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. 8, 2008 NM HB 342 Uranium Cleanup Fund Bill Passed - House (55 - 11)
Feb. 8, 2008 VA HB 933 "Triggerman Rule" in Capital Murder Cases Bill Passed - House (77 - 21)
Feb. 7, 2008 NM HB 241 Education Funding Reform Bill Passed - House (52 - 16)
Feb. 7, 2008 MA H 4488 Education Reorganization Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 5)
Feb. 7, 2008 GA SB 340 Prohibiting Sanctuary Policies Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 8)
Feb. 7, 2008 NH SB 436 Reducing the Voting Age for Primary Elections Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 6)
Feb. 7, 2008 GA SB 350 Increasing Penalties for Driving Without a License Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 13)
Feb. 7, 2008 MA H 4488 Education Reorganization Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 5)
Feb. 6, 2008 NM HB 2 2008-2009 Budget Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 4)
Feb. 6, 2008 CO HB 1130 Removing Wiretap Restrictions Bill Passed - House (43 - 20)
Feb. 6, 2008 MA H 4488 Education Reorganization Bill Passed - House (135 - 19)
Feb. 6, 2008 MA H 4488 Education Reorganization Bill Passed - House (135 - 19)
Feb. 6, 2008 NM HB 484 Racetrack Tax Break Bill Passed - House (48 - 10)
Feb. 6, 2008 NM HB 191 Automatic Absentee Ballots Bill Failed - House (25 - 40)
Feb. 6, 2008 NE LB 39 Restricting Petition Circulation Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 14)
Feb. 6, 2008 NM HB 237 Mandatory Election Recounts Bill Passed - House (37 - 21)
Feb. 6, 2008 NM HB 237 Mandatory Election Recounts Bill Passed - House (37 - 21)
Feb. 6, 2008 WA SB 6272 Financial Literacy for Homeowners Bill Passed - House (69 - 27)
Feb. 5, 2008 UT SB 35 Salary Supplement for Math and Science Teachers Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 7)
Feb. 5, 2008 NM HB 147 Health Care Commission Bill Passed - House (56 - 6)
Feb. 5, 2008 SD HB 1250 Legislative Pay Raise Bill Passed - House (54 - 14)
Feb. 5, 2008 SD HB 1250 Legislative Pay Raise Bill Passed - House (54 - 14)
Feb. 5, 2008 VA SB 202 Local Regulation of Smoking in Restaurants Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 9)
Feb. 5, 2008 NM HB 400 Commuter Train Funding Bill Passed - House (56 - 9)
Feb. 5, 2008 UT HB 85 Teacher Home Loan Program Bill Passed - House (62 - 7)
Feb. 4, 2008 NM SB 34 New Mexico School for the Arts Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 6)
Jan. 31, 2008 NM HB 2 2008-2009 Budget Bill Passed - House (57 - 10)
Jan. 31, 2008 SC H 4400 Immigration Bill Bill Passed - House (80 - 13)
Jan. 31, 2008 MS HB 513 Funding for K-12 Education and Related Activities Bill Passed - House (95 - 26)
Jan. 31, 2008 GA HB 881 Georgia Charter Schools Commission Bill Passed - House (119 - 48)
Jan. 30, 2008 CO HB 1025 Governor's Energy Office Bill Passed - House (59 - 5)
Jan. 30, 2008 KY SB 3 Primary Elections Date Change Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
Jan. 30, 2008 CO HB 1189 State Employee Strike Prohibition Bill Passed - House (53 - 12)
Jan. 29, 2008 IN SB 16 Change in Township Assessment Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 18)
Jan. 29, 2008 IN SB 16 Change in Township Assessment Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 18)
Jan. 29, 2008 IN SB 143 Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 13)
Jan. 29, 2008 IN SJR 1 Constitutional Property Tax Cap Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (41 - 7)
Jan. 28, 2008 CO SB 3 Medicaid Funded Family Planning Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 11)
Jan. 25, 2008 CO SA Mitchell Prohibiting State Funding of Abortion Providers Amendment Rejected - Senate (13 - 20)
Jan. 25, 2008 MS SB 2188 Attorney General-Private Attorney Contract Restrictions Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 18)
Jan. 25, 2008 MS SB 2188 Attorney General-Private Attorney Contract Restrictions Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 18)
Jan. 25, 2008 WA HB 1551 Allowing Public Funding for Local Office Campaigns Bill Passed - House (56 - 38)
Jan. 25, 2008 WA HB 1551 Allowing Public Funding for Local Office Campaigns Bill Passed - House (56 - 38)
Jan. 25, 2008 MS SB 2188 Attorney General-Private Attorney Contract Restrictions Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 18)
Jan. 24, 2008 CO GN Baker Matt Baker to the Public Utilities Commission Nomination Confirmed - Senate (21 - 13)
Jan. 24, 2008 IN HB 1001 Property Tax Reduction Bill Passed - House (93 - 1)
Jan. 24, 2008 CO HR 1005 Censuring Representative Douglas Bruce Resolution Passed - House (62 - 1)
Jan. 22, 2008 IN Amnd. 72 School Construction Exemption Amendment Adopted - House (49 - 44)
