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
May 14, 2009 CA SB 572 Harvey Milk Day Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 14)
May 13, 2009 WI SB 181 Indoor Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 8)
May 12, 2009 National S Amdt 1067 Allowing Loaded Guns in National Parks Amendment Adopted - Senate (67 - 29)
May 11, 2009 NC HB 2 Statewide Indoor Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 18)
May 11, 2009 TX HB 1736 Increasing Wrongful Conviction Compensation Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 4)
May 11, 2009 TX HB 1736 Increasing Wrongful Conviction Compensation Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 4)
May 6, 2009 CO HB 1274 Repeals Death Penalty Conference Report Rejected - Senate (17 - 18)
May 6, 2009 ME LD 1020 Same Sex Marriage Bill Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 13)
May 5, 2009 OR SB 786 Workplace Religious Discrimination Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 11)
May 4, 2009 MN SF 97 Legalizing Medical Marijuana Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 29)
April 30, 2009 CO SB 296 Seat Belt Violation as Primary Offense Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
April 29, 2009 NH HB 383 Mandating Seat Belt Usage Bill Tabled - Senate (13 - 11)
April 29, 2009 NH HB 383 Mandating Seat Belt Usage Bill Tabled - Senate (13 - 11)
April 29, 2009 NH HB 556 Abolishing the Death Penalty Bill Tabled - Senate (13 - 11)
April 29, 2009 NH HB 436 Legalizing Same-Sex Marriage Bill Passed - Senate (13 - 11)
April 29, 2009 NH HB 648 Medical Marijuana Legalization Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 10)
April 28, 2009 WI SB 20 Discriminatory Pay Compensation Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 15)
April 27, 2009 CO SB 241 DNA Sampling Upon Felony Arrest Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 7)
April 27, 2009 CO SB 241 DNA Sampling Upon Felony Arrest Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 7)
April 25, 2009 WA SB 5288 Probation Time Reductions Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 23)
April 22, 2009 CT SB 899 Same-Sex Marriage Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 7)
April 21, 2009 NV SB 283 Establishing Domestic Partnerships Bill Passed - Senate (12 - 9)
April 20, 2009 MN SF 802 2009-2011 Biennium Public Safety and Corrections Budget Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 31)
April 17, 2009 NV SB 372 Smoking Ban Exceptions Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 5)
April 17, 2009 NE LB 355 Exempting Cigar Bars from the Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 22)
April 16, 2009 TN HB 962 Authorizing Guns in Restaurants that Serve Alcohol Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7)
April 16, 2009 CA SB 242 Prohibiting Language Discrimination Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 15)
April 15, 2009 WA HB 1517 Expediting the Restoration of Felons' Voting Rights Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 19)
April 15, 2009 WA HB 1517 Expediting the Restoration of Felons' Voting Rights Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 19)
April 15, 2009 TX SB 1049 Increasing Age Restriction on Tobacco Purchases Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 5)
April 9, 2009 MT HB 228 Amending Concealed Weapons and Self-Defense Statutes Conference Report Adopted - Senate (40 - 10)
April 9, 2009 MT HB 228 Amending Concealed Weapons and Self-Defense Statutes Conference Report Adopted - Senate (40 - 10)
April 8, 2009 ME LD 67 Prohibiting Smoking at State Park Beaches Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 9)
April 7, 2009 VT S 115 Same-Sex Marriage Veto Override Passed - Senate (23 - 5)
April 6, 2009 MD HB 302 Allowing Judges to Confiscate Firearms from Domestic Abuse Suspects Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 15)
April 6, 2009 MD HB 302 Allowing Judges to Confiscate Firearms from Domestic Abuse Suspects Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 15)
April 3, 2009 NE LB 260 Wrongful Conviction Compensation Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 9)
April 3, 2009 GA SB 86 Requiring Proof of Citizenship for Voter Registration Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 13)
April 2, 2009 MT HB 531 Red Light Camera Prohibition Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 11)
April 2, 2009 MD SB 277 Authorizing Speed Monitoring Systems Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 20)
April 2, 2009 MD SB 277 Authorizing Speed Monitoring Systems Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 20)
March 31, 2009 TX SB 298 Authorizing Sobriety Checkpoints Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 11)
March 31, 2009 TX SB 298 Authorizing Sobriety Checkpoints Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 11)
March 30, 2009 GA HB 614 Prescription Tracking Database Bill Failed - Senate (25 - 29)
March 30, 2009 GA HB 614 Prescription Tracking Database Bill Failed - Senate (25 - 29)
March 23, 2009 VT Same-Sex Marriage Ballot Question Amendment Rejected - Senate (11 - 19)
March 23, 2009 VT S 115 Same-Sex Marriage Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 4)
