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
March 13, 2013 AR SB 2 Requires Photo Identification to Vote Bill Passed - House (51 - 44)
March 11, 2013 KY SB 1 Establishes an Electronic Ballot Transmission System for Military and Overseas Voters Bill Passed - House (57 - 42)
March 10, 2013 NM HCR 1 Limits the Disclosure of Legislative Information Bill Passed - House (48 - 16)
Feb. 25, 2013 IN HB 1483 Requires Drug Testing for Certain Welfare Recipients Bill Passed - House (78 - 17)
Feb. 22, 2013 ND HB 1385 Requires Drug Testing for Welfare Recipients Bill Failed - House (19 - 72)
Feb. 22, 2013 MT HB 304 Authorizes Concealed Carry of Firearms Without a Concealed-Carry Permit Bill Passed - House (58 - 41)
Feb. 21, 2013 AR SB 134 Prohibits an Abortion if a Fetal Heartbeat is Detected Bill Passed - House (68 - 20)
Feb. 21, 2013 KY HB 89 Requires Police to Collect DNA From Individuals Arrested on Felony Charges Bill Passed - House (68 - 27)
Feb. 20, 2013 VA SB 1256 Requires Photo Identification for Voting Bill Passed - House (65 - 34)
Feb. 18, 2013 CO HB 1229 Requires Background Checks For Private Gun Sales and Transfers Bill Passed - House (36 - 29)
Feb. 14, 2013 MO HB 48 Requires Photo Identification for Voting Bill Passed - House (105 - 48)
Feb. 1, 2013 MT HB 30 Prohibits Same-Day Voter Registration Bill Passed - House (60 - 38)
Sept. 12, 2012 National HR 5949 FISA Amendments Act Reauthorization Act of 2012 Bill Passed - House (301 - 118)
Aug. 27, 2012 CA AB 1436 Authorizes Same-Day Voter Registration Concurrence Vote Passed - House (50 - 29)
June 27, 2012 NH SB 289 Requires Photo Identification to Vote Veto Override Passed - House (231 - 112)
June 27, 2012 NH SB 318 Requires In-State Residency to Vote Veto Override Passed - House (232 - 110)
June 13, 2012 PA HB 2400 Expands Wiretapping Authority Bill Passed - House (145 - 52)
June 12, 2012 MI SB 803 Requires Proof of Citizenship to Vote Bill Passed - House (67 - 43)
June 12, 2012 MI SB 754 Requires Photo Identification for Voter Registration Bill Passed - House (66 - 43)
June 6, 2012 NH SB 318 Requires In-State Residency to Vote Conference Report Adopted - House (260 - 101)
June 6, 2012 NH SB 289 Requires Photo Identification to Vote Conference Report Adopted - House (255 - 103)
May 31, 2012 MA H Amdt 11 Requires Photo Identification to Vote Amendment Adopted - House (105 - 43)
May 31, 2012 CA AB 1436 Authorizes Same-Day Voter Registration Bill Passed - House (47 - 26)
May 18, 2012 National H Amdt 1127 Repeals Indefinite Military Detention Provisions Amendment Rejected - House (182 - 238)
April 30, 2012 CT HB 5024 Authorizes Election Day Registration Bill Passed - House (83 - 59)
April 26, 2012 MS HB 921 Requires Photo Identification to Vote Concurrence Vote Passed - House (79 - 39)
April 19, 2012 AZ SB 1182 Prohibits Enforcement of Certain Provisions in the National Defense Authorization Act Bill Passed - House (34 - 22)
April 4, 2012 CT HJ 2 Authorizes Absentee Ballots for Any Reason Resolution Passed - House (97 - 50)
April 3, 2012 MN HF 2738 Requires Photo Identification to Vote Conference Report Adopted - House (72 - 57)
March 29, 2012 MI HB 5061 Requires Photo Identification for Absentee Ballots Bill Passed - House (65 - 45)
March 28, 2012 SC SB 1227 Prohibits Camping on State House Grounds Bill Passed - House (85 - 22)
March 21, 2012 IL HB 3944 Authorizing the Recording of Police Bill Failed - House (45 - 59)
March 20, 2012 CO HB 1111 Voter Identification Amendments Bill Passed - House (33 - 31)
March 20, 2012 MN HF 2738 Requires Photo Identification to Vote Bill Passed - House (72 - 62)
March 14, 2012 PA HB 934 Amends Voter Identification Laws Concurrence Vote Passed - House (104 - 88)
