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 1, 2013 IA SF 446 2013-2014 Health and Human Services Budget Bill Passed - House (52 - 46)
April 30, 2013 HI SB 1084 Authorizes the Use of Public Funds for Private Preschools Conference Report Adopted - House (37 - 14)
April 30, 2013 AZ SB 1439 Authorizes the Use of Gold and Silver as Legal Tender Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (18 - 10)
April 30, 2013 ME SP 548 Urges Congress to Adopt a Constitutional Amendment Regarding Campaign Finance Joint Resolution Passed - House (111 - 31)
April 30, 2013 ME SP 550 Alleges Support For Comprehensive Immigration Reform Joint Resolution Passed - House (88 - 55)
April 30, 2013 ME SP 548 Urges Congress to Adopt a Constitutional Amendment Regarding Campaign Finance Joint Resolution Passed - House (111 - 31)
April 30, 2013 ME SP 548 Urges Congress to Adopt a Constitutional Amendment Regarding Campaign Finance Joint Resolution Passed - House (111 - 31)
April 30, 2013 ME LD 134 Reduces Size of State Legislature "Ought Not to Pass" Report Adopted - House (113 - 30)
April 30, 2013 ME LD 134 Reduces Size of State Legislature "Ought Not to Pass" Report Adopted - House (113 - 30)
April 30, 2013 ME SP 548 Urges Congress to Adopt a Constitutional Amendment Regarding Campaign Finance Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (25 - 9)
April 30, 2013 AL HB 162 Amends the Voter Registration Deadline Bill Passed - House (67 - 34)
April 30, 2013 DE SB 21 Requires the Governor to Appoint Labor Union Representatives to a State Benefits Committee Bill Passed - Senate (11 - 8)
April 30, 2013 ME SP 548 Urges Congress to Adopt a Constitutional Amendment Regarding Campaign Finance Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (25 - 9)
April 30, 2013 ME SP 548 Urges Congress to Adopt a Constitutional Amendment Regarding Campaign Finance Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (25 - 9)
April 30, 2013 ME SP 550 Alleges Support For Comprehensive Immigration Reform Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (22 - 12)
April 30, 2013 AL SB 93 Prohibits the Enforcement of Federal Firearm Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 6)
April 30, 2013 AL HB 8 Requires Courts to Apply "Strict Scrutiny" to Certain Firearm Regulation Laws Bill Passed - House (76 - 22)
April 30, 2013 AL HB 8 Requires Courts to Apply "Strict Scrutiny" to Certain Firearm Regulation Laws Bill Passed - House (76 - 22)
April 26, 2013 TX HB 148 Prohibits Multiple Ballots from Being Turned in by 1 Individual Bill Passed - House (93 - 48)
April 25, 2013 National S 743 Marketplace Fairness Act of 2013 Cloture Invoked - Senate (63 - 30)
April 25, 2013 CA AB 1401 Authorizes Non-United States Citizens to Serve on Juries Bill Passed - House (45 - 26)
April 25, 2013 MI SB 288 Authorizes the Natural Resources Commission to Designate Huntable Game Species Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 11)
April 25, 2013 MI SB 288 Authorizes the Natural Resources Commission to Designate Huntable Game Species Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 11)
April 25, 2013 MI SJR S Establishes a Constitutional Authorization for Individuals to Hunt and Fish Amendment Adopted - Senate (25 - 11)
April 23, 2013 ND HCR 3047 Establishes a Commission of Higher Education Concurrence Vote Passed - House (55 - 34)
April 23, 2013 ND HCR 3047 Establishes a Commission of Higher Education Concurrence Vote Passed - House (55 - 34)
April 23, 2013 IA SF 447 2013-2014 Justice Department Budget Bill Passed - House (51 - 46)
April 23, 2013 LA HB 5 Prohibits the Enforcement of Federal Firearm Regulations Bill Passed - House (67 - 25)
April 23, 2013 NV AB 441 Authorizes Voting Centers for All Eligible Voters in a City or County Bill Passed - House (26 - 15)
April 23, 2013 OR HB 2624 Exempts Counties from Hunting Dog Prohibitions if Approved by County Voters Bill Passed - House (40 - 19)
April 23, 2013 NV AB 230 Amends State Sex Education Curriculum Bill Passed - House (26 - 15)
April 22, 2013 IN SB 225 Establishes Procedures to Appoint Constitutional Convention Delegates Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (37 - 11)
April 22, 2013 IN SB 224 Establishes the Duties of Constitutional Convention Delegates Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (37 - 11)
April 22, 2013 ND HCR 3047 Establishes a Commission of Higher Education Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 21)
