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 4, 2021 SD HCR 6013 Specifies that the 2nd Amendment is Protected from Federal Overreach Bill Failed - Senate (13 - 20)
March 1, 2021 MT SB 215 Limits State and Local Governmental Authority Over a Religious Activity Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 24)
Feb. 27, 2021 VA SJ 272 Amends the Qualifications to Vote Conference Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 17)
Feb. 24, 2021 NY S 830 Extends Voting Rights to Convicted Felons on Parole Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 20)
Feb. 22, 2021 WV SB 11 Prohibits Work Stoppages or Strikes by Public Employees Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12)
Feb. 16, 2021 IN SB 198 Increases Penalties for Attendees of "Riots" or "Unlawful Assemblies" Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 8)
Feb. 10, 2021 AR SB 289 Authorizes Denial of Healthcare on the Basis of Religious Principles Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 6)
Jan. 28, 2021 DE SB 32 Prohibits Hair Discrimination Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 0)
Jan. 27, 2021 WA SB 5044 Requires Anti-Racism and Equity Training in Public Schools Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 19)
Jan. 21, 2021 DE SB 31 Amends the Equal Rights Amendment in the State Constitution to Prohibit Racial Discrimination Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 0)
Jan. 12, 2021 IL SB 1608 Establishes New Commissions to Impose Racial Diversity Requirements Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 15)
Dec. 17, 2020 NJ A 4454 Requires School Districts to Include Instruction on Diversity and Inclusion as Part of New Education Standards Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 13)
Dec. 9, 2020 MI SB 1252 Appropriates $600 Million to the Flint Water Settlement Trust Fund Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 0)
Dec. 2, 2020 OH SB 334 Establishes Juneteenth as a Paid State Holiday Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 0)
Oct. 14, 2020 VA HB 5099 Prohibits No-Knock Search Warrants Conference Report Adopted - Senate (22 - 16)
Oct. 14, 2020 VA SB 5030 Establishes and Amends Various Provisions Relating to Law Enforcement Conference Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 17)
Sept. 25, 2020 VA HB 5093 Expands the Violation of a Pandemic-Related Executive Order to Include a Fine Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 17)
Sept. 10, 2020 VA SB 5024 Authorizes the Attorney General to File a Civil Suit or Inquire into Law Enforcement Engaging in Unlawful Practices Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 18)
Sept. 10, 2020 VA SB 5030 Establishes and Amends Various Provisions Relating to Law Enforcement Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
Sept. 10, 2020 VA SB 5007 Authorizes Defendants to Be Sentenced by a Judge Rather Than a Jury Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 18)
Aug. 31, 2020 CA SB 1102 Requires Employers to Provide H-2A Employees with a Written Notice of their Rights Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 10)
Aug. 31, 2020 CA SB 629 Establishes Legal Protection for Journalists Attending Protest Demonstrations Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 2)
Aug. 31, 2020 CA AB 2542 Prohibits Racial Discrimination in Criminal Courts Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 10)
Aug. 30, 2020 CA AB 1196 Prohibits Law Enforcement Agencies from Authorizing the Use of Carotid Restraints or Choke Holds Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 1)
Aug. 29, 2020 CA AB 979 Requires Corporations to Have Directors From Under-Represented Groups Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 8)
Aug. 29, 2020 CA AB 3121 Establishes a Task Force for Reparations to African Americans Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 3)
Aug. 27, 2020 NJ A 4320 Expands Ballot Receipt and Election Deadlines Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 14)
Aug. 11, 2020 NE LB 1060 Prohibits Racial Discrimination in the Workplace Based on Certain Hair Textures and Styles Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 12)
July 30, 2020 NJ A 1906 Establishes Crime of False 911 Calls with Purpose to Intimidate or Harass Based on Race Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 0)
July 30, 2020 NJ A 1076 Requires Attorney General to Collect and Report Prosecutorial and Criminal Justice Data Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 0)
July 30, 2020 NJ S 419 Requires Cultural Diversity Training for Law Enforcement Officers Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 0)
