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 11, 2011 LA SB 1 State Senate Redistricting Bill Passed - House (71 - 28)
April 8, 2011 ND HB 1267 Legislative Redistricting Concurrence Vote Passed - House (69 - 18)
April 7, 2011 ND HB 1267 Legislative Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 13)
April 6, 2011 MS SCR 692 Redistricting the State House and Senate Bill Passed - House (63 - 53)
April 6, 2011 MO HB 193 Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - House (106 - 53)
April 6, 2011 AR SB 871 Congressional Redistricting Plan Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 13)
March 30, 2011 NH SB 129 Requiring Photo Identification to Vote Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 6)
March 30, 2011 ID S 1198 Primary Elections Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 7)
March 24, 2011 FL HB 1207 Campaign Financing Act Veto Override Passed - House (81 - 39)
March 24, 2011 FL HB 1207 Campaign Financing Act Veto Override Passed - Senate (30 - 9)
March 24, 2011 TX SB 14 Voter Identification Requirements Bill Passed - House (101 - 48)
March 22, 2011 AL HB 19 Requires Photo Identification to Vote Bill Passed - House (64 - 31)
March 21, 2011 NJ S 2756 Authorizes Registered Voters to Receive Mail-In Ballots Automatically Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 13)
March 21, 2011 AR HB 1797 Requires Proof of Identity to Vote Bill Passed - House (53 - 36)
March 16, 2011 GA SB 10 Alcoholic Beverage Sales on Sundays Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 22)
March 14, 2011 NY S 3331 Non-Partisan Redistricting Commission Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 24)
March 14, 2011 OK SB 91 Proof of Presidential Candidates' Citizenship Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 10)
March 4, 2011 PA HB 934 Amends Voter Identification Laws
March 4, 2011 MS JR 1 Redistricting for House of Representatives Bill Passed - House (66 - 56)
March 3, 2011 MT HB 521 Referendum to Revise Judicial Election Laws Bill Failed - House (45 - 54)
March 2, 2011 MA S 9 Establishing a Redistricting Commission Bill Passed - House (123 - 30)
March 2, 2011 WV HB 2732 Increased Fees for Lawsuits Bill Passed - House (65 - 35)
Feb. 25, 2011 KS HB 2067 Voter Photographic Identification Requirements Bill Passed - House (83 - 36)
Feb. 24, 2011 KS HB 2130 Prohibits Union Dues for Political Activities Bill Passed - House (75 - 46)
Feb. 24, 2011 MO SJR 2 Constitutional Amendment Requiring Voter Photo Identification Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7)
Feb. 23, 2011 UT SJR 9 Supervision of Public Education Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (22 - 6)
Feb. 22, 2011 VT S 31 Electing the President by Popular Vote Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 10)
Feb. 22, 2011 GA HB 92 Limits Absentee Ballots Bill Passed - House (148 - 20)
Feb. 22, 2011 CO HB 1003 Changes to Voter Identification Requirements Bill Passed - House (35 - 30)
Feb. 18, 2011 MT SB 268 Election of Supreme Court Justices by District Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 20)
Feb. 17, 2011 ND HB 1267 Legislative Redistricting Bill Passed - House (72 - 21)
Feb. 17, 2011 MO SB 3 Requires Photo Identification to Vote Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7)
Feb. 10, 2011 SC H 3003 Voter ID Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 17)
Feb. 10, 2011 MA S 9 Establishing a Redistricting Commission Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 4)
Feb. 4, 2011 MT HB 180 Revise Close of Voter Registration Bill Passed - House (67 - 33)
Jan. 28, 2011 MT HB 130 Expansion of Elections that Can Be Conducted By Mail Bill Failed - House (42 - 57)
Jan. 26, 2011 SC H 3003 Voter ID Bill Passed - House (74 - 45)
Jan. 26, 2011 TX SB 14 Voter Identification Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 11)
Jan. 26, 2011 National HR 359 Abolishing Federal Financing of Presidential Election Campaigns Bill Passed - House (239 - 160)
