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 22, 2011 MI HB 4780 Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - House (63 - 47)
June 17, 2011 OR SB 270 Campaign Finance Reporting Bill Failed - House (5 - 54)
June 15, 2011 TX SB 4 Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - House (93 - 47)
June 14, 2011 SC H 3992 Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - House (83 - 25)
June 10, 2011 OR SB 989 State Redistricting Bill Passed - House (47 - 10)
June 9, 2011 ME LD 1376 Repeals Same-Day Voter Registration Bill Passed - House (72 - 65)
June 2, 2011 AL SB 484 2011 Congressional Redistricting Conference Report Adopted - House (57 - 45)
May 21, 2011 TN SB 1915 Increases Contribution Limits to Campaigns Bill Passed - House (65 - 20)
May 18, 2011 NC HB 658 Amending Early Voting Period Bill Passed - House (60 - 58)
May 18, 2011 NV AB 566 Legislative Redistricting Bill Passed - House (26 - 16)
May 18, 2011 CT HB 6342 Attorney General Candidate Qualifications Bill Passed - House (91 - 51)
May 16, 2011 TX SB 14 Voter Identification Requirements Conference Report Adopted - House (98 - 46)
May 13, 2011 MN HF 1426 Congressional Redistricting Plan Bill Passed - House (71 - 61)
May 11, 2011 WI AB 7 Voter Identification Requirements Bill Passed - House (60 - 35)
May 10, 2011 NV SB 497 Congressional and Legislative Redistricting Bill Passed - House (25 - 17)
May 10, 2011 CO HB 1319 Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - House (33 - 32)
May 9, 2011 NJ S 2756 Authorizes Registered Voters to Receive Mail-In Ballots Automatically Bill Passed - House (44 - 32)
May 6, 2011 MN HF 1425 Legislative Redistricting Plan Bill Passed - House (69 - 58)
May 4, 2011 MO HB 193 Congressional Redistricting Plan Veto Override Passed - House (109 - 44)
April 28, 2011 VA HB 5005 Redistricting for State Senate and House Concurrence Vote Passed - House (63 - 7)
April 28, 2011 IN HB 1602 Congressional Redistricting Concurrence Vote Passed - House (62 - 32)
April 28, 2011 TX HB 150 2011-2012 Redistricting Bill Passed - House (92 - 54)
April 26, 2011 SC H 3003 Voter ID Conference Report Adopted - House (71 - 36)
April 14, 2011 TN SB 16 Voter Identification Requirements Bill Passed - House (57 - 35)
April 13, 2011 LA HB 6 Congressional Redistricting Concurrence Vote Passed - House (64 - 35)
April 12, 2011 GA SB 10 Alcoholic Beverage Sales on Sundays Bill Passed - House (127 - 44)
April 12, 2011 AR SB 972 Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - House (61 - 20)
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 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)
March 24, 2011 FL HB 1207 Campaign Financing Act Veto Override Passed - House (81 - 39)
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 AR HB 1797 Requires Proof of Identity to Vote Bill Passed - House (53 - 36)
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. 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. 17, 2011 ND HB 1267 Legislative Redistricting Bill Passed - House (72 - 21)
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 National HR 359 Abolishing Federal Financing of Presidential Election Campaigns Bill Passed - House (239 - 160)
Jan. 26, 2011 SC H 3003 Voter ID Bill Passed - House (74 - 45)
Jan. 4, 2011 IL SB 3976 Rules to Govern the Redistricting Process Bill Passed - House (67 - 46)
Aug. 23, 2010 CA SB 970 College Vote-by-Mail Drop-Off Locations Bill Passed - House (48 - 28)
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 10, 2010 NC HB 748 Campaign Financing Restrictions Concurrence Vote Passed - House (57 - 47)
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 6184 Campaign Finance Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (62 - 44)
June 22, 2010 MI HB 6187 Campaign Finance Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (64 - 42)
June 22, 2010 MI HB 6183 Campaign Finance Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (64 - 42)
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 MA H 4156 National Popular Vote Act Bill Passed - House (114 - 35)
