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
Jan. 14, 2019 NY A 775 Requires the Transference of Registration and Enrollment of Voters after Moving Bill Passed - House (114 - 32)
Jan. 14, 2019 NY S 1102 Establishes Early Voting Period Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 13)
Jan. 10, 2019 DE HB 1 Establishes an Equal Rights Amendment in the State Constitution Bill Passed - House (35 - 6)
Jan. 9, 2019 IL SB 3531 Increases Salary For Certain State Cabinet Positions Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (33 - 21)
Jan. 9, 2019 National HR 264 Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Act, 2019 Bill Passed - House (240 - 188)
Jan. 9, 2019 National HR 264 Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Act, 2019 Bill Passed - House (240 - 188)
Jan. 3, 2019 National HR 21 Making appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2019, and for other purposes Bill Passed - House (241 - 190)
Jan. 3, 2019 National HR 21 Making appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2019, and for other purposes Bill Passed - House (241 - 190)
Dec. 21, 2018 MI HB 6553 Authorizes Legislative Intervention in Individual Constitutionality Claims and Lawsuits Concurrence Vote Passed - House (60 - 47)
Dec. 21, 2018 MI HB 4991 Appropriates $1.3 Billion to Fiscal Year 2019 Concurrence Vote Passed - House (56 - 51)
Dec. 21, 2018 MI HB 6553 Authorizes Legislative Intervention in Individual Constitutionality Claims and Lawsuits Concurrence Vote Passed - House (60 - 47)
Dec. 21, 2018 MI HB 6595 Increases Requirements for State Ballot Initiatives Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 12)
Dec. 20, 2018 MI SB 1238 Authorizes State Absentee Ballot Voting Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 12)
Dec. 20, 2018 MI SB 1238 Authorizes State Absentee Ballot Voting Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 12)
Dec. 20, 2018 MI SB 1239 Authorizes Automatic Voter Registration Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 12)
Dec. 20, 2018 MI SB 1238 Authorizes State Absentee Ballot Voting Bill Passed - House (57 - 51)
Dec. 20, 2018 MI SB 1239 Authorizes Automatic Voter Registration Bill Passed - House (60 - 48)
Dec. 20, 2018 MI HB 4991 Appropriates $1.3 Billion to Fiscal Year 2019 Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 12)
Dec. 20, 2018 MI SB 1238 Authorizes State Absentee Ballot Voting Bill Passed - House (57 - 51)
Dec. 18, 2018 MI SB 1176 Establishes Misdemeanor Crimes for Public Officials Requiring nonprofit groups Disclose Donors Information Bill Passed - House (58 - 51)
Dec. 12, 2018 MI HB 6595 Increases Requirements for State Ballot Initiatives Bill Passed - House (60 - 49)
Dec. 11, 2018 National PN 2117 Nomination of Jonathan A. Kobes to the Eighth Circuit Court (51 - 50)
Dec. 5, 2018 WI SB 884 Reduces Period for Early Voting and Limits Powers of the State Attorney General Bill Passed - House (56 - 27)
Dec. 5, 2018 WI SB 884 Reduces Period for Early Voting and Limits Powers of the State Attorney General Bill Passed - House (56 - 27)
Dec. 5, 2018 WI SB 884 Reduces Period for Early Voting and Limits Powers of the State Attorney General Bill Passed - House (56 - 27)
Dec. 5, 2018 WI SB 884 Reduces Period for Early Voting and Limits Powers of the State Attorney General Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 16)
Dec. 5, 2018 WI SB 884 Reduces Period for Early Voting and Limits Powers of the State Attorney General Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 16)
Dec. 5, 2018 WI SB 884 Reduces Period for Early Voting and Limits Powers of the State Attorney General Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 16)
Nov. 29, 2018 NC SB 820 Increases Incentives Cap for High-Wage Corporate Jobs Bill Passed - House (78 - 23)
Nov. 29, 2018 National PN 2117 Nomination of Jonathan A. Kobes to the Eighth Circuit Court Cloture Invoked - Senate (50 - 49)
Nov. 29, 2018 MI SB 1176 Establishes Misdemeanor Crimes for Public Officials Requiring nonprofit groups Disclose Donors Information Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 12)
Nov. 8, 2018 MI SB 1022 Authorizes use of Campaign Finance Funds for Repayment of Debts and Obligations of Campaigns by Former Candidates Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 12)
