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 18, 2023 IL HB 2222 Amends the Illinois Health Facilities Planning Act and Requires That the Attorney General Receive Notice of all Covered Transactions Concurrence Vote Passed - House (74 - 39)
May 18, 2023 DE SB 57 Requires States Electoral College Delegates go to the Winner of the Popular Vote Bill Passed - House (31 - 8)
May 18, 2023 National H Con Res 40 Expressing support for local law enforcement officers and condemning efforts to defund or dismantle local law enforcement agencies Joint Resolution Passed - House (301 - 119)
May 18, 2023 DE HB 148 Amends and Updates Various State Election Policies Bill Passed - House (32 - 7)
May 18, 2023 DE HB 153 Requires Formal Reporting of Campaign Donations Bill Passed - House (39 - 0)
May 16, 2023 MN SF 2909 Appropriates Funding for the State Public Safety Omnibus Bill Bill Passed - House (69 - 63)
May 15, 2023 AZ HB 2308 Requires the Secretary of State Recuse Themselves from Overseeing Elections in Which they are a Candidate Concurrence Vote Passed - House (31 - 26)
May 15, 2023 AZ HB 2305 Authorizes Party Officials Observe the Entire Ballot Signature Verification Process Concurrence Vote Passed - House (31 - 26)
May 15, 2023 AZ SB 1471 Requires Hand Tabulation for Ballots Bill Passed - House (31 - 27)
May 15, 2023 AZ SB 1595 Amends Rules Concerning Early Ballot ID Requirements Bill Passed - House (31 - 27)
May 15, 2023 AZ SB 1095 Amends Rules Concerning Early Ballot Envelopes Bill Passed - House (33 - 25)
May 15, 2023 AZ SB 1332 Requires the Publication of Certain Cast Vote Records Bill Passed - House (31 - 27)
May 15, 2023 AZ SB 1598 Amends Rules Concerning Election Observers Bill Passed - House (31 - 27)
May 15, 2023 AZ SB 1141 Requires Voter ID at Polling Places and for Absentee Ballot Submission Bill Failed - House (29 - 28)
May 15, 2023 AZ SB 1066 Requires All Nongovernmental Entities Sending Election-Related Information Specify Their Status Bill Passed - House (38 - 20)
May 15, 2023 AZ SB 1135 Authorizes the State to Exit the Electronic Registration Information Center Bill Passed - House (31 - 27)
May 15, 2023 AZ SB 1264 Prohibits Election Officials or Workers from Being in Political Action Committees Bill Passed - House (42 - 16)
May 15, 2023 AZ SB 1180 Prohibits an Individual From Being Paid on the Basis of How Many Voter Registration Forms They Collect Bill Passed - House (35 - 23)
May 15, 2023 AZ SB 1201 Reduces the Number of Signatures Election Officials Could Use to Verify Ballot Signatures Bill Passed - House (31 - 27)
May 15, 2023 AZ SB 1597 Requires On-Site Tabulation of All Election Ballots Bill Passed - House (31 - 26)
May 15, 2023 AZ HB 2560 Authorizes the State to Release More Voter Registration and Ballot Image Data to the Public Bill Passed - House (31 - 27)
May 12, 2023 TX SB 1860 Requires Legislative Approval for Cities to Amend Their Charters to Address Climate Change Bill Passed - House (101 - 41)
May 12, 2023 MO SB 227 Amends Requirements Relating to the Culpable Mental State Necessary for a Homicide Offense Bill Passed - House (106 - 49)
May 10, 2023 OH SJR 2 Requires 60% Vote to Approve any Constitutional Amendment Bill Passed - House (62 - 37)
May 10, 2023 VT S 39 Increases Compensation and Benefits for Members of the Vermont General Assembly Bill Passed - House (102 - 44)
May 9, 2023 VT S 100 Expands Affordable Housing Access Bill Passed - House (135 - 11)
May 8, 2023 CO HB 23-1190 Authorizes Local Governments the Right of First Refusal on Multifamily Properties Concurrence Vote Passed - House (42 - 19)
May 7, 2023 CO HB 23-1255 Prohibits Local Growth Caps Concurrence Vote Passed - House (43 - 21)
May 7, 2023 CO HB 23-1057 Requires All New Government Buildings have Non-Gendered Bathrooms Concurrence Vote Passed - House (46 - 17)
May 6, 2023 CO SB 23-277 Expands Public Safety Programs and Extends Existing Appropriations Bill Passed - House (48 - 17)
May 5, 2023 AL SB 9 Requires All Electronic Voting Machines Use Paper Ballots Bill Passed - House (78 - 27)
May 4, 2023 CO HB 23-1245 Amends Fair Campaign Practices Act for Municipal Elections Concurrence Vote Passed - House (45 - 18)
May 3, 2023 FL SB 170 Amends Laws Concerning Local Ordinances and Legal Suits Bill Passed - House (82 - 33)
May 3, 2023 IA SF 563 Appropriates Funding for State Judicial Spending and Requires Courts Obtain Consent of Non-Contract Attorneys Bill Passed - House (60 - 33)
May 2, 2023 MT HB 2 Appropriates $14 Billion for Fiscal Year 2023-2024 General Budget Concurrence Vote Passed - House (88 - 8)