April 22, 2013 ND HCR 3047 Establishes a Commission of Higher Education Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 21)
April 22, 2013 NV SJR 13 Authorizes Same-Sex Marriage Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (12 - 9)
April 22, 2013 NV SB 229 Repeals the Withdrawal from the Tahoe Regional Planning Compact Bill Passed - Senate (11 - 10)
April 20, 2013 MT HB 13 Appropriates Funds for State Employee Pay Raises Concurrence Vote Passed - House (67 - 33)
April 19, 2013 MT SB 405 Repeals Same-Day Voter Registration Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 20)
April 19, 2013 MT SB 408 Limits General Election Candidates to Top 2 From Primary Election Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 20)
April 18, 2013 AR SB 1020 Authorizes Private Purchase of Health Insurance with Federal Funds Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 5)
April 18, 2013 TN HB 702 Increases the Appeal Time Period for Establishing Charter Schools Bill Passed - House (62 - 30)
April 18, 2013 CA SB 140 Appropriates Funds to the Armed Prohibited Persons System Bill Passed - House (65 - 10)
April 18, 2013 CT HB 6648 Authorizes University Board of Regents to Appoint President of the Board Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 8)
April 18, 2013 AZ HB 2282 Requires a Primary During Recall Elections Bill Failed - Senate (10 - 18)
April 18, 2013 AZ HB 2280 Prohibits Local Governments from Establishing Employee Pay Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 11)
April 18, 2013 MO HB 436 Prohibits the Enforcement of Federal Firearm Regulations Bill Passed - House (115 - 41)
April 17, 2013 AR SB 1020 Authorizes Private Purchase of Health Insurance with Federal Funds Bill Passed - House (70 - 23)
April 17, 2013 MT SB 405 Repeals Same-Day Voter Registration Bill Passed - House (58 - 42)
April 17, 2013 MT SB 408 Limits General Election Candidates to Top 2 From Primary Election Bill Passed - House (57 - 43)
April 17, 2013 National S Amdt 719 Authorizes Reciprocity for the Carrying of Certain Concealed Firearms Amendment Rejected - Senate (57 - 43)
April 17, 2013 IA SF 447 2013-2014 Justice Department Budget Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 23)
April 17, 2013 IL HB 226 Authorizes 17 Year Olds to Vote in Primary Elections Bill Passed - House (95 - 22)
April 17, 2013 CT HJR 36 Authorizes Early and Absentee Voting Bill Passed - House (90 - 49)
April 17, 2013 CT HJR 36 Authorizes Early and Absentee Voting Bill Passed - House (90 - 49)
April 16, 2013 MT HB 13 Appropriates Funds for State Employee Pay Raises Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 13)
April 16, 2013 IA SF 440 Appropriates Funds for Mental Health Services Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 17)
April 16, 2013 MN SF 1589 Increases Legislator Salaries Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 32)
April 16, 2013 MN SF 1589 Increases Legislator Salaries Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 32)
April 16, 2013 OR SB 835 Prohibits Horse Tripping in Rodeos Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 6)
April 15, 2013 WA SB 5329 Requires Superintendent to Take Action in Certain Schools Bill Passed - House (68 - 29)
April 15, 2013 IN SB 224 Establishes the Duties of Constitutional Convention Delegates Bill Passed - House (64 - 28)
April 15, 2013 IN SB 225 Establishes Procedures to Appoint Constitutional Convention Delegates Bill Passed - House (64 - 29)
April 12, 2013 WV SB 371 Amends the State Prison System Bill Passed - House (81 - 17)
April 12, 2013 National HR 1120 Preventing Greater Uncertainty in Labor-Management Relations Act Bill Passed - House (219 - 209)
April 11, 2013 IL HJRCA 18 Repeals the Position of Lieutenant Governor Joint Resolution Passed - House (83 - 28)
April 11, 2013 IL HJRCA 18 Repeals the Position of Lieutenant Governor Joint Resolution Passed - House (83 - 28)
April 9, 2013 WI AB 15 Authorizes Work-Share Programs Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 15)
April 9, 2013 WI AB 15 Authorizes Work-Share Programs Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 15)
April 9, 2013 AR HB 1855 Classifies the Office of Prosecuting Attorney as Nonpartisan Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 13)
April 9, 2013 AR HB 1855 Classifies the Office of Prosecuting Attorney as Nonpartisan Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 13)