March 8, 2012 VA SB 1 Requires Photo Identification to Vote Bill Passed - House (66 - 31)
March 1, 2012 FL HB 1209 Prohibits Courts from Basing Decisions on Foreign Laws Bill Passed - House (92 - 24)
Feb. 27, 2012 TN HB 2638 Prohibits Camping in Non-Designated Areas of Public Property Concurrence Vote Passed - House (67 - 21)
Feb. 17, 2012 ID H 404 Prohibits Camping on Capitol Mall Property Concurrence Vote Passed - House (51 - 14)
Feb. 16, 2012 KY HB 70 Authorizes People Convicted of Certain Felonies to Vote Bill Passed - House (78 - 18)
Feb. 16, 2012 TN HB 2638 Prohibits Camping in Non-Designated Areas of Public Property Bill Passed - House (70 - 26)
Feb. 9, 2012 MO HB 1104 Requires Photo Identification to Vote Bill Passed - House (101 - 54)
Feb. 3, 2012 UT HB 253 Removal of Voters from Voter Registration List Bill Passed - House (46 - 27)
Feb. 1, 2012 VA HB 9 Voter Identification Requirements Bill Passed - House (69 - 30)
Jan. 26, 2012 ID H 404 Prohibits Camping on Capitol Mall Property Bill Passed - House (54 - 16)
Jan. 25, 2012 SD HCR 1004 Urging Academic Study of the Bible in Public Schools Resolution Passed - House (55 - 13)
Dec. 14, 2011 National HR 1540 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012 Conference Report Adopted - House (283 - 136)
June 30, 2011 RI S 400 Voter Identification Requirements Bill Passed - House (51 - 22)
June 23, 2011 PA HB 934 Amends Voter Identification Laws Bill Passed - House (108 - 88)
June 9, 2011 ME LD 1376 Repeals Same-Day Voter Registration Bill Passed - House (72 - 65)
May 27, 2011 NV AB 552 DNA Samples for Felony Charges Bill Passed - House (31 - 11)
May 26, 2011 National S 990 PATRIOT Act Extension Concurrence Vote Passed - House (250 - 153)
May 25, 2011 TX HB 359 Corporal Punishment in Public Schools Concurrence Vote Passed - House (80 - 64)
May 16, 2011 TX SB 14 Voter Identification Requirements Conference Report Adopted - House (98 - 46)
May 13, 2011 TX HB 359 Corporal Punishment in Public Schools Bill Passed - House (84 - 55)
April 26, 2011 SC H 3003 Voter ID Conference Report Adopted - House (71 - 36)
April 20, 2011 AZ HB 2230 Relating to the 9/11 Memorial Concurrence Vote Passed - House (39 - 20)
April 14, 2011 TN SB 16 Voter Identification Requirements Bill Passed - House (57 - 35)
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
Feb. 25, 2011 KS HB 2067 Voter Photographic Identification Requirements Bill Passed - House (83 - 36)
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 National HR 514 Extension of Various USA PATRIOT Act Provisions Concurrence Vote Passed - House (279 - 143)
Feb. 15, 2011 AR SB 154 Cell Phones in School Zones Bill Passed - House (52 - 41)
Feb. 14, 2011 National HR 514 Extension of Various USA PATRIOT Act Provisions Bill Passed - House (275 - 144)
Feb. 8, 2011 WY HB 204 Patriotism in the Classroom Bill Passed - House (52 - 5)
Feb. 8, 2011 National HR 514 Extension of Various USA PATRIOT Act Provisions Bill Failed - House (277 - 148)
Jan. 26, 2011 SC H 3003 Voter ID Bill Passed - House (74 - 45)
Nov. 30, 2010 IL SB 1716 Authorizing Civil Unions Bill Passed - House (61 - 52)
Nov. 15, 2010 PA HB 1926 Amending Self-Protection Laws Concurrence Vote Passed - House (161 - 35)
Oct. 5, 2010 PA HB 40 Self Defense Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (159 - 38)
Aug. 31, 2010 CA AB 2479 Penalties for Violations Committed with the Intent to Capture Images or Recordings of a Person Concurrence Vote Passed - House (54 - 21)
July 10, 2010 NC HB 1403 Collecting DNA Sample Upon Arrest Conference Report Adopted - House (83 - 21)
July 7, 2010 NC HB 1403 Collecting DNA Sample Upon Arrest Bill Passed - House (93 - 20)
July 1, 2010 NY S 1523 Allowing Unmarried Partners to Adopt a Child Bill Passed - House (95 - 44)