Oct. 29, 2018 NJ A 4674 Authorizes US Congresspersons to Run for Congress and Presidency during Primary Election Bill Passed - Senate
Oct. 29, 2018 NJ A 4674 Authorizes US Congresspersons to Run for Congress and Presidency during Primary Election Bill Passed - House (47 - 26)
Oct. 6, 2018 National PN 2259 Nomination of Brett M. Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court of the United States (50 - 48)
Oct. 5, 2018 National PN 2259 Nomination of Brett M. Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court of the United States Cloture Invoked - Senate (51 - 49)
Oct. 4, 2018 MI HB 6064 Authorizes Taxpayer Subsidies for the Rural Development Fund Bill Passed - House (81 - 25)
Oct. 4, 2018 MI HB 6064 Authorizes Taxpayer Subsidies for the Rural Development Fund Bill Passed - House (81 - 25)
Oct. 2, 2018 MI HB 4668 Prohibits Marijuana Infused Beer Concurrence Vote Passed - House (101 - 4)
Sept. 27, 2018 NJ A 3312 Requires State Legislature to Maintain Sexual Harassment Policy Bill Passed - House (79 - 0)
Sept. 27, 2018 NJ A 3312 Requires State Legislature to Maintain Sexual Harassment Policy Bill Passed - House (79 - 0)
Sept. 26, 2018 MI HB 5548 Establishes Online Voter Registration Bill Passed - House (107 - 0)
Aug. 27, 2018 NJ S 2293 Authorizes a Ballot Measure to Issue $1 Billion in Funds for School Upgrades Concurrence Vote Passed - House (65 - 0)
Aug. 27, 2018 NJ S 2293 Authorizes a Ballot Measure to Issue $1 Billion in Funds for School Upgrades Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 0)
Aug. 6, 2018 CA SB 892 Authorizes the Official Recognition of the Lunar New Year Bill Passed - House (75 - 0)
July 31, 2018 MA H 4857 Increases State Clean Energy Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 0)
July 30, 2018 MA H 4834 Establishes Automatic Voter Registration Conference Report Adopted - Senate (36 - 0)
July 30, 2018 MA H 4834 Establishes Automatic Voter Registration Conference Report Adopted - Senate (36 - 0)
July 19, 2018 National S Res 584 A resolution expressing the sense of the Senate against the making available of current and former diplomats, officials, and members of the Armed Forces of the United States for questioning by the government of Vladimir Putin. Bill Passed - Senate (98 - 0)
July 18, 2018 National PN 1645 Nomination of Andrew S. Oldham to be United States Circuit Judge for the 5th Circuit (50 - 49)
Date No. Title Outcome
1/14 A 775 Requires the Transference of Registration and Enrollment of Voters after Moving Bill Passed - House (114 - 32)
1/14 S 1102 Establishes Early Voting Period Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 13)
1/10 HB 1 Establishes an Equal Rights Amendment in the State Constitution Bill Passed - House (35 - 6)
1/09 SB 3531 Increases Salary For Certain State Cabinet Positions Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (33 - 21)
1/09 HR 264 Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Act, 2019 Bill Passed - House (240 - 188)
1/09 HR 264 Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Act, 2019 Bill Passed - House (240 - 188)
1/03 HR 21 Making appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2019, and for other purposes Bill Passed - House (241 - 190)
1/03 HR 21 Making appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2019, and for other purposes Bill Passed - House (241 - 190)
12/21 HB 6553 Authorizes Legislative Intervention in Individual Constitutionality Claims and Lawsuits Concurrence Vote Passed - House (60 - 47)
12/21 HB 4991 Appropriates $1.3 Billion to Fiscal Year 2019 Concurrence Vote Passed - House (56 - 51)
12/21 HB 6553 Authorizes Legislative Intervention in Individual Constitutionality Claims and Lawsuits Concurrence Vote Passed - House (60 - 47)
12/21 HB 6595 Increases Requirements for State Ballot Initiatives Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 12)
12/20 SB 1238 Authorizes State Absentee Ballot Voting Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 12)
12/20 SB 1238 Authorizes State Absentee Ballot Voting Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 12)
12/20 SB 1239 Authorizes Automatic Voter Registration Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 12)
