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
Sept. 28, 2024 CA AB 2499 Expands Paid Sick Leave Requirements and Amends Unlawful Employment Practices to Include New Offenses Concurrence Vote Passed - House (60 - 11)
Aug. 31, 2024 CA AB 1008 Extends Privacy Laws to AI Concurrence Vote Passed - House (55 - 15)
Aug. 30, 2024 CA SB 399 Prohibits an Employer from Requiring an Employee to Come to Certain Political Meetings or Religious Outings Bill Passed - House (51 - 17)
Aug. 29, 2024 CA AB 3089 Authorizes Apology for State's Role in Slavery Concurrence Vote Passed - House (72 - 0)
Aug. 29, 2024 CA SB 1340 Amends State Definitions of Discrimination Bill Passed - House (62 - 11)
Aug. 27, 2024 CA AB 1815 Prohibts Discrimination on Hair Texture and Hair Style Concurrence Vote Passed - House (76 - 0)
Aug. 27, 2024 CA AB 1186 Exempts Youth Restitution Charges Concurrence Vote Passed - House (61 - 13)
Aug. 19, 2024 CA SB 1022 Amend Sections Regarding the Enforcement of Civil Rights Bill Passed - House (51 - 16)
July 11, 2024 National H J Res 165 Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Department of Education relating to "Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Sex in Education Programs or Activities Receiving Federal Financial Assistance". Joint Resolution Passed - House (210 - 205)
June 28, 2024 NJ A 2280 Prohibits Discriminatory Practices in Real Estate Appraisals and Requires Appraisers Complete Anti-Bias Training Concurrence Vote Passed - House (65 - 10)
June 27, 2024 NC HB 44 Amends the State Constitution to Repeal Previous Literacy Test Requirements when Voting Bill Passed - House (110 - 0)
June 27, 2024 NC HB 1074 Amends North Carolina State Constitution to Only Allow Citizens to Vote Bill Passed - House (99 - 12)
June 13, 2024 RI H 7724 Prohibits Hairstyle Discrimination in Schools Bill Passed - House (67 - 4)
June 12, 2024 MA H 4672 Amends the Legal Definition of Parentage Bill Passed - House (156 - 0)
May 29, 2024 LA HB 737 Prohibits Anyone from Protesting in a Group Within 50 Feet of a Home Concurrence Vote Passed - House (72 - 14)
May 22, 2024 IL SB 3649 Prohibits Forced Partiicpation in Employer Mandated Religious or Political Meetings Bill Passed - House (79 - 30)
May 21, 2024 CA AB 2925 Amends Education Codes by Prohibiting Discrimination in Higher Education Bill Passed - House (73 - 0)
May 21, 2024 RI H 8155 Amends and Simplifies Name Change Process Bill Passed - House (65 - 2)
May 18, 2024 MN SF 37 Authorizes Minnesota Voters to Vote On a Constitutional Amendment Providing For Equality Under the Law Bill Passed - House (68 - 62)
May 3, 2024 CO SB 24-053 Establishes an Independent Study on an Evaluation of Racial Equity for Black Coloradans Bill Passed - House (45 - 19)
May 1, 2024 HI SB 2919 Authorizes Counties to Enact Zoning Ordinances Conference Report Adopted - House (45 - 5)
May 1, 2024 National HR 6090 Antisemitism Awareness Act of 2023 Bill Passed - House (320 - 91)
April 29, 2024 CO SB 24-131 Prohibits Carrying Firearms in Sensitive Spaces Bill Passed - House (43 - 21)
April 29, 2024 CA AB 3024 Expands the Definition of Intimidation by Threat of Violence Bill Passed - House (61 - 3)
April 12, 2024 National HR 7888 Reforming Intelligence and Securing America Act Bill Passed - House (273 - 147)
April 9, 2024 HI SB 2919 Authorizes Counties to Enact Zoning Ordinances Bill Passed - House (45 - 6)
March 28, 2024 DE HB 275 Amends Definition to Sexual Orientation to Include Asexuality and Pansexuality Bill Passed - House (21 - 15)
March 18, 2024 CO HJR 24-1020 Establishes Recognition of Latino/a Advocacy Day Joint Resolution Passed - House (52 - 11)
March 15, 2024 ID H 538 Prohibits Governmental Entities From Compelling Employees to Use Certain Pronouns or Titles Bill Passed - House (58 - 11)
