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
March 6, 2023 SD SB 70 Amends Courtroom Provisions and Requirements for Minor Witnesses Bill Passed - House (54 - 14)
March 6, 2023 SD SB 207 Establishes Penalties for Appropriating Public Funds to Influence an Election Result Bill Passed - House (62 - 6)
March 6, 2023 AR HB 1419 Increases Number of Counties Where a Minimum Number of Signatures Must be Submitted from 15 to 50 Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 8)
March 6, 2023 GA HB 30 Defines "Antisemitism" into State Law Bill Passed - House (136 - 22)
March 6, 2023 GA HB 514 Limits Local Government Ability to Stop New Residential Building Bill Passed - House (127 - 43)
March 6, 2023 ID S 1056 Repeals State Law that Prohibits Local Groups from Carrying Firearms in Public Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 9)
March 6, 2023 TN HB 48 Reduces the Number of Nashville Metro City Council Members by Half Bill Passed - House (72 - 25)
March 2, 2023 WV HB 3307 Establishing the West Virginia-Ireland Trade Commission Concurrence Vote Passed - House (87 - 10)
March 2, 2023 SD SB 139 Establishes a 30-Day State Residency Requirement to Vote Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 4)
March 2, 2023 UT HB 347 Prohibits Tampering With Ballot Boxes Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 6)
March 2, 2023 MT SB 420 Requires City Official Elections be Held in Even Numbered Years Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 20)
March 2, 2023 MT HB 693 Prohibits State Agencies from Denying Individual Records Request Due To Ongoing Litigation Bill Passed - House (94 - 4)
March 2, 2023 GA SB 222 Requires All Election Expenses be Paid for with State Public Funds Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 23)
March 2, 2023 AZ HB 2078 Authorizes a State Audit Process of Election Results Bill Passed - House (31 - 28)
March 2, 2023 MT SB 208 Prohibits Local Governments from Banning or Limiting Energy Choices Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 17)
March 2, 2023 AZ SB 1264 Prohibits Election Officials or Workers from Being in Political Action Committees Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 14)
March 2, 2023 KY HB 236 Requires Public Pension Investments be based on Financial Risks and Returns not ESG Factors Bill Passed - House (77 - 14)
March 2, 2023 VT H 429 Authorizes Several Changes to Vermont Election Laws Bill Failed - House (59 - 78)
March 2, 2023 VT H 429 Authorizes Several Changes to Vermont Election Laws Bill Failed - House (59 - 78)
March 1, 2023 SD HB 1165 Prohibits Absentee Ballot Drop Boxes Concurrence Vote Passed - House (57 - 11)
March 1, 2023 MI HB 4016 Appropriates $1.4 Billion from the General Budget to Address the State Healthcare Worker Shortage Concurrence Vote Passed - House (59 - 49)
March 1, 2023 UT HB 131 Prohibits Public Entities from Restricting Employment Due to an Individuals Vaccination Status Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 5)
March 1, 2023 SD SB 55 Prohibits Ranked-Choice Voting Bill Passed - House (63 - 5)
March 1, 2023 WY SF 127 Authorizes a State Digital Currency Bill Passed - House (36 - 25)
March 1, 2023 AZ HB 2691 Requires a Video Livestream of Ballots During the Signature Matching Process Bill Passed - House (31 - 28)
March 1, 2023 AZ HB 2552 Prohibits Ranked Choice Voting Bill Passed - House (31 - 28)
March 1, 2023 National HR 347 Reduce Exacerbated Inflation Negatively Impacting the Nation Act Bill Passed - House (272 - 148)
March 1, 2023 KY SB 104 Repeals the Kentucky Public Television Board and Requires Senate Confirmation for Future Appointments Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 6)
Feb. 28, 2023 WY SF 131 Prohibits the Distribution of Unsolicited Absentee Ballot Forms Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (20 - 10)
Feb. 28, 2023 MI HB 4016 Appropriates $1.4 Billion from the General Budget to Address the State Healthcare Worker Shortage Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 16)
Feb. 28, 2023 SC H 3591 Establishes a Constitutional Amendment to Repeal the State "Blaine Amendment" Resolution Passed - House (83 - 27)
Feb. 28, 2023 AZ SB 1141 Requires Voter ID at Polling Places and for Absentee Ballot Submission Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 14)
