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
Feb. 26, 2020 VA HB 1083 Amends Safety Requirements for Unsecured Firearms and Increases Penalties (22 - 18)
Feb. 26, 2020 VA HB 9 Requires Reporting Lost or Stolen Firearms Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 20)
Feb. 26, 2020 VA HB 9 Requires Reporting Lost or Stolen Firearms Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 20)
Feb. 26, 2020 OK SB 1606 Amends Responsibility for Transport for Individuals in Custody Experiencing Mental Distress Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 0)
Feb. 26, 2020 SD SB 96 Repeals the Lifetime Ban on Drug Felons Receiving TANF Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 6)
Feb. 25, 2020 SD SB 6 Amends Conditions for Presumptive Probation Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 16)
Feb. 24, 2020 VA HB 618 Specifies that Gender Related Crimes are Associated with Hate Crimes (24 - 16)
Feb. 24, 2020 CO HB 20-1019 Amends the State Department of Corrections Private Prison Populations Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 10)
Feb. 21, 2020 VT S 24 Requires Commissioner of Corrections to Make a Plan that Addresses Racism and Diversity Inclusion Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 0)
Feb. 21, 2020 ID S 1318 Prohibits Employment Discrimination Based On Criminal History Background Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13)
Feb. 19, 2020 WI AB 804 Increases Penalties for Domestic Abuse Victim Intimidation Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (19 - 14)
Feb. 17, 2020 VA HB 386 Prohibits State Funding for Conversion Therapy on Minors Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 18)
Feb. 17, 2020 VA HB 995 Increases the Threshold Amount of Money Taken for Larceny Crimes Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 14)
Feb. 12, 2020 OK HB 2336 Authorizes Handguns on the Premises of Schools Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 7)
Feb. 7, 2020 MD SB 147 Prohibits the Purchase, Distribution, or Sale of Kratom Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 11)
Feb. 6, 2020 VA SB 868 Amends Anti-Discrimination Law to Include Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 9)
Feb. 4, 2020 CO SB 20-83 Prohibits Civil Arrests on Courthouse Grounds Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 13)
Feb. 4, 2020 CO SB 20-83 Prohibits Civil Arrests on Courthouse Grounds Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 13)
Feb. 4, 2020 CO SB 20-83 Prohibits Civil Arrests on Courthouse Grounds Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 13)
Feb. 4, 2020 IN SB 449 Reduces the Age at Which Juveniles Can be Sent to Jail Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 18)
Feb. 3, 2020 GA SR 554 Expresses Support for Iranian People Resolution Passed - Senate (31 - 17)
Jan. 31, 2020 WA SB 5339 Repeals the Death Penalty Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 18)
Jan. 31, 2020 WA SB 5339 Repeals the Death Penalty Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 18)
Jan. 31, 2020 CO SB 20-100 Repeals the Death Penalty Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 13)
Jan. 30, 2020 AZ SB 1141 Expands Arrest Powers of Detention Officers Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 13)
Jan. 28, 2020 OH SB 40 Prohibits State Universities from Enacting Limitations on Campus Free Speech Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 0)
Jan. 27, 2020 VA HJ 1 Establishes an Amendment to the US Constitution Relating to Equal Rights Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 12)
Jan. 22, 2020 VA SB 240 Authorizes Temporary Seizure of Guns from Persons Posing Substantial Risk Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
Jan. 21, 2020 VA SB 601 Establishes Election Day to Replace Lee-Jackson Day Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 18)
Jan. 17, 2020 WA SB 5165 Prohibits Discrimination Based on Citizenship or Immigration Status Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 20)
Jan. 16, 2020 VA SB 70 Requires Background Check for Firearm Transfers Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 17)
Jan. 16, 2020 VA SB 69 Prohibits Purchasing more than One Handgun per Month Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
Jan. 16, 2020 VA SB 35 Authorizes Localities to Prohibit Guns at Public Events Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
Jan. 15, 2020 VA SJ 1 Establishes an Amendment to the US Constitution Relating to Equal Rights Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 12)
Jan. 14, 2020 TN HB 836 Authorizes Adoption Agencies to Deny Potential Parents Based on Religious Exemption Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 6)
Jan. 14, 2020 IN SB 69 Authorizes Firearms on School Grounds Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 7)
Dec. 18, 2019 PA SB 501 Amends Parole, Probation, and Criminal Sentencing Guidelines Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (38 - 11)
