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 4, 2025 MT HB 201 Requires Signature Gatherers to Disclose to Individuals They Approach Their First Name and the State Where they Legally Reside Conference Report Adopted - Senate (27 - 22)
April 2, 2025 VA HB 2056 Authorizes Localities to Set Hours of Operation for Satellite Voting Locations Veto Override Failed - House (50 - 44)
April 2, 2025 VA HB 1657 Establishes Timelines for Removal of Ineligible Voters Veto Override Failed - House (50 - 46)
April 1, 2025 MT HB 201 Requires Signature Gatherers to Disclose to Individuals They Approach Their First Name and the State Where they Legally Reside Conference Report Adopted - House (57 - 42)
April 1, 2025 MT HB 201 Requires Signature Gatherers to Disclose to Individuals They Approach Their First Name and the State Where they Legally Reside Conference Report Adopted - House (57 - 42)
April 1, 2025 IN SB 10 Prohibits Use of School IDs for Voter Registration Bill Passed - House (66 - 26)
April 1, 2025 TX SB 16 Requires Proof of Citizenship to Register to Vote Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 11)
March 31, 2025 SD HB 1169 Amends Requirements for Petition Signatures to get a Constitutional Amendment on the Ballot Veto Override Failed - Senate (16 - 16)
March 31, 2025 SD HB 1169 Amends Requirements for Petition Signatures to get a Constitutional Amendment on the Ballot Veto Override Passed - House (50 - 18)
March 31, 2025 IN SB 287 Amends School Board Elections to be Partisan Races Bill Passed - House (54 - 40)
March 31, 2025 AR HB 1574 Amends Current Arkansas Laws Regarding Paid Canvassers Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 8)
March 31, 2025 AR HB 1574 Amends Current Arkansas Laws Regarding Paid Canvassers Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 8)
March 31, 2025 CO SB 25-001 Establishes Protections for Voters in a Protected Class and Authorizes the Filing of Civil Suits for Discrimination Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 12)
March 27, 2025 KS HB 2056 Requires Specific Intent as an Element of the Crime of False Representation of an Election Official Conference Report Adopted - Senate (34 - 6)
March 27, 2025 KS HB 2054 Increases the Amount Individuals and Organizations Can Donate to Political Candidates Conference Report Adopted - Senate (26 - 14)
March 27, 2025 KS HB 2054 Increases the Amount Individuals and Organizations Can Donate to Political Candidates Conference Report Adopted - Senate (26 - 14)
March 27, 2025 KS HB 2054 Increases the Amount Individuals and Organizations Can Donate to Political Candidates Conference Report Adopted - House (72 - 52)
March 27, 2025 KS HB 2054 Increases the Amount Individuals and Organizations Can Donate to Political Candidates Conference Report Adopted - House (72 - 52)
March 27, 2025 KS HB 2056 Requires Specific Intent as an Element of the Crime of False Representation of an Election Official Conference Report Adopted - House (88 - 37)
March 27, 2025 NH HB 613 Authorizes a Cities to Not Provide Accessible Voting Machines Provided They Posted an Announcement At Least 3 Months Before the Election Asking Voters to Request the Machines be Available in Writing "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (197 - 158)
March 27, 2025 NH SB 287 Requires that Individuals Applying for Absentee Ballots Include a Copy of Their Identification and Signature from a Licensed Notary in Order to Obtain the Ballot by Mail "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (16 - 8)
March 27, 2025 MO HB 575 Amends Provisions for Initiative Petitions and Referendums Bill Passed - House (103 - 49)
March 26, 2025 KS HB 2016 Requires an Obituary Notice from a Funeral Grounds to Remove an Individual from the Voter Rolls Conference Report Adopted - House (97 - 26)
March 25, 2025 KS SB 4 Establishes Deadline for Returning Absentee Ballots Veto Override Passed - Senate (30 - 10)
March 25, 2025 KS SB 4 Establishes Deadline for Returning Absentee Ballots Veto Override Passed - House (84 - 41)
March 25, 2025 IA HF 928 Establishes New Election Recount Procedures in Iowa Bill Passed - House (66 - 31)
March 25, 2025 IA HF 954 Authorizes the Secretary of State's Office to Contract with Certain Entities for Voter Roll Verification Bill Passed - House (65 - 31)
March 24, 2025 KS HB 2206 Amends and Renames it the Kansas Public Disclosure Commission Concurrence Vote Passed - House (78 - 44)
March 24, 2025 KS HB 2206 Amends and Renames it the Kansas Public Disclosure Commission Concurrence Vote Passed - House (78 - 44)
March 24, 2025 NJ S 3850 Authorizes County Boards of Elections to Extend the Distance Within Which Electioneering is Prohibited Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 8)
March 24, 2025 NJ S 2947 Prohibits Monetary Compensation for Mail-in Ballot Messengers or Bearers Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 8)
