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 18, 2021 LA HB 138 Requires Conducting a Supplemental Canvass of Registered Voters Bill Passed - House (64 - 30)
May 17, 2021 AZ HB 2794 Prohibits Election Officials from Changing Election Related Deadlines Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 13)
May 17, 2021 AL HB 285 Prohibits Curbside Voting Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 6)
May 14, 2021 MO SB 86 Prohibits Any Public Funds from Being Used by School Districts for Supporting or Opposing Ballot Measures or Candidates Conference Report Adopted - House (100 - 35)
May 14, 2021 TX HB 3920 Authorizes Pregnant Women to Vote by Mail if Their Due Date is 3 Weeks Before or After the Election Bill Passed - House (99 - 44)
May 13, 2021 National PN 244 Nomination of Amber McReynolds as Governor of the United States Postal Service Nomination Confirmed - Senate (59 - 38)
May 13, 2021 National PN 244 Nomination of Amber McReynolds as Governor of the United States Postal Service Nomination Confirmed - Senate (59 - 38)
May 13, 2021 MO SCR 6 Establishes Disapproval of SCOTUS Expansion (103 - 30)
May 12, 2021 National PN 245 Nomination of Ronald Stroman as Governor of the United States Postal Service Nomination Confirmed - Senate (66 - 32)
May 12, 2021 National PN 245 Nomination of Ronald Stroman as Governor of the United States Postal Service Nomination Confirmed - Senate (66 - 32)
May 12, 2021 TX HB 574 Establishes 2 New Classes of Election Fraud Offenses Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 9)
May 12, 2021 OH SB 4 Exempts Personal Information of Certain Persons from Public Records Law Bill Passed - House (83 - 10)
May 12, 2021 PA SB 115 Authorizes Nurses to Hold a License in Multiple States Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 16)
May 11, 2021 WI AR 18 Requires the Governor Send Aid and Resources to the US-Mexico Border to Assist with Immigration Efforts Resolution Passed - House (59 - 35)
May 11, 2021 WI SB 212 Authorizes Only Voters to Correct Absentee Ballot Defects Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 13)
May 11, 2021 SC H 3205 Authorizes the State of South Carolina to Join a "Convention of States" Bill Passed - House (66 - 42)
May 11, 2021 NY A 6047 Amends the Deadlines for the Mailing and Receipt of Absentee Ballots from the Day Before the Election to Election Day Bill Passed - House (104 - 43)
May 11, 2021 WI AJR 9 Establishes a Resolution to Add Wisconsin to the List of States Supporting a Constitutional Convention Joint Resolution Passed - House (58 - 36)
May 11, 2021 NY A 6046 Authorizes the Board of Elections to Accept an Electronic Application for an Absentee Ballot when Submitted by a Voter Bill Passed - House (104 - 43)
May 11, 2021 WI AB 173 Prohibits Local Government Officials from Using Private Funds to Administer Elections Bill Passed - House (60 - 36)
May 11, 2021 WI SB 203 Limits the Return of of Absentee Ballots Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12)
May 10, 2021 IN SB 5 Prohibits a Local Health Department from Implementing Orders More Restrictive than the Governor Veto Override Passed - House (59 - 30)
May 10, 2021 IN SB 5 Prohibits a Local Health Department from Implementing Orders More Restrictive than the Governor Veto Override Passed - Senate (36 - 10)
May 7, 2021 TX SB 7 Prohibits Election Officials from Mailing Unsolicited Ballots Bill Passed - House (78 - 64)
May 7, 2021 TX HB 2149 Establishes Mobile or "Rolling" Temporary Polling Places Bill Passed - House (99 - 41)
May 7, 2021 TX HB 1900 Establishes Penalties for Municipalities that Reduce Police Funding Bill Passed - House (90 - 49)
May 6, 2021 NH HB 183 Prohibits Municipalities from Requiring a License for a Soft Drink Stand "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Adopted - Senate (13 - 10)
May 6, 2021 CT HJ 59 Authorizes Early Voting in Specific Cases Bill Passed - House (115 - 26)
