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 6, 2007 ME LD 203 Student Voter Registration Bill "Ought Not to Pass" Report Adopted - House (90 - 49)
June 5, 2007 CA AB 43 Same Sex Marriage Bill Passed - House (42 - 34)
June 5, 2007 LA HB 313 Extended Period for Indictments Bill Passed - House (79 - 25)
June 2, 2007 CT Sub SB 167 Restricting Eminent Domain Concurrence Vote Passed - House (132 - 7)
May 26, 2007 TX CSHB 3678 Religious Expression at Schools Concurrence Vote Passed - House (107 - 28)
May 17, 2007 National H Amdt 197 Guantanamo Transfer Plan Amendment Adopted - House (220 - 208)
May 11, 2007 MN SF 238 Smoking Ban Conference Report Adopted - House (81 - 48)
May 7, 2007 CA AB 102 Name Equality Act of 2007 Bill Passed - House (46 - 26)
May 2, 2007 IL HB 1727 Internet Screening in Public Libraries Bill Passed - House (63 - 51)
May 2, 2007 NC HB 259 Smoking Ban Bill Failed - House (55 - 61)
May 1, 2007 CO SB 25 Sexual Orientation Workplace Discrimination Bill Passed - House (44 - 18)
May 1, 2007 IL SB 500 Smoke Free Illinois Act Bill Passed - House (73 - 42)
May 1, 2007 OK SCS HB 1804 Immigration Reform Bill Passed - House (84 - 14)
May 1, 2007 TX CSHB 3678 Religious Expression at Schools Bill Passed - House (121 - 10)
April 26, 2007 MN SF 238 Smoking Ban Bill Passed - House (85 - 45)
April 25, 2007 IA SF 427 Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity Discrimination Bill Passed - House (59 - 37)
April 24, 2007 TX HB 218 Voter Identification Requirement Bill Passed - House (76 - 69)
April 17, 2007 WI AJR 17 Voter Identification Constitutional Amendment Bill Passed - House (54 - 43)
April 12, 2007 TX CSHB 855 Identification Upon Police Detainment Bill Failed - House (23 - 116)
April 4, 2007 VA Governor's Recommendation: Restaurant Smoking Ban Amendment Rejected - House (40 - 59)
April 4, 2007 NH HB 254 Mandatory Employer Meetings Bill Passed - House (232 - 127)
April 3, 2007 KS HB 2019 Voter Identification Concurrence Vote Failed - House (61 - 61)
April 3, 2007 MD SB 91 Indoor Smoking Ban Bill Passed - House (99 - 39)
March 28, 2007 NH HB 235 Recognition of Out-of-State Marriages Bill Failed - House (169 - 171)
March 28, 2007 ID H 121 Smoking Ban in Bowling Alleys Veto Override Passed - House (57 - 13)
March 26, 2007 MD SB 488 Felon Voting Rights Bill Passed - House (78 - 60)
March 24, 2007 MD HB 359 Indoor Smoking Ban Bill Passed - House (98 - 40)
March 21, 2007 VT H 44 Life Ending Prescriptions for Terminally Ill Patients Bill Failed - House (63 - 82)
March 20, 2007 GA HCS HB 185 Death Penalty Rules Bill Passed - House (106 - 65)
March 14, 2007 CO HB 1330 Second Parent Adoption Bill Passed - House (39 - 25)
March 7, 2007 OK HCS HB 1734 Photo Identification Voting Requirement Bill Passed - House (58 - 38)
Feb. 28, 2007 IL HB 408 Mandating New Driver Signs For Minors Bill Passed - House (74 - 39)
Feb. 28, 2007 CO HB 1269 Casino Smoking Ban Bill Passed - House (36 - 29)
Feb. 23, 2007 ID H 121 Smoking Ban in Bowling Alleys Bill Passed - House (48 - 17)
Feb. 21, 2007 WY SF 101 Sex Offender Tracking Bill Failed - House (29 - 30)
Feb. 20, 2007 IN HB 1237 Seat Belt Requirement Bill Passed - House (55 - 41)
Feb. 12, 2007 UT 2SHB 235 Abortion Law Revisions Bill Passed - House (62 - 12)
Feb. 5, 2007 WY HJ 8 Real ID Act Repeal Joint Resolution Passed - House (49 - 11)
Sept. 29, 2006 National S 3930 Military Commissions Act of 2006 Bill Passed - House (250 - 170)
Sept. 20, 2006 National HR 4844 Federal Election Integrity Act of 2006 Bill Passed - House (228 - 196)