March 24, 2025 NJ A 3025 Exempts Poll Worker Wages from Affecting Unemployment Compensation Bill Passed - House (70 - 7)
March 20, 2025 KS HB 2206 Amends and Renames it the Kansas Public Disclosure Commission Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 8)
March 20, 2025 KS HB 2206 Amends and Renames it the Kansas Public Disclosure Commission Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 8)
March 19, 2025 TX SB 19 Prohibits Texas Public Tax Funds from Being Used in Lobbying or Other Activities Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 11)
March 19, 2025 OH HB 28 Prohibits Local Governments from Asking Voters to Approve What's Called a "Replacement" Levy Bill Passed - House (62 - 30)
March 18, 2025 AL HB 30 Requires Post-Election Audits Bill Passed - House (63 - 30)
March 18, 2025 OK SB 1027 Limits Petitions for Ballot Measures Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 7)
March 17, 2025 KS SB 5 Prohibits Use of Funds Provided by Congress for Elections and Election-Related Activities Unless Approved by the Legislature Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 8)
March 17, 2025 KS SB 5 Prohibits Use of Funds Provided by Congress for Elections and Election-Related Activities Unless Approved by the Legislature Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 8)
March 17, 2025 KS SB 6 Prohibits the Use of Ranked-Choice Voting Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 10)
March 17, 2025 AR HB 1574 Amends Current Arkansas Laws Regarding Paid Canvassers Bill Passed - House (75 - 16)
March 17, 2025 AR HB 1574 Amends Current Arkansas Laws Regarding Paid Canvassers Bill Passed - House (75 - 16)
March 14, 2025 KY HB 45 Prohibits Foreign Donors and Entities from Donating to Campaigns for Ballot Measures Concurrence Vote Passed - House (77 - 12)
March 13, 2025 KS SB 5 Prohibits Use of Funds Provided by Congress for Elections and Election-Related Activities Unless Approved by the Legislature Bill Passed - House (86 - 37)
March 13, 2025 KS SB 5 Prohibits Use of Funds Provided by Congress for Elections and Election-Related Activities Unless Approved by the Legislature Bill Passed - House (86 - 37)
March 13, 2025 KS SB 6 Prohibits the Use of Ranked-Choice Voting Bill Passed - House (86 - 37)
March 12, 2025 SD SB 68 Requires an Individual be a Citizen of the United States Before Being Eligible to Vote Conference Report Adopted - House (66 - 4)
March 12, 2025 SD SB 68 Requires an Individual be a Citizen of the United States Before Being Eligible to Vote Conference Report Adopted - Senate (66 - 4)
March 11, 2025 SD HB 1062 Amends Provisions Pertaining to the Maintenance and Publication of the Statewide Voter Registration File Concurrence Vote Passed - House (57 - 17)
Date No. Title Outcome
4/04 HB 201 Requires Signature Gatherers to Disclose to Individuals They Approach Their First Name and the State Where they Legally Reside Conference Report Adopted - Senate (27 - 22)
4/02 HB 2056 Authorizes Localities to Set Hours of Operation for Satellite Voting Locations Veto Override Failed - House (50 - 44)
4/02 HB 1657 Establishes Timelines for Removal of Ineligible Voters Veto Override Failed - House (50 - 46)
4/01 HB 201 Requires Signature Gatherers to Disclose to Individuals They Approach Their First Name and the State Where they Legally Reside Conference Report Adopted - House (57 - 42)
4/01 HB 201 Requires Signature Gatherers to Disclose to Individuals They Approach Their First Name and the State Where they Legally Reside Conference Report Adopted - House (57 - 42)
4/01 SB 10 Prohibits Use of School IDs for Voter Registration Bill Passed - House (66 - 26)
4/01 SB 16 Requires Proof of Citizenship to Register to Vote Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 11)
3/31 HB 1169 Amends Requirements for Petition Signatures to get a Constitutional Amendment on the Ballot Veto Override Failed - Senate (16 - 16)
3/31 HB 1169 Amends Requirements for Petition Signatures to get a Constitutional Amendment on the Ballot Veto Override Passed - House (50 - 18)
3/31 SB 287 Amends School Board Elections to be Partisan Races Bill Passed - House (54 - 40)
3/31 HB 1574 Amends Current Arkansas Laws Regarding Paid Canvassers Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 8)
3/31 HB 1574 Amends Current Arkansas Laws Regarding Paid Canvassers Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 8)
3/31 SB 25-001 Establishes Protections for Voters in a Protected Class and Authorizes the Filing of Civil Suits for Discrimination Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 12)
3/27 HB 2056 Requires Specific Intent as an Element of the Crime of False Representation of an Election Official Conference Report Adopted - Senate (34 - 6)
3/27 HB 2054 Increases the Amount Individuals and Organizations Can Donate to Political Candidates Conference Report Adopted - Senate (26 - 14)
