 39 State House Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 16)
9/22 HB 39 State House Redistricting Bill Passed - House (36 - 34)
9/21 HB 319 Congressional Redistricting Concurrence Vote Passed - House (60 - 35)
9/21 HB 319 Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 7)
9/21 SB 33 State Senate Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 15)
9/19 SB 22 Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 14)

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