May 5, 2021 CO SB 21-188 Authorizes a Voter with a Disability to Print the Ballot or Return the Ballot by Electronic Transmission Bill Passed - House (41 - 22)
May 5, 2021 ID S 1064 Specifies Voters Must be Issued a New Ballot of the Same Type they Originally Requested Bill Passed - House (48 - 11)
May 5, 2021 ID S 1217 Limits the Governor's Powers During a State of Emergency Bill Passed - House (48 - 8)
May 5, 2021 KS SCR 1611 Alleges Abuse of Federal Power, Seeks Constitutional Amendment Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
May 5, 2021 KS SCR 1611 Alleges Abuse of Federal Power, Seeks Constitutional Amendment Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
May 5, 2021 ID S 1217 Limits the Governor's Powers During a State of Emergency Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 7)
May 5, 2021 PA HR 91 Establishes a Task Force to Review the Failure to Advertise a Proposed Constitutional Amendment Resolution Passed - House (111 - 90)
May 5, 2021 PA HR 91 Establishes a Task Force to Review the Failure to Advertise a Proposed Constitutional Amendment Resolution Passed - House (111 - 90)
May 4, 2021 OK HB 2564 Amends the Election Recount Process to Require Recounts on Statewide Issues or Question Elections Concurrence Vote Passed - House (73 - 18)
May 4, 2021 LA HB 378 Establishes a Felon Can Register to Vote if the Person has Not Been Incarcerated Within the Last 5 Years Bill Passed - House (83 - 17)
May 4, 2021 PA HB 72 Establishes a Review Process for Major Regulations Bill Passed - House (108 - 93)
May 4, 2021 LA HB 20 Prohibits the Use of Private Funds to Pay Election-Related Expenses Bill Passed - House (69 - 35)
May 4, 2021 PA HB 139 Establishes New Rules for Permit Programs for Annual Reports Bill Passed - House (113 - 88)
May 4, 2021 PA HB 288 Authorizes an Agency's Regulatory Compliance Officer to Create Guidelines for Waiving Fines or Penalties Bill Passed - House (106 - 95)
May 4, 2021 PA HB 950 Extends Greater Authority to the General Assembly Over Regulatory Repeals Bill Passed - House (109 - 92)
May 3, 2021 TN SB 1335 Classifies Tennessee as a "Second Amendment Sanctuary State" Bill Passed - House (75 - 13)
May 3, 2021 TN SB 1335 Classifies Tennessee as a "Second Amendment Sanctuary State" Bill Passed - House (75 - 13)
May 3, 2021 CO HB 21-1114 Requires a Local Government to Obtain Voter Approval Before Providing Internet Access Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 5)
May 3, 2021 CO HB 21-1114 Requires a Local Government to Obtain Voter Approval Before Providing Internet Access Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 5)
May 3, 2021 MN SF 173 Requires Voters to Present ID Before Casting a Ballot Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 32)
April 29, 2021 FL SB 7072 Prohibits Social Media Companies from "Deplatforming" Political Candidates Concurrence Vote Passed - House (77 - 38)
April 29, 2021 FL SB 90 Establishes Restrictions on Vote-By-Mail and Drop Boxes Concurrence Vote Passed - House (77 - 40)
April 29, 2021 FL SB 90 Establishes Restrictions on Vote-By-Mail and Drop Boxes Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 17)
April 29, 2021 FL SB 7072 Prohibits Social Media Companies from "Deplatforming" Political Candidates Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 17)
April 29, 2021 OR SB 554 Authorizes Local Governments and School Districts to Prohibit Guns on Capital and State Property Bill Passed - House (34 - 24)
April 29, 2021 LA HB 349 Prohibits Mandating Vaccination Verification or Immunity Status for Transactions or for Special Identification Cards Bill Passed - House (71 - 18)
April 29, 2021 NE LB 320 Establishes District and County Courts Have Jurisdiction Over Complaints of Forcible Entry Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 3)
April 29, 2021 DE HB 155 Establishes New Legal Definitions for Gender, Disability, etc. Bill Passed - House (36 - 4)
April 28, 2021 AZ SB 1530 Requires Early Ballot Envelope Marking Requirements Bill Passed - House (47 - 13)
