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
May 2, 2025 CO HB 25-1327 Requires Proponents of Ballot Measures to Report When They Have 75% of the Required Number of Voter Signatures to Make the Ballot Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 12)
May 2, 2025 CO HB 25-1315 Requires That Members of the General Assembly Appointed Through a Vacancy Committee Serve No More Than One Year Before Running for Election Before the Electorate Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 2)
April 29, 2025 AZ SB 1375 Requires County Recorders to Provide Free Public Access to Voter Information Rolls Through an Online Portal Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (17 - 12)
April 29, 2025 CO SB 25-001 Establishes Protections for Voters in a Protected Class and Authorizes the Filing of Civil Suits for Discrimination Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (20 - 12)
April 29, 2025 AZ SB 1280 Requires the County Board of Supervisors or the Officer in Charge of Elections in a County to Send the Cast Vote Record to the Secretary of State within 48 Hours After the County's Canvass is Submitted Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (16 - 12)
April 25, 2025 MN SF 3045 Appropriates Funding for the Omnibus State Government Finance and Elections Bill Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 29)
April 24, 2025 IN SB 287 Amends School Board Elections to be Partisan Races Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 24)
April 17, 2025 AL SB 158 Prohibits Using Foreign National Driver's Licenses as a Form of Identification when Voting Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 6)
April 17, 2025 AL SB 142 Repeals the Electronic Registration Information Center (ERIC) as a Voter Registration Database Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 5)
April 15, 2025 NV SB 102 Prohibits a Person from Creating or Serving in a False Slate of Presidential Electors or Conspiring to Create or Serve in a False Slate of Electors Bill Passed - Senate (13 - 8)
April 14, 2025 IA HF 928 Establishes New Election Recount Procedures in Iowa Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 14)
April 12, 2025 MT HB 818 Prohibits Most Foreign Contributions to Ballot Initiative Organizations Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (38 - 12)
April 12, 2025 MT HB 818 Prohibits Most Foreign Contributions to Ballot Initiative Organizations Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (38 - 12)
April 11, 2025 WV HB 3016 Requires a Photo ID to Vote In Person Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 2)
April 10, 2025 OR SB 224 Establishes Privacy Protections for Campaign Committee Addresses Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 1)
April 10, 2025 OR SB 224 Establishes Privacy Protections for Campaign Committee Addresses Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 1)
April 9, 2025 IL SB 243 Expands Open Meetings Act Training Options for Township Officials Bill Passed - Senate (56 - 0)
April 7, 2025 IN SB 10 Prohibits Use of School IDs for Voter Registration Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (39 - 9)
April 7, 2025 IA HF 954 Authorizes the Secretary of State's Office to Contract with Certain Entities for Voter Roll Verification Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 15)
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 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 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 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 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 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 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 25, 2025 KS SB 4 Establishes Deadline for Returning Absentee Ballots Veto Override Passed - Senate (30 - 10)
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 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 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 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 SB 73 Requires that an Individual Registering as a Voter when Applying for a Driver's License be a Resident of this State Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 3)
March 11, 2025 KY HB 45 Prohibits Foreign Donors and Entities from Donating to Campaigns for Ballot Measures Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 6)
March 10, 2025 SD HB 1062 Amends Provisions Pertaining to the Maintenance and Publication of the Statewide Voter Registration File Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 12)
March 10, 2025 SD HB 1169 Amends Requirements for Petition Signatures to get a Constitutional Amendment on the Ballot Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 15)
March 10, 2025 SD HB 1066 Requires New State Residents to Reside in the State for 30 Consecutive Days before Voting Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 11)
March 10, 2025 SD HB 1208 Authorizes Mail-In Absentee Voting for Out of State Residents Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 9)
March 10, 2025 SD HB 1130 Amends the Date for School Board and Municipal Elections Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 11)
March 10, 2025 SD HB 1256 Requires Individuals to Sign Petitions Using Their Voter Registration Address Instead of Their Residency Address. Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12)
March 10, 2025 SD HB 1184 Amends the Deadline for Filing a Petition to get a Constitutional Amendment on the Ballot Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 15)
March 10, 2025 SD HJR 5003 Authorizes Asking Voters to Increase the Approval Threshold for Constitutional Amendments from a Simple Majority to 60% Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (29 - 4)
March 7, 2025 ND HB 1178 Requires School Districts Allow Time for Students to Vote in Elections Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 23)
March 6, 2025 KS SB 4 Establishes Deadline for Returning Absentee Ballots Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 10)