April 9, 2013 AZ HB 2593 Amends Campaign Finance Limits Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 13)
April 9, 2013 AR HJR 1009 Amends Campaign Contribution Laws Joint Resolution Passed - House (71 - 12)
April 9, 2013 AR HJR 1009 Amends Campaign Contribution Laws Joint Resolution Passed - House (71 - 12)
April 8, 2013 MD HB 224 Amends Voting Procedures Concurrence Vote Passed - House (99 - 40)
Date No. Title Outcome
5/01 SF 446 2013-2014 Health and Human Services Budget Bill Passed - House (52 - 46)
4/30 SB 1084 Authorizes the Use of Public Funds for Private Preschools Conference Report Adopted - House (37 - 14)
4/30 SB 1439 Authorizes the Use of Gold and Silver as Legal Tender Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (18 - 10)
4/30 SP 548 Urges Congress to Adopt a Constitutional Amendment Regarding Campaign Finance Joint Resolution Passed - House (111 - 31)
4/30 SP 550 Alleges Support For Comprehensive Immigration Reform Joint Resolution Passed - House (88 - 55)
4/30 SP 548 Urges Congress to Adopt a Constitutional Amendment Regarding Campaign Finance Joint Resolution Passed - House (111 - 31)
4/30 SP 548 Urges Congress to Adopt a Constitutional Amendment Regarding Campaign Finance Joint Resolution Passed - House (111 - 31)
4/30 LD 134 Reduces Size of State Legislature "Ought Not to Pass" Report Adopted - House (113 - 30)
4/30 LD 134 Reduces Size of State Legislature "Ought Not to Pass" Report Adopted - House (113 - 30)
4/30 SP 548 Urges Congress to Adopt a Constitutional Amendment Regarding Campaign Finance Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (25 - 9)
4/30 HB 162 Amends the Voter Registration Deadline Bill Passed - House (67 - 34)
4/30 SB 21 Requires the Governor to Appoint Labor Union Representatives to a State Benefits Committee Bill Passed - Senate (11 - 8)
4/30 SP 548 Urges Congress to Adopt a Constitutional Amendment Regarding Campaign Finance Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (25 - 9)
4/30 SP 548 Urges Congress to Adopt a Constitutional Amendment Regarding Campaign Finance Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (25 - 9)
4/30 SP 550 Alleges Support For Comprehensive Immigration Reform Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (22 - 12)
4/30 SB 93 Prohibits the Enforcement of Federal Firearm Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 6)
4/30 HB 8 Requires Courts to Apply "Strict Scrutiny" to Certain Firearm Regulation Laws Bill Passed - House (76 - 22)
4/30 HB 8 Requires Courts to Apply "Strict Scrutiny" to Certain Firearm Regulation Laws Bill Passed - House (76 - 22)
4/26 HB 148 Prohibits Multiple Ballots from Being Turned in by 1 Individual Bill Passed - House (93 - 48)
4/25 S 743 Marketplace Fairness Act of 2013 Cloture Invoked - Senate (63 - 30)
4/25 AB 1401 Authorizes Non-United States Citizens to Serve on Juries Bill Passed - House (45 - 26)
4/25 SB 288 Authorizes the Natural Resources Commission to Designate Huntable Game Species Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 11)
4/25 SB 288 Authorizes the Natural Resources Commission to Designate Huntable Game Species Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 11)
4/25 SJR S Establishes a Constitutional Authorization for Individuals to Hunt and Fish Amendment Adopted - Senate (25 - 11)
4/23 HCR 3047 Establishes a Commission of Higher Education Concurrence Vote Passed - House (55 - 34)
4/23 HCR 3047 Establishes a Commission of Higher Education Concurrence Vote Passed - House (55 - 34)
4/23 SF 447 2013-2014 Justice Department Budget Bill Passed - House (51 - 46)
4/23 HB 5 Prohibits the Enforcement of Federal Firearm Regulations Bill Passed - House (67 - 25)
4/23 AB 441 Authorizes Voting Centers for All Eligible Voters in a City or County Bill Passed - House (26 - 15)
4/23 HB 2624 Exempts Counties from Hunting Dog Prohibitions if Approved by County Voters Bill Passed - House (40 - 19)
4/23 AB 230 Amends State Sex Education Curriculum Bill Passed - House (26 - 15)
4/22 SB 225 Establishes Procedures to Appoint Constitutional Convention Delegates Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (37 - 11)
4/22 SB 224 Establishes the Duties of Constitutional Convention Delegates Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (37 - 11)
4/22 HCR 3047 Establishes a Commission of Higher Education Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 21)
