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:
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.
| Date | State | Bill No. | Title | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov. 8, 2018 | MI | SB 1022 | Authorizes use of Campaign Finance Funds for Repayment of Debts and Obligations of Campaigns by Former Candidates | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 12) |
| Oct. 29, 2018 | NJ | A 4674 | Authorizes US Congresspersons to Run for Congress and Presidency during Primary Election | Bill Passed - Senate |
| July 30, 2018 | MA | H 4834 | Establishes Automatic Voter Registration | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (36 - 0) |
| June 29, 2018 | NC | HB 1092 | Requires Photo Identification to Vote | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 12) |
| 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 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 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 | 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) |
| May 16, 2018 | LA | HB 265 | Authorizes Registration and Voting by Individuals Convicted of Felonies | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 13) |
| May 5, 2018 | CT | HB 5421 | Authorizes National Popular Vote Interstate Compact | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14) |
| May 2, 2018 | NH | HB 1264 | Amends Residency Definiton | "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Adopted - Senate (14 - 10) |
| April 12, 2018 | NJ | A 2014 | Authorizes Automatic Voter Registration at More Locations | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 13) |
| April 5, 2018 | CA | SB 1171 | Authorizes Same Day Voter Registration | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 10) |
| March 28, 2018 | MD | HB 829 | Establishes No-Excuse Absentee Voting | Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 11) |
| 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 6, 2018 | WA | HB 2595 | Authorizes Automatic Voter Registration | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 21) |
| March 5, 2018 | MD | SB 256 | Requires Presidential Candidates to Disclose Tax Returns | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 17) |
| 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) |
| 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. 16, 2017 | NC | S 656 | Prohibits Part Primaries for Certain 2018 Court Elections | Veto Override Passed - Senate (26 - 15) |
| Sept. 14, 2017 | MI | SB 335 | Authorizes Unrestricted Campaign Contributions by PACs | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12) |
| May 5, 2017 | IL | SB 1933 | Authorizes Automatic Voter Registration | Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 0) |
| 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 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 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 13, 2017 | NJ | S 3048 | Requires Presidential Candidates to Disclose Tax Returns | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11) |
| March 8, 2017 | AR | HB 1047 | Requires Voters to Provide Identification When Voting | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 8) |
| Sept. 14, 2016 | MO | HB 1631 | Requires Individuals to Present Certain Identification to Vote | Veto Override Passed - Senate (24 - 7) |
| Aug. 16, 2016 | CA | AB 2466 | Expands Voting Rights for Certain Convicted Felons | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 13) |
| June 27, 2016 | NC | SB 897 | Establishes Electoral Districts for City of Asheville | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 16) |
| May 25, 2016 | OH | SB 296 | Requires Bond for Extended Polling Hours | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 10) |
| May 19, 2016 | IL | SB 250 | Establishes Automatic Voter Registration | Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 16) |
| May 3, 2016 | MO | HB 1631 | Requires Individuals to Present Certain Identification to Vote | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 8) |
| April 21, 2016 | IL | SJRCA 30 | Amends Redistricting Process | Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 19) |
| April 13, 2016 | NE | LB 580 | Establishes Independent Redistricting Commission | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 15) |
| April 4, 2016 | NE | LB 10 | Establishes Winner-Take-All Election System | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 15) |
| March 29, 2016 | RI | H 7024 | Authorizes Online Voting | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 6) |
| March 29, 2016 | LA | SB 164 | Amends Absentee Voting Requirements | Bill Failed - Senate (11 - 24) |
| March 10, 2016 | KY | SB 8 | Requires the State Supreme Court to Review Judicial Districts | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 12) |
| March 8, 2016 | AZ | SB 1516 | Repeals Certain Campaign Finance Reforms | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 10) |
| March 2, 2016 | CO | SB 74 | Authorizes Voters to Opt Out of Mail Ballots | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17) |
| Feb. 24, 2016 | UT | SJR 2 | Urges Congress to Repeal the 17th Amendment | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 6) |
| Feb. 24, 2016 | CO | SB 112 | Requires Certain Number of Polling Centers | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17) |
| Feb. 19, 2016 | NC | HB 2 | Amends Congressional Primary Election Date | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 15) |
| Feb. 18, 2016 | NC | SB 2 | Amends Congressional Districts | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 15) |
| Feb. 17, 2016 | NM | HB 138 | Authorizes Certain Minors to Vote | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 16) |
| Feb. 9, 2016 | MD | HB 980 | Authorizes Felons to Vote While on Parole | Veto Override Passed - Senate (29 - 18) |