May 11, 2010 CO SB 203 Independent expenditures in Colorado elections Bill Passed - House (45 - 20)
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)
March 18, 2010 FL HB 1207 Election Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (73 - 42)
March 3, 2010 WV HB 4130 Supreme Court of Appeals Public Campaign Financing Pilot Program Bill Passed - House (67 - 30)
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)
March 1, 2010 WV HB 4647 Campaign Finance Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (69 - 26)
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. 2, 2010 ME LD 56 National Popular Vote Act Bill Failed - House (50 - 95)
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)
Nov. 18, 2009 OH HB 260 Election Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (52 - 46)
Sept. 17, 2009 National HR 3221 Prohibiting Federal Assistance to ACORN Motion Agreed - House (345 - 75)
Sept. 17, 2009 National HR 3221 Prohibiting Federal Assistance to ACORN Bill Passed - House (253 - 171)
Sept. 17, 2009 MA H 4246 Authorizing Governor to Appoint Interim U.S. Senator Bill Passed - House (95 - 59)
June 24, 2009 DE HB 198 National Popular Vote Bill Passed - House (23 - 12)
June 18, 2009 RI H 5569 National Popular Vote Act Bill Failed - House (28 - 45)
June 9, 2009 DE HB 117 School Board Elections Bill Passed - House (23 - 17)
June 3, 2009 LA HB 243 Disclosure of Campaign Contributions Bill Failed - House (38 - 60)
June 2, 2009 CT SB 913 Elections to Fill US Senate Vacancies Bill Passed - House (107 - 37)
May 31, 2009 IL HB 7 Campaign Contribution Limits Concurrence Vote Passed - House (64 - 46)
May 30, 2009 IL HJRCA 31 Authorizing Governor Recall Elections Joint Resolution Passed - House (109 - 6)
May 28, 2009 RI H 5097 Requiring Voters to Present ID at Polls Bill Passed - House (48 - 24)
May 26, 2009 CT HB 6435 Election Day Registration Bill Passed - House (81 - 65)
May 21, 2009 NJ A 2451 Vote by Mail Concurrence Vote Passed - House (45 - 29)
May 21, 2009 NJ A 3902 Election Requirements for Lieutenant Governor Bill Passed - House (45 - 29)
May 19, 2009 OR HB 2005 Petition Regulation Amendments Bill Passed - House (52 - 7)
Date No. Title Outcome
6/22 HB 4780 Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - House (63 - 47)
6/17 SB 270 Campaign Finance Reporting Bill Failed - House (5 - 54)
6/15 SB 4 Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - House (93 - 47)
6/14 H 3992 Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - House (83 - 25)
6/10 SB 989 State Redistricting Bill Passed - House (47 - 10)
6/09 LD 1376 Repeals Same-Day Voter Registration Bill Passed - House (72 - 65)
6/02 SB 484 2011 Congressional Redistricting Conference Report Adopted - House (57 - 45)
5/21 SB 1915 Increases Contribution Limits to Campaigns Bill Passed - House (65 - 20)
5/18 HB 658 Amending Early Voting Period Bill Passed - House (60 - 58)
5/18 AB 566 Legislative Redistricting Bill Passed - House (26 - 16)
5/18 HB 6342 Attorney General Candidate Qualifications Bill Passed - House (91 - 51)
5/16 SB 14 Voter Identification Requirements Conference Report Adopted - House (98 - 46)
5/13 HF 1426 Congressional Redistricting Plan Bill Passed - House (71 - 61)
5/11 AB 7 Voter Identification Requirements Bill Passed - House (60 - 35)
5/10 SB 497 Congressional and Legislative Redistricting Bill Passed - House (25 - 17)
5/10 HB 1319 Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - House (33 - 32)
5/09 S 2756 Authorizes Registered Voters to Receive Mail-In Ballots Automatically Bill Passed - House (44 - 32)
5/06 HF 1425 Legislative Redistricting Plan Bill Passed - House (69 - 58)
5/04 HB 193 Congressional Redistricting Plan Veto Override Passed - House (109 - 44)
4/28 HB 5005 Redistricting for State Senate and House Concurrence Vote Passed - House (63 - 7)
4/28 HB 1602 Congressional Redistricting Concurrence Vote Passed - House (62 - 32)
4/28 HB 150 2011-2012 Redistricting Bill Passed - House (92 - 54)
4/26 H 3003 Voter ID Conference Report Adopted - House (71 - 36)