Jan. 24, 2011 VA SB 949 Allowing Absentee Voting For Any Reason Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 14)
Jan. 4, 2011 IL SB 3976 Rules to Govern the Redistricting Process Bill Passed - House (67 - 46)
Sept. 23, 2010 National S 3628 Campaign Finance Disclosure Requirements Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (59 - 39)
Aug. 25, 2010 CA SB 970 College Vote-by-Mail Drop-Off Locations Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 11)
Aug. 23, 2010 CA SB 970 College Vote-by-Mail Drop-Off Locations Bill Passed - House (48 - 28)
July 27, 2010 MA H 4156 National Popular Vote Act Motion Agreed - Senate (28 - 9)
July 27, 2010 National S 3628 Campaign Finance Disclosure Requirements Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (57 - 41)
July 20, 2010 MA H 4156 National Popular Vote Act Motion Agreed - House (116 - 34)
July 19, 2010 WV HB 201 Filling Senate Seat Vacancy Motion Agreed - House (85 - 5)
July 17, 2010 WV HB 201 Filling Senate Seat Vacancy Motion Rejected - House (51 - 34)
July 17, 2010 WV HB 201 Filling Senate Seat Vacancy Bill Passed - House (46 - 37)
July 17, 2010 WV HB 201 Filling Senate Seat Vacancy Bill Failed - House (42 - 45)
July 15, 2010 MA H 4156 National Popular Vote Act Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 10)
July 10, 2010 NC HB 748 Campaign Financing Restrictions Concurrence Vote Passed - House (57 - 47)
July 9, 2010 NC HB 748 Campaign Financing Restrictions Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 18)
July 6, 2010 NC Amdt 2 Lobbying Restrictions Amendment Adopted - House (67 - 48)
June 24, 2010 National HR 5175 Campaign Finance Disclosure Requirements Bill Passed - House (219 - 206)
June 22, 2010 MI HB 6183 Campaign Finance Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (64 - 42)
June 22, 2010 MI HB 6187 Campaign Finance Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (64 - 42)
June 22, 2010 MI HB 6184 Campaign Finance Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (62 - 44)
June 22, 2010 MI HB 6186 Campaign Finance Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (64 - 42)
June 20, 2010 LA HB 671 Evacuee Requirements for Running for Office Concurrence Vote Passed - House (59 - 24)
June 17, 2010 MI SJR V Expanding Prohibitions Against Felons Holding Public Office Joint Resolution Passed - House (91 - 13)
June 9, 2010 LA HCR 63 Requesting Constitutional Convention for Congressional Term Limits Resolution Passed - House (56 - 29)
June 2, 2010 NH HB 1459 Campaign Finance Amendments Conference Report Rejected - House (135 - 184)
June 2, 2010 NH HB 1459 Campaign Finance Amendments Conference Report Adopted - Senate (14 - 10)
June 2, 2010 MA H 4156 National Popular Vote Act Bill Passed - House (114 - 35)
May 18, 2010 LA Amdt 3107 Advancing Effective Date of Open Primaries for US Congress Elections Amendment Adopted - Senate (23 - 14)
May 11, 2010 CO HB 1408 Criteria for Judicial Determinations of Congressional Districts Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13)
May 11, 2010 CO SB 203 Independent expenditures in Colorado elections Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 13)
May 11, 2010 CO SB 203 Independent expenditures in Colorado elections Bill Passed - House (45 - 20)
May 10, 2010 TN HB 270 Citizenship Status for Voting and Registration Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 12)
April 30, 2010 CO HB 1408 Criteria for Judicial Determinations of Congressional Districts Bill Passed - House (35 - 28)
April 29, 2010 IL SJR 121 Redistricting Process Modifications Bill Failed - House (69 - 47)
April 19, 2010 AZ Burges Amdt Verification of Presidential Candidate's Birth Certificate Motion Rejected - House (22 - 31)
April 14, 2010 LA HB 292 Open Primaries for Congressional Elections Bill Passed - House (71 - 27)
April 14, 2010 IL SJR 121 Redistricting Process Modifications Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (36 - 22)
