Key Votes

Chamber

Keyword Search

Search string must be longer than 3 characters.

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 28, 2018 CA SB 1171 Authorizes Same Day Voter Registration Bill Passed - House (53 - 23)
June 27, 2018 NC SB 325 Amends One-Stop Voting Schedules Veto Override Passed - House (74 - 45)
June 27, 2018 NC SB 813 Requires the Redistricting of Asheville City Council Districts Bill Passed - House (64 - 52)
June 27, 2018 NC HB 913 Establishes a Bipartisan Board of Ethics and Election Enforcement Amendment Adopted - Senate (32 - 14)
June 26, 2018 NC SB 325 Amends One-Stop Voting Schedules Veto Override Passed - Senate (34 - 12)
June 26, 2018 NC HB 913 Establishes a Bipartisan Board of Ethics and Election Enforcement Amendment Adopted - House (74 - 44)
June 26, 2018 NC HB 1092 Requires Photo Identification to Vote Bill Passed - House (74 - 43)
June 25, 2018 NJ A 3463 Requires Polling Places to Post Count of Voters Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 15)
June 21, 2018 CA AB 216 Authorizes Free Postage for Vote by Mail Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 8)
June 21, 2018 NJ A 3463 Requires Polling Places to Post Count of Voters Bill Passed - House (49 - 23)
June 20, 2018 NC SB 486 Amends Various Election Laws Veto Override Passed - House (74 - 42)
June 19, 2018 NC SB 486 Amends Various Election Laws Veto Override Passed - Senate (31 - 14)
June 19, 2018 RI S 2612 Requires Presidential Candidates to Release Tax Returns Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 3)
June 13, 2018 NC HB 496 Amends Placement of Candidates on Official Election Ballots Laws Concurrence Vote Passed - House (80 - 30)
June 13, 2018 PA SB 22 Establishes 11-Member Redistricting Commission Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 14)
June 5, 2018 NC SB 757 Requires Judicial Redistricting Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 14)
June 5, 2018 NC SB 757 Requires Judicial Redistricting Bill Passed - House (70 - 45)
May 17, 2018 LA HB 265 Authorizes Registration and Voting by Individuals Convicted of Felonies Concurrence Vote Passed - House (55 - 42)
May 17, 2018 LA SB 31 Prohibits Convicted Felons From Obtaining Public Office Bill Passed - House (70 - 24)
May 16, 2018 LA HB 265 Authorizes Registration and Voting by Individuals Convicted of Felonies Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 13)
May 11, 2018 MO HJR 100 Prohibits Counting Non-Citizens for Redistricting Purposes Bill Passed - House (90 - 34)
May 5, 2018 CT HB 5421 Authorizes National Popular Vote Interstate Compact Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
May 2, 2018 KS HB 2539 Amends Gubernatorial Qualifications Conference Report Adopted - House (70 - 52)
May 2, 2018 NH HB 1264 Amends Residency Definiton "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Adopted - Senate (14 - 10)
April 27, 2018 CO HB 18-1403 Expands Disclosure Requirements Bill Passed - House (35 - 29)
April 26, 2018 CT HB 5421 Authorizes National Popular Vote Interstate Compact Bill Passed - House (77 - 73)
April 12, 2018 NJ A 2014 Authorizes Automatic Voter Registration at More Locations Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 13)
April 12, 2018 NJ A 2014 Authorizes Automatic Voter Registration at More Locations Bill Passed - House (50 - 23)
April 5, 2018 CA SB 1171 Authorizes Same Day Voter Registration Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 10)
March 28, 2018 MD SB 1048 Authorizes Automatic Voter Registration Bill Passed - House (93 - 46)
March 28, 2018 MD HB 829 Establishes No-Excuse Absentee Voting Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 11)
March 26, 2018 SD SB 76 Amends Voter Registration Veto Override Passed - House (56 - 7)
March 22, 2018 MD HB 532 Establishes Election Day Voter Registration and Same-Day Voting Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 14)
March 16, 2018 MD SB 1048 Authorizes Automatic Voter Registration Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 13)