12/20 SB 1238 Authorizes State Absentee Ballot Voting Bill Passed - House (57 - 51)
12/20 SB 1239 Authorizes Automatic Voter Registration Bill Passed - House (60 - 48)
12/20 HB 4991 Appropriates $1.3 Billion to Fiscal Year 2019 Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 12)
12/20 SB 1238 Authorizes State Absentee Ballot Voting Bill Passed - House (57 - 51)
12/18 SB 1176 Establishes Misdemeanor Crimes for Public Officials Requiring nonprofit groups Disclose Donors Information Bill Passed - House (58 - 51)
12/12 HB 6595 Increases Requirements for State Ballot Initiatives Bill Passed - House (60 - 49)
12/11 PN 2117 Nomination of Jonathan A. Kobes to the Eighth Circuit Court (51 - 50)
12/05 SB 884 Reduces Period for Early Voting and Limits Powers of the State Attorney General Bill Passed - House (56 - 27)
12/05 SB 884 Reduces Period for Early Voting and Limits Powers of the State Attorney General Bill Passed - House (56 - 27)
12/05 SB 884 Reduces Period for Early Voting and Limits Powers of the State Attorney General Bill Passed - House (56 - 27)
12/05 SB 884 Reduces Period for Early Voting and Limits Powers of the State Attorney General Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 16)
12/05 SB 884 Reduces Period for Early Voting and Limits Powers of the State Attorney General Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 16)
12/05 SB 884 Reduces Period for Early Voting and Limits Powers of the State Attorney General Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 16)
11/29 SB 820 Increases Incentives Cap for High-Wage Corporate Jobs Bill Passed - House (78 - 23)
11/29 PN 2117 Nomination of Jonathan A. Kobes to the Eighth Circuit Court Cloture Invoked - Senate (50 - 49)
11/29 SB 1176 Establishes Misdemeanor Crimes for Public Officials Requiring nonprofit groups Disclose Donors Information Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 12)
11/08 SB 1022 Authorizes use of Campaign Finance Funds for Repayment of Debts and Obligations of Campaigns by Former Candidates Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 12)
10/29 A 4674 Authorizes US Congresspersons to Run for Congress and Presidency during Primary Election Bill Passed - Senate
10/29 A 4674 Authorizes US Congresspersons to Run for Congress and Presidency during Primary Election Bill Passed - House (47 - 26)
10/06 PN 2259 Nomination of Brett M. Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court of the United States (50 - 48)
10/05 PN 2259 Nomination of Brett M. Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court of the United States Cloture Invoked - Senate (51 - 49)
10/04 HB 6064 Authorizes Taxpayer Subsidies for the Rural Development Fund Bill Passed - House (81 - 25)
10/04 HB 6064 Authorizes Taxpayer Subsidies for the Rural Development Fund Bill Passed - House (81 - 25)
10/02 HB 4668 Prohibits Marijuana Infused Beer Concurrence Vote Passed - House (101 - 4)
9/27 A 3312 Requires State Legislature to Maintain Sexual Harassment Policy Bill Passed - House (79 - 0)
9/27 A 3312 Requires State Legislature to Maintain Sexual Harassment Policy Bill Passed - House (79 - 0)
9/26 HB 5548 Establishes Online Voter Registration Bill Passed - House (107 - 0)
8/27 S 2293 Authorizes a Ballot Measure to Issue $1 Billion in Funds for School Upgrades Concurrence Vote Passed - House (65 - 0)
8/27 S 2293 Authorizes a Ballot Measure to Issue $1 Billion in Funds for School Upgrades Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 0)
8/06 SB 892 Authorizes the Official Recognition of the Lunar New Year Bill Passed - House (75 - 0)
7/31 H 4857 Increases State Clean Energy Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 0)
7/30 H 4834 Establishes Automatic Voter Registration Conference Report Adopted - Senate (36 - 0)
7/30 H 4834 Establishes Automatic Voter Registration Conference Report Adopted - Senate (36 - 0)
7/19 S Res 584 A resolution expressing the sense of the Senate against the making available of current and former diplomats, officials, and members of the Armed Forces of the United States for questioning by the government of Vladimir Putin. Bill Passed - Senate (98 - 0)
7/18 PN 1645 Nomination of Andrew S. Oldham to be United States Circuit Judge for the 5th Circuit (50 - 49)

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