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 14, 2016 | National | PN 1152 | Nomination of John B. King to be Secretary of Education | Nomination Confirmed - Senate (49 - 40) |
| March 14, 2016 | TN | HB 779 | Authorizes Voters to Petition for De-annexation Elections | Bill Passed - House (68 - 25) |
| March 14, 2016 | KY | HB 290 | Authorizes In-Person Absentee Voting | Bill Passed - House (57 - 37) |
| March 10, 2016 | AZ | HB 2131 | Prohibits Local Governments from Taxing Disposable Bags | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 11) |
| March 10, 2016 | KY | SB 8 | Requires the State Supreme Court to Review Judicial Districts | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 12) |
| March 10, 2016 | KY | SB 8 | Requires the State Supreme Court to Review Judicial Districts | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 12) |
| March 10, 2016 | MO | SJR 39 | Prohibits Penalties for Declining Participation in Same-Sex Marriage Ceremonies | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (23 - 7) |
| March 8, 2016 | AZ | SB 1516 | Repeals Certain Campaign Finance Reforms | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 10) |
| March 3, 2016 | OR | SB 1573 | Authorizes City Property Annexation without Voter Authorization | Bill Passed - House (32 - 28) |
| March 3, 2016 | MS | HB 989 | Establishes the Mississippi Achievement School District | Bill Passed - House (82 - 38) |
| March 3, 2016 | OK | HB 3162 | Amends Nomination Procedure for Appellate Judges | Bill Passed - House (58 - 34) |
| March 3, 2016 | SC | H 4701 | Prohibits Enforcement of Federal Restrictions on Firearms | Bill Passed - House (64 - 30) |
| March 2, 2016 | CO | SB 74 | Authorizes Voters to Opt Out of Mail Ballots | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17) |
| March 1, 2016 | MS | HB 738 | Amends Attorney General Hiring and Filing Oversight Processes | Bill Passed - House (61 - 60) |
| Feb. 29, 2016 | VA | HB 587 | Prohibits Removal of War Monuments | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 17) |
| Feb. 29, 2016 | GA | SR 675 | Establishes English as the Official Language of the State of Georgia | Resolution Passed - Senate (39 - 14) |
| Feb. 29, 2016 | MS | HB 782 | Prohibits Enforcement of Certain Law Relating to Firearms | Bill Passed - House (75 - 46) |
| Feb. 29, 2016 | AZ | HB 2403 | Limits Property Deed Recording Fee to $500 | Bill Passed - House (31 - 28) |
| Feb. 26, 2016 | VA | HB 1371 | Prohibits Cities from Increasing Minimum Wage or Benefits | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19) |
| Feb. 25, 2016 | AL | HB 174 | Prohibits Local Governments from Establishing Wage or Employee Benefits Requirements | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 11) |
| Feb. 24, 2016 | UT | SJR 2 | Urges Congress to Repeal the 17th Amendment | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 6) |
| Feb. 24, 2016 | MS | HB 868 | Amends State Supreme Court District Boundaries | Bill Passed - House (71 - 50) |
| Feb. 24, 2016 | CO | SB 112 | Requires Certain Number of Polling Centers | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17) |
| Feb. 24, 2016 | UT | SJR 2 | Urges Congress to Repeal the 17th Amendment | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 6) |
| Feb. 24, 2016 | UT | SJR 2 | Urges Congress to Repeal the 17th Amendment | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 6) |
| Feb. 22, 2016 | TN | SJR 467 | Urges Attorney General to File Lawsuit in Relation to Refugee Resettlement Program | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (27 - 5) |
| Feb. 22, 2016 | KS | HCR 5010 | Establishes State Commitment to a Proposed Constitutional Convention | Bill Failed - House (77 - 47) |
| Feb. 19, 2016 | NC | SB 2 | Amends Congressional Districts | Bill Passed - House (65 - 43) |
| Feb. 19, 2016 | ID | H 463 | Prohibits Local Governments from Increasing Minimum Wage | Bill Passed - House (55 - 14) |
| Feb. 19, 2016 | WV | HB 4013 | Requires Certain Identification to Vote | Bill Passed - House (64 - 34) |