March 12, 2024 KY HB 509 Requires Officials' Texts About Public Business Remain Outside the Purview of the Open Records Law Bill Passed - House (61 - 31)
March 12, 2024 ID H 620 Prohibits Local Regulation of the Carrying of Knives Bill Passed - House (56 - 13)
March 11, 2024 KY HB 626 Prohibits Disruptive Protests Inside the State Capitol Bill Passed - House (62 - 31)
March 6, 2024 IA HF 2240 Prohibits the Distribution or Publishing of Nude Images Bill Passed - House (94 - 0)
March 5, 2024 IA HF 2610 Amends Voter Laws in Iowa Bill Passed - House (62 - 35)
Feb. 29, 2024 IA HF 2558 Establishes Provisions to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Policies in Higher Education Bill Passed - House (56 - 39)
Feb. 28, 2024 WA SB 5824 Increases Legal Protections for State Public Libraries Bill Passed - House (90 - 5)
Feb. 28, 2024 WA SB 6009 Prohibits Police from Hog-Tying Suspects Bill Passed - House (89 - 7)
Feb. 27, 2024 IN SB 202 Amends State University Tenure, Promotion and Diversity Policies Bill Passed - House (66 - 31)
Feb. 20, 2024 SD HB 1098 Repeals the Fee for Homeless Individuals to Obtain a Copy of Their Birth Certificate Bill Passed - House (53 - 15)
Feb. 15, 2024 WI AJR 109 Prohibits Governments from Giving Preferential Treatment to Staff on the Basis of Race, Sex, or National Origin Joint Resolution Passed - House (62 - 35)
Feb. 14, 2024 NY S 8058 Defines Gender-Affirming Care Bill Passed - House (97 - 48)
Feb. 9, 2024 CO HB 24-1058 Expands Colorado Privacy Act to Include Biological and Neural Data as Sensitive Bill Passed - House (59 - 3)
Feb. 9, 2024 CO HB 24-1017 Establishes a Foster Care Bill of Rights Bill Passed - House (43 - 19)
Jan. 30, 2024 UT HB 249 Prohibits Government Entities from Granting or Recognizing Legal Personhood in Certain Categories of Nonhumans Bill Passed - House (58 - 11)
Jan. 25, 2024 GA HB 30 Defines "Antisemitism" into State Law Concurrence Vote Passed - House (129 - 5)
Jan. 19, 2024 LA HB 17 Authorizes Certain Offices to Conduct Closed Party Primary Elections and Amends Election Codes Concurrence Vote Passed - House (67 - 36)
Jan. 18, 2024 IN HB 1002 Defines Antisemitism as Discrimination on the Basis of the Jewish Religion Bill Passed - House (83 - 0)
Jan. 8, 2024 NJ S 723 Establishes a Domestic Bill of Rights Bill Passed - House (48 - 26)
Dec. 13, 2023 National H Res 927 Condemning antisemitism on University campuses and the testimony of University Presidents in the House Committee on Education and the Workforce. Resolution Passed - House (303 - 126)
Dec. 5, 2023 National H Res 894 Strongly condemning and denouncing the drastic rise of antisemitism in the United States and around the world. Resolution Passed - House (311 - 14)
Nov. 7, 2023 WI AB 553 Establishes Certain Free Speech and Academic Standards at Higher Institutions Bill Passed - House (62 - 36)
Nov. 2, 2023 National H Res 798 Condemning the support of Hamas, Hezbollah, and other terrorist organizations at institutions of higher education, which may lead to the creation of a hostile environment for Jewish students, faculty, and staff. Resolution Passed - House (396 - 23)
Sept. 27, 2023 MI HB 4568 Authorizes Motor Vehicle Hiring to Transport Voters to Polls Bill Passed - House (56 - 54)
Sept. 14, 2023 CA AB 352 Requires Information on Fertility and Menstrual Tracking Apps Be Subject to Medical Privacy Laws Concurrence Vote Passed - House (64 - 14)
Sept. 7, 2023 CA AB 1078 Prohibits School Book Bans Concurrence Vote Passed - House (61 - 17)
Aug. 16, 2023 NC SB 579 Prohibits Showing Adult Entertainment to a Minor Bill Passed - House (118 - 1)
July 7, 2023 PA HB 1394 Prohibits Hair Discrimination Bill Passed - House (182 - 21)
