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. 9, 2016 WI SB 295 Authorizes Voters to Register Online Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 13)
Feb. 9, 2016 VA SB 705 Requires Sanctuary Cities to be Liable for Damages Caused by Undocumented Immigrant Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
Feb. 4, 2016 WA HB 1745 Amends Certain Election Procedures Bill Passed - House (50 - 47)
Feb. 4, 2016 TN SJR 67 Requests that the U.S. Congress call a Constitutional Convention Bill Passed - House (59 - 31)
Feb. 4, 2016 MO SJR 19 Amends Membership Composition of the Conservation Commission Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (22 - 10)
Feb. 4, 2016 MO SJR 19 Amends Membership Composition of the Conservation Commission Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (22 - 10)
Feb. 3, 2016 ID H 372 Prohibits Local Limitation on Use of Plastic Bags Bill Passed - House (52 - 17)
Feb. 3, 2016 FL HB 675 Requires Local Governments to Enforce Federal Immigration Regulations Bill Passed - House (80 - 38)
Feb. 1, 2016 VA SB 106 Authorizes No-Excuse In-Person Absentee Voting Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
Jan. 29, 2016 ID H 425 Expands Tax Law to Include Marriages Authorized by the Supreme Court Bill Passed - House (54 - 16)
Jan. 26, 2016 VA SJ 1 Authorizes Ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
Jan. 25, 2016 MO SCR 46 Prohibits a Wage Range Increase for Personal Care Attendants Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (27 - 4)
Jan. 21, 2016 National S J Res 22 A Joint Resolution Providing for Congressional Disapproval Under Chapter 8 of Title 5, United States Code, of the Rule Submitted by the Corps of Engineers and the Environmental Protection Agency Relating to the Definition of "Waters of the United States" Under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (52 - 40)
Jan. 21, 2016 NH SB 4 Requires an Individual to Live in the State for 30 Days to be Eligible to Vote Bill Passed - Senate (12 - 11)
Jan. 21, 2016 MO HB 1631 Requires Individuals to Present Certain Identification to Vote Bill Passed - House (114 - 39)
Jan. 21, 2016 MO HJR 53 Requires Individuals to Show Identification in Order to Vote Joint Resolution Passed - House (116 - 40)
Jan. 21, 2016 MO HJR 53 Requires Individuals to Show Identification in Order to Vote Joint Resolution Passed - House (116 - 40)
Jan. 21, 2016 NM HB 99 Requires Driver's Licenses to Comply with Federal Standards Bill Passed - House (39 - 30)
Jan. 20, 2016 MD HB 980 Authorizes Felons to Vote While on Parole Veto Override Passed - House (85 - 56)
Jan. 19, 2016 National PN 367 Nomination of Wilhelmina Wright to Be U.S. District Judge Nomination Confirmed - Senate (58 - 36)
Jan. 19, 2016 KY SB 10 Requires Gubernatorial Elections to be Held on Even-Numbered Years Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 9)
Jan. 19, 2016 KS HB 2151 Establishes Regulations Regarding Grand Juries Bill Passed - House (101 - 20)
Jan. 13, 2016 National S J Res 22 A Joint Resolution Providing for Congressional Disapproval Under Chapter 8 of Title 5, United States Code, of the Rule Submitted by the Corps of Engineers and the Environmental Protection Agency Relating to the Definition of "Waters of the United States" Under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act Joint Resolution Passed - House (253 - 166)
Jan. 12, 2016 National S 2232 Federal Reserve Transparency Act of 2015 Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (53 - 44)
Dec. 16, 2015 MI SB 571 Amends Ballot Advertising Restrictions Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 12)
Dec. 16, 2015 MI SB 571 Amends Ballot Advertising Restrictions Bill Passed - House (58 - 48)
Oct. 27, 2015 National S 754 Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act (CISA) of 2015 Bill Passed - Senate (74 - 21)
Sept. 10, 2015 National H Res 411 Finding that the President Has Not Complied with Section 2 of the Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act of 2015 Bill Passed - House (245 - 186)