| Feb. 9, 2016 | WI | SB 295 | Authorizes Voters to Register Online | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 13) |
| Feb. 1, 2016 | VA | SB 106 | Authorizes No-Excuse In-Person Absentee Voting | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19) |
| Jan. 21, 2016 | NH | SB 4 | Requires an Individual to Live in the State for 30 Days to be Eligible to Vote | Bill Passed - Senate (12 - 11) |
| Jan. 19, 2016 | KY | SB 10 | Requires Gubernatorial Elections to be Held on Even-Numbered Years | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 9) |
| Dec. 16, 2015 | MI | SB 571 | Amends Ballot Advertising Restrictions | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 12) |
| Aug. 17, 2015 | CA | AB 1100 | Increases Ballot Initiative Fee | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 14) |
| May 27, 2015 | OH | HB 153 | Amends Date of Presidential Primary | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 10) |
| May 12, 2015 | NV | SB 421 | Amends Primary Elections Procedures | Bill Passed - Senate (11 - 9) |
| May 11, 2015 | MN | SF 455 | Amends Elections Laws | Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 28) |
| April 27, 2015 | IN | SB 466 | Amends Voting Regulations | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (38 - 8) |
| April 23, 2015 | MN | SF 878 | Authorizes Gun Silencers and Expands Ex-Felon Voting Rights | Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 22) |
| April 15, 2015 | MT | SB 289 | Requires Certain Political Groups to Disclose Expenditures | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 20) |
| April 8, 2015 | MO | HB 63 | Prohibits Superintendents from Serving on Certain School Boards | Veto Override Passed - Senate (24 - 9) |
| April 6, 2015 | ND | HB 1181 | Requires Special Election to Fill Vacant Senate Seat | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 20) |
| April 2, 2015 | GA | SB 127 | Exempts Certain Public Officials from Late Filing Fees | Conference Report Rejected - Senate (22 - 33) |
| March 30, 2015 | AZ | HB 2608 | Amends Signature Requirements for Political Candidate Nominations | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 12) |
| March 26, 2015 | NH | SB 179 | Amends Residency Requirement for Voter Eligibility | Bill Passed - Senate (13 - 10) |
| March 19, 2015 | IA | SF 331 | Authorizes Online Voter Registration | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 20) |
| March 18, 2015 | IA | SF 437 | Authorizes Employees to Take Unpaid Leave to Participate in a Presidential Precinct Caucus | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 24) |
| March 12, 2015 | MO | HB 63 | Prohibits Superintendents from Serving on Certain School Boards | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 3) |
| March 12, 2015 | NC | SB 181 | Requires the Redistricting of Wake County | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 16) |
| March 11, 2015 | AZ | SCR 1001 | Amends Citizens Clean Elections Fund | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (17 - 12) |
| March 9, 2015 | KY | HB 203 | Increases Limit on Individual Campaign Donations | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 8) |
| March 6, 2015 | AZ | SB 1340 | Requires Photo Identification for Early Ballot Volunteers | Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 12) |
| March 5, 2015 | OR | HB 2177 | Establishes Automatic Voter Registration | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 13) |
| March 3, 2015 | OK | SB 315 | Amends Absentee Ballot Application Procedure | Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 7) |
| Feb. 26, 2015 | KS | SB 171 | Amends Voting Schedule | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 18) |
| Feb. 26, 2015 | MT | SB 289 | Requires Certain Political Groups to Disclose Expenditures | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 22) |
| Feb. 19, 2015 | MO | SB 104 | Establishes Deadline for Changes to Ballot Measures | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 8) |
| Feb. 3, 2015 | WV | SB 249 | Repeals Straight-Ticket Voting | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 8) |
| Dec. 1, 2014 | NJ | S 536 | Amends Early Voting Procedures | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 15) |
| Oct. 23, 2014 | NJ | S 2430 | Requires Disclosure of Political Contributions | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 8) |
| Sept. 11, 2014 | National | S J Res 19 | A Joint Resolution Proposing an Amendment to the Constitution of the United States Relating to Contributions and Expenditures Intended to Affect Elections | Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (54 - 42) |
| Aug. 11, 2014 | FL | SB 2-A | Congressional Redistricting | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 12) |
| June 23, 2014 | CA | AJR 1 | Requests Constitutional Convention to Overturn Citizens United | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 11) |
| June 18, 2014 | RI | H 8072A | Repeals Straight Party Voting Option on Election Ballots | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 3) |
| May 30, 2014 | IL | HB 105 | Authorizes Election Day Voter Registration | Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 17) |
| May 29, 2014 | CA | SB 1253 | Amends Legislative Initiative Measure Laws | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 8) |
| May 22, 2014 | NH | SB 120 | Requires Certain Political Organizations to Disclose Individual Contributors | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (12 - 11) |
| May 12, 2014 | MO | HJR 90 | Authorizes Early Voting | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 8) |
| May 8, 2014 | CA | SB 27 | Requires Certain Nonprofit Organizations to Disclose Donors | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 7) |
| May 2, 2014 | MN | SF 2099 | Requires Political Contributions by Corporations to be Subject to the Individual Income Tax | Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 23) |