July 6, 2023 ME LD 1756 Expands Employee's Freedom of Association and Speech in the Workplace (76 - 52)
June 15, 2023 ME LD 1001 Amends the Maine Human Rights Act Regarding Right-to-sue Letters Bill Passed - House (88 - 54)
June 13, 2023 ME LD 279 Prohibits Public Entities from Discriminating Against Individuals "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (77 - 64)
June 8, 2023 LA SB 159 Amends Previous Law to Automatically Classify 17-Year-Old Defendants as Adults Conference Report Adopted - House (70 - 34)
June 8, 2023 NY A 7691 Establishes a State Commission to Consider Reparations to Address Effects of Slavery Bill Passed - House (105 - 42)
June 6, 2023 ME LD 1703 Expands the Equal Pay Act to Include Race "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (112 - 20)
June 5, 2023 NV SB 368 Rescinds Previous Racial Language Governing Housing Covenants Bill Passed - House (38 - 4)
June 5, 2023 NV SB 323 Repeals Discriminator Language in Housing Association Convenants and Other Purposes Bill Passed - House (38 - 4)
May 31, 2023 CA AB 280 Limits the Use of Solitary Confinement in California State Prisons Bill Passed - House (56 - 16)
May 26, 2023 NV AB 404 Authorizes Caps for Medical Malpractice Lawsuits to Increase Bill Passed - House (24 - 17)
May 24, 2023 NV SB 239 Authorizes Medical Aid-In-Dying for Terminally Ill Individuals Bill Passed - House (23 - 19)
May 10, 2023 MO SB 28 Amends Public Records Access for Missouri State Highway Patrol Bill Passed - House (119 - 29)
May 9, 2023 ME LD 53 Repeals Intentional Torts from Workers Compensation Exemptions Bill Passed - House (82 - 60)
May 4, 2023 FL SB 262 Establishes a State Digital Bill of Rights to Provide User Protections Concurrence Vote Passed - House (110 - 2)
May 3, 2023 FL SB 266 Prohibits Higher Education Institutions from Spending Federal or State Funds on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Training Bill Passed - House (81 - 34)
May 2, 2023 MO SB 106 Requires Patient Approval before Doctors Give Prostate, Anal, or Pelvic Exams to Unconscious Individuals Bill Passed - House (118 - 29)
April 28, 2023 FL HB 1543 Establishes a New Minimum Age to Purchase a Firearm Bill Passed - House (69 - 36)
April 26, 2023 FL HB 931 Prohibits Public Institutions from Requiring Students, Faculty, or Staff Take Political Loyalty Tests Bill Passed - House (82 - 34)
Date No. Title Outcome
9/28 AB 2499 Expands Paid Sick Leave Requirements and Amends Unlawful Employment Practices to Include New Offenses Concurrence Vote Passed - House (60 - 11)
8/31 AB 1008 Extends Privacy Laws to AI Concurrence Vote Passed - House (55 - 15)
8/30 SB 399 Prohibits an Employer from Requiring an Employee to Come to Certain Political Meetings or Religious Outings Bill Passed - House (51 - 17)
8/29 AB 3089 Authorizes Apology for State's Role in Slavery Concurrence Vote Passed - House (72 - 0)
8/29 SB 1340 Amends State Definitions of Discrimination Bill Passed - House (62 - 11)
8/27 AB 1815 Prohibts Discrimination on Hair Texture and Hair Style Concurrence Vote Passed - House (76 - 0)
8/27 AB 1186 Exempts Youth Restitution Charges Concurrence Vote Passed - House (61 - 13)
8/19 SB 1022 Amend Sections Regarding the Enforcement of Civil Rights Bill Passed - House (51 - 16)
7/11 H J Res 165 Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Department of Education relating to "Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Sex in Education Programs or Activities Receiving Federal Financial Assistance". Joint Resolution Passed - House (210 - 205)
6/28 A 2280 Prohibits Discriminatory Practices in Real Estate Appraisals and Requires Appraisers Complete Anti-Bias Training Concurrence Vote Passed - House (65 - 10)
6/27 HB 44 Amends the State Constitution to Repeal Previous Literacy Test Requirements when Voting Bill Passed - House (110 - 0)
