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. 24, 2022 KY SB 138 Limits Topics of Discussion in Schools Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 8)
Feb. 23, 2022 FL SB 896 Authorizes Veterans to List Military Experience in Place of Higher Education on Teaching Certificate Applications Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 0)
Feb. 23, 2022 WY SF 103 Limits the Teaching of Critical Race Theory in K-12 Public Schools Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 4)
Feb. 23, 2022 WY SF 51 Prohibits Transgender Girls from Playing on Female Sports Teams Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 4)
Feb. 22, 2022 WI AB 884 Classifies Courses on U.S. Constitution as Diversity, Ethnic Studies Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 12)
Feb. 21, 2022 VA HB 4 Requires School Principals to Report Student Misdemeanors to Law Enforcement Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 13)
Feb. 21, 2022 VA HB 4 Requires School Principals to Report Student Misdemeanors to Law Enforcement Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 13)
Feb. 21, 2022 AZ HCR 2039 Repeals the School Spending Cap Mandate in the State Constitution Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (23 - 6)
Feb. 16, 2022 AK SB 72 Amends Civics Curriculum and Assessment Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 1)
Feb. 16, 2022 AK SB 72 Amends Civics Curriculum and Assessment Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 1)
Feb. 15, 2022 WI AB 495 Authorizes Licensed Carriage of Firearms on School Grounds Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (20 - 12)
Feb. 15, 2022 AL SB 116 Authorizes the Children of Military Members to Enroll in Public School Prior to State Residency Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 0)
Feb. 15, 2022 AL SB 119 Expands the G.I. Dependent Scholarship Program Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 0)
Feb. 14, 2022 WV SB 509 Specifies Teachers' Paid Time Off Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 15)
Feb. 14, 2022 WV SB 509 Specifies Teachers' Paid Time Off Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 15)
Feb. 14, 2022 CO SB 22-003 Expands Community College Nursing Programs Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 0)
Feb. 13, 2022 NM SB 140 Expands the State's Opportunity Scholarship Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 6)
Feb. 10, 2022 FL SB 520 Exempts University President Applicants from Public Records Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 11)
Feb. 10, 2022 OR SB 1521 Limits School Districts' Ability to Fire Superintendents Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 7)
Feb. 10, 2022 GA SB 458 Amends Description of Richmond County School Board Districts Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 22)
Feb. 10, 2022 GA SB 458 Amends Description of Richmond County School Board Districts Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 22)
Feb. 10, 2022 OR SB 1521 Limits School Districts' Ability to Fire Superintendents Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 7)
Feb. 9, 2022 VA SB 739 Prohibits Mask Mandates at Schools Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 17)
Feb. 9, 2022 VA SB 656 Requires Schools Notify Parents of Sexually Explicit Instructional Content Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18)
Feb. 9, 2022 VA SB 656 Requires Schools Notify Parents of Sexually Explicit Instructional Content Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18)
Feb. 9, 2022 VA SB 739 Prohibits Mask Mandates at Schools Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 17)
Feb. 5, 2022 NM SB 41 Amends the University Research Park and Economic Development Act Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 10)
Feb. 3, 2022 NH HB 319 Requires College Students Pass the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services Naturalization Test "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (14 - 10)
Feb. 2, 2022 GA SB 369 Requires Board of Education Member Elections Be Nonpartisan Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 21)
Feb. 2, 2022 GA SB 369 Requires Board of Education Member Elections Be Nonpartisan Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 21)
Feb. 1, 2022 IN SB 82 Requires Every High School Senior Fill Out a FAFSA Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 19)
Feb. 1, 2022 IN SB 17 Rescinds Legal Protections for Secondary Schools Against Disseminating Harmful Material to Minors Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 15)
Feb. 1, 2022 IN SB 17 Rescinds Legal Protections for Secondary Schools Against Disseminating Harmful Material to Minors Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 15)
Jan. 26, 2022 SD SB 72 Prohibits School, Organizational, or Sports Hazing Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 16)
Jan. 26, 2022 CA SB 70 Requires Mandatory Kindergarten Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 5)
Jan. 25, 2022 WI AB 411 Amends Current Anti-Racism and Anti-Sexism Instructions and Training for Employees of School Districts Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (20 - 13)
Jan. 21, 2022 MS SB 2113 Prohibits Teaching the Topic Known as "Critical Race Theory" Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 2)
Jan. 20, 2022 UT HB 183 Amends In-Person Learning Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 5)
Jan. 19, 2022 KY SB 9 Establishes the Read to Succeed Act to Increase Child Literacy Rates Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 7)
Jan. 8, 2022 KY SB 1 Transfers School Governance Authority to Superintendents and Away from School-Based-Decision-Councils Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 9)
Dec. 20, 2021 NJ S 2834 Requires Culturally Responsive Training for Teaching Candidates Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 6)
Nov. 12, 2021 ND HB 1508 Prohibits Teaching of Critical Race Theory Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 9)
Nov. 8, 2021 WI SB 585 Requires Schools to Provide Statistics Relating to On-Campus Crime Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12)
Nov. 8, 2021 WI SB 585 Requires Schools to Provide Statistics Relating to On-Campus Crime Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12)
Oct. 26, 2021 MI SB 601 Requires Mask Waivers for School Districts with Established Mask Mandates Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 15)
Oct. 26, 2021 MI SB 600 Prohibits Vaccine Mandates in School Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 15)
Oct. 25, 2021 WI SB 125 Extends Tax Benefits to Provide Tuition Tax Breaks for Apprentices in Trade Schools Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 13)
Oct. 25, 2021 WI SB 454 Amends State Reading Readiness Assessments Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 12)
Oct. 19, 2021 MI SB 688 Establishes Tax Credits for Individuals who Provide Funding for Supplemental Non-Public School Scholarships Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 16)