Feb. 28, 2023 AZ SB 1565 Prohibits Arizona Counties from Using Artificial Intelligence in Verifying a Voter's Signature Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 13)
Feb. 28, 2023 AZ HB 2319 Amends How Judges Interpret Election Laws Bill Passed - House (31 - 26)
Feb. 28, 2023 AZ HB 2319 Amends How Judges Interpret Election Laws Bill Passed - House (31 - 26)
Feb. 28, 2023 AZ SB 1180 Prohibits an Individual From Being Paid on the Basis of How Many Voter Registration Forms They Collect Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 14)
Feb. 28, 2023 AZ SB 1066 Requires All Nongovernmental Entities Sending Election-Related Information Specify Their Status Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 14)
Feb. 28, 2023 WY SF 131 Prohibits the Distribution of Unsolicited Absentee Ballot Forms Bill Passed - House (54 - 5)
Feb. 28, 2023 AZ SB 1201 Reduces the Number of Signatures Election Officials Could Use to Verify Ballot Signatures Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 14)
Feb. 27, 2023 SD HB 1165 Prohibits Absentee Ballot Drop Boxes Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 4)
Feb. 27, 2023 GA SB 145 Prohibits Local Ordinances Against Gas Powered Leaf Blowers Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 16)
Feb. 25, 2023 NM SB 180 Amends Various State Election Laws Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 13)
Feb. 24, 2023 WY HB 103 Specifies Process for Declaration or Change of Voter Party Affiliation Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 11)
Feb. 24, 2023 PA HB 2 Amends State Law to Temporarily Open the 2-Year Window for Survivors to File Civil Lawsuits Bill Passed - House (134 - 67)
Feb. 24, 2023 PA HB 1 Amends the State Constitution to Increase the Reporting Window for Survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse Bill Passed - House (161 - 40)
Feb. 24, 2023 ID H 138 Amends Date of the State Presidential Primary from March to May Bill Passed - House (61 - 6)
Feb. 23, 2023 SD SB 102 Requires Continuous Updating of Candidate Lists Prior to an Election Bill Passed - House (66 - 2)
Feb. 23, 2023 NV AJR 10 Prohibits Involuntary Servitude Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 0)
Feb. 23, 2023 KS SB 208 Repeals All Ballot Drop Boxes in the State Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
Feb. 23, 2023 KS HB 2056 Requires All Advance Voting Ballots be Returned by 7:00 P.M. on Election Day Bill Passed - House (77 - 45)
Date No. Title Outcome
3/06 SB 70 Amends Courtroom Provisions and Requirements for Minor Witnesses Bill Passed - House (54 - 14)
3/06 SB 207 Establishes Penalties for Appropriating Public Funds to Influence an Election Result Bill Passed - House (62 - 6)
3/06 HB 1419 Increases Number of Counties Where a Minimum Number of Signatures Must be Submitted from 15 to 50 Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 8)
3/06 HB 30 Defines "Antisemitism" into State Law Bill Passed - House (136 - 22)
3/06 HB 514 Limits Local Government Ability to Stop New Residential Building Bill Passed - House (127 - 43)
3/06 S 1056 Repeals State Law that Prohibits Local Groups from Carrying Firearms in Public Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 9)
3/06 HB 48 Reduces the Number of Nashville Metro City Council Members by Half Bill Passed - House (72 - 25)
3/02 HB 3307 Establishing the West Virginia-Ireland Trade Commission Concurrence Vote Passed - House (87 - 10)
3/02 SB 139 Establishes a 30-Day State Residency Requirement to Vote Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 4)
3/02 HB 347 Prohibits Tampering With Ballot Boxes Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 6)
3/02 SB 420 Requires City Official Elections be Held in Even Numbered Years Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 20)
3/02 HB 693 Prohibits State Agencies from Denying Individual Records Request Due To Ongoing Litigation Bill Passed - House (94 - 4)
3/02 SB 222 Requires All Election Expenses be Paid for with State Public Funds Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 23)
3/02 HB 2078 Authorizes a State Audit Process of Election Results Bill Passed - House (31 - 28)
3/02 SB 208 Prohibits Local Governments from Banning or Limiting Energy Choices Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 17)