3/27 HB 2054 Increases the Amount Individuals and Organizations Can Donate to Political Candidates Conference Report Adopted - Senate (26 - 14)
3/27 HB 2054 Increases the Amount Individuals and Organizations Can Donate to Political Candidates Conference Report Adopted - House (72 - 52)
3/27 HB 2054 Increases the Amount Individuals and Organizations Can Donate to Political Candidates Conference Report Adopted - House (72 - 52)
3/27 HB 2056 Requires Specific Intent as an Element of the Crime of False Representation of an Election Official Conference Report Adopted - House (88 - 37)
3/27 HB 613 Authorizes a Cities to Not Provide Accessible Voting Machines Provided They Posted an Announcement At Least 3 Months Before the Election Asking Voters to Request the Machines be Available in Writing "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (197 - 158)
3/27 SB 287 Requires that Individuals Applying for Absentee Ballots Include a Copy of Their Identification and Signature from a Licensed Notary in Order to Obtain the Ballot by Mail "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (16 - 8)
3/27 HB 575 Amends Provisions for Initiative Petitions and Referendums Bill Passed - House (103 - 49)
3/26 HB 2016 Requires an Obituary Notice from a Funeral Grounds to Remove an Individual from the Voter Rolls Conference Report Adopted - House (97 - 26)
3/25 SB 4 Establishes Deadline for Returning Absentee Ballots Veto Override Passed - Senate (30 - 10)
3/25 SB 4 Establishes Deadline for Returning Absentee Ballots Veto Override Passed - House (84 - 41)
3/25 HF 928 Establishes New Election Recount Procedures in Iowa Bill Passed - House (66 - 31)
3/25 HF 954 Authorizes the Secretary of State's Office to Contract with Certain Entities for Voter Roll Verification Bill Passed - House (65 - 31)
3/24 HB 2206 Amends and Renames it the Kansas Public Disclosure Commission Concurrence Vote Passed - House (78 - 44)
3/24 HB 2206 Amends and Renames it the Kansas Public Disclosure Commission Concurrence Vote Passed - House (78 - 44)
3/24 S 3850 Authorizes County Boards of Elections to Extend the Distance Within Which Electioneering is Prohibited Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 8)
3/24 S 2947 Prohibits Monetary Compensation for Mail-in Ballot Messengers or Bearers Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 8)
3/24 A 3025 Exempts Poll Worker Wages from Affecting Unemployment Compensation Bill Passed - House (70 - 7)
3/20 HB 2206 Amends and Renames it the Kansas Public Disclosure Commission Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 8)
3/20 HB 2206 Amends and Renames it the Kansas Public Disclosure Commission Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 8)
3/19 SB 19 Prohibits Texas Public Tax Funds from Being Used in Lobbying or Other Activities Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 11)
3/19 HB 28 Prohibits Local Governments from Asking Voters to Approve What's Called a "Replacement" Levy Bill Passed - House (62 - 30)
3/18 HB 30 Requires Post-Election Audits Bill Passed - House (63 - 30)
3/18 SB 1027 Limits Petitions for Ballot Measures Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 7)
3/17 SB 5 Prohibits Use of Funds Provided by Congress for Elections and Election-Related Activities Unless Approved by the Legislature Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 8)
3/17 SB 5 Prohibits Use of Funds Provided by Congress for Elections and Election-Related Activities Unless Approved by the Legislature Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 8)
3/17 SB 6 Prohibits the Use of Ranked-Choice Voting Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 10)
3/17 HB 1574 Amends Current Arkansas Laws Regarding Paid Canvassers Bill Passed - House (75 - 16)
3/17 HB 1574 Amends Current Arkansas Laws Regarding Paid Canvassers Bill Passed - House (75 - 16)
3/14 HB 45 Prohibits Foreign Donors and Entities from Donating to Campaigns for Ballot Measures Concurrence Vote Passed - House (77 - 12)
3/13 SB 5 Prohibits Use of Funds Provided by Congress for Elections and Election-Related Activities Unless Approved by the Legislature Bill Passed - House (86 - 37)
3/13 SB 5 Prohibits Use of Funds Provided by Congress for Elections and Election-Related Activities Unless Approved by the Legislature Bill Passed - House (86 - 37)
3/13 SB 6 Prohibits the Use of Ranked-Choice Voting Bill Passed - House (86 - 37)
3/12 SB 68 Requires an Individual be a Citizen of the United States Before Being Eligible to Vote Conference Report Adopted - House (66 - 4)
3/12 SB 68 Requires an Individual be a Citizen of the United States Before Being Eligible to Vote Conference Report Adopted - Senate (66 - 4)
3/11 HB 1062 Amends Provisions Pertaining to the Maintenance and Publication of the Statewide Voter Registration File Concurrence Vote Passed - House (57 - 17)

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