April 28, 2021 FL HB 53 Requires State and Local Governments to Accept Certain Public Works Bids Bill Passed - House (79 - 34)
April 28, 2021 FL HB 53 Requires State and Local Governments to Accept Certain Public Works Bids Bill Passed - House (79 - 34)
April 28, 2021 MO HB 271 Limits the Authority of Local Health Officials to Close Organizations During a Public Health Emergency Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 6)
April 28, 2021 AK HB 76 Extends the Governor's Disaster Declaration Bill Passed - Senate (13 - 7)
April 28, 2021 TX SB 1111 Requires Voters Register Their Physical Address Instead of a P.O. Box When Registering to Vote Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 13)
April 28, 2021 NV AB 121 Requires the Secretary of State Establish an Electronic Transmission System for Disabled Voters to Register to Vote Bill Passed - House (32 - 10)
April 27, 2021 MT HB 506 Amends Absentee Ballot Eligibility Requirements Conference Report Adopted - Senate (30 - 20)
April 27, 2021 MT HB 506 Amends Absentee Ballot Eligibility Requirements Conference Report Adopted - House (64 - 34)
April 27, 2021 MT HB 530 Establishes Restrictions on Providing Assistance in Returning a Voter's Mail Ballot Concurrence Vote Passed - House (66 - 34)
April 27, 2021 AL HB 538 Limits the Time Frame for Receiving Absentee Ballot Applications Concurrence Vote Passed - House (81 - 12)
April 27, 2021 MT HB 651 Requires Ballot Initiatives Include a Warning Label on the Impact to Local Business Concurrence Vote Passed - House (66 - 33)
April 27, 2021 FL HB 53 Requires State and Local Governments to Accept Certain Public Works Bids (24 - 16)
April 27, 2021 FL HB 53 Requires State and Local Governments to Accept Certain Public Works Bids (24 - 16)
April 27, 2021 AR SB 627 Prohibits Certain Teachings Regarding Race and Sex Bill Passed - House (72 - 19)
April 27, 2021 FL HB 735 Prohibits Local Governments from Requiring a License for a Contractor or Journeyman Type Job Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 18)
April 27, 2021 FL SJR 204 Authorizes Referendum as to Abolishment of Constitution Revision Commission Bill Passed - House (86 - 28)
April 27, 2021 NC SB 360 Prohibits Any State Agency from Settling Certain Lawsuits Without the Approval of the General Assembly Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 21)
April 26, 2021 AR SB 298 Classifies Federal Gun Restrictions as Invalid Veto Override Passed - Senate (21 - 12)
Date No. Title Outcome
5/18 HB 138 Requires Conducting a Supplemental Canvass of Registered Voters Bill Passed - House (64 - 30)
5/17 HB 2794 Prohibits Election Officials from Changing Election Related Deadlines Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 13)
5/17 HB 285 Prohibits Curbside Voting Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 6)
5/14 SB 86 Prohibits Any Public Funds from Being Used by School Districts for Supporting or Opposing Ballot Measures or Candidates Conference Report Adopted - House (100 - 35)
5/14 HB 3920 Authorizes Pregnant Women to Vote by Mail if Their Due Date is 3 Weeks Before or After the Election Bill Passed - House (99 - 44)
5/13 PN 244 Nomination of Amber McReynolds as Governor of the United States Postal Service Nomination Confirmed - Senate (59 - 38)
5/13 PN 244 Nomination of Amber McReynolds as Governor of the United States Postal Service Nomination Confirmed - Senate (59 - 38)
5/13 SCR 6 Establishes Disapproval of SCOTUS Expansion (103 - 30)
5/12 PN 245 Nomination of Ronald Stroman as Governor of the United States Postal Service Nomination Confirmed - Senate (66 - 32)
5/12 PN 245 Nomination of Ronald Stroman as Governor of the United States Postal Service Nomination Confirmed - Senate (66 - 32)
5/12 HB 574 Establishes 2 New Classes of Election Fraud Offenses Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 9)
5/12 SB 4 Exempts Personal Information of Certain Persons from Public Records Law Bill Passed - House (83 - 10)
5/12 SB 115 Authorizes Nurses to Hold a License in Multiple States Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 16)