March 24, 2010 ID H 496 Requiring Photo Identification to Vote Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 6)
March 18, 2010 KY HB 97 Moving Back Primary Dates and Filing Deadlines Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 15)
March 18, 2010 FL HB 1207 Election Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (73 - 42)
March 17, 2010 GA SB 406 Online Voter Registration Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 20)
March 3, 2010 WV HB 4130 Supreme Court of Appeals Public Campaign Financing Pilot Program Bill Passed - House (67 - 30)
March 1, 2010 WV HB 4647 Campaign Finance Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (69 - 26)
March 1, 2010 AZ SCR 1009 Repealing Public Funding of Statewide Political Campaigns Resolution Passed - Senate (16 - 12)
March 1, 2010 AZ SCR 1007 Repealing Legislative Term Limits Resolution Passed - Senate (18 - 11)
March 1, 2010 ID H 496 Requiring Photo Identification to Vote Bill Passed - House (64 - 6)
March 1, 2010 WV HB 4646 Campaign Finance Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (61 - 34)
Feb. 16, 2010 NM HB 118 Prohibiting Lobbyist and Contractor Campaign Contributions Bill Passed - House (46 - 24)
Feb. 10, 2010 WY HB 68 Repealing Campaign Finance Restrictions Bill Failed - House (36 - 22)
Feb. 10, 2010 KY HB 70 Voting Rights For Certain Felons Bill Passed - House (83 - 16)
Feb. 8, 2010 NY A 9544 Election and Campaign Finance Ethics Amendments Veto Override Failed - Senate (35 - 26)
Feb. 2, 2010 KY SB 53 Allowing Independents to Vote in Primaries Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 12)
Feb. 2, 2010 ME LD 56 National Popular Vote Act Bill Failed - House (50 - 95)
Jan. 25, 2010 VA SB 83 Authorizing No-Excuse, In-Person Absentee Voting Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 10)
Jan. 20, 2010 NY A 9544 Election and Campaign Finance Ethics Amendments Bill Passed - House (139 - 2)
Jan. 13, 2010 OH HB 5 Campaign Finance Amendments Concurrence Vote Failed - House (48 - 50)
Jan. 12, 2010 TN HB 614 Delaying Paper Ballot Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 10)
Dec. 9, 2009 OH SB 8 Election Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 10)
Nov. 18, 2009 OH HB 260 Election Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (52 - 46)
Oct. 15, 2009 IL HJRCA 31 Authorizing Governor Recall Elections Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (56 - 1)
Sept. 23, 2009 OH SJR 5 Redistricting Commission Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (21 - 12)
Date No. Title Outcome
4/11 SB 1 State Senate Redistricting Bill Passed - House (71 - 28)
4/08 HB 1267 Legislative Redistricting Concurrence Vote Passed - House (69 - 18)
4/07 HB 1267 Legislative Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 13)
4/06 SCR 692 Redistricting the State House and Senate Bill Passed - House (63 - 53)
4/06 HB 193 Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - House (106 - 53)
4/06 SB 871 Congressional Redistricting Plan Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 13)
3/30 SB 129 Requiring Photo Identification to Vote Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 6)
3/30 S 1198 Primary Elections Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 7)
3/24 HB 1207 Campaign Financing Act Veto Override Passed - House (81 - 39)
3/24 HB 1207 Campaign Financing Act Veto Override Passed - Senate (30 - 9)
3/24 SB 14 Voter Identification Requirements Bill Passed - House (101 - 48)
3/22 HB 19 Requires Photo Identification to Vote Bill Passed - House (64 - 31)
3/21 S 2756 Authorizes Registered Voters to Receive Mail-In Ballots Automatically Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 13)
3/21 HB 1797 Requires Proof of Identity to Vote Bill Passed - House (53 - 36)
3/16 SB 10 Alcoholic Beverage Sales on Sundays Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 22)