Jan. 22, 2008 IN SB 18 Allowing Referendum on Public Construction Projects Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 16)
Jan. 22, 2008 MI SB 776 Late-Term/Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 13)
Jan. 17, 2008 IL HB 656 Providing Free Public Transportation for Senior Citizens Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 19)
Jan. 17, 2008 IL HB 656 Providing Free Public Transportation for Senior Citizens Concurrence Vote Passed - House (61 - 47)
Jan. 15, 2008 WI SJR 5 Limiting Governor's Partial Veto Authority Joint Resolution Passed - House (94 - 1)
Jan. 15, 2008 WI SJR 5 Limiting Governor's Partial Veto Authority Joint Resolution Passed - House (94 - 1)
Jan. 15, 2008 WI AB 363 Limiting the Scope of Citizen-Proposed Ordinances Bill Passed - House (48 - 44)
Jan. 10, 2008 IL HB 656 Transportation Act Concurrence Vote Passed - House (62 - 51)
Jan. 10, 2008 IL HB 656 Transportation Act Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 25)
Jan. 9, 2008 IL HB 1685 National Popular Vote Act Concurrence Vote Passed - House (64 - 50)
Jan. 7, 2008 NJ A 500 Education Funding Reform Bill Passed - House (41 - 37)
Jan. 7, 2008 NJ S 176 Expanding Damages for Wrongful Death Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 11)
Jan. 7, 2008 NJ S 176 Expanding Damages for Wrongful Death Bill Passed - House (41 - 32)
Jan. 7, 2008 NJ A 500 Education Funding Reform Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 13)
Jan. 3, 2008 NJ A 4225 National Popular Vote Act Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 13)
Dec. 13, 2007 NJ S 171 Eliminating the Death Penalty Bill Passed - House (44 - 36)
Dec. 13, 2007 NJ A 4225 National Popular Vote Act Bill Passed - House (43 - 32)
Dec. 13, 2007 MI SB 981 Mackinac Bridge Funding Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 15)
Dec. 13, 2007 MI HB 5375 Promise Zones Bill Passed - House (71 - 34)
Dec. 11, 2007 WI SB 176 Compensation for Discharged Police Officers Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 3)
Dec. 11, 2007 WI SB 176 Compensation for Discharged Police Officers Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 3)
Dec. 11, 2007 WI SJR 5 Limiting Governor's Partial Veto Authority Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (33 - 0)
Dec. 11, 2007 WI SJR 5 Limiting Governor's Partial Veto Authority Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (33 - 0)
Dec. 10, 2007 NJ S 171 Eliminating the Death Penalty Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 16)
Dec. 1, 2007 MI HB 5408 Michigan Business Tax Surcharge Concurrence Vote Passed - House (66 - 42)
Dec. 1, 2007 MI HB 5408 Michigan Business Tax Surcharge Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (33 - 4)
Nov. 29, 2007 WA HB 2416 Adjusting the Property Tax Cap Bill Passed - House (86 - 8)
Date No. Title Outcome
2/08 HB 342 Uranium Cleanup Fund Bill Passed - House (55 - 11)
2/08 HB 933 "Triggerman Rule" in Capital Murder Cases Bill Passed - House (77 - 21)
2/07 HB 241 Education Funding Reform Bill Passed - House (52 - 16)
2/07 H 4488 Education Reorganization Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 5)
2/07 SB 340 Prohibiting Sanctuary Policies Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 8)
2/07 SB 436 Reducing the Voting Age for Primary Elections Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 6)
2/07 SB 350 Increasing Penalties for Driving Without a License Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 13)
2/07 H 4488 Education Reorganization Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 5)
2/06 HB 2 2008-2009 Budget Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 4)
2/06 HB 1130 Removing Wiretap Restrictions Bill Passed - House (43 - 20)
2/06 H 4488 Education Reorganization Bill Passed - House (135 - 19)
2/06 H 4488 Education Reorganization Bill Passed - House (135 - 19)
2/06 HB 484 Racetrack Tax Break Bill Passed - House (48 - 10)
2/06 HB 191 Automatic Absentee Ballots Bill Failed - House (25 - 40)
2/06 LB 39 Restricting Petition Circulation Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 14)
2/06 HB 237 Mandatory Election Recounts Bill Passed - House (37 - 21)
2/06 HB 237 Mandatory Election Recounts Bill Passed - House (37 - 21)
2/06 SB 6272 Financial Literacy for Homeowners Bill Passed - House (69 - 27)
2/05 SB 35 Salary Supplement for Math and Science Teachers Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 7)
2/05 HB 147 Health Care Commission Bill Passed - House (56 - 6)
2/05 HB 1250 Legislative Pay Raise Bill Passed - House (54 - 14)
2/05 HB 1250 Legislative Pay Raise Bill Passed - House (54 - 14)
2/05 SB 202 Local Regulation of Smoking in Restaurants Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 9)
2/05 HB 400 Commuter Train Funding Bill Passed - House (56 - 9)