6/27 HB 1074 Amends North Carolina State Constitution to Only Allow Citizens to Vote Bill Passed - House (99 - 12)
6/13 H 7724 Prohibits Hairstyle Discrimination in Schools Bill Passed - House (67 - 4)
6/12 H 4672 Amends the Legal Definition of Parentage Bill Passed - House (156 - 0)
5/29 HB 737 Prohibits Anyone from Protesting in a Group Within 50 Feet of a Home Concurrence Vote Passed - House (72 - 14)
5/22 SB 3649 Prohibits Forced Partiicpation in Employer Mandated Religious or Political Meetings Bill Passed - House (79 - 30)
5/21 AB 2925 Amends Education Codes by Prohibiting Discrimination in Higher Education Bill Passed - House (73 - 0)
5/21 H 8155 Amends and Simplifies Name Change Process Bill Passed - House (65 - 2)
5/18 SF 37 Authorizes Minnesota Voters to Vote On a Constitutional Amendment Providing For Equality Under the Law Bill Passed - House (68 - 62)
5/03 SB 24-053 Establishes an Independent Study on an Evaluation of Racial Equity for Black Coloradans Bill Passed - House (45 - 19)
5/01 SB 2919 Authorizes Counties to Enact Zoning Ordinances Conference Report Adopted - House (45 - 5)
5/01 HR 6090 Antisemitism Awareness Act of 2023 Bill Passed - House (320 - 91)
4/29 SB 24-131 Prohibits Carrying Firearms in Sensitive Spaces Bill Passed - House (43 - 21)
4/29 AB 3024 Expands the Definition of Intimidation by Threat of Violence Bill Passed - House (61 - 3)
4/12 HR 7888 Reforming Intelligence and Securing America Act Bill Passed - House (273 - 147)
4/09 SB 2919 Authorizes Counties to Enact Zoning Ordinances Bill Passed - House (45 - 6)
3/28 HB 275 Amends Definition to Sexual Orientation to Include Asexuality and Pansexuality Bill Passed - House (21 - 15)
3/18 HJR 24-1020 Establishes Recognition of Latino/a Advocacy Day Joint Resolution Passed - House (52 - 11)
3/15 H 538 Prohibits Governmental Entities From Compelling Employees to Use Certain Pronouns or Titles Bill Passed - House (58 - 11)
3/12 HB 509 Requires Officials' Texts About Public Business Remain Outside the Purview of the Open Records Law Bill Passed - House (61 - 31)
3/12 H 620 Prohibits Local Regulation of the Carrying of Knives Bill Passed - House (56 - 13)
3/11 HB 626 Prohibits Disruptive Protests Inside the State Capitol Bill Passed - House (62 - 31)
3/06 HF 2240 Prohibits the Distribution or Publishing of Nude Images Bill Passed - House (94 - 0)
3/05 HF 2610 Amends Voter Laws in Iowa Bill Passed - House (62 - 35)
2/29 HF 2558 Establishes Provisions to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Policies in Higher Education Bill Passed - House (56 - 39)
2/28 SB 5824 Increases Legal Protections for State Public Libraries Bill Passed - House (90 - 5)
2/28 SB 6009 Prohibits Police from Hog-Tying Suspects Bill Passed - House (89 - 7)
2/27 SB 202 Amends State University Tenure, Promotion and Diversity Policies Bill Passed - House (66 - 31)
2/20 HB 1098 Repeals the Fee for Homeless Individuals to Obtain a Copy of Their Birth Certificate Bill Passed - House (53 - 15)
2/15 AJR 109 Prohibits Governments from Giving Preferential Treatment to Staff on the Basis of Race, Sex, or National Origin Joint Resolution Passed - House (62 - 35)
2/14 S 8058 Defines Gender-Affirming Care Bill Passed - House (97 - 48)
2/09 HB 24-1058 Expands Colorado Privacy Act to Include Biological and Neural Data as Sensitive Bill Passed - House (59 - 3)
2/09 HB 24-1017 Establishes a Foster Care Bill of Rights Bill Passed - House (43 - 19)
1/30 HB 249 Prohibits Government Entities from Granting or Recognizing Legal Personhood in Certain Categories of Nonhumans Bill Passed - House (58 - 11)
1/25 HB 30 Defines "Antisemitism" into State Law Concurrence Vote Passed - House (129 - 5)