4/22 HCR 3047 Establishes a Commission of Higher Education Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 21)
4/22 SJR 13 Authorizes Same-Sex Marriage Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (12 - 9)
4/22 SB 229 Repeals the Withdrawal from the Tahoe Regional Planning Compact Bill Passed - Senate (11 - 10)
4/20 HB 13 Appropriates Funds for State Employee Pay Raises Concurrence Vote Passed - House (67 - 33)
4/19 SB 405 Repeals Same-Day Voter Registration Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 20)
4/19 SB 408 Limits General Election Candidates to Top 2 From Primary Election Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 20)
4/18 SB 1020 Authorizes Private Purchase of Health Insurance with Federal Funds Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 5)
4/18 HB 702 Increases the Appeal Time Period for Establishing Charter Schools Bill Passed - House (62 - 30)
4/18 SB 140 Appropriates Funds to the Armed Prohibited Persons System Bill Passed - House (65 - 10)
4/18 HB 6648 Authorizes University Board of Regents to Appoint President of the Board Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 8)
4/18 HB 2282 Requires a Primary During Recall Elections Bill Failed - Senate (10 - 18)
4/18 HB 2280 Prohibits Local Governments from Establishing Employee Pay Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 11)
4/18 HB 436 Prohibits the Enforcement of Federal Firearm Regulations Bill Passed - House (115 - 41)
4/17 SB 1020 Authorizes Private Purchase of Health Insurance with Federal Funds Bill Passed - House (70 - 23)
4/17 SB 405 Repeals Same-Day Voter Registration Bill Passed - House (58 - 42)
4/17 SB 408 Limits General Election Candidates to Top 2 From Primary Election Bill Passed - House (57 - 43)
4/17 S Amdt 719 Authorizes Reciprocity for the Carrying of Certain Concealed Firearms Amendment Rejected - Senate (57 - 43)
4/17 SF 447 2013-2014 Justice Department Budget Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 23)
4/17 HB 226 Authorizes 17 Year Olds to Vote in Primary Elections Bill Passed - House (95 - 22)
4/17 HJR 36 Authorizes Early and Absentee Voting Bill Passed - House (90 - 49)
4/17 HJR 36 Authorizes Early and Absentee Voting Bill Passed - House (90 - 49)
4/16 HB 13 Appropriates Funds for State Employee Pay Raises Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 13)
4/16 SF 440 Appropriates Funds for Mental Health Services Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 17)
4/16 SF 1589 Increases Legislator Salaries Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 32)
4/16 SF 1589 Increases Legislator Salaries Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 32)
4/16 SB 835 Prohibits Horse Tripping in Rodeos Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 6)
4/15 SB 5329 Requires Superintendent to Take Action in Certain Schools Bill Passed - House (68 - 29)
4/15 SB 224 Establishes the Duties of Constitutional Convention Delegates Bill Passed - House (64 - 28)
4/15 SB 225 Establishes Procedures to Appoint Constitutional Convention Delegates Bill Passed - House (64 - 29)
4/12 SB 371 Amends the State Prison System Bill Passed - House (81 - 17)
4/12 HR 1120 Preventing Greater Uncertainty in Labor-Management Relations Act Bill Passed - House (219 - 209)
4/11 HJRCA 18 Repeals the Position of Lieutenant Governor Joint Resolution Passed - House (83 - 28)
4/11 HJRCA 18 Repeals the Position of Lieutenant Governor Joint Resolution Passed - House (83 - 28)
4/09 AB 15 Authorizes Work-Share Programs Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 15)
4/09 AB 15 Authorizes Work-Share Programs Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 15)
4/09 HB 1855 Classifies the Office of Prosecuting Attorney as Nonpartisan Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 13)
4/09 HB 1855 Classifies the Office of Prosecuting Attorney as Nonpartisan Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 13)
4/09 HB 2593 Amends Campaign Finance Limits Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 13)
4/09 HJR 1009 Amends Campaign Contribution Laws Joint Resolution Passed - House (71 - 12)
4/09 HJR 1009 Amends Campaign Contribution Laws Joint Resolution Passed - House (71 - 12)
4/08 HB 224 Amends Voting Procedures Concurrence Vote Passed - House (99 - 40)

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