March 19, 2009 TX SB 188 Authorizes Needle Exchange Programs Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 6)
March 19, 2009 NM HB 393 Opening Conference Committees to the Public Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 8)
March 13, 2009 NM HB 285 Abolishing the Death Penalty Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 18)
March 13, 2009 WV SB 238 Ban on Sexual Orientation Discrimination Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 10)
March 11, 2009 TX SB 362 Requiring Proof of Identification to Vote Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 12)
March 10, 2009 OK SB 4 Voter Identification Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 21)
March 10, 2009 WA SB 5688 Expanding Domestic Partnership Rights Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 18)
March 6, 2009 UT HB 100 Prison Education and Medical Financing Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 7)
March 5, 2009 MD SB 279 Capital Punishment Restrictions Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 13)
March 4, 2009 SD HB 1240 Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
March 4, 2009 GA SB 235 Ban on Required Human Microchip Implantation
March 3, 2009 ND HB 1182 Point Reduction for Seat Belt Use Bill Failed - Senate (18 - 25)
March 3, 2009 ND HB 1182 Point Reduction for Seat Belt Use Bill Failed - Senate (18 - 25)
March 2, 2009 UT SJR 14 Legislative Regulation of Death Row Appeals Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (23 - 6)
Feb. 27, 2009 NE LB 5 Trapping In Rights-of-Way Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 18)
Feb. 26, 2009 National S 160 Washington DC Voting Act Bill Passed - Senate (61 - 37)
Feb. 26, 2009 NM SB 12 Establishing Domestic Partnerships Bill Failed - Senate (17 - 25)
Feb. 25, 2009 VA SB 1035 Allowing Guns in Alcohol-Serving Establishments Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (22 - 16)
Feb. 25, 2009 NM SB 44 Prohibiting Smoking in Cars with Children Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 12)
Feb. 25, 2009 NM SB 141 Allowing Increase of Penalties for Convicted Public Officials Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 12)
Feb. 25, 2009 GA SB 23 Admissibility of Seat Belt Evidence in Court Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 12)
Feb. 24, 2009 MT SB 326 Medical Marijuana Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 22)
Feb. 24, 2009 NV SB 116 Seat Belt Violation as a Primary Offense Bill Passed - Senate (12 - 9)
Feb. 24, 2009 VA HB 1826 Driver's License Suspension for Unexcused School Absences Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 3)
Feb. 23, 2009 NJ S 119 Legalizing Medical Marijuana Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 16)
Feb. 19, 2009 VA SB 1105 Prohibiting Smoking in Restaurants Conference Report Adopted - Senate (27 - 13)
Feb. 19, 2009 KS SB 59 Enforcing Seat Belt Violations as a Primary Offense Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 17)
Feb. 19, 2009 GA SB 42 Transfer of Authority Over State's Public Defender System Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 21)
Feb. 18, 2009 ND SB 2278 Prohibiting Sexual Orientation Discrimination Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 19)
Feb. 17, 2009 MT SB 236 Abolition of Death Penalty Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 23)
Feb. 17, 2009 KS SB 25 Statewide Indoor Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 13)
Feb. 16, 2009 IA SF 137 Wage Discrimination Policy and Penalties Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 18)
Feb. 12, 2009 SD SB 156 Expansion of Hate Crime Law Bill Failed - Senate (13 - 21)
Feb. 12, 2009 SD SB 156 Expansion of Hate Crime Law Bill Failed - Senate (13 - 21)
Feb. 9, 2009 VA SJ 354 Civil Rights for Nonviolent Felons Joint Resolution Failed - Senate (19 - 19)
Feb. 9, 2009 VA SJ 273 Legislative Restoration of Voting Rights for Nonviolent Felons Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (27 - 13)
Feb. 5, 2009 MT SB 237 Primary Seatbelt Enforcement Bill Failed - Senate (25 - 25)
Feb. 5, 2009 VA SB 1161 Classifying a Seat Belt Violation as a Primary Offense Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 15)
Feb. 5, 2009 VA SB 1161 Classifying a Seat Belt Violation as a Primary Offense Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 15)
Feb. 5, 2009 MT SB 237 Primary Seatbelt Enforcement Bill Failed - Senate (25 - 25)
Feb. 4, 2009 MS SB 2548 Identification Requirements to Vote Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 17)
Feb. 4, 2009 VA SB 1257 Background Checks for Gun Show Purchases Bill Failed - Senate (19 - 21)
Feb. 3, 2009 SD SB 83 Statewide Indoor Smoking Ban Bill Failed - Senate (17 - 18)
Feb. 3, 2009 VA SB 1105 Prohibiting Smoking in Bars and Restaurants Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 13)
Feb. 3, 2009 SD SB 79 Primary Seat Belt Enforcement Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13)
Feb. 2, 2009 ND SB 2070 Ban on Smoking in Cars with Children Passengers Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 10)
Jan. 30, 2009 ND SB 2087 Secrecy in Public University Hiring Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 15)
Jan. 28, 2009 WY SF 65 Ban on Texting While Driving Bill Failed - Senate (13 - 17)