June 3, 2010 CA AB 2479 Penalties for Violations Committed with the Intent to Capture Images or Recordings of a Person Bill Passed - House (56 - 16)
June 2, 2010 LA SB 9 Classifying Text Messaging While Driving as a Primary Offense Bill Passed - House (69 - 22)
May 18, 2010 OK HJR 1054 Prohibiting Federal Health Care Mandates Veto Override Passed - House (72 - 24)
May 18, 2010 OK HJR 1056 Prohibits Use of International and Sharia Law in State Courts Conference Report Adopted - House (82 - 10)
May 6, 2010 LA HB 863 Prohibits Hand-Held Cell Phones while Driving Bill Failed - House (49 - 41)
May 3, 2010 CT SB 407 Requiring Motorcycle Training Course Bill Passed - House (117 - 31)
April 29, 2010 HI HB 444 Legalizing Same-Sex Civil Unions Concurrence Vote Passed - House (31 - 20)
April 23, 2010 WI AB 720 Statewide Smoking Ban Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - House (60 - 34)
April 20, 2010 MI HB 4394 Prohibiting Text Messaging While Driving Concurrence Vote Passed - House (74 - 33)
April 15, 2010 WI AB 612 Limiting Access to 9-1-1 Recordings Bill Passed - House (67 - 30)
April 15, 2010 WI AB 106 Authorizing Sale of Alcohol to 18-20 Year-Olds Under Parental or Spousal Supervision Bill Passed - House (56 - 41)
April 9, 2010 MD SB 321 Prohibiting Hand-Held Cell Phone Use While Driving Bill Passed - House (125 - 14)
April 6, 2010 ME LD 1611 State Prison Solitary Confinement Review Concurrence Vote Passed - House (78 - 67)
April 1, 2010 CO HB 1201 Requiring Police to Inform Citizens of Right to Refuse Searches Concurrence Vote Passed - House (42 - 22)
April 1, 2010 KY HB 415 Prohibiting Text-Messaging While Driving Concurrence Vote Passed - House (86 - 10)
March 29, 2010 OK SB 1891 Allowing Health Services Employees to Refuse Participation in Abortion and Other Procedures Bill Passed - House (80 - 13)
March 26, 2010 ID H 729 Prohibiting Text Messaging While Driving Bill Passed - House (51 - 16)
March 23, 2010 IA HF 2456 Texting While Driving Ban Conference Report Adopted - House (66 - 33)
March 22, 2010 CA SB 4 Prohibiting Smoking at State Park Beaches Bill Passed - House (42 - 27)
March 18, 2010 IL HB 5428 Limiting Adoption Records Disclosure Restrictions for Adoptees Bill Passed - House (74 - 39)
March 9, 2010 VA SB 66 Prohibiting Sexual Orientation Discrimination in State Government Employment Motion Agreed - House (55 - 42)
March 4, 2010 IN HB 1065 Authorizing Firearms at Workplace Conference Report Adopted - House (75 - 20)
Date No. Title Outcome
3/13 SB 2 Requires Photo Identification to Vote Bill Passed - House (51 - 44)
3/11 SB 1 Establishes an Electronic Ballot Transmission System for Military and Overseas Voters Bill Passed - House (57 - 42)
3/10 HCR 1 Limits the Disclosure of Legislative Information Bill Passed - House (48 - 16)
2/25 HB 1483 Requires Drug Testing for Certain Welfare Recipients Bill Passed - House (78 - 17)
2/22 HB 1385 Requires Drug Testing for Welfare Recipients Bill Failed - House (19 - 72)
2/22 HB 304 Authorizes Concealed Carry of Firearms Without a Concealed-Carry Permit Bill Passed - House (58 - 41)
2/21 SB 134 Prohibits an Abortion if a Fetal Heartbeat is Detected Bill Passed - House (68 - 20)
2/21 HB 89 Requires Police to Collect DNA From Individuals Arrested on Felony Charges Bill Passed - House (68 - 27)
2/20 SB 1256 Requires Photo Identification for Voting Bill Passed - House (65 - 34)
2/18 HB 1229 Requires Background Checks For Private Gun Sales and Transfers Bill Passed - House (36 - 29)
2/14 HB 48 Requires Photo Identification for Voting Bill Passed - House (105 - 48)
2/01 HB 30 Prohibits Same-Day Voter Registration Bill Passed - House (60 - 38)
9/12 HR 5949 FISA Amendments Act Reauthorization Act of 2012 Bill Passed - House (301 - 118)