March 15, 2018 MI HB 5669 Authorizes Additional Forms of Voter Identification Bill Passed - House (62 - 44)
March 8, 2018 MD HB 532 Establishes Election Day Voter Registration and Same-Day Voting Bill Passed - House (91 - 46)
March 7, 2018 WA HB 2595 Authorizes Automatic Voter Registration Concurrence Vote Passed - House (50 - 48)
March 6, 2018 WA HB 2595 Authorizes Automatic Voter Registration Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 21)
March 6, 2018 NH HB 1264 Amends Residency Definiton "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (171 - 144)
March 5, 2018 MD SB 256 Requires Presidential Candidates to Disclose Tax Returns Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 17)
March 3, 2018 OR SB 1510 Amends Election Laws Bill Passed - House (35 - 23)
Feb. 28, 2018 WA HB 1513 Authorizes Automatic Voter Pre-Registration for 16 and 17 Year Old Individuals Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 22)
Feb. 14, 2018 NM HB 98 Amends Local Elections Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 15)
Feb. 13, 2018 AZ HB 2153 Prohibits Localities from Requiring Campaign Donation Disclosure Bill Passed - House (33 - 25)
Feb. 12, 2018 WA HB 1513 Authorizes Automatic Voter Pre-Registration for 16 and 17 Year Old Individuals Bill Passed - House (52 - 46)
Feb. 7, 2018 NM HB 49 Amends Municipality Recall Elections Bill Passed - House (47 - 21)
Feb. 2, 2018 CO HB 18-1033 Expands Employee Leave Bill Passed - House (35 - 28)
Jan. 23, 2018 AL HB 17 Repeals Special Elections Bill Passed - House (67 - 31)
Jan. 3, 2018 NH HB 372 Amends Definition of Residency for Voting Purposes "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Adopted - Senate (14 - 9)
Nov. 7, 2017 WI AB 153 Amends State Election Recount Procedures Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 13)
Oct. 17, 2017 NC S 656 Prohibits Part Primaries for Certain 2018 Court Elections Veto Override Passed - House (72 - 40)
Oct. 16, 2017 NC S 656 Prohibits Part Primaries for Certain 2018 Court Elections Veto Override Passed - Senate (26 - 15)
Sept. 26, 2017 PA HB 171 Authorizes Any Registered Vote to be Appointed a Poll Watcher Bill Passed - House (106 - 91)
Sept. 14, 2017 MI SB 335 Authorizes Unrestricted Campaign Contributions by PACs Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
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)
Date No. Title Outcome
6/28 SB 1171 Authorizes Same Day Voter Registration Bill Passed - House (53 - 23)
6/27 SB 325 Amends One-Stop Voting Schedules Veto Override Passed - House (74 - 45)
6/27 SB 813 Requires the Redistricting of Asheville City Council Districts Bill Passed - House (64 - 52)
6/27 HB 913 Establishes a Bipartisan Board of Ethics and Election Enforcement Amendment Adopted - Senate (32 - 14)
6/26 SB 325 Amends One-Stop Voting Schedules Veto Override Passed - Senate (34 - 12)
6/26 HB 913 Establishes a Bipartisan Board of Ethics and Election Enforcement Amendment Adopted - House (74 - 44)
6/26 HB 1092 Requires Photo Identification to Vote Bill Passed - House (74 - 43)
6/25 A 3463 Requires Polling Places to Post Count of Voters Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 15)
6/21 AB 216 Authorizes Free Postage for Vote by Mail Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 8)
6/21 A 3463 Requires Polling Places to Post Count of Voters Bill Passed - House (49 - 23)
6/20 SB 486 Amends Various Election Laws Veto Override Passed - House (74 - 42)
6/19 SB 486 Amends Various Election Laws Veto Override Passed - Senate (31 - 14)
6/19 S 2612 Requires Presidential Candidates to Release Tax Returns Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 3)
6/13 HB 496 Amends Placement of Candidates on Official Election Ballots Laws Concurrence Vote Passed - House (80 - 30)
6/13 SB 22 Establishes 11-Member Redistricting Commission Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 14)
6/05 SB 757 Requires Judicial Redistricting Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 14)