Jan. 27, 2009 VA SB 961 Expanding Death Penalty Eligibility to Accomplices Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 16)
Jan. 27, 2009 VA SB 961 Expanding Death Penalty Eligibility to Accomplices Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 16)
Dec. 18, 2008 CA ABx1 8 Amending Sentencing, Parole, and Property Crime Statutes Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15)
Aug. 31, 2008 CA SB 1407 Financing Courthouse Construction Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 10)
Aug. 21, 2008 CA SB 28 Prohibiting Text Messaging While Driving Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 14)
Date No. Title Outcome
5/14 SB 572 Harvey Milk Day Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 14)
5/13 SB 181 Indoor Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 8)
5/12 S Amdt 1067 Allowing Loaded Guns in National Parks Amendment Adopted - Senate (67 - 29)
5/11 HB 2 Statewide Indoor Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 18)
5/11 HB 1736 Increasing Wrongful Conviction Compensation Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 4)
5/11 HB 1736 Increasing Wrongful Conviction Compensation Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 4)
5/06 HB 1274 Repeals Death Penalty Conference Report Rejected - Senate (17 - 18)
5/06 LD 1020 Same Sex Marriage Bill Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 13)
5/05 SB 786 Workplace Religious Discrimination Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 11)
5/04 SF 97 Legalizing Medical Marijuana Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 29)
4/30 SB 296 Seat Belt Violation as Primary Offense Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
4/29 HB 383 Mandating Seat Belt Usage Bill Tabled - Senate (13 - 11)
4/29 HB 383 Mandating Seat Belt Usage Bill Tabled - Senate (13 - 11)
4/29 HB 556 Abolishing the Death Penalty Bill Tabled - Senate (13 - 11)
4/29 HB 436 Legalizing Same-Sex Marriage Bill Passed - Senate (13 - 11)
4/29 HB 648 Medical Marijuana Legalization Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 10)
4/28 SB 20 Discriminatory Pay Compensation Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 15)
4/27 SB 241 DNA Sampling Upon Felony Arrest Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 7)
4/27 SB 241 DNA Sampling Upon Felony Arrest Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 7)
4/25 SB 5288 Probation Time Reductions Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 23)
4/22 SB 899 Same-Sex Marriage Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 7)
4/21 SB 283 Establishing Domestic Partnerships Bill Passed - Senate (12 - 9)
4/20 SF 802 2009-2011 Biennium Public Safety and Corrections Budget Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 31)
4/17 SB 372 Smoking Ban Exceptions Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 5)
4/17 LB 355 Exempting Cigar Bars from the Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 22)
4/16 HB 962 Authorizing Guns in Restaurants that Serve Alcohol Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7)
4/16 SB 242 Prohibiting Language Discrimination Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 15)
4/15 HB 1517 Expediting the Restoration of Felons' Voting Rights Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 19)
4/15 HB 1517 Expediting the Restoration of Felons' Voting Rights Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 19)
4/15 SB 1049 Increasing Age Restriction on Tobacco Purchases Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 5)
4/09 HB 228 Amending Concealed Weapons and Self-Defense Statutes Conference Report Adopted - Senate (40 - 10)
4/09 HB 228 Amending Concealed Weapons and Self-Defense Statutes Conference Report Adopted - Senate (40 - 10)
4/08 LD 67 Prohibiting Smoking at State Park Beaches Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 9)
4/07 S 115 Same-Sex Marriage Veto Override Passed - Senate (23 - 5)
4/06 HB 302 Allowing Judges to Confiscate Firearms from Domestic Abuse Suspects Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 15)
4/06 HB 302 Allowing Judges to Confiscate Firearms from Domestic Abuse Suspects Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 15)
4/03 LB 260 Wrongful Conviction Compensation Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 9)
4/03 SB 86 Requiring Proof of Citizenship for Voter Registration Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 13)
4/02 HB 531 Red Light Camera Prohibition Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 11)
4/02 SB 277 Authorizing Speed Monitoring Systems Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 20)
4/02 SB 277 Authorizing Speed Monitoring Systems Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 20)
3/31 SB 298 Authorizing Sobriety Checkpoints Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 11)
3/31 SB 298 Authorizing Sobriety Checkpoints Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 11)
3/30 HB 614 Prescription Tracking Database Bill Failed - Senate (25 - 29)
3/30 HB 614 Prescription Tracking Database Bill Failed - Senate (25 - 29)
3/23 Same-Sex Marriage Ballot Question Amendment Rejected - Senate (11 - 19)
3/23 S 115 Same-Sex Marriage Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 4)
3/19 SB 188 Authorizes Needle Exchange Programs Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 6)