3/14 S 3331 Non-Partisan Redistricting Commission Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 24)
3/14 SB 91 Proof of Presidential Candidates' Citizenship Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 10)
3/04 HB 934 Amends Voter Identification Laws
3/04 JR 1 Redistricting for House of Representatives Bill Passed - House (66 - 56)
3/03 HB 521 Referendum to Revise Judicial Election Laws Bill Failed - House (45 - 54)
3/02 S 9 Establishing a Redistricting Commission Bill Passed - House (123 - 30)
3/02 HB 2732 Increased Fees for Lawsuits Bill Passed - House (65 - 35)
2/25 HB 2067 Voter Photographic Identification Requirements Bill Passed - House (83 - 36)
2/24 HB 2130 Prohibits Union Dues for Political Activities Bill Passed - House (75 - 46)
2/24 SJR 2 Constitutional Amendment Requiring Voter Photo Identification Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7)
2/23 SJR 9 Supervision of Public Education Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (22 - 6)
2/22 S 31 Electing the President by Popular Vote Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 10)
2/22 HB 92 Limits Absentee Ballots Bill Passed - House (148 - 20)
2/22 HB 1003 Changes to Voter Identification Requirements Bill Passed - House (35 - 30)
2/18 SB 268 Election of Supreme Court Justices by District Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 20)
2/17 HB 1267 Legislative Redistricting Bill Passed - House (72 - 21)
2/17 SB 3 Requires Photo Identification to Vote Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7)
2/10 H 3003 Voter ID Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 17)
2/10 S 9 Establishing a Redistricting Commission Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 4)
2/04 HB 180 Revise Close of Voter Registration Bill Passed - House (67 - 33)
1/28 HB 130 Expansion of Elections that Can Be Conducted By Mail Bill Failed - House (42 - 57)
1/26 H 3003 Voter ID Bill Passed - House (74 - 45)
1/26 SB 14 Voter Identification Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 11)
1/26 HR 359 Abolishing Federal Financing of Presidential Election Campaigns Bill Passed - House (239 - 160)
1/24 SB 949 Allowing Absentee Voting For Any Reason Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 14)
1/04 SB 3976 Rules to Govern the Redistricting Process Bill Passed - House (67 - 46)
9/23 S 3628 Campaign Finance Disclosure Requirements Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (59 - 39)
8/25 SB 970 College Vote-by-Mail Drop-Off Locations Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 11)
8/23 SB 970 College Vote-by-Mail Drop-Off Locations Bill Passed - House (48 - 28)
7/27 H 4156 National Popular Vote Act Motion Agreed - Senate (28 - 9)
7/27 S 3628 Campaign Finance Disclosure Requirements Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (57 - 41)
7/20 H 4156 National Popular Vote Act Motion Agreed - House (116 - 34)
7/19 HB 201 Filling Senate Seat Vacancy Motion Agreed - House (85 - 5)
7/17 HB 201 Filling Senate Seat Vacancy Motion Rejected - House (51 - 34)
7/17 HB 201 Filling Senate Seat Vacancy Bill Passed - House (46 - 37)
7/17 HB 201 Filling Senate Seat Vacancy Bill Failed - House (42 - 45)
7/15 H 4156 National Popular Vote Act Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 10)
7/10 HB 748 Campaign Financing Restrictions Concurrence Vote Passed - House (57 - 47)
7/09 HB 748 Campaign Financing Restrictions Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 18)
7/06 Amdt 2 Lobbying Restrictions Amendment Adopted - House (67 - 48)
6/24 HR 5175 Campaign Finance Disclosure Requirements Bill Passed - House (219 - 206)
6/22 HB 6183 Campaign Finance Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (64 - 42)
6/22 HB 6187 Campaign Finance Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (64 - 42)
6/22 HB 6184 Campaign Finance Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (62 - 44)
6/22 HB 6186 Campaign Finance Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (64 - 42)