March 6, 2025 UT HB 300 Repeals Automatic Mail-In Voting and Requires Voters Provide the Last 4 Digits of Their State Identification Number with Return Envelopes Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 10)
March 5, 2025 AZ SB 1534 Requires the Legislative Council to Create Titles for Ballot Measures Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 12)
March 5, 2025 AZ SB 1097 Requires Arizona Schools to Close on Election Days to Serve as Polling Places Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 12)
March 3, 2025 AR SB 208 Requires Canvassers to Request a Photo ID of Potential Signers Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 6)
March 3, 2025 AR SB 211 Requires Canvassers to File an Affidavit Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 9)
Feb. 28, 2025 WY HB 156 Requires 30-Day Residency Before Registering to Vote Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 4)
Feb. 27, 2025 AZ SB 1612 Requires Companies that Seek State Contracts or Grants to Disclose "Anything of Value" They Have Provided to the Governor, a Gubernatorial Campaign, or Other Entities Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 11)
Feb. 27, 2025 MO SB 22 Limits Power of the Courts to Rewrite Summary Statements by the General Assembly for Ballot Measures Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 10)
Feb. 27, 2025 AZ SB 1612 Requires Companies that Seek State Contracts or Grants to Disclose "Anything of Value" They Have Provided to the Governor, a Gubernatorial Campaign, or Other Entities Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 11)
Feb. 21, 2025 VA HB 2276 Establishes Guidelines for Verifying and Protecting Voter Registration Information Conference Report Adopted - Senate (22 - 18)
Feb. 21, 2025 WV SB 139 Amends Policies for Filling Legislative Vacancies Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 0)
Feb. 20, 2025 VA SB 1009 Authorizes Ranked Choice Voting for Certain Local Elections Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (20 - 19)
Feb. 18, 2025 VA HB 1657 Establishes Timelines for Removal of Ineligible Voters Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
Feb. 14, 2025 VA HB 2056 Authorizes Localities to Set Hours of Operation for Satellite Voting Locations Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
Feb. 14, 2025 VA HB 2277 Establishes Regulations for Electoral Board Members Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
Feb. 13, 2025 AZ HB 2703 Amends the State Ballot Counting Process Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 10)
Feb. 12, 2025 AR SB 211 Requires Canvassers to File an Affidavit Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 9)
Feb. 12, 2025 AR SB 209 Prohibits Signatures Gathered by Canvassers Which Violated State Law Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 11)
Feb. 12, 2025 AR SB 207 Requires Canvassers to Disclose Warnings on Petition Fraud Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 7)
Feb. 12, 2025 AR SB 208 Requires Canvassers to Request a Photo ID of Potential Signers Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 6)
Feb. 11, 2025 MS SB 2654 Authorizes Early Voting 15-Days Before an Election Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 12)
Feb. 5, 2025 KS SB 4 Establishes Deadline for Returning Absentee Ballots Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 10)
Date No. Title Outcome
5/02 HB 25-1327 Requires Proponents of Ballot Measures to Report When They Have 75% of the Required Number of Voter Signatures to Make the Ballot Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 12)
5/02 HB 25-1315 Requires That Members of the General Assembly Appointed Through a Vacancy Committee Serve No More Than One Year Before Running for Election Before the Electorate Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 2)
4/29 SB 1375 Requires County Recorders to Provide Free Public Access to Voter Information Rolls Through an Online Portal Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (17 - 12)
4/29 SB 25-001 Establishes Protections for Voters in a Protected Class and Authorizes the Filing of Civil Suits for Discrimination Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (20 - 12)
4/29 SB 1280 Requires the County Board of Supervisors or the Officer in Charge of Elections in a County to Send the Cast Vote Record to the Secretary of State within 48 Hours After the County's Canvass is Submitted Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (16 - 12)
4/25 SF 3045 Appropriates Funding for the Omnibus State Government Finance and Elections Bill Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 29)
4/24 SB 287 Amends School Board Elections to be Partisan Races Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 24)
4/17 SB 158 Prohibits Using Foreign National Driver's Licenses as a Form of Identification when Voting Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 6)
4/17 SB 142 Repeals the Electronic Registration Information Center (ERIC) as a Voter Registration Database Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 5)
4/15 SB 102 Prohibits a Person from Creating or Serving in a False Slate of Presidential Electors or Conspiring to Create or Serve in a False Slate of Electors Bill Passed - Senate (13 - 8)
4/14 HF 928 Establishes New Election Recount Procedures in Iowa Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 14)
4/12 HB 818 Prohibits Most Foreign Contributions to Ballot Initiative Organizations Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (38 - 12)
4/12 HB 818 Prohibits Most Foreign Contributions to Ballot Initiative Organizations Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (38 - 12)
4/11 HB 3016 Requires a Photo ID to Vote In Person Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 2)
4/10 SB 224 Establishes Privacy Protections for Campaign Committee Addresses Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 1)
4/10 SB 224 Establishes Privacy Protections for Campaign Committee Addresses Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 1)