Dec. 16, 2019 NJ A 5823 Authorizes Automatic Voter Registration for Individuals Released from Prison Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 17)
Dec. 16, 2019 NJ A 5823 Authorizes Automatic Voter Registration for Individuals Released from Prison Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 17)
Nov. 21, 2019 PA HB 49 Authorizes School Police to Make Arrests Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (35 - 14)
Nov. 20, 2019 PA HB 1402 Establishes and Defines the Crime of Sexual Extortion Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 0)
Nov. 13, 2019 National PN 410 Nomination of Chad Wolf to be Under Secretary for Strategy, Policy, and Plans for the Department of Homeland Security (54 - 41)
Nov. 12, 2019 National PN 410 Nomination of Chad Wolf to be Under Secretary for Strategy, Policy, and Plans for the Department of Homeland Security Cloture Invoked - Senate (54 - 40)
Nov. 5, 2019 WI SB 49 Prohibits Prostitution Charges Against Minors Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 14)
Oct. 29, 2019 IL SB 667 Limits the Cost of Insulin to $100 per 30-day Supply Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 7)
Oct. 23, 2019 PA HB 49 Authorizes School Police to Make Arrests Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 20)
Sept. 26, 2019 National SJ Res 54 Rescinds a National Emergency Declared by the President on February 15, 2019 Bill Passed - Senate (54 - 41)
Sept. 24, 2019 MI HB 4231 Appropriates $2.2 Billion for the State Corrections Budget for Fiscal Year 2020 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (22 - 16)
Sept. 11, 2019 CA SB 310 Authorizes Felons to Serve on Juries Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 10)
Sept. 11, 2019 CA SB 310 Authorizes Felons to Serve on Juries Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 10)
Sept. 11, 2019 CA AB 1215 Prohibits Facial Recognition in Police Body-Cams Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 15)
Sept. 11, 2019 CA AB 1215 Prohibits Facial Recognition in Police Body-Cams Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 15)
Sept. 10, 2019 CA AB 681 Requires Voter Party Affiliation Notification Prior To Primary Elections Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 11)
Sept. 10, 2019 CA AB 963 Establishes a Student Civic and Voter Empowerment Program at Public Post-Secondary Schools Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 9)
Sept. 10, 2019 CA AB 32 Prohibits Private Prisons and ICE Detention Centers Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 6)
Sept. 9, 2019 CA AB 521 Authorizes Healthcare Professions be Trained to Reduce Firearm-Related Injuries Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 6)
Sept. 9, 2019 CA AB 12 Authorizes Gun Violence Restraining Orders Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 8)
Sept. 9, 2019 CA AB 1669 Increases Firearm Purchasing Fees Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 11)
Sept. 5, 2019 CA AB 1076 Requires Criminal Record Expungement for Individuals Never Convicted Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 12)
Sept. 5, 2019 CA AB 1282 Prohibits Prisons from Working with ICE Contractors Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 10)
Sept. 5, 2019 CA AB 51 Prohibits Forced Employment Arbitration Agreements Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 11)
Sept. 4, 2019 CA AB 61 Amends Restraining Order Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 10)
Sept. 4, 2019 CA AB 61 Amends Restraining Order Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 10)
Aug. 19, 2019 CA AB 467 Requires Competitions Held on Public Lands to Offer Equal Prize Compensation Regardless of Gender Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 0)
Aug. 12, 2019 CA AJR 5 Urges the Federal Government to Pass Universal Firearm Safety Regulation Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 9)
July 23, 2019 National HR 1327 Never Forget the Heroes: Permanent Authorization of the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund Act Bill Passed - Senate (97 - 2)
July 8, 2019 CA SB 233 Authorizes Immunity from Arrest to Sex Workers Reporting Certain Crimes Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 9)
July 8, 2019 CA AB 1054 Establishes Wildfire Victim Compensation Fund Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 7)
July 8, 2019 CA AB 392 Increases Public Oversight and Police Accountability when Deadly Use of Force is Used Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 3)
June 27, 2019 NH HB 315 Repeals Participation in Interstate Voter Registration Crosscheck Program Conference Report Adopted - Senate (14 - 10)
June 26, 2019 National HR 3401 Emergency Supplemental Appropriations for Humanitarian Assistance and Security at the Southern Border Act, 2019 Bill Passed - Senate (84 - 8)
June 26, 2019 PA SB 147 Establishes Hunting Regulations on Sundays Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 14)