Aug. 20, 2015 CA AB 1100 Increases Ballot Initiative Fee Concurrence Vote Passed - House (48 - 31)
Aug. 17, 2015 CA AB 1100 Increases Ballot Initiative Fee Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 14)
July 28, 2015 National HR 427 Regulations for the Executive in Need of Scrutiny Act of 2015 Bill Passed - House (243 - 165)
July 28, 2015 National HR 427 Regulations for the Executive in Need of Scrutiny Act of 2015 Bill Passed - House (243 - 165)
July 23, 2015 National HR 3009 Enforce the Law for Sanctuary Cities Act Bill Passed - House (241 - 179)
July 21, 2015 NC SB 22 Requires Approval to Remove Certain Historical Monuments Bill Passed - House (70 - 39)
July 9, 2015 SC S 897 Requires Removal of Confederate Flag from Capitol Grounds Bill Passed - House (94 - 20)
June 3, 2015 AL SB 216 Authorizes Certain Agencies to Raise Fees Bill Passed - House (61 - 38)
June 3, 2015 NH SB 179 Amends Residency Requirement for Voter Eligibility Bill Passed - House (211 - 145)
June 2, 2015 CA AB 1461 Establishes the California New Motor Voter Program Bill Passed - House (52 - 26)
May 27, 2015 OH HB 153 Amends Date of Presidential Primary Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 10)
May 26, 2015 CA AB 884 Requires the Attorney General to Denote Ballot Initiatives That May Be Unconstitutional Bill Passed - House (50 - 26)
May 26, 2015 CA AB 1100 Increases Ballot Initiative Fee Bill Passed - House (46 - 28)
May 21, 2015 KS HB 2104 Requires Local Elections to be Moved from Spring to Fall Conference Report Adopted - House (64 - 58)
May 20, 2015 National HR 1806 America COMPETES Reauthorization Act of 2015 Bill Passed - House (217 - 205)
May 12, 2015 NV SB 421 Amends Primary Elections Procedures Bill Passed - Senate (11 - 9)
May 11, 2015 MN SF 455 Amends Elections Laws Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 28)
May 5, 2015 MI SB 133 2015-2016 Budget Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15)
May 4, 2015 TX HB 40 Specifies That The State Will Regulate Oil and Gas Operations Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 7)
April 29, 2015 MI HB 4115 2015-2016 Education Budget Bill Passed - House (60 - 50)
April 28, 2015 MI HB 4102 2015-2016 Budget Bill Passed - House (59 - 51)
April 27, 2015 ND HB 1033 Prohibits Legacy Fund Calculation in State Budget Drafts Veto Override Passed - House (67 - 23)
Date No. Title Outcome
2/09 SB 295 Authorizes Voters to Register Online Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 13)
2/09 SB 705 Requires Sanctuary Cities to be Liable for Damages Caused by Undocumented Immigrant Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
2/04 HB 1745 Amends Certain Election Procedures Bill Passed - House (50 - 47)
2/04 SJR 67 Requests that the U.S. Congress call a Constitutional Convention Bill Passed - House (59 - 31)
2/04 SJR 19 Amends Membership Composition of the Conservation Commission Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (22 - 10)
2/04 SJR 19 Amends Membership Composition of the Conservation Commission Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (22 - 10)
2/03 H 372 Prohibits Local Limitation on Use of Plastic Bags Bill Passed - House (52 - 17)
2/03 HB 675 Requires Local Governments to Enforce Federal Immigration Regulations Bill Passed - House (80 - 38)
2/01 SB 106 Authorizes No-Excuse In-Person Absentee Voting Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
1/29 H 425 Expands Tax Law to Include Marriages Authorized by the Supreme Court Bill Passed - House (54 - 16)
1/26 SJ 1 Authorizes Ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
1/25 SCR 46 Prohibits a Wage Range Increase for Personal Care Attendants Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (27 - 4)
1/21 S J Res 22 A Joint Resolution Providing for Congressional Disapproval Under Chapter 8 of Title 5, United States Code, of the Rule Submitted by the Corps of Engineers and the Environmental Protection Agency Relating to the Definition of "Waters of the United States" Under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (52 - 40)