3/02 SB 1264 Prohibits Election Officials or Workers from Being in Political Action Committees Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 14)
3/02 HB 236 Requires Public Pension Investments be based on Financial Risks and Returns not ESG Factors Bill Passed - House (77 - 14)
3/02 H 429 Authorizes Several Changes to Vermont Election Laws Bill Failed - House (59 - 78)
3/02 H 429 Authorizes Several Changes to Vermont Election Laws Bill Failed - House (59 - 78)
3/01 HB 1165 Prohibits Absentee Ballot Drop Boxes Concurrence Vote Passed - House (57 - 11)
3/01 HB 4016 Appropriates $1.4 Billion from the General Budget to Address the State Healthcare Worker Shortage Concurrence Vote Passed - House (59 - 49)
3/01 HB 131 Prohibits Public Entities from Restricting Employment Due to an Individuals Vaccination Status Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 5)
3/01 SB 55 Prohibits Ranked-Choice Voting Bill Passed - House (63 - 5)
3/01 SF 127 Authorizes a State Digital Currency Bill Passed - House (36 - 25)
3/01 HB 2691 Requires a Video Livestream of Ballots During the Signature Matching Process Bill Passed - House (31 - 28)
3/01 HB 2552 Prohibits Ranked Choice Voting Bill Passed - House (31 - 28)
3/01 HR 347 Reduce Exacerbated Inflation Negatively Impacting the Nation Act Bill Passed - House (272 - 148)
3/01 SB 104 Repeals the Kentucky Public Television Board and Requires Senate Confirmation for Future Appointments Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 6)
2/28 SF 131 Prohibits the Distribution of Unsolicited Absentee Ballot Forms Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (20 - 10)
2/28 HB 4016 Appropriates $1.4 Billion from the General Budget to Address the State Healthcare Worker Shortage Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 16)
2/28 H 3591 Establishes a Constitutional Amendment to Repeal the State "Blaine Amendment" Resolution Passed - House (83 - 27)
2/28 SB 1141 Requires Voter ID at Polling Places and for Absentee Ballot Submission Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 14)
2/28 SB 1565 Prohibits Arizona Counties from Using Artificial Intelligence in Verifying a Voter's Signature Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 13)
2/28 HB 2319 Amends How Judges Interpret Election Laws Bill Passed - House (31 - 26)
2/28 HB 2319 Amends How Judges Interpret Election Laws Bill Passed - House (31 - 26)
2/28 SB 1180 Prohibits an Individual From Being Paid on the Basis of How Many Voter Registration Forms They Collect Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 14)
2/28 SB 1066 Requires All Nongovernmental Entities Sending Election-Related Information Specify Their Status Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 14)
2/28 SF 131 Prohibits the Distribution of Unsolicited Absentee Ballot Forms Bill Passed - House (54 - 5)
2/28 SB 1201 Reduces the Number of Signatures Election Officials Could Use to Verify Ballot Signatures Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 14)
2/27 HB 1165 Prohibits Absentee Ballot Drop Boxes Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 4)
2/27 SB 145 Prohibits Local Ordinances Against Gas Powered Leaf Blowers Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 16)
2/25 SB 180 Amends Various State Election Laws Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 13)
2/24 HB 103 Specifies Process for Declaration or Change of Voter Party Affiliation Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 11)
2/24 HB 2 Amends State Law to Temporarily Open the 2-Year Window for Survivors to File Civil Lawsuits Bill Passed - House (134 - 67)
2/24 HB 1 Amends the State Constitution to Increase the Reporting Window for Survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse Bill Passed - House (161 - 40)
2/24 H 138 Amends Date of the State Presidential Primary from March to May Bill Passed - House (61 - 6)
2/23 SB 102 Requires Continuous Updating of Candidate Lists Prior to an Election Bill Passed - House (66 - 2)
2/23 AJR 10 Prohibits Involuntary Servitude Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 0)
2/23 SB 208 Repeals All Ballot Drop Boxes in the State Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
2/23 HB 2056 Requires All Advance Voting Ballots be Returned by 7:00 P.M. on Election Day Bill Passed - House (77 - 45)

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