1/19 HB 17 Authorizes Certain Offices to Conduct Closed Party Primary Elections and Amends Election Codes Concurrence Vote Passed - House (67 - 36)
1/18 HB 1002 Defines Antisemitism as Discrimination on the Basis of the Jewish Religion Bill Passed - House (83 - 0)
1/08 S 723 Establishes a Domestic Bill of Rights Bill Passed - House (48 - 26)
12/13 H Res 927 Condemning antisemitism on University campuses and the testimony of University Presidents in the House Committee on Education and the Workforce. Resolution Passed - House (303 - 126)
12/05 H Res 894 Strongly condemning and denouncing the drastic rise of antisemitism in the United States and around the world. Resolution Passed - House (311 - 14)
11/07 AB 553 Establishes Certain Free Speech and Academic Standards at Higher Institutions Bill Passed - House (62 - 36)
11/02 H Res 798 Condemning the support of Hamas, Hezbollah, and other terrorist organizations at institutions of higher education, which may lead to the creation of a hostile environment for Jewish students, faculty, and staff. Resolution Passed - House (396 - 23)
9/27 HB 4568 Authorizes Motor Vehicle Hiring to Transport Voters to Polls Bill Passed - House (56 - 54)
9/14 AB 352 Requires Information on Fertility and Menstrual Tracking Apps Be Subject to Medical Privacy Laws Concurrence Vote Passed - House (64 - 14)
9/07 AB 1078 Prohibits School Book Bans Concurrence Vote Passed - House (61 - 17)
8/16 SB 579 Prohibits Showing Adult Entertainment to a Minor Bill Passed - House (118 - 1)
7/07 HB 1394 Prohibits Hair Discrimination Bill Passed - House (182 - 21)
7/06 LD 1756 Expands Employee's Freedom of Association and Speech in the Workplace (76 - 52)
6/15 LD 1001 Amends the Maine Human Rights Act Regarding Right-to-sue Letters Bill Passed - House (88 - 54)
6/13 LD 279 Prohibits Public Entities from Discriminating Against Individuals "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (77 - 64)
6/08 SB 159 Amends Previous Law to Automatically Classify 17-Year-Old Defendants as Adults Conference Report Adopted - House (70 - 34)
6/08 A 7691 Establishes a State Commission to Consider Reparations to Address Effects of Slavery Bill Passed - House (105 - 42)
6/06 LD 1703 Expands the Equal Pay Act to Include Race "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (112 - 20)
6/05 SB 368 Rescinds Previous Racial Language Governing Housing Covenants Bill Passed - House (38 - 4)
6/05 SB 323 Repeals Discriminator Language in Housing Association Convenants and Other Purposes Bill Passed - House (38 - 4)
5/31 AB 280 Limits the Use of Solitary Confinement in California State Prisons Bill Passed - House (56 - 16)
5/26 AB 404 Authorizes Caps for Medical Malpractice Lawsuits to Increase Bill Passed - House (24 - 17)
5/24 SB 239 Authorizes Medical Aid-In-Dying for Terminally Ill Individuals Bill Passed - House (23 - 19)
5/10 SB 28 Amends Public Records Access for Missouri State Highway Patrol Bill Passed - House (119 - 29)
5/09 LD 53 Repeals Intentional Torts from Workers Compensation Exemptions Bill Passed - House (82 - 60)
5/04 SB 262 Establishes a State Digital Bill of Rights to Provide User Protections Concurrence Vote Passed - House (110 - 2)
5/03 SB 266 Prohibits Higher Education Institutions from Spending Federal or State Funds on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Training Bill Passed - House (81 - 34)
5/02 SB 106 Requires Patient Approval before Doctors Give Prostate, Anal, or Pelvic Exams to Unconscious Individuals Bill Passed - House (118 - 29)
4/28 HB 1543 Establishes a New Minimum Age to Purchase a Firearm Bill Passed - House (69 - 36)
4/26 HB 931 Prohibits Public Institutions from Requiring Students, Faculty, or Staff Take Political Loyalty Tests Bill Passed - House (82 - 34)

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