July 19, 2006 National HR 2389 Pledge Protection Act of 2006 Bill Passed - House (260 - 167)
July 13, 2006 MA H 126 Unsigned Political Posters Veto Override Passed - House (132 - 24)
July 13, 2006 National HR 9 Voting Rights Act Reauthorization Bill Passed - House (390 - 33)
June 6, 2006 PA HB 2381 Marriage Definition Constitutional Amendment Joint Resolution Passed - House (136 - 61)
May 30, 2006 MI HB 6085 Disclosure of Citizenship on Driver's License Bill Passed - House (76 - 27)
May 26, 2006 OK SB 1807 Prohibiting Death Sentence For Mentally Retarded Defendant Conference Report Adopted - House (91 - 5)
May 25, 2006 SC Amdt 3 to S 1084 Inclusion of Unborn Child/Fetus in Definition for Civil Suits Amendment Amendment Tabled - House (65 - 31)
May 25, 2006 OH Sub HB 184 U.S. and Ohio Mottos in Schools Concurrence Vote Passed - House (82 - 13)
May 24, 2006 NH HB 656 "Do Not Resuscitate" Bill Conference Report Adopted - House (168 - 165)
May 17, 2006 LA HB 853 Prohibits Discrimination and Harassment in State Government Bill Failed - House (38 - 58)
May 11, 2006 TN SB 1678 Establishing Voting Rights Guidelines for Convicted Felons Bill Passed - House (57 - 40)
May 10, 2006 KS HB 2118 Conceal and Carry Conference Report Adopted - House (93 - 24)
May 9, 2006 RI H 7339 Restriction on Political Surveillance Bill Passed - House (36 - 25)
May 5, 2006 VT H 865 Non-Discrimination Bill Concurrence Vote Passed - House (88 - 47)
May 4, 2006 CO SB 81 Employment Nondiscrimination Expansion Bill Bill Passed - House (39 - 26)
May 4, 2006 LA HB 1010 Smoking in Motor Vehicles Ban Bill Passed - House (67 - 31)
May 3, 2006 CO HB 1125 Seat Belt Enforcement Bill Bill Failed - House (32 - 32)
May 2, 2006 HI SB 3262 Smoking Ban Bill Conference Report Adopted - House (47 - 3)
May 1, 2006 TN HA 1232 Removing “Sexual Orientation” Amendment Amendment Adopted - House (55 - 32)
April 26, 2006 NH SB 318 Use of Deadly Force Bill Passed - House (193 - 134)
April 25, 2006 MI Sub H-1 Self Defense Bill/ Deadly Force Bill Bill Passed - House (90 - 16)
April 24, 2006 CT Sub SB 4 Birth Information for Adult Adoptees Bill Passed - House (79 - 64)
April 19, 2006 VA HB 493 High School Baccalaureate Ceremonies Veto Override Failed - House (60 - 36)
April 17, 2006 OK HCS SB 806 Tattoo Legalization and Changing Body Piercing Regulations Bill Passed - House (70 - 28)
April 17, 2006 CT HB 5212 News Media Information Protection Bill Passed - House (107 - 34)
April 13, 2006 CO HB 1314 Prohibiting Forced Exposure to Employer’s Religious or Political Speech Bill Passed - House (33 - 32)
April 6, 2006 MO HJR 39 Prayer in Public Schools Joint Resolution Passed - House (134 - 19)
March 27, 2006 CO HB 1344 Same-Sex Partnership Benefits Act Bill Passed - House (38 - 27)
March 24, 2006 GA SCS SB 396 Use of Deadly Force Bill Passed - House (115 - 42)
March 23, 2006 KS SB 418 Concealed Weapons Permits Veto Override Passed - House (91 - 33)
March 21, 2006 NH CACR 34 Marriage Definition "Inexpedient to Legislate" Vote Passed - House (207 - 125)
March 21, 2006 NH Maj AM 1172h Smoking Ban Amendment Amendment Adopted - House (177 - 164)
March 21, 2006 OH HCR 36 Apportioning U.S. House Seats Resolution Passed - House (71 - 23)
March 21, 2006 NH HB 1177 Smoking Ban Bill Passed - House (189 - 156)
March 17, 2006 CO HB 1175 Colorado Clean Indoor Air Act Conference Report Adopted - House (38 - 24)
March 14, 2006 IN HB 1099 Fireworks Sales, Regulations, Discharge, Public Safety Fees, and Injuries Conference Report Adopted - House (59 - 35)