5/11 AR 18 Requires the Governor Send Aid and Resources to the US-Mexico Border to Assist with Immigration Efforts Resolution Passed - House (59 - 35)
5/11 SB 212 Authorizes Only Voters to Correct Absentee Ballot Defects Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 13)
5/11 H 3205 Authorizes the State of South Carolina to Join a "Convention of States" Bill Passed - House (66 - 42)
5/11 A 6047 Amends the Deadlines for the Mailing and Receipt of Absentee Ballots from the Day Before the Election to Election Day Bill Passed - House (104 - 43)
5/11 AJR 9 Establishes a Resolution to Add Wisconsin to the List of States Supporting a Constitutional Convention Joint Resolution Passed - House (58 - 36)
5/11 A 6046 Authorizes the Board of Elections to Accept an Electronic Application for an Absentee Ballot when Submitted by a Voter Bill Passed - House (104 - 43)
5/11 AB 173 Prohibits Local Government Officials from Using Private Funds to Administer Elections Bill Passed - House (60 - 36)
5/11 SB 203 Limits the Return of of Absentee Ballots Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12)
5/10 SB 5 Prohibits a Local Health Department from Implementing Orders More Restrictive than the Governor Veto Override Passed - House (59 - 30)
5/10 SB 5 Prohibits a Local Health Department from Implementing Orders More Restrictive than the Governor Veto Override Passed - Senate (36 - 10)
5/07 SB 7 Prohibits Election Officials from Mailing Unsolicited Ballots Bill Passed - House (78 - 64)
5/07 HB 2149 Establishes Mobile or "Rolling" Temporary Polling Places Bill Passed - House (99 - 41)
5/07 HB 1900 Establishes Penalties for Municipalities that Reduce Police Funding Bill Passed - House (90 - 49)
5/06 HB 183 Prohibits Municipalities from Requiring a License for a Soft Drink Stand "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Adopted - Senate (13 - 10)
5/06 HJ 59 Authorizes Early Voting in Specific Cases Bill Passed - House (115 - 26)
5/05 SB 21-188 Authorizes a Voter with a Disability to Print the Ballot or Return the Ballot by Electronic Transmission Bill Passed - House (41 - 22)
5/05 S 1064 Specifies Voters Must be Issued a New Ballot of the Same Type they Originally Requested Bill Passed - House (48 - 11)
5/05 S 1217 Limits the Governor's Powers During a State of Emergency Bill Passed - House (48 - 8)
5/05 SCR 1611 Alleges Abuse of Federal Power, Seeks Constitutional Amendment Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
5/05 SCR 1611 Alleges Abuse of Federal Power, Seeks Constitutional Amendment Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
5/05 S 1217 Limits the Governor's Powers During a State of Emergency Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 7)
5/05 HR 91 Establishes a Task Force to Review the Failure to Advertise a Proposed Constitutional Amendment Resolution Passed - House (111 - 90)
5/05 HR 91 Establishes a Task Force to Review the Failure to Advertise a Proposed Constitutional Amendment Resolution Passed - House (111 - 90)
5/04 HB 2564 Amends the Election Recount Process to Require Recounts on Statewide Issues or Question Elections Concurrence Vote Passed - House (73 - 18)
5/04 HB 378 Establishes a Felon Can Register to Vote if the Person has Not Been Incarcerated Within the Last 5 Years Bill Passed - House (83 - 17)
5/04 HB 72 Establishes a Review Process for Major Regulations Bill Passed - House (108 - 93)
5/04 HB 20 Prohibits the Use of Private Funds to Pay Election-Related Expenses Bill Passed - House (69 - 35)
5/04 HB 139 Establishes New Rules for Permit Programs for Annual Reports Bill Passed - House (113 - 88)
5/04 HB 288 Authorizes an Agency's Regulatory Compliance Officer to Create Guidelines for Waiving Fines or Penalties Bill Passed - House (106 - 95)
5/04 HB 950 Extends Greater Authority to the General Assembly Over Regulatory Repeals Bill Passed - House (109 - 92)
5/03 SB 1335 Classifies Tennessee as a "Second Amendment Sanctuary State" Bill Passed - House (75 - 13)