June 25, 2019 NJ S 761 Establishes Inmate Re-Entry Plans Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 11)
June 24, 2019 NC HB 370 Requires Sheriffs to Cooperate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement Officers Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 18)
June 20, 2019 NJ S 824 Requires Ignition interlock Devices for Sentenced Drunk Drivers Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 5)
Date No. Title Outcome
2/26 HB 1083 Amends Safety Requirements for Unsecured Firearms and Increases Penalties (22 - 18)
2/26 HB 9 Requires Reporting Lost or Stolen Firearms Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 20)
2/26 HB 9 Requires Reporting Lost or Stolen Firearms Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 20)
2/26 SB 1606 Amends Responsibility for Transport for Individuals in Custody Experiencing Mental Distress Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 0)
2/26 SB 96 Repeals the Lifetime Ban on Drug Felons Receiving TANF Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 6)
2/25 SB 6 Amends Conditions for Presumptive Probation Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 16)
2/24 HB 618 Specifies that Gender Related Crimes are Associated with Hate Crimes (24 - 16)
2/24 HB 20-1019 Amends the State Department of Corrections Private Prison Populations Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 10)
2/21 S 24 Requires Commissioner of Corrections to Make a Plan that Addresses Racism and Diversity Inclusion Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 0)
2/21 S 1318 Prohibits Employment Discrimination Based On Criminal History Background Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13)
2/19 AB 804 Increases Penalties for Domestic Abuse Victim Intimidation Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (19 - 14)
2/17 HB 386 Prohibits State Funding for Conversion Therapy on Minors Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 18)
2/17 HB 995 Increases the Threshold Amount of Money Taken for Larceny Crimes Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 14)
2/12 HB 2336 Authorizes Handguns on the Premises of Schools Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 7)
2/07 SB 147 Prohibits the Purchase, Distribution, or Sale of Kratom Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 11)
2/06 SB 868 Amends Anti-Discrimination Law to Include Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 9)
2/04 SB 20-83 Prohibits Civil Arrests on Courthouse Grounds Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 13)
2/04 SB 20-83 Prohibits Civil Arrests on Courthouse Grounds Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 13)
2/04 SB 20-83 Prohibits Civil Arrests on Courthouse Grounds Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 13)
2/04 SB 449 Reduces the Age at Which Juveniles Can be Sent to Jail Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 18)
2/03 SR 554 Expresses Support for Iranian People Resolution Passed - Senate (31 - 17)
1/31 SB 5339 Repeals the Death Penalty Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 18)
1/31 SB 5339 Repeals the Death Penalty Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 18)
1/31 SB 20-100 Repeals the Death Penalty Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 13)
1/30 SB 1141 Expands Arrest Powers of Detention Officers Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 13)
1/28 SB 40 Prohibits State Universities from Enacting Limitations on Campus Free Speech Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 0)
1/27 HJ 1 Establishes an Amendment to the US Constitution Relating to Equal Rights Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 12)
1/22 SB 240 Authorizes Temporary Seizure of Guns from Persons Posing Substantial Risk Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
1/21 SB 601 Establishes Election Day to Replace Lee-Jackson Day Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 18)
1/17 SB 5165 Prohibits Discrimination Based on Citizenship or Immigration Status Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 20)
1/16 SB 70 Requires Background Check for Firearm Transfers Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 17)
1/16 SB 69 Prohibits Purchasing more than One Handgun per Month Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
1/16 SB 35 Authorizes Localities to Prohibit Guns at Public Events Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
1/15 SJ 1 Establishes an Amendment to the US Constitution Relating to Equal Rights Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 12)
1/14 HB 836 Authorizes Adoption Agencies to Deny Potential Parents Based on Religious Exemption Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 6)
1/14 SB 69 Authorizes Firearms on School Grounds Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 7)
12/18 SB 501 Amends Parole, Probation, and Criminal Sentencing Guidelines Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (38 - 11)
