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:
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.
| Date | State | Bill No. | Title | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| March 13, 2018 | PA | HB 153 | Decreases Size of State Legislature | Bill Passed - House (101 - 84) |
| March 9, 2018 | WV | HB 4006 | Repeals Department of Education and Arts | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 15) |
| March 8, 2018 | WA | HB 3003 | Amends Various Police 'Use of Force' Laws | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 24) |
| March 8, 2018 | MD | HB 109 | Establishes a Community Development Program Act | Bill Passed - House (88 - 48) |
| March 8, 2018 | MD | HB 532 | Establishes Election Day Voter Registration and Same-Day Voting | Bill Passed - House (91 - 46) |
| March 7, 2018 | WA | HB 2595 | Authorizes Automatic Voter Registration | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (50 - 48) |
| March 7, 2018 | WA | HB 2595 | Authorizes Automatic Voter Registration | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (50 - 48) |
| March 7, 2018 | WA | HB 3003 | Amends Various Police 'Use of Force' Laws | Bill Passed - House (73 - 25) |
| March 6, 2018 | WA | HB 2595 | Authorizes Automatic Voter Registration | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 21) |
| March 6, 2018 | WA | HB 2595 | Authorizes Automatic Voter Registration | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 21) |
| March 6, 2018 | WY | HB 70 | Authorizes Cryptocurrency Regulations and Securities | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 3) |
| March 6, 2018 | NH | HB 1264 | Amends Residency Definiton | "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (171 - 144) |
| March 6, 2018 | National | HR 4607 | Comprehensive Regulatory Review Act | Bill Passed - House (246 - 143) |
| March 5, 2018 | MD | SB 256 | Requires Presidential Candidates to Disclose Tax Returns | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 17) |
| March 3, 2018 | OR | SB 1510 | Amends Election Laws | Bill Passed - House (35 - 23) |
| March 2, 2018 | OR | SB 1529 | Amends Oregon Corporate Tax | Bill Passed - House (39 - 21) |
| March 2, 2018 | WV | SB 415 | Authorizes Casino Sports Betting Upon Federal Approval | Bill Passed - House (77 - 22) |
| March 1, 2018 | MI | HB 4321 | Appropriates Funds for Road Repairs | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (109 - 0) |
| March 1, 2018 | ME | LD 1653 | Amends Retirement Benefits for Capitol Police Officers | Bill Passed - House (85 - 57) |
| Feb. 28, 2018 | MS | SB 2295 | Transfer Exclusive Jurisdiction of Utility Matters to Public Service Commission | Bill Passed - House (90 - 26) |
| Feb. 28, 2018 | WA | HB 1513 | Authorizes Automatic Voter Pre-Registration for 16 and 17 Year Old Individuals | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 22) |
| Feb. 23, 2018 | WA | SB 6617 | Exempts Legislators from Public Records Law | Bill Passed - House (83 - 14) |
| Feb. 23, 2018 | WA | SB 6617 | Exempts Legislators from Public Records Law | Bill Passed - House (83 - 14) |
| Feb. 23, 2018 | WA | SB 6617 | Exempts Legislators from Public Records Law | Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 7) |
| Feb. 23, 2018 | WA | SB 6617 | Exempts Legislators from Public Records Law | Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 7) |
| Feb. 22, 2018 | IN | SB 1 | Authorizes Sunday Alcohol Sales | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (38 - 10) |
| Feb. 22, 2018 | MI | HB 4053 | Establishes English as Official Language | Bill Passed - House (62 - 46) |
| Feb. 20, 2018 | IN | SB 1 | Authorizes Sunday Alcohol Sales | Bill Passed - House (82 - 10) |
| Feb. 20, 2018 | WV | SB 415 | Authorizes Casino Sports Betting Upon Federal Approval | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 9) |
| Feb. 20, 2018 | ID | H 419 | Prohibits Courts from Ruling Based on Foreign Law | Bill Passed - House (44 - 24) |
| Feb. 15, 2018 | NJ | S 598 | Requires New Jersey to Join US Climate Alliance | Bill Passed - House (49 - 23) |
| Feb. 14, 2018 | NM | HB 98 | Amends Local Elections | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 15) |
| Feb. 14, 2018 | FL | HB 1013 | Authorizes Daylight Saving Time Year-Round | Bill Passed - House (103 - 11) |
| Feb. 13, 2018 | AZ | HB 2153 | Prohibits Localities from Requiring Campaign Donation Disclosure | Bill Passed - House (33 - 25) |