5/03 SB 1335 Classifies Tennessee as a "Second Amendment Sanctuary State" Bill Passed - House (75 - 13)
5/03 HB 21-1114 Requires a Local Government to Obtain Voter Approval Before Providing Internet Access Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 5)
5/03 HB 21-1114 Requires a Local Government to Obtain Voter Approval Before Providing Internet Access Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 5)
5/03 SF 173 Requires Voters to Present ID Before Casting a Ballot Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 32)
4/29 SB 7072 Prohibits Social Media Companies from "Deplatforming" Political Candidates Concurrence Vote Passed - House (77 - 38)
4/29 SB 90 Establishes Restrictions on Vote-By-Mail and Drop Boxes Concurrence Vote Passed - House (77 - 40)
4/29 SB 90 Establishes Restrictions on Vote-By-Mail and Drop Boxes Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 17)
4/29 SB 7072 Prohibits Social Media Companies from "Deplatforming" Political Candidates Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 17)
4/29 SB 554 Authorizes Local Governments and School Districts to Prohibit Guns on Capital and State Property Bill Passed - House (34 - 24)
4/29 HB 349 Prohibits Mandating Vaccination Verification or Immunity Status for Transactions or for Special Identification Cards Bill Passed - House (71 - 18)
4/29 LB 320 Establishes District and County Courts Have Jurisdiction Over Complaints of Forcible Entry Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 3)
4/29 HB 155 Establishes New Legal Definitions for Gender, Disability, etc. Bill Passed - House (36 - 4)
4/28 SB 1530 Requires Early Ballot Envelope Marking Requirements Bill Passed - House (47 - 13)
4/28 HB 53 Requires State and Local Governments to Accept Certain Public Works Bids Bill Passed - House (79 - 34)
4/28 HB 53 Requires State and Local Governments to Accept Certain Public Works Bids Bill Passed - House (79 - 34)
4/28 HB 271 Limits the Authority of Local Health Officials to Close Organizations During a Public Health Emergency Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 6)
4/28 HB 76 Extends the Governor's Disaster Declaration Bill Passed - Senate (13 - 7)
4/28 SB 1111 Requires Voters Register Their Physical Address Instead of a P.O. Box When Registering to Vote Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 13)
4/28 AB 121 Requires the Secretary of State Establish an Electronic Transmission System for Disabled Voters to Register to Vote Bill Passed - House (32 - 10)
4/27 HB 506 Amends Absentee Ballot Eligibility Requirements Conference Report Adopted - Senate (30 - 20)
4/27 HB 506 Amends Absentee Ballot Eligibility Requirements Conference Report Adopted - House (64 - 34)
4/27 HB 530 Establishes Restrictions on Providing Assistance in Returning a Voter's Mail Ballot Concurrence Vote Passed - House (66 - 34)
4/27 HB 538 Limits the Time Frame for Receiving Absentee Ballot Applications Concurrence Vote Passed - House (81 - 12)
4/27 HB 651 Requires Ballot Initiatives Include a Warning Label on the Impact to Local Business Concurrence Vote Passed - House (66 - 33)
4/27 HB 53 Requires State and Local Governments to Accept Certain Public Works Bids (24 - 16)
4/27 HB 53 Requires State and Local Governments to Accept Certain Public Works Bids (24 - 16)
4/27 SB 627 Prohibits Certain Teachings Regarding Race and Sex Bill Passed - House (72 - 19)
4/27 HB 735 Prohibits Local Governments from Requiring a License for a Contractor or Journeyman Type Job Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 18)
4/27 SJR 204 Authorizes Referendum as to Abolishment of Constitution Revision Commission Bill Passed - House (86 - 28)
4/27 SB 360 Prohibits Any State Agency from Settling Certain Lawsuits Without the Approval of the General Assembly Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 21)
4/26 SB 298 Classifies Federal Gun Restrictions as Invalid Veto Override Passed - Senate (21 - 12)

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