March 14, 2006 KS SB 418 Concealed Weapons Permits Bill Passed - House (90 - 33)
March 9, 2006 NH HB 1492 Emergency Contraceptives and Pharmacists "Inexpedient to Legislate" Vote Passed - House (215 - 106)
March 9, 2006 AZ HB 2696 Adoption Preference for Married Couples Bill Passed - House (32 - 25)
March 7, 2006 OK HCS HB 2138 Release From School to Attend Religious Instruction Bill Passed - House (70 - 25)
March 7, 2006 VA SB 526 Defining Marriage Bill Passed - House (85 - 12)
March 2, 2006 NJ A 798 New Jersey Uniform Common Interest Ownership Act Bill Passed - House (55 - 14)
March 1, 2006 UT 2SSB 19 Additions to Smoking Ban Conference Report Adopted - House (39 - 34)
March 1, 2006 KY HB 399 Wage Discrimination Bill Bill Passed - House (72 - 22)
Feb. 28, 2006 WI SJR 53 Constitutional amendment defining marriage between one man and one woman Amendment Adopted - House (62 - 31)
Feb. 21, 2006 MO SCS SB 578 Funeral Protests Prohibition Bill Passed - House (139 - 17)
Feb. 15, 2006 NH HB 656 "Do Not Resuscitate" Bill Bill Passed - House (231 - 118)
Feb. 15, 2006 CO HB 1125 Seat Belt Enforcement Bill Bill Passed - House (33 - 32)
Feb. 15, 2006 KY HCS HB 290 Concealed Weapons Permit Classification Bill Passed - House (89 - 7)
Feb. 13, 2006 CO HB 1175 Colorado Clean Indoor Air Act Bill Passed - House (41 - 24)
Feb. 7, 2006 MS HB 300 - Amendment 1 Marriage Counseling Requirement Amendment Rejected - House (45 - 74)
Feb. 7, 2006 MS HB 1090 Juvenile Sentencing Bill Passed - House (74 - 48)
Feb. 6, 2006 ID HJR 2 Marriage Amendment Ballot Question Bill Passed - House (53 - 17)
Feb. 6, 2006 SD HB 1184 Medical Treatments that Violate Medical Workers Principles Bill Failed - House (34 - 35)
Feb. 2, 2006 IN HB 1099 Fireworks Sales, Regulations, Discharge, Public Safety Fees, and Injuries Bill Passed - House (64 - 30)
Feb. 1, 2006 AK HB 149 Controlled Substance Law Amendments Concurrence Vote Failed - House (15 - 23)
Jan. 27, 2006 WA Sub HB 2661 Expanding the Jurisdiction of the Human Rights Commission Concurrence Vote Passed - House (61 - 37)
Jan. 20, 2006 WA Sub HB 2661 Expanding the Jurisdiction of the Human Rights Commission Bill Passed - House (60 - 37)
Jan. 12, 2006 MS HB 409 Seat Belt Law Bill Passed - House (95 - 25)
Jan. 9, 2006 NJ S 2083 Domestic Partner Surviving Rights Bill Passed - House (67 - 8)
Date No. Title Outcome
6/06 LD 203 Student Voter Registration Bill "Ought Not to Pass" Report Adopted - House (90 - 49)
6/05 AB 43 Same Sex Marriage Bill Passed - House (42 - 34)
6/05 HB 313 Extended Period for Indictments Bill Passed - House (79 - 25)
6/02 Sub SB 167 Restricting Eminent Domain Concurrence Vote Passed - House (132 - 7)
5/26 CSHB 3678 Religious Expression at Schools Concurrence Vote Passed - House (107 - 28)
5/17 H Amdt 197 Guantanamo Transfer Plan Amendment Adopted - House (220 - 208)
5/11 SF 238 Smoking Ban Conference Report Adopted - House (81 - 48)
5/07 AB 102 Name Equality Act of 2007 Bill Passed - House (46 - 26)
5/02 HB 1727 Internet Screening in Public Libraries Bill Passed - House (63 - 51)
5/02 HB 259 Smoking Ban Bill Failed - House (55 - 61)
5/01 SB 25 Sexual Orientation Workplace Discrimination Bill Passed - House (44 - 18)
5/01 SB 500 Smoke Free Illinois Act Bill Passed - House (73 - 42)
5/01 SCS HB 1804 Immigration Reform Bill Passed - House (84 - 14)
5/01 CSHB 3678 Religious Expression at Schools Bill Passed - House (121 - 10)
4/26 SF 238 Smoking Ban Bill Passed - House (85 - 45)