8/27 AB 1436 Authorizes Same-Day Voter Registration Concurrence Vote Passed - House (50 - 29)
6/27 SB 289 Requires Photo Identification to Vote Veto Override Passed - House (231 - 112)
6/27 SB 318 Requires In-State Residency to Vote Veto Override Passed - House (232 - 110)
6/13 HB 2400 Expands Wiretapping Authority Bill Passed - House (145 - 52)
6/12 SB 803 Requires Proof of Citizenship to Vote Bill Passed - House (67 - 43)
6/12 SB 754 Requires Photo Identification for Voter Registration Bill Passed - House (66 - 43)
6/06 SB 318 Requires In-State Residency to Vote Conference Report Adopted - House (260 - 101)
6/06 SB 289 Requires Photo Identification to Vote Conference Report Adopted - House (255 - 103)
5/31 H Amdt 11 Requires Photo Identification to Vote Amendment Adopted - House (105 - 43)
5/31 AB 1436 Authorizes Same-Day Voter Registration Bill Passed - House (47 - 26)
5/18 H Amdt 1127 Repeals Indefinite Military Detention Provisions Amendment Rejected - House (182 - 238)
4/30 HB 5024 Authorizes Election Day Registration Bill Passed - House (83 - 59)
4/26 HB 921 Requires Photo Identification to Vote Concurrence Vote Passed - House (79 - 39)
4/19 SB 1182 Prohibits Enforcement of Certain Provisions in the National Defense Authorization Act Bill Passed - House (34 - 22)
4/04 HJ 2 Authorizes Absentee Ballots for Any Reason Resolution Passed - House (97 - 50)
4/03 HF 2738 Requires Photo Identification to Vote Conference Report Adopted - House (72 - 57)
3/29 HB 5061 Requires Photo Identification for Absentee Ballots Bill Passed - House (65 - 45)
3/28 SB 1227 Prohibits Camping on State House Grounds Bill Passed - House (85 - 22)
3/21 HB 3944 Authorizing the Recording of Police Bill Failed - House (45 - 59)
3/20 HB 1111 Voter Identification Amendments Bill Passed - House (33 - 31)
3/20 HF 2738 Requires Photo Identification to Vote Bill Passed - House (72 - 62)
3/14 HB 934 Amends Voter Identification Laws Concurrence Vote Passed - House (104 - 88)
3/08 SB 1 Requires Photo Identification to Vote Bill Passed - House (66 - 31)
3/01 HB 1209 Prohibits Courts from Basing Decisions on Foreign Laws Bill Passed - House (92 - 24)
2/27 HB 2638 Prohibits Camping in Non-Designated Areas of Public Property Concurrence Vote Passed - House (67 - 21)
2/17 H 404 Prohibits Camping on Capitol Mall Property Concurrence Vote Passed - House (51 - 14)
2/16 HB 70 Authorizes People Convicted of Certain Felonies to Vote Bill Passed - House (78 - 18)
2/16 HB 2638 Prohibits Camping in Non-Designated Areas of Public Property Bill Passed - House (70 - 26)
2/09 HB 1104 Requires Photo Identification to Vote Bill Passed - House (101 - 54)
2/03 HB 253 Removal of Voters from Voter Registration List Bill Passed - House (46 - 27)
2/01 HB 9 Voter Identification Requirements Bill Passed - House (69 - 30)
1/26 H 404 Prohibits Camping on Capitol Mall Property Bill Passed - House (54 - 16)
1/25 HCR 1004 Urging Academic Study of the Bible in Public Schools Resolution Passed - House (55 - 13)
12/14 HR 1540 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012 Conference Report Adopted - House (283 - 136)
6/30 S 400 Voter Identification Requirements Bill Passed - House (51 - 22)
6/23 HB 934 Amends Voter Identification Laws Bill Passed - House (108 - 88)
6/09 LD 1376 Repeals Same-Day Voter Registration Bill Passed - House (72 - 65)
5/27 AB 552 DNA Samples for Felony Charges Bill Passed - House (31 - 11)
5/26 S 990 PATRIOT Act Extension Concurrence Vote Passed - House (250 - 153)
5/25 HB 359 Corporal Punishment in Public Schools Concurrence Vote Passed - House (80 - 64)
5/16 SB 14 Voter Identification Requirements Conference Report Adopted - House (98 - 46)
5/13 HB 359 Corporal Punishment in Public Schools Bill Passed - House (84 - 55)
4/26 H 3003 Voter ID Conference Report Adopted - House (71 - 36)