| Feb. 13, 2018 | OR | HJR 203 | Specifies Proposal for Statewide Access to Healthcare | Bill Passed - House (35 - 25) |
| Feb. 13, 2018 | AZ | HB 2153 | Prohibits Localities from Requiring Campaign Donation Disclosure | Bill Passed - House (33 - 25) |
| Feb. 12, 2018 | WA | HB 1513 | Authorizes Automatic Voter Pre-Registration for 16 and 17 Year Old Individuals | Bill Passed - House (52 - 46) |
| Feb. 12, 2018 | MD | SB 138 | Requires Governor to Include Maryland as a Member of US Climate Alliance | Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 10) |
| Feb. 9, 2018 | National | HR 1892 | Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018 | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (240 - 186) |
| Feb. 9, 2018 | National | HR 1892 | Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018 | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (71 - 28) |
| Feb. 9, 2018 | WV | SJR 12 | Prohibits a Constitutional Right to Abortion | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 9) |
| Feb. 8, 2018 | AZ | HB 2208 | Prohibits Photo Speed and Red Light Enforcement Cameras | Bill Passed - House (31 - 27) |
| Feb. 8, 2018 | MS | HB 1238 | Prohibits Certain Consumer Protection Lawsuits | Bill Passed - House (58 - 54) |
| Feb. 7, 2018 | SC | H 3529 | Prohibits Local Regulations on Plastic Bags | Bill Passed - House (73 - 41) |
| Feb. 7, 2018 | NM | HB 49 | Amends Municipality Recall Elections | Bill Passed - House (47 - 21) |
| Feb. 7, 2018 | NM | HB 49 | Amends Municipality Recall Elections | Bill Passed - House (47 - 21) |
| Feb. 5, 2018 | WV | HB 2662 | Prohibits the Waste of Game Animals | Bill Passed - House (56 - 39) |
| Feb. 2, 2018 | CO | HB 18-1033 | Expands Employee Leave | Bill Passed - House (35 - 28) |
| Feb. 1, 2018 | NJ | S 598 | Requires New Jersey to Join US Climate Alliance | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 12) |
| Jan. 31, 2018 | MS | SB 2570 | Prohibits Government Bans on Storage Containers | Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 15) |
| Jan. 31, 2018 | WV | HB 4006 | Repeals Department of Education and Arts | Bill Passed - House (60 - 36) |
| Jan. 23, 2018 | AL | HB 17 | Repeals Special Elections | Bill Passed - House (67 - 31) |
| Jan. 18, 2018 | National | S 139 | FISA Amendments Reauthorization Act of 2017 | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (65 - 34) |
| Jan. 12, 2018 | FL | HB 13 | Prohibits Sport Franchises from Building on Publicly Owned Land | Bill Passed - House (75 - 27) |
| Jan. 12, 2018 | FL | HB 9 | Prohibits Local Sanctuary Policies | Bill Passed - House (71 - 35) |
| Jan. 11, 2018 | National | S 139 | FISA Amendments Reauthorization Act of 2017 | Bill Passed - House (256 - 164) |
| Jan. 3, 2018 | NH | HB 372 | Amends Definition of Residency for Voting Purposes | "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Adopted - Senate (14 - 9) |
| Dec. 21, 2017 | National | HR 4667 | Making further supplemental appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2018, for disaster assistance for Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria, and calendar year 2017 wildfires, and for other purposes | Bill Passed - House (251 - 169) |
| Dec. 7, 2017 | National | H J Res 123 | Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2018 | Bill Passed - House (235 - 193) |
| Nov. 30, 2017 | National | HR 4182 | Ensuring a Qualified Civil Service Act of 2017 (EQUALS Act) | Bill Passed - House (213 - 204) |
| Nov. 30, 2017 | National | HR 4182 | Ensuring a Qualified Civil Service Act of 2017 (EQUALS Act) | Bill Passed - House (213 - 204) |
| Nov. 8, 2017 | OK | HB 1054 | Increases Tax Rate on Tobacco, Alcohol, and Fuel Products | Bill Failed - House (71 - 27) |
| Nov. 8, 2017 | MI | SB 586 | Prohibits Localities from Placing Restrictions on Firearms | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 12) |
| Nov. 7, 2017 | WI | AB 153 | Amends State Election Recount Procedures | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 13) |
| Nov. 7, 2017 | WI | AB 153 | Amends State Election Recount Procedures | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 13) |
| Nov. 7, 2017 | WI | AB 165 | Authorizes Role in a Constitutional Convention | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 14) |