4/25 SF 427 Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity Discrimination Bill Passed - House (59 - 37)
4/24 HB 218 Voter Identification Requirement Bill Passed - House (76 - 69)
4/17 AJR 17 Voter Identification Constitutional Amendment Bill Passed - House (54 - 43)
4/12 CSHB 855 Identification Upon Police Detainment Bill Failed - House (23 - 116)
4/04 Governor's Recommendation: Restaurant Smoking Ban Amendment Rejected - House (40 - 59)
4/04 HB 254 Mandatory Employer Meetings Bill Passed - House (232 - 127)
4/03 HB 2019 Voter Identification Concurrence Vote Failed - House (61 - 61)
4/03 SB 91 Indoor Smoking Ban Bill Passed - House (99 - 39)
3/28 HB 235 Recognition of Out-of-State Marriages Bill Failed - House (169 - 171)
3/28 H 121 Smoking Ban in Bowling Alleys Veto Override Passed - House (57 - 13)
3/26 SB 488 Felon Voting Rights Bill Passed - House (78 - 60)
3/24 HB 359 Indoor Smoking Ban Bill Passed - House (98 - 40)
3/21 H 44 Life Ending Prescriptions for Terminally Ill Patients Bill Failed - House (63 - 82)
3/20 HCS HB 185 Death Penalty Rules Bill Passed - House (106 - 65)
3/14 HB 1330 Second Parent Adoption Bill Passed - House (39 - 25)
3/07 HCS HB 1734 Photo Identification Voting Requirement Bill Passed - House (58 - 38)
2/28 HB 408 Mandating New Driver Signs For Minors Bill Passed - House (74 - 39)
2/28 HB 1269 Casino Smoking Ban Bill Passed - House (36 - 29)
2/23 H 121 Smoking Ban in Bowling Alleys Bill Passed - House (48 - 17)
2/21 SF 101 Sex Offender Tracking Bill Failed - House (29 - 30)
2/20 HB 1237 Seat Belt Requirement Bill Passed - House (55 - 41)
2/12 2SHB 235 Abortion Law Revisions Bill Passed - House (62 - 12)
2/05 HJ 8 Real ID Act Repeal Joint Resolution Passed - House (49 - 11)
9/29 S 3930 Military Commissions Act of 2006 Bill Passed - House (250 - 170)
9/20 HR 4844 Federal Election Integrity Act of 2006 Bill Passed - House (228 - 196)
7/19 HR 2389 Pledge Protection Act of 2006 Bill Passed - House (260 - 167)
7/13 H 126 Unsigned Political Posters Veto Override Passed - House (132 - 24)
7/13 HR 9 Voting Rights Act Reauthorization Bill Passed - House (390 - 33)
6/06 HB 2381 Marriage Definition Constitutional Amendment Joint Resolution Passed - House (136 - 61)
5/30 HB 6085 Disclosure of Citizenship on Driver's License Bill Passed - House (76 - 27)
5/26 SB 1807 Prohibiting Death Sentence For Mentally Retarded Defendant Conference Report Adopted - House (91 - 5)
5/25 Amdt 3 to S 1084 Inclusion of Unborn Child/Fetus in Definition for Civil Suits Amendment Amendment Tabled - House (65 - 31)
5/25 Sub HB 184 U.S. and Ohio Mottos in Schools Concurrence Vote Passed - House (82 - 13)
5/24 HB 656 "Do Not Resuscitate" Bill Conference Report Adopted - House (168 - 165)
5/17 HB 853 Prohibits Discrimination and Harassment in State Government Bill Failed - House (38 - 58)
5/11 SB 1678 Establishing Voting Rights Guidelines for Convicted Felons Bill Passed - House (57 - 40)
5/10 HB 2118 Conceal and Carry Conference Report Adopted - House (93 - 24)
5/09 H 7339 Restriction on Political Surveillance Bill Passed - House (36 - 25)
5/05 H 865 Non-Discrimination Bill Concurrence Vote Passed - House (88 - 47)
5/04 SB 81 Employment Nondiscrimination Expansion Bill Bill Passed - House (39 - 26)
5/04 HB 1010 Smoking in Motor Vehicles Ban Bill Passed - House (67 - 31)
5/03 HB 1125 Seat Belt Enforcement Bill Bill Failed - House (32 - 32)
5/02 SB 3262 Smoking Ban Bill Conference Report Adopted - House (47 - 3)
5/01 HA 1232 Removing “Sexual Orientation” Amendment Amendment Adopted - House (55 - 32)