1/21 SB 4 Requires an Individual to Live in the State for 30 Days to be Eligible to Vote Bill Passed - Senate (12 - 11)
1/21 HB 1631 Requires Individuals to Present Certain Identification to Vote Bill Passed - House (114 - 39)
1/21 HJR 53 Requires Individuals to Show Identification in Order to Vote Joint Resolution Passed - House (116 - 40)
1/21 HJR 53 Requires Individuals to Show Identification in Order to Vote Joint Resolution Passed - House (116 - 40)
1/21 HB 99 Requires Driver's Licenses to Comply with Federal Standards Bill Passed - House (39 - 30)
1/20 HB 980 Authorizes Felons to Vote While on Parole Veto Override Passed - House (85 - 56)
1/19 PN 367 Nomination of Wilhelmina Wright to Be U.S. District Judge Nomination Confirmed - Senate (58 - 36)
1/19 SB 10 Requires Gubernatorial Elections to be Held on Even-Numbered Years Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 9)
1/19 HB 2151 Establishes Regulations Regarding Grand Juries Bill Passed - House (101 - 20)
1/13 S J Res 22 A Joint Resolution Providing for Congressional Disapproval Under Chapter 8 of Title 5, United States Code, of the Rule Submitted by the Corps of Engineers and the Environmental Protection Agency Relating to the Definition of "Waters of the United States" Under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act Joint Resolution Passed - House (253 - 166)
1/12 S 2232 Federal Reserve Transparency Act of 2015 Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (53 - 44)
12/16 SB 571 Amends Ballot Advertising Restrictions Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 12)
12/16 SB 571 Amends Ballot Advertising Restrictions Bill Passed - House (58 - 48)
10/27 S 754 Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act (CISA) of 2015 Bill Passed - Senate (74 - 21)
9/10 H Res 411 Finding that the President Has Not Complied with Section 2 of the Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act of 2015 Bill Passed - House (245 - 186)
8/20 AB 1100 Increases Ballot Initiative Fee Concurrence Vote Passed - House (48 - 31)
8/17 AB 1100 Increases Ballot Initiative Fee Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 14)
7/28 HR 427 Regulations for the Executive in Need of Scrutiny Act of 2015 Bill Passed - House (243 - 165)
7/28 HR 427 Regulations for the Executive in Need of Scrutiny Act of 2015 Bill Passed - House (243 - 165)
7/23 HR 3009 Enforce the Law for Sanctuary Cities Act Bill Passed - House (241 - 179)
7/21 SB 22 Requires Approval to Remove Certain Historical Monuments Bill Passed - House (70 - 39)
7/09 S 897 Requires Removal of Confederate Flag from Capitol Grounds Bill Passed - House (94 - 20)
6/03 SB 216 Authorizes Certain Agencies to Raise Fees Bill Passed - House (61 - 38)
6/03 SB 179 Amends Residency Requirement for Voter Eligibility Bill Passed - House (211 - 145)
6/02 AB 1461 Establishes the California New Motor Voter Program Bill Passed - House (52 - 26)
5/27 HB 153 Amends Date of Presidential Primary Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 10)
5/26 AB 884 Requires the Attorney General to Denote Ballot Initiatives That May Be Unconstitutional Bill Passed - House (50 - 26)
5/26 AB 1100 Increases Ballot Initiative Fee Bill Passed - House (46 - 28)
5/21 HB 2104 Requires Local Elections to be Moved from Spring to Fall Conference Report Adopted - House (64 - 58)
5/20 HR 1806 America COMPETES Reauthorization Act of 2015 Bill Passed - House (217 - 205)
5/12 SB 421 Amends Primary Elections Procedures Bill Passed - Senate (11 - 9)
5/11 SF 455 Amends Elections Laws Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 28)
5/05 SB 133 2015-2016 Budget Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15)
5/04 HB 40 Specifies That The State Will Regulate Oil and Gas Operations Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 7)
4/29 HB 4115 2015-2016 Education Budget Bill Passed - House (60 - 50)
4/28 HB 4102 2015-2016 Budget Bill Passed - House (59 - 51)
4/27 HB 1033 Prohibits Legacy Fund Calculation in State Budget Drafts Veto Override Passed - House (67 - 23)

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