4/14 SB 16 Voter Identification Requirements Bill Passed - House (57 - 35)
4/13 HB 6 Congressional Redistricting Concurrence Vote Passed - House (64 - 35)
4/12 SB 10 Alcoholic Beverage Sales on Sundays Bill Passed - House (127 - 44)
4/12 SB 972 Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - House (61 - 20)
4/11 SB 1 State Senate Redistricting Bill Passed - House (71 - 28)
4/08 HB 1267 Legislative Redistricting Concurrence Vote Passed - House (69 - 18)
4/06 SCR 692 Redistricting the State House and Senate Bill Passed - House (63 - 53)
4/06 HB 193 Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - House (106 - 53)
3/24 HB 1207 Campaign Financing Act Veto Override Passed - House (81 - 39)
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 HB 1797 Requires Proof of Identity to Vote Bill Passed - House (53 - 36)
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)
2/22 HB 92 Limits Absentee Ballots Bill Passed - House (148 - 20)
2/22 HB 1003 Changes to Voter Identification Requirements Bill Passed - House (35 - 30)
2/17 HB 1267 Legislative Redistricting Bill Passed - House (72 - 21)
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 HR 359 Abolishing Federal Financing of Presidential Election Campaigns Bill Passed - House (239 - 160)
1/26 H 3003 Voter ID Bill Passed - House (74 - 45)
1/04 SB 3976 Rules to Govern the Redistricting Process Bill Passed - House (67 - 46)
8/23 SB 970 College Vote-by-Mail Drop-Off Locations Bill Passed - House (48 - 28)
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)
7/10 HB 748 Campaign Financing Restrictions Concurrence Vote Passed - House (57 - 47)
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 6184 Campaign Finance Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (62 - 44)
6/22 HB 6187 Campaign Finance Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (64 - 42)
6/22 HB 6183 Campaign Finance Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (64 - 42)
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 H 4156 National Popular Vote Act Bill Passed - House (114 - 35)
5/11 SB 203 Independent expenditures in Colorado elections Bill Passed - House (45 - 20)
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)
3/18 HB 1207 Election Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (73 - 42)
3/03 HB 4130 Supreme Court of Appeals Public Campaign Financing Pilot Program Bill Passed - House (67 - 30)
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)
3/01 HB 4647 Campaign Finance Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (69 - 26)
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)
2/02 LD 56 National Popular Vote Act Bill Failed - House (50 - 95)
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)
11/18 HB 260 Election Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (52 - 46)
9/17 HR 3221 Prohibiting Federal Assistance to ACORN Motion Agreed - House (345 - 75)
9/17 HR 3221 Prohibiting Federal Assistance to ACORN Bill Passed - House (253 - 171)
9/17 H 4246 Authorizing Governor to Appoint Interim U.S. Senator Bill Passed - House (95 - 59)
6/24 HB 198 National Popular Vote Bill Passed - House (23 - 12)
6/18 H 5569 National Popular Vote Act Bill Failed - House (28 - 45)
6/09 HB 117 School Board Elections Bill Passed - House (23 - 17)
6/03 HB 243 Disclosure of Campaign Contributions Bill Failed - House (38 - 60)
6/02 SB 913 Elections to Fill US Senate Vacancies Bill Passed - House (107 - 37)
5/31 HB 7 Campaign Contribution Limits Concurrence Vote Passed - House (64 - 46)
5/30 HJRCA 31 Authorizing Governor Recall Elections Joint Resolution Passed - House (109 - 6)
5/28 H 5097 Requiring Voters to Present ID at Polls Bill Passed - House (48 - 24)
5/26 HB 6435 Election Day Registration Bill Passed - House (81 - 65)
5/21 A 2451 Vote by Mail Concurrence Vote Passed - House (45 - 29)
5/21 A 3902 Election Requirements for Lieutenant Governor Bill Passed - House (45 - 29)
5/19 HB 2005 Petition Regulation Amendments Bill Passed - House (52 - 7)

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