4/26 SB 318 Use of Deadly Force Bill Passed - House (193 - 134)
4/25 Sub H-1 Self Defense Bill/ Deadly Force Bill Bill Passed - House (90 - 16)
4/24 Sub SB 4 Birth Information for Adult Adoptees Bill Passed - House (79 - 64)
4/19 HB 493 High School Baccalaureate Ceremonies Veto Override Failed - House (60 - 36)
4/17 HCS SB 806 Tattoo Legalization and Changing Body Piercing Regulations Bill Passed - House (70 - 28)
4/17 HB 5212 News Media Information Protection Bill Passed - House (107 - 34)
4/13 HB 1314 Prohibiting Forced Exposure to Employer’s Religious or Political Speech Bill Passed - House (33 - 32)
4/06 HJR 39 Prayer in Public Schools Joint Resolution Passed - House (134 - 19)
3/27 HB 1344 Same-Sex Partnership Benefits Act Bill Passed - House (38 - 27)
3/24 SCS SB 396 Use of Deadly Force Bill Passed - House (115 - 42)
3/23 SB 418 Concealed Weapons Permits Veto Override Passed - House (91 - 33)
3/21 CACR 34 Marriage Definition "Inexpedient to Legislate" Vote Passed - House (207 - 125)
3/21 Maj AM 1172h Smoking Ban Amendment Amendment Adopted - House (177 - 164)
3/21 HCR 36 Apportioning U.S. House Seats Resolution Passed - House (71 - 23)
3/21 HB 1177 Smoking Ban Bill Passed - House (189 - 156)
3/17 HB 1175 Colorado Clean Indoor Air Act Conference Report Adopted - House (38 - 24)
3/14 HB 1099 Fireworks Sales, Regulations, Discharge, Public Safety Fees, and Injuries Conference Report Adopted - House (59 - 35)
3/14 SB 418 Concealed Weapons Permits Bill Passed - House (90 - 33)
3/09 HB 1492 Emergency Contraceptives and Pharmacists "Inexpedient to Legislate" Vote Passed - House (215 - 106)
3/09 HB 2696 Adoption Preference for Married Couples Bill Passed - House (32 - 25)
3/07 HCS HB 2138 Release From School to Attend Religious Instruction Bill Passed - House (70 - 25)
3/07 SB 526 Defining Marriage Bill Passed - House (85 - 12)
3/02 A 798 New Jersey Uniform Common Interest Ownership Act Bill Passed - House (55 - 14)
3/01 2SSB 19 Additions to Smoking Ban Conference Report Adopted - House (39 - 34)
3/01 HB 399 Wage Discrimination Bill Bill Passed - House (72 - 22)
2/28 SJR 53 Constitutional amendment defining marriage between one man and one woman Amendment Adopted - House (62 - 31)
2/21 SCS SB 578 Funeral Protests Prohibition Bill Passed - House (139 - 17)
2/15 HB 656 "Do Not Resuscitate" Bill Bill Passed - House (231 - 118)
2/15 HB 1125 Seat Belt Enforcement Bill Bill Passed - House (33 - 32)
2/15 HCS HB 290 Concealed Weapons Permit Classification Bill Passed - House (89 - 7)
2/13 HB 1175 Colorado Clean Indoor Air Act Bill Passed - House (41 - 24)
2/07 HB 300 - Amendment 1 Marriage Counseling Requirement Amendment Rejected - House (45 - 74)
2/07 HB 1090 Juvenile Sentencing Bill Passed - House (74 - 48)
2/06 HJR 2 Marriage Amendment Ballot Question Bill Passed - House (53 - 17)
2/06 HB 1184 Medical Treatments that Violate Medical Workers Principles Bill Failed - House (34 - 35)
2/02 HB 1099 Fireworks Sales, Regulations, Discharge, Public Safety Fees, and Injuries Bill Passed - House (64 - 30)
2/01 HB 149 Controlled Substance Law Amendments Concurrence Vote Failed - House (15 - 23)
1/27 Sub HB 2661 Expanding the Jurisdiction of the Human Rights Commission Concurrence Vote Passed - House (61 - 37)
1/20 Sub HB 2661 Expanding the Jurisdiction of the Human Rights Commission Bill Passed - House (60 - 37)
1/12 HB 409 Seat Belt Law Bill Passed - House (95 - 25)
1/09 S 2083 Domestic Partner Surviving Rights Bill Passed - House (67 - 8)

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