Sept. 28, 2021 WI SB 463 Requires School Boards to make Information about Learning Materials used for Pupil Instruction Public Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 12)
Date No. Title Outcome
2/24 SB 138 Limits Topics of Discussion in Schools Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 8)
2/23 SB 896 Authorizes Veterans to List Military Experience in Place of Higher Education on Teaching Certificate Applications Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 0)
2/23 SF 103 Limits the Teaching of Critical Race Theory in K-12 Public Schools Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 4)
2/23 SF 51 Prohibits Transgender Girls from Playing on Female Sports Teams Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 4)
2/22 AB 884 Classifies Courses on U.S. Constitution as Diversity, Ethnic Studies Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 12)
2/21 HB 4 Requires School Principals to Report Student Misdemeanors to Law Enforcement Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 13)
2/21 HB 4 Requires School Principals to Report Student Misdemeanors to Law Enforcement Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 13)
2/21 HCR 2039 Repeals the School Spending Cap Mandate in the State Constitution Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (23 - 6)
2/16 SB 72 Amends Civics Curriculum and Assessment Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 1)
2/16 SB 72 Amends Civics Curriculum and Assessment Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 1)
2/15 AB 495 Authorizes Licensed Carriage of Firearms on School Grounds Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (20 - 12)
2/15 SB 116 Authorizes the Children of Military Members to Enroll in Public School Prior to State Residency Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 0)
2/15 SB 119 Expands the G.I. Dependent Scholarship Program Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 0)
2/14 SB 509 Specifies Teachers' Paid Time Off Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 15)
2/14 SB 509 Specifies Teachers' Paid Time Off Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 15)
2/14 SB 22-003 Expands Community College Nursing Programs Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 0)
2/13 SB 140 Expands the State's Opportunity Scholarship Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 6)
2/10 SB 520 Exempts University President Applicants from Public Records Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 11)
2/10 SB 1521 Limits School Districts' Ability to Fire Superintendents Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 7)
2/10 SB 458 Amends Description of Richmond County School Board Districts Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 22)
2/10 SB 458 Amends Description of Richmond County School Board Districts Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 22)
2/10 SB 1521 Limits School Districts' Ability to Fire Superintendents Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 7)
2/09 SB 739 Prohibits Mask Mandates at Schools Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 17)
2/09 SB 656 Requires Schools Notify Parents of Sexually Explicit Instructional Content Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18)
2/09 SB 656 Requires Schools Notify Parents of Sexually Explicit Instructional Content Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18)
2/09 SB 739 Prohibits Mask Mandates at Schools Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 17)
2/05 SB 41 Amends the University Research Park and Economic Development Act Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 10)
2/03 HB 319 Requires College Students Pass the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services Naturalization Test "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (14 - 10)
2/02 SB 369 Requires Board of Education Member Elections Be Nonpartisan Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 21)
2/02 SB 369 Requires Board of Education Member Elections Be Nonpartisan Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 21)
2/01 SB 82 Requires Every High School Senior Fill Out a FAFSA Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 19)
2/01 SB 17 Rescinds Legal Protections for Secondary Schools Against Disseminating Harmful Material to Minors Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 15)
2/01 SB 17 Rescinds Legal Protections for Secondary Schools Against Disseminating Harmful Material to Minors Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 15)
1/26 SB 72 Prohibits School, Organizational, or Sports Hazing Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 16)
1/26 SB 70 Requires Mandatory Kindergarten Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 5)
1/25 AB 411 Amends Current Anti-Racism and Anti-Sexism Instructions and Training for Employees of School Districts Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (20 - 13)
1/21 SB 2113 Prohibits Teaching the Topic Known as "Critical Race Theory" Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 2)
1/20 HB 183 Amends In-Person Learning Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 5)
1/19 SB 9 Establishes the Read to Succeed Act to Increase Child Literacy Rates Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 7)
1/08 SB 1 Transfers School Governance Authority to Superintendents and Away from School-Based-Decision-Councils Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 9)
12/20 S 2834 Requires Culturally Responsive Training for Teaching Candidates Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 6)
11/12 HB 1508 Prohibits Teaching of Critical Race Theory Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 9)
11/08 SB 585 Requires Schools to Provide Statistics Relating to On-Campus Crime Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12)
11/08 SB 585 Requires Schools to Provide Statistics Relating to On-Campus Crime Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12)
10/26 SB 601 Requires Mask Waivers for School Districts with Established Mask Mandates Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 15)
10/26 SB 600 Prohibits Vaccine Mandates in School Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 15)
10/25 SB 125 Extends Tax Benefits to Provide Tuition Tax Breaks for Apprentices in Trade Schools Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 13)
10/25 SB 454 Amends State Reading Readiness Assessments Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 12)
10/19 SB 688 Establishes Tax Credits for Individuals who Provide Funding for Supplemental Non-Public School Scholarships Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 16)
9/28 SB 463 Requires School Boards to make Information about Learning Materials used for Pupil Instruction Public Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 12)

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