July 28, 2020 MA S 2844 Repeals Previous Restrictions on Students with Disabilities Attending Universities of Higher Education Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 0)
July 22, 2020 NY A 2176 Prohibits Civil Arrest of Individuals Attending Court Proceedings Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 18)
July 21, 2020 NY A 5630 Amends Various Power of Attorney Laws Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 17)
July 16, 2020 RI H 7541 Establishes the "Uniform Parentage Act" Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 1)
July 14, 2020 MA S 2800 Amends Police Standards and Restructures Policing Resources Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 7)
June 30, 2020 PA HB 1910 Establishes New Training Requirements for Police Officers Bill Passed - Senate (50 - 0)
June 26, 2020 OR HB 4203 Prohibits Peace Officers from Using Force by Applying Pressure on Throat or Neck Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 1)
June 25, 2020 DE SB 260 Appropriates Funding for Nonprofit Grants-In-Aid Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 0)
June 24, 2020 CA ACA 5 Establishes Constitutional Amendment Repealing Prohibition on Affirmative Action Policies Amendment Adopted - Senate (30 - 10)
June 24, 2020 PA SB 1205 Prohibits the Use of Police Chokeholds Bill Passed - Senate (50 - 0)
June 23, 2020 GA HB 426 Increase Penalties for Bias-Motivated Crime Bill Passed - Senate (47 - 6)
June 20, 2020 NM HB 5 Establishes the New Mexico Civil Rights Commission Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 9)
June 19, 2020 NM SB 8 Requires Law Enforcement to Use Body-Worn Cameras Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 11)
June 19, 2020 NM SB 7 Requires State Agencies to Implement Policies to Reduce Institutional Racism Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 11)
June 18, 2020 CA AB 1460 Requires Ethnic Studies Course Completion in State Universities Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 5)
June 17, 2020 MS HB 1295 Prohibits Abortions for Reasons of Race, Sex, or Genetic Abnormality Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 11)
June 16, 2020 NH HB 1582 Establishes the Veterans Bill of Rights Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 0)
June 10, 2020 NY S 8539 Establishes the Law Enforcement Misconduct Investigative Office Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 20)
June 8, 2020 NY A 1531 Prohibits Reporting a Non-Emergency Incident Involving a Member of a Protected Class Bill Passed - Senate (56 - 6)
Date No. Title Outcome
3/04 HCR 6013 Specifies that the 2nd Amendment is Protected from Federal Overreach Bill Failed - Senate (13 - 20)
3/01 SB 215 Limits State and Local Governmental Authority Over a Religious Activity Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 24)
2/27 SJ 272 Amends the Qualifications to Vote Conference Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 17)
2/24 S 830 Extends Voting Rights to Convicted Felons on Parole Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 20)
2/22 SB 11 Prohibits Work Stoppages or Strikes by Public Employees Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12)
2/16 SB 198 Increases Penalties for Attendees of "Riots" or "Unlawful Assemblies" Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 8)
2/10 SB 289 Authorizes Denial of Healthcare on the Basis of Religious Principles Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 6)
1/28 SB 32 Prohibits Hair Discrimination Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 0)
1/27 SB 5044 Requires Anti-Racism and Equity Training in Public Schools Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 19)
1/21 SB 31 Amends the Equal Rights Amendment in the State Constitution to Prohibit Racial Discrimination Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 0)
1/12 SB 1608 Establishes New Commissions to Impose Racial Diversity Requirements Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 15)
12/17 A 4454 Requires School Districts to Include Instruction on Diversity and Inclusion as Part of New Education Standards Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 13)
12/09 SB 1252 Appropriates $600 Million to the Flint Water Settlement Trust Fund Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 0)
12/02 SB 334 Establishes Juneteenth as a Paid State Holiday Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 0)
10/14 HB 5099 Prohibits No-Knock Search Warrants Conference Report Adopted - Senate (22 - 16)
10/14 SB 5030 Establishes and Amends Various Provisions Relating to Law Enforcement Conference Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 17)