| Feb. 18, 2016 | WI | SB 707 | Prohibits a Legislator from Holding Office as County Executive | Bill Passed - House (53 - 40) |
| Feb. 18, 2016 | NC | SB 2 | Amends Congressional Districts | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 15) |
| Feb. 17, 2016 | NM | HB 138 | Authorizes Certain Minors to Vote | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 16) |
| Feb. 16, 2016 | AL | HB 174 | Prohibits Local Governments from Establishing Wage or Employee Benefits Requirements | Bill Passed - House (71 - 31) |
| Feb. 16, 2016 | WI | SB 707 | Prohibits a Legislator from Holding Office as County Executive | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 13) |
| Feb. 15, 2016 | WA | HB 2682 | Establishes Automatic Voter Registration | Bill Passed - House (55 - 42) |
| Feb. 11, 2016 | AL | HB 37 | Prohibits Requiring Employees to Join or Pay Unions | Bill Failed - House (60 - 24) |
| Feb. 10, 2016 | MO | SCR 46 | Prohibits a Wage Range Increase for Personal Care Attendants | Joint Resolution Passed - House (125 - 34) |
| Feb. 10, 2016 | AZ | HB 2567 | Repeals State Presidential Primary Election Process | Bill Passed - House (37 - 22) |
| Feb. 10, 2016 | AZ | HB 2131 | Prohibits Local Governments from Taxing Disposable Bags | Bill Passed - House (35 - 24) |
| Feb. 10, 2016 | VA | HB 1371 | Prohibits Cities from Increasing Minimum Wage or Benefits | Bill Passed - House (65 - 34) |
| Feb. 9, 2016 | MD | HB 980 | Authorizes Felons to Vote While on Parole | Veto Override Passed - Senate (29 - 18) |
| Feb. 9, 2016 | VA | SB 270 | Requires Cities to Enforce Federal Immigration Laws | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19) |
| Feb. 9, 2016 | VA | SB 705 | Requires Sanctuary Cities to be Liable for Damages Caused by Undocumented Immigrant | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19) |
| Feb. 9, 2016 | WI | AB 582 | Amends Shoreline Zoning and Property Regulations | Bill Passed - House (56 - 39) |
| Feb. 9, 2016 | WI | SB 295 | Authorizes Voters to Register Online | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 13) |
| 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 | FL | HB 675 | Requires Local Governments to Enforce Federal Immigration Regulations | Bill Passed - House (80 - 38) |
| Feb. 3, 2016 | ID | H 372 | Prohibits Local Limitation on Use of Plastic Bags | Bill Passed - House (52 - 17) |
| 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 | MO | HB 1631 | Requires Individuals to Present Certain Identification to Vote | Bill Passed - House (114 - 39) |
| Jan. 21, 2016 | NM | HB 99 | Requires Driver's Licenses to Comply with Federal Standards | Bill Passed - House (39 - 30) |
| 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 | 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. 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 | KS | HB 2151 | Establishes Regulations Regarding Grand Juries | Bill Passed - House (101 - 20) |
| Jan. 19, 2016 | KY | SB 10 | Requires Gubernatorial Elections to be Held on Even-Numbered Years | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 9) |
| 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) |
| April 27, 2015 | IN | SB 466 | Amends Voting Regulations | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (38 - 8) |
| April 23, 2015 | ND | SB 2304 | Appropriates Funds for New Governor's Residence | Conference Report Adopted - House (69 - 22) |
| April 23, 2015 | National | PN 4 | Nomination of Loretta E. Lynch to be Attorney General | Nomination Confirmed - Senate (56 - 43) |
| April 23, 2015 | MN | SF 878 | Authorizes Gun Silencers and Expands Ex-Felon Voting Rights | Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 22) |
| April 22, 2015 | ND | SB 2304 | Appropriates Funds for New Governor's Residence | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (28 - 19) |
| April 21, 2015 | ND | HB 1333 | Amends Valid Forms of Voter Identification | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (68 - 23) |