4/20 HB 2230 Relating to the 9/11 Memorial Concurrence Vote Passed - House (39 - 20)
4/14 SB 16 Voter Identification Requirements Bill Passed - House (57 - 35)
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
2/25 HB 2067 Voter Photographic Identification Requirements Bill Passed - House (83 - 36)
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 HR 514 Extension of Various USA PATRIOT Act Provisions Concurrence Vote Passed - House (279 - 143)
2/15 SB 154 Cell Phones in School Zones Bill Passed - House (52 - 41)
2/14 HR 514 Extension of Various USA PATRIOT Act Provisions Bill Passed - House (275 - 144)
2/08 HB 204 Patriotism in the Classroom Bill Passed - House (52 - 5)
2/08 HR 514 Extension of Various USA PATRIOT Act Provisions Bill Failed - House (277 - 148)
1/26 H 3003 Voter ID Bill Passed - House (74 - 45)
11/30 SB 1716 Authorizing Civil Unions Bill Passed - House (61 - 52)
11/15 HB 1926 Amending Self-Protection Laws Concurrence Vote Passed - House (161 - 35)
10/05 HB 40 Self Defense Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (159 - 38)
8/31 AB 2479 Penalties for Violations Committed with the Intent to Capture Images or Recordings of a Person Concurrence Vote Passed - House (54 - 21)
7/10 HB 1403 Collecting DNA Sample Upon Arrest Conference Report Adopted - House (83 - 21)
7/07 HB 1403 Collecting DNA Sample Upon Arrest Bill Passed - House (93 - 20)
7/01 S 1523 Allowing Unmarried Partners to Adopt a Child Bill Passed - House (95 - 44)
6/03 AB 2479 Penalties for Violations Committed with the Intent to Capture Images or Recordings of a Person Bill Passed - House (56 - 16)
6/02 SB 9 Classifying Text Messaging While Driving as a Primary Offense Bill Passed - House (69 - 22)
5/18 HJR 1054 Prohibiting Federal Health Care Mandates Veto Override Passed - House (72 - 24)
5/18 HJR 1056 Prohibits Use of International and Sharia Law in State Courts Conference Report Adopted - House (82 - 10)
5/06 HB 863 Prohibits Hand-Held Cell Phones while Driving Bill Failed - House (49 - 41)
5/03 SB 407 Requiring Motorcycle Training Course Bill Passed - House (117 - 31)
4/29 HB 444 Legalizing Same-Sex Civil Unions Concurrence Vote Passed - House (31 - 20)
4/23 AB 720 Statewide Smoking Ban Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - House (60 - 34)
4/20 HB 4394 Prohibiting Text Messaging While Driving Concurrence Vote Passed - House (74 - 33)
4/15 AB 612 Limiting Access to 9-1-1 Recordings Bill Passed - House (67 - 30)
4/15 AB 106 Authorizing Sale of Alcohol to 18-20 Year-Olds Under Parental or Spousal Supervision Bill Passed - House (56 - 41)
4/09 SB 321 Prohibiting Hand-Held Cell Phone Use While Driving Bill Passed - House (125 - 14)
4/06 LD 1611 State Prison Solitary Confinement Review Concurrence Vote Passed - House (78 - 67)
4/01 HB 1201 Requiring Police to Inform Citizens of Right to Refuse Searches Concurrence Vote Passed - House (42 - 22)
4/01 HB 415 Prohibiting Text-Messaging While Driving Concurrence Vote Passed - House (86 - 10)
3/29 SB 1891 Allowing Health Services Employees to Refuse Participation in Abortion and Other Procedures Bill Passed - House (80 - 13)
3/26 H 729 Prohibiting Text Messaging While Driving Bill Passed - House (51 - 16)
3/23 HF 2456 Texting While Driving Ban Conference Report Adopted - House (66 - 33)
3/22 SB 4 Prohibiting Smoking at State Park Beaches Bill Passed - House (42 - 27)
3/18 HB 5428 Limiting Adoption Records Disclosure Restrictions for Adoptees Bill Passed - House (74 - 39)
3/09 SB 66 Prohibiting Sexual Orientation Discrimination in State Government Employment Motion Agreed - House (55 - 42)
3/04 HB 1065 Authorizing Firearms at Workplace Conference Report Adopted - House (75 - 20)

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