9/25 HB 5093 Expands the Violation of a Pandemic-Related Executive Order to Include a Fine Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 17)
9/10 SB 5024 Authorizes the Attorney General to File a Civil Suit or Inquire into Law Enforcement Engaging in Unlawful Practices Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 18)
9/10 SB 5030 Establishes and Amends Various Provisions Relating to Law Enforcement Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
9/10 SB 5007 Authorizes Defendants to Be Sentenced by a Judge Rather Than a Jury Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 18)
8/31 SB 1102 Requires Employers to Provide H-2A Employees with a Written Notice of their Rights Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 10)
8/31 SB 629 Establishes Legal Protection for Journalists Attending Protest Demonstrations Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 2)
8/31 AB 2542 Prohibits Racial Discrimination in Criminal Courts Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 10)
8/30 AB 1196 Prohibits Law Enforcement Agencies from Authorizing the Use of Carotid Restraints or Choke Holds Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 1)
8/29 AB 979 Requires Corporations to Have Directors From Under-Represented Groups Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 8)
8/29 AB 3121 Establishes a Task Force for Reparations to African Americans Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 3)
8/27 A 4320 Expands Ballot Receipt and Election Deadlines Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 14)
8/11 LB 1060 Prohibits Racial Discrimination in the Workplace Based on Certain Hair Textures and Styles Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 12)
7/30 A 1906 Establishes Crime of False 911 Calls with Purpose to Intimidate or Harass Based on Race Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 0)
7/30 A 1076 Requires Attorney General to Collect and Report Prosecutorial and Criminal Justice Data Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 0)
7/30 S 419 Requires Cultural Diversity Training for Law Enforcement Officers Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 0)
7/28 S 2844 Repeals Previous Restrictions on Students with Disabilities Attending Universities of Higher Education Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 0)
7/22 A 2176 Prohibits Civil Arrest of Individuals Attending Court Proceedings Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 18)
7/21 A 5630 Amends Various Power of Attorney Laws Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 17)
7/16 H 7541 Establishes the "Uniform Parentage Act" Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 1)
7/14 S 2800 Amends Police Standards and Restructures Policing Resources Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 7)
6/30 HB 1910 Establishes New Training Requirements for Police Officers Bill Passed - Senate (50 - 0)
6/26 HB 4203 Prohibits Peace Officers from Using Force by Applying Pressure on Throat or Neck Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 1)
6/25 SB 260 Appropriates Funding for Nonprofit Grants-In-Aid Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 0)
6/24 ACA 5 Establishes Constitutional Amendment Repealing Prohibition on Affirmative Action Policies Amendment Adopted - Senate (30 - 10)
6/24 SB 1205 Prohibits the Use of Police Chokeholds Bill Passed - Senate (50 - 0)
6/23 HB 426 Increase Penalties for Bias-Motivated Crime Bill Passed - Senate (47 - 6)
6/20 HB 5 Establishes the New Mexico Civil Rights Commission Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 9)
6/19 SB 8 Requires Law Enforcement to Use Body-Worn Cameras Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 11)
6/19 SB 7 Requires State Agencies to Implement Policies to Reduce Institutional Racism Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 11)
6/18 AB 1460 Requires Ethnic Studies Course Completion in State Universities Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 5)
6/17 HB 1295 Prohibits Abortions for Reasons of Race, Sex, or Genetic Abnormality Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 11)
6/16 HB 1582 Establishes the Veterans Bill of Rights Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 0)
6/10 S 8539 Establishes the Law Enforcement Misconduct Investigative Office Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 20)
6/08 A 1531 Prohibits Reporting a Non-Emergency Incident Involving a Member of a Protected Class Bill Passed - Senate (56 - 6)

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