| Oct. 31, 2017 | MI | SB 253 | Appropriates Supplemental Funds for Fiscal Year 2017-2018 | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (105 - 2) |
| Oct. 25, 2017 | National | HR 469 | Sunshine for Regulations and Regulatory Decrees and Settlements Act of 2017 | Bill Passed - House (234 - 187) |
| Oct. 24, 2017 | National | HR 732 | Stop Settlement Slush Funds Act of 2017 | Bill Passed - House (238 - 183) |
| Oct. 17, 2017 | NC | S 656 | Prohibits Part Primaries for Certain 2018 Court Elections | Veto Override Passed - House (72 - 40) |
| Oct. 17, 2017 | NC | S 656 | Prohibits Part Primaries for Certain 2018 Court Elections | Veto Override Passed - House (72 - 40) |
| Oct. 16, 2017 | NC | S 656 | Prohibits Part Primaries for Certain 2018 Court Elections | Veto Override Passed - Senate (26 - 15) |
| Oct. 16, 2017 | NC | S 656 | Prohibits Part Primaries for Certain 2018 Court Elections | Veto Override Passed - Senate (26 - 15) |
| Oct. 12, 2017 | MI | HB 4999 | Prohibits Localities from Taxing Foods and Beverages | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 5) |
| Sept. 26, 2017 | PA | HB 171 | Authorizes Any Registered Vote to be Appointed a Poll Watcher | Bill Passed - House (106 - 91) |
| Sept. 16, 2017 | CA | SB 54 | Establishes a Statewide Sanctuary Policy | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 11) |
| Sept. 15, 2017 | CA | SB 54 | Establishes a Statewide Sanctuary Policy | Bill Passed - House (51 - 26) |
| Sept. 14, 2017 | MI | SB 335 | Authorizes Unrestricted Campaign Contributions by PACs | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12) |
| Sept. 14, 2017 | National | HR 3354 | Making Appropriations for the Department of the Interior, Environment, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2018, and for other purposes. | Bill Passed - House (211 - 198) |
| Aug. 28, 2017 | IL | SB 1947 | Establishes School Funding Plan | Bill Passed - House (73 - 34) |
| July 28, 2017 | National | HR 3180 | Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018 | Bill Passed - House (380 - 35) |
| July 27, 2017 | National | HR 3219 | Make America Secure Appropriations Act | Bill Passed - House (235 - 192) |
| July 7, 2017 | MA | H 3800 | Establishes State Budget for Fiscal Year 2018 | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (36 - 2) |
| July 7, 2017 | MA | H 3800 | Establishes State Budget for Fiscal Year 2018 | Conference Report Adopted - House (140 - 9) |
| July 6, 2017 | IL | SB 6 | Establishes Budget for Fiscal Year 2017-2018 | Veto Override Passed - House (74 - 37) |
| July 6, 2017 | OR | HB 2017 | Establishes Oregon's Transportation Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 7) |
| July 5, 2017 | OR | HB 2017 | Establishes Oregon's Transportation Budget | Bill Passed - House (39 - 20) |
| June 30, 2017 | PA | HB 218 | Establishes a Budget for the Fiscal Year 2017-2018 | Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 7) |
| June 29, 2017 | NC | SJR 36 | Authorizes Participation in a Constitutional Convention | Joint Resolution Failed - House (66 - 45) |
| June 29, 2017 | NC | SJR 36 | Authorizes Participation in a Constitutional Convention | Joint Resolution Failed - House (66 - 45) |
| June 29, 2017 | NC | SJR 36 | Authorizes Participation in a Constitutional Convention | Joint Resolution Failed - House (66 - 45) |
| June 29, 2017 | National | HR 3003 | No Sanctuary for Criminals Act | Bill Passed - House (228 - 195) |
| June 28, 2017 | OH | HB 49 | Establishes Budget for Fiscal Year 2018-2019 | Conference Report Adopted - House (59 - 40) |
| June 28, 2017 | OH | SB 79 | Requires Review of Cabinet Departments | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 9) |
| June 21, 2017 | OR | HB 2391 | Establishes a Tax on Oregon Health Plan Insurance Plans | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 10) |
| June 21, 2017 | OH | HB 41 | Amends Absentee Voting Procedures | Bill Passed - House (64 - 30) |
| June 15, 2017 | RI | S 237A | Authorizes Parole Eligibility for Juveniles with Life Sentences | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 8) |
| June 15, 2017 | OR | HB 2391 | Establishes a Tax on Oregon Health Plan Insurance Plans | Bill Passed - House (36 - 23) |
| June 14, 2017 | WI | AB 165 | Authorizes Role in a Constitutional Convention | Bill Passed - House (58 - 37) |
| June 6, 2017 | LA | SB 139 | Establishes New Parole Regulations | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (20 - 13) |