12/16 A 5823 Authorizes Automatic Voter Registration for Individuals Released from Prison Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 17)
12/16 A 5823 Authorizes Automatic Voter Registration for Individuals Released from Prison Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 17)
11/21 HB 49 Authorizes School Police to Make Arrests Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (35 - 14)
11/20 HB 1402 Establishes and Defines the Crime of Sexual Extortion Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 0)
11/13 PN 410 Nomination of Chad Wolf to be Under Secretary for Strategy, Policy, and Plans for the Department of Homeland Security (54 - 41)
11/12 PN 410 Nomination of Chad Wolf to be Under Secretary for Strategy, Policy, and Plans for the Department of Homeland Security Cloture Invoked - Senate (54 - 40)
11/05 SB 49 Prohibits Prostitution Charges Against Minors Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 14)
10/29 SB 667 Limits the Cost of Insulin to $100 per 30-day Supply Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 7)
10/23 HB 49 Authorizes School Police to Make Arrests Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 20)
9/26 SJ Res 54 Rescinds a National Emergency Declared by the President on February 15, 2019 Bill Passed - Senate (54 - 41)
9/24 HB 4231 Appropriates $2.2 Billion for the State Corrections Budget for Fiscal Year 2020 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (22 - 16)
9/11 SB 310 Authorizes Felons to Serve on Juries Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 10)
9/11 SB 310 Authorizes Felons to Serve on Juries Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 10)
9/11 AB 1215 Prohibits Facial Recognition in Police Body-Cams Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 15)
9/11 AB 1215 Prohibits Facial Recognition in Police Body-Cams Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 15)
9/10 AB 681 Requires Voter Party Affiliation Notification Prior To Primary Elections Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 11)
9/10 AB 963 Establishes a Student Civic and Voter Empowerment Program at Public Post-Secondary Schools Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 9)
9/10 AB 32 Prohibits Private Prisons and ICE Detention Centers Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 6)
9/09 AB 521 Authorizes Healthcare Professions be Trained to Reduce Firearm-Related Injuries Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 6)
9/09 AB 12 Authorizes Gun Violence Restraining Orders Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 8)
9/09 AB 1669 Increases Firearm Purchasing Fees Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 11)
9/05 AB 1076 Requires Criminal Record Expungement for Individuals Never Convicted Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 12)
9/05 AB 1282 Prohibits Prisons from Working with ICE Contractors Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 10)
9/05 AB 51 Prohibits Forced Employment Arbitration Agreements Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 11)
9/04 AB 61 Amends Restraining Order Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 10)
9/04 AB 61 Amends Restraining Order Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 10)
8/19 AB 467 Requires Competitions Held on Public Lands to Offer Equal Prize Compensation Regardless of Gender Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 0)
8/12 AJR 5 Urges the Federal Government to Pass Universal Firearm Safety Regulation Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 9)
7/23 HR 1327 Never Forget the Heroes: Permanent Authorization of the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund Act Bill Passed - Senate (97 - 2)
7/08 SB 233 Authorizes Immunity from Arrest to Sex Workers Reporting Certain Crimes Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 9)
7/08 AB 1054 Establishes Wildfire Victim Compensation Fund Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 7)
7/08 AB 392 Increases Public Oversight and Police Accountability when Deadly Use of Force is Used Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 3)
6/27 HB 315 Repeals Participation in Interstate Voter Registration Crosscheck Program Conference Report Adopted - Senate (14 - 10)
6/26 HR 3401 Emergency Supplemental Appropriations for Humanitarian Assistance and Security at the Southern Border Act, 2019 Bill Passed - Senate (84 - 8)
6/26 SB 147 Establishes Hunting Regulations on Sundays Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 14)
6/25 S 761 Establishes Inmate Re-Entry Plans Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 11)
6/24 HB 370 Requires Sheriffs to Cooperate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement Officers Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 18)
6/20 S 824 Requires Ignition interlock Devices for Sentenced Drunk Drivers Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 5)

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