4/09 SB 243 Expands Open Meetings Act Training Options for Township Officials Bill Passed - Senate (56 - 0)
4/07 SB 10 Prohibits Use of School IDs for Voter Registration Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (39 - 9)
4/07 HF 954 Authorizes the Secretary of State's Office to Contract with Certain Entities for Voter Roll Verification Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 15)
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)
4/04 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)
4/01 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 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 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 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 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)
3/25 SB 4 Establishes Deadline for Returning Absentee Ballots Veto Override Passed - Senate (30 - 10)
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)
3/20 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)
3/18 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)
3/12 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 SB 73 Requires that an Individual Registering as a Voter when Applying for a Driver's License be a Resident of this State Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 3)
3/11 HB 45 Prohibits Foreign Donors and Entities from Donating to Campaigns for Ballot Measures Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 6)
3/10 HB 1062 Amends Provisions Pertaining to the Maintenance and Publication of the Statewide Voter Registration File Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 12)
3/10 HB 1169 Amends Requirements for Petition Signatures to get a Constitutional Amendment on the Ballot Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 15)
3/10 HB 1066 Requires New State Residents to Reside in the State for 30 Consecutive Days before Voting Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 11)
3/10 HB 1208 Authorizes Mail-In Absentee Voting for Out of State Residents Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 9)
3/10 HB 1130 Amends the Date for School Board and Municipal Elections Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 11)
3/10 HB 1256 Requires Individuals to Sign Petitions Using Their Voter Registration Address Instead of Their Residency Address. Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12)
3/10 HB 1184 Amends the Deadline for Filing a Petition to get a Constitutional Amendment on the Ballot Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 15)
3/10 HJR 5003 Authorizes Asking Voters to Increase the Approval Threshold for Constitutional Amendments from a Simple Majority to 60% Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (29 - 4)
3/07 HB 1178 Requires School Districts Allow Time for Students to Vote in Elections Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 23)
3/06 SB 4 Establishes Deadline for Returning Absentee Ballots Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 10)
3/06 HB 300 Repeals Automatic Mail-In Voting and Requires Voters Provide the Last 4 Digits of Their State Identification Number with Return Envelopes Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 10)
3/05 SB 1534 Requires the Legislative Council to Create Titles for Ballot Measures Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 12)
3/05 SB 1097 Requires Arizona Schools to Close on Election Days to Serve as Polling Places Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 12)
3/03 SB 208 Requires Canvassers to Request a Photo ID of Potential Signers Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 6)
3/03 SB 211 Requires Canvassers to File an Affidavit Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 9)
2/28 HB 156 Requires 30-Day Residency Before Registering to Vote Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 4)
2/27 SB 1612 Requires Companies that Seek State Contracts or Grants to Disclose "Anything of Value" They Have Provided to the Governor, a Gubernatorial Campaign, or Other Entities Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 11)
2/27 SB 22 Limits Power of the Courts to Rewrite Summary Statements by the General Assembly for Ballot Measures Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 10)
2/27 SB 1612 Requires Companies that Seek State Contracts or Grants to Disclose "Anything of Value" They Have Provided to the Governor, a Gubernatorial Campaign, or Other Entities Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 11)
2/21 HB 2276 Establishes Guidelines for Verifying and Protecting Voter Registration Information Conference Report Adopted - Senate (22 - 18)
2/21 SB 139 Amends Policies for Filling Legislative Vacancies Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 0)
2/20 SB 1009 Authorizes Ranked Choice Voting for Certain Local Elections Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (20 - 19)
2/18 HB 1657 Establishes Timelines for Removal of Ineligible Voters Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
2/14 HB 2056 Authorizes Localities to Set Hours of Operation for Satellite Voting Locations Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
2/14 HB 2277 Establishes Regulations for Electoral Board Members Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
2/13 HB 2703 Amends the State Ballot Counting Process Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 10)
2/12 SB 211 Requires Canvassers to File an Affidavit Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 9)
2/12 SB 209 Prohibits Signatures Gathered by Canvassers Which Violated State Law Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 11)
2/12 SB 207 Requires Canvassers to Disclose Warnings on Petition Fraud Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 7)
2/12 SB 208 Requires Canvassers to Request a Photo ID of Potential Signers Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 6)
2/11 SB 2654 Authorizes Early Voting 15-Days Before an Election Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 12)
2/05 SB 4 Establishes Deadline for Returning Absentee Ballots Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 10)

arrow_upward