6/20 HB 671 Evacuee Requirements for Running for Office Concurrence Vote Passed - House (59 - 24)
6/17 SJR V Expanding Prohibitions Against Felons Holding Public Office Joint Resolution Passed - House (91 - 13)
6/09 HCR 63 Requesting Constitutional Convention for Congressional Term Limits Resolution Passed - House (56 - 29)
6/02 HB 1459 Campaign Finance Amendments Conference Report Rejected - House (135 - 184)
6/02 HB 1459 Campaign Finance Amendments Conference Report Adopted - Senate (14 - 10)
6/02 H 4156 National Popular Vote Act Bill Passed - House (114 - 35)
5/18 Amdt 3107 Advancing Effective Date of Open Primaries for US Congress Elections Amendment Adopted - Senate (23 - 14)
5/11 HB 1408 Criteria for Judicial Determinations of Congressional Districts Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13)
5/11 SB 203 Independent expenditures in Colorado elections Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 13)
5/11 SB 203 Independent expenditures in Colorado elections Bill Passed - House (45 - 20)
5/10 HB 270 Citizenship Status for Voting and Registration Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 12)
4/30 HB 1408 Criteria for Judicial Determinations of Congressional Districts Bill Passed - House (35 - 28)
4/29 SJR 121 Redistricting Process Modifications Bill Failed - House (69 - 47)
4/19 Burges Amdt Verification of Presidential Candidate's Birth Certificate Motion Rejected - House (22 - 31)
4/14 HB 292 Open Primaries for Congressional Elections Bill Passed - House (71 - 27)
4/14 SJR 121 Redistricting Process Modifications Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (36 - 22)
3/24 H 496 Requiring Photo Identification to Vote Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 6)
3/18 HB 97 Moving Back Primary Dates and Filing Deadlines Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 15)
3/18 HB 1207 Election Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (73 - 42)
3/17 SB 406 Online Voter Registration Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 20)
3/03 HB 4130 Supreme Court of Appeals Public Campaign Financing Pilot Program Bill Passed - House (67 - 30)
3/01 HB 4647 Campaign Finance Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (69 - 26)
3/01 SCR 1009 Repealing Public Funding of Statewide Political Campaigns Resolution Passed - Senate (16 - 12)
3/01 SCR 1007 Repealing Legislative Term Limits Resolution Passed - Senate (18 - 11)
3/01 H 496 Requiring Photo Identification to Vote Bill Passed - House (64 - 6)
3/01 HB 4646 Campaign Finance Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (61 - 34)
2/16 HB 118 Prohibiting Lobbyist and Contractor Campaign Contributions Bill Passed - House (46 - 24)
2/10 HB 68 Repealing Campaign Finance Restrictions Bill Failed - House (36 - 22)
2/10 HB 70 Voting Rights For Certain Felons Bill Passed - House (83 - 16)
2/08 A 9544 Election and Campaign Finance Ethics Amendments Veto Override Failed - Senate (35 - 26)
2/02 SB 53 Allowing Independents to Vote in Primaries Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 12)
2/02 LD 56 National Popular Vote Act Bill Failed - House (50 - 95)
1/25 SB 83 Authorizing No-Excuse, In-Person Absentee Voting Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 10)
1/20 A 9544 Election and Campaign Finance Ethics Amendments Bill Passed - House (139 - 2)
1/13 HB 5 Campaign Finance Amendments Concurrence Vote Failed - House (48 - 50)
1/12 HB 614 Delaying Paper Ballot Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 10)
12/09 SB 8 Election Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 10)
11/18 HB 260 Election Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (52 - 46)
10/15 HJRCA 31 Authorizing Governor Recall Elections Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (56 - 1)
9/23 SJR 5 Redistricting Commission Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (21 - 12)

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