6/05 SB 757 Requires Judicial Redistricting Bill Passed - House (70 - 45)
5/17 HB 265 Authorizes Registration and Voting by Individuals Convicted of Felonies Concurrence Vote Passed - House (55 - 42)
5/17 SB 31 Prohibits Convicted Felons From Obtaining Public Office Bill Passed - House (70 - 24)
5/16 HB 265 Authorizes Registration and Voting by Individuals Convicted of Felonies Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 13)
5/11 HJR 100 Prohibits Counting Non-Citizens for Redistricting Purposes Bill Passed - House (90 - 34)
5/05 HB 5421 Authorizes National Popular Vote Interstate Compact Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
5/02 HB 2539 Amends Gubernatorial Qualifications Conference Report Adopted - House (70 - 52)
5/02 HB 1264 Amends Residency Definiton "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Adopted - Senate (14 - 10)
4/27 HB 18-1403 Expands Disclosure Requirements Bill Passed - House (35 - 29)
4/26 HB 5421 Authorizes National Popular Vote Interstate Compact Bill Passed - House (77 - 73)
4/12 A 2014 Authorizes Automatic Voter Registration at More Locations Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 13)
4/12 A 2014 Authorizes Automatic Voter Registration at More Locations Bill Passed - House (50 - 23)
4/05 SB 1171 Authorizes Same Day Voter Registration Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 10)
3/28 SB 1048 Authorizes Automatic Voter Registration Bill Passed - House (93 - 46)
3/28 HB 829 Establishes No-Excuse Absentee Voting Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 11)
3/26 SB 76 Amends Voter Registration Veto Override Passed - House (56 - 7)
3/22 HB 532 Establishes Election Day Voter Registration and Same-Day Voting Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 14)
3/16 SB 1048 Authorizes Automatic Voter Registration Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 13)
3/15 HB 5669 Authorizes Additional Forms of Voter Identification Bill Passed - House (62 - 44)
3/08 HB 532 Establishes Election Day Voter Registration and Same-Day Voting Bill Passed - House (91 - 46)
3/07 HB 2595 Authorizes Automatic Voter Registration Concurrence Vote Passed - House (50 - 48)
3/06 HB 2595 Authorizes Automatic Voter Registration Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 21)
3/06 HB 1264 Amends Residency Definiton "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (171 - 144)
3/05 SB 256 Requires Presidential Candidates to Disclose Tax Returns Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 17)
3/03 SB 1510 Amends Election Laws Bill Passed - House (35 - 23)
2/28 HB 1513 Authorizes Automatic Voter Pre-Registration for 16 and 17 Year Old Individuals Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 22)
2/14 HB 98 Amends Local Elections Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 15)
2/13 HB 2153 Prohibits Localities from Requiring Campaign Donation Disclosure Bill Passed - House (33 - 25)
2/12 HB 1513 Authorizes Automatic Voter Pre-Registration for 16 and 17 Year Old Individuals Bill Passed - House (52 - 46)
2/07 HB 49 Amends Municipality Recall Elections Bill Passed - House (47 - 21)
2/02 HB 18-1033 Expands Employee Leave Bill Passed - House (35 - 28)
1/23 HB 17 Repeals Special Elections Bill Passed - House (67 - 31)
1/03 HB 372 Amends Definition of Residency for Voting Purposes "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Adopted - Senate (14 - 9)
11/07 AB 153 Amends State Election Recount Procedures Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 13)
10/17 S 656 Prohibits Part Primaries for Certain 2018 Court Elections Veto Override Passed - House (72 - 40)
10/16 S 656 Prohibits Part Primaries for Certain 2018 Court Elections Veto Override Passed - Senate (26 - 15)
9/26 HB 171 Authorizes Any Registered Vote to be Appointed a Poll Watcher Bill Passed - House (106 - 91)
9/14 SB 335 Authorizes Unrestricted Campaign Contributions by PACs Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
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)

arrow_upward