2/05 HB 85 Teacher Home Loan Program Bill Passed - House (62 - 7)
2/04 SB 34 New Mexico School for the Arts Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 6)
1/31 HB 2 2008-2009 Budget Bill Passed - House (57 - 10)
1/31 H 4400 Immigration Bill Bill Passed - House (80 - 13)
1/31 HB 513 Funding for K-12 Education and Related Activities Bill Passed - House (95 - 26)
1/31 HB 881 Georgia Charter Schools Commission Bill Passed - House (119 - 48)
1/30 HB 1025 Governor's Energy Office Bill Passed - House (59 - 5)
1/30 SB 3 Primary Elections Date Change Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
1/30 HB 1189 State Employee Strike Prohibition Bill Passed - House (53 - 12)
1/29 SB 16 Change in Township Assessment Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 18)
1/29 SB 16 Change in Township Assessment Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 18)
1/29 SB 143 Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 13)
1/29 SJR 1 Constitutional Property Tax Cap Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (41 - 7)
1/28 SB 3 Medicaid Funded Family Planning Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 11)
1/25 SA Mitchell Prohibiting State Funding of Abortion Providers Amendment Rejected - Senate (13 - 20)
1/25 SB 2188 Attorney General-Private Attorney Contract Restrictions Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 18)
1/25 SB 2188 Attorney General-Private Attorney Contract Restrictions Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 18)
1/25 HB 1551 Allowing Public Funding for Local Office Campaigns Bill Passed - House (56 - 38)
1/25 HB 1551 Allowing Public Funding for Local Office Campaigns Bill Passed - House (56 - 38)
1/25 SB 2188 Attorney General-Private Attorney Contract Restrictions Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 18)
1/24 GN Baker Matt Baker to the Public Utilities Commission Nomination Confirmed - Senate (21 - 13)
1/24 HB 1001 Property Tax Reduction Bill Passed - House (93 - 1)
1/24 HR 1005 Censuring Representative Douglas Bruce Resolution Passed - House (62 - 1)
1/22 Amnd. 72 School Construction Exemption Amendment Adopted - House (49 - 44)
1/22 SB 18 Allowing Referendum on Public Construction Projects Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 16)
1/22 SB 776 Late-Term/Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 13)
1/17 HB 656 Providing Free Public Transportation for Senior Citizens Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 19)
1/17 HB 656 Providing Free Public Transportation for Senior Citizens Concurrence Vote Passed - House (61 - 47)
1/15 SJR 5 Limiting Governor's Partial Veto Authority Joint Resolution Passed - House (94 - 1)
1/15 SJR 5 Limiting Governor's Partial Veto Authority Joint Resolution Passed - House (94 - 1)
1/15 AB 363 Limiting the Scope of Citizen-Proposed Ordinances Bill Passed - House (48 - 44)
1/10 HB 656 Transportation Act Concurrence Vote Passed - House (62 - 51)
1/10 HB 656 Transportation Act Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 25)
1/09 HB 1685 National Popular Vote Act Concurrence Vote Passed - House (64 - 50)
1/07 A 500 Education Funding Reform Bill Passed - House (41 - 37)
1/07 S 176 Expanding Damages for Wrongful Death Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 11)
1/07 S 176 Expanding Damages for Wrongful Death Bill Passed - House (41 - 32)
1/07 A 500 Education Funding Reform Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 13)
1/03 A 4225 National Popular Vote Act Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 13)
12/13 S 171 Eliminating the Death Penalty Bill Passed - House (44 - 36)
12/13 A 4225 National Popular Vote Act Bill Passed - House (43 - 32)
12/13 SB 981 Mackinac Bridge Funding Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 15)
12/13 HB 5375 Promise Zones Bill Passed - House (71 - 34)
12/11 SB 176 Compensation for Discharged Police Officers Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 3)
12/11 SB 176 Compensation for Discharged Police Officers Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 3)
12/11 SJR 5 Limiting Governor's Partial Veto Authority Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (33 - 0)
12/11 SJR 5 Limiting Governor's Partial Veto Authority Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (33 - 0)
12/10 S 171 Eliminating the Death Penalty Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 16)
12/01 HB 5408 Michigan Business Tax Surcharge Concurrence Vote Passed - House (66 - 42)
12/01 HB 5408 Michigan Business Tax Surcharge Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (33 - 4)
11/29 HB 2416 Adjusting the Property Tax Cap Bill Passed - House (86 - 8)

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