3/19 HB 393 Opening Conference Committees to the Public Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 8)
3/13 HB 285 Abolishing the Death Penalty Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 18)
3/13 SB 238 Ban on Sexual Orientation Discrimination Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 10)
3/11 SB 362 Requiring Proof of Identification to Vote Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 12)
3/10 SB 4 Voter Identification Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 21)
3/10 SB 5688 Expanding Domestic Partnership Rights Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 18)
3/06 HB 100 Prison Education and Medical Financing Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 7)
3/05 SB 279 Capital Punishment Restrictions Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 13)
3/04 HB 1240 Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
3/04 SB 235 Ban on Required Human Microchip Implantation
3/03 HB 1182 Point Reduction for Seat Belt Use Bill Failed - Senate (18 - 25)
3/03 HB 1182 Point Reduction for Seat Belt Use Bill Failed - Senate (18 - 25)
3/02 SJR 14 Legislative Regulation of Death Row Appeals Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (23 - 6)
2/27 LB 5 Trapping In Rights-of-Way Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 18)
2/26 S 160 Washington DC Voting Act Bill Passed - Senate (61 - 37)
2/26 SB 12 Establishing Domestic Partnerships Bill Failed - Senate (17 - 25)
2/25 SB 1035 Allowing Guns in Alcohol-Serving Establishments Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (22 - 16)
2/25 SB 44 Prohibiting Smoking in Cars with Children Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 12)
2/25 SB 141 Allowing Increase of Penalties for Convicted Public Officials Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 12)
2/25 SB 23 Admissibility of Seat Belt Evidence in Court Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 12)
2/24 SB 326 Medical Marijuana Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 22)
2/24 SB 116 Seat Belt Violation as a Primary Offense Bill Passed - Senate (12 - 9)
2/24 HB 1826 Driver's License Suspension for Unexcused School Absences Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 3)
2/23 S 119 Legalizing Medical Marijuana Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 16)
2/19 SB 1105 Prohibiting Smoking in Restaurants Conference Report Adopted - Senate (27 - 13)
2/19 SB 59 Enforcing Seat Belt Violations as a Primary Offense Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 17)
2/19 SB 42 Transfer of Authority Over State's Public Defender System Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 21)
2/18 SB 2278 Prohibiting Sexual Orientation Discrimination Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 19)
2/17 SB 236 Abolition of Death Penalty Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 23)
2/17 SB 25 Statewide Indoor Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 13)
2/16 SF 137 Wage Discrimination Policy and Penalties Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 18)
2/12 SB 156 Expansion of Hate Crime Law Bill Failed - Senate (13 - 21)
2/12 SB 156 Expansion of Hate Crime Law Bill Failed - Senate (13 - 21)
2/09 SJ 354 Civil Rights for Nonviolent Felons Joint Resolution Failed - Senate (19 - 19)
2/09 SJ 273 Legislative Restoration of Voting Rights for Nonviolent Felons Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (27 - 13)
2/05 SB 237 Primary Seatbelt Enforcement Bill Failed - Senate (25 - 25)
2/05 SB 1161 Classifying a Seat Belt Violation as a Primary Offense Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 15)
2/05 SB 1161 Classifying a Seat Belt Violation as a Primary Offense Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 15)
2/05 SB 237 Primary Seatbelt Enforcement Bill Failed - Senate (25 - 25)
2/04 SB 2548 Identification Requirements to Vote Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 17)
2/04 SB 1257 Background Checks for Gun Show Purchases Bill Failed - Senate (19 - 21)
2/03 SB 83 Statewide Indoor Smoking Ban Bill Failed - Senate (17 - 18)
2/03 SB 1105 Prohibiting Smoking in Bars and Restaurants Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 13)
2/03 SB 79 Primary Seat Belt Enforcement Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13)
2/02 SB 2070 Ban on Smoking in Cars with Children Passengers Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 10)
1/30 SB 2087 Secrecy in Public University Hiring Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 15)
1/28 SF 65 Ban on Texting While Driving Bill Failed - Senate (13 - 17)
1/27 SB 961 Expanding Death Penalty Eligibility to Accomplices Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 16)
1/27 SB 961 Expanding Death Penalty Eligibility to Accomplices Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 16)
12/18 ABx1 8 Amending Sentencing, Parole, and Property Crime Statutes Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15)
8/31 SB 1407 Financing Courthouse Construction Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 10)
8/21 SB 28 Prohibiting Text Messaging While Driving Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 14)

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