May 2, 2023 MT SB 254 Restructures General Election Laws in Montana Bill Passed - House (58 - 37)
May 2, 2023 NY S 4000 Appropriates Resources for the State Operations Budget Bill Passed - House (104 - 46)
May 2, 2023 HI SB 1079 Requires Courts Expunge Records of OWI Convictions if the Sentencing Occurred Before 1998 Bill Passed - House (49 - 2)
May 2, 2023 IA SF 557 Appropriates Funding for Various State Government Administrative and Regulative Costs Bill Passed - House (60 - 35)
May 2, 2023 AL SB 10 Prohibits Electronic Voting Machines from Being Connected to Internet or Bluetooth Bill Passed - House (77 - 28)
May 1, 2023 CO HB 23-1306 Authorizes Elected Officials to Block Public Access to Their Social Media Bill Passed - House (43 - 20)
May 1, 2023 IA HF 716 Requires Iowa Political Parties Meet in Person to Select Their Delegates in a Presidential Election Bill Passed - House (61 - 33)
May 1, 2023 IA HF 716 Requires Iowa Political Parties Meet in Person to Select Their Delegates in a Presidential Election Bill Passed - House (61 - 33)
April 29, 2023 ND SB 2012 Authorizes the Department of Health and Human Services Develop a Pregnancy and Parenting Resource Website Conference Report Adopted - House (78 - 5)
April 28, 2023 FL SB 7050 Authorizes State Officials to Run for Vice President or President Without Resigning Bill Passed - House (76 - 34)
April 27, 2023 TX HB 357 Expands Access to Trackers Used for Mail-in Ballots. Bill Passed - House (145 - 0)
April 27, 2023 TX HB 357 Expands Access to Trackers Used for Mail-in Ballots. Bill Passed - House (145 - 0)
April 26, 2023 OK SB 375 Amends Date for Upcoming Primary Elections and Deadlines for Declaring Candidacy Bill Passed - House (83 - 7)
April 25, 2023 ND HB 1474 Establishes State Definitions for Male, Female, Sex, and Scrap Metal Dealer Conference Report Adopted - House (75 - 15)
April 25, 2023 WI AB 146 Prohibits Local Governments from Using Any Public Funding for Guaranteed Income Programs Bill Passed - House (60 - 34)
Date No. Title Outcome
5/18 HB 2222 Amends the Illinois Health Facilities Planning Act and Requires That the Attorney General Receive Notice of all Covered Transactions Concurrence Vote Passed - House (74 - 39)
5/18 SB 57 Requires States Electoral College Delegates go to the Winner of the Popular Vote Bill Passed - House (31 - 8)
5/18 H Con Res 40 Expressing support for local law enforcement officers and condemning efforts to defund or dismantle local law enforcement agencies Joint Resolution Passed - House (301 - 119)
5/18 HB 148 Amends and Updates Various State Election Policies Bill Passed - House (32 - 7)
5/18 HB 153 Requires Formal Reporting of Campaign Donations Bill Passed - House (39 - 0)
5/16 SF 2909 Appropriates Funding for the State Public Safety Omnibus Bill Bill Passed - House (69 - 63)
5/15 HB 2308 Requires the Secretary of State Recuse Themselves from Overseeing Elections in Which they are a Candidate Concurrence Vote Passed - House (31 - 26)
5/15 HB 2305 Authorizes Party Officials Observe the Entire Ballot Signature Verification Process Concurrence Vote Passed - House (31 - 26)
5/15 SB 1471 Requires Hand Tabulation for Ballots Bill Passed - House (31 - 27)
5/15 SB 1595 Amends Rules Concerning Early Ballot ID Requirements Bill Passed - House (31 - 27)
5/15 SB 1095 Amends Rules Concerning Early Ballot Envelopes Bill Passed - House (33 - 25)
5/15 SB 1332 Requires the Publication of Certain Cast Vote Records Bill Passed - House (31 - 27)
5/15 SB 1598 Amends Rules Concerning Election Observers Bill Passed - House (31 - 27)
5/15 SB 1141 Requires Voter ID at Polling Places and for Absentee Ballot Submission Bill Failed - House (29 - 28)
5/15 SB 1066 Requires All Nongovernmental Entities Sending Election-Related Information Specify Their Status Bill Passed - House (38 - 20)
5/15 SB 1135 Authorizes the State to Exit the Electronic Registration Information Center Bill Passed - House (31 - 27)
5/15 SB 1264 Prohibits Election Officials or Workers from Being in Political Action Committees Bill Passed - House (42 - 16)
5/15 SB 1180 Prohibits an Individual From Being Paid on the Basis of How Many Voter Registration Forms They Collect Bill Passed - House (35 - 23)
5/15 SB 1201 Reduces the Number of Signatures Election Officials Could Use to Verify Ballot Signatures Bill Passed - House (31 - 27)
5/15 SB 1597 Requires On-Site Tabulation of All Election Ballots Bill Passed - House (31 - 26)
5/15 HB 2560 Authorizes the State to Release More Voter Registration and Ballot Image Data to the Public Bill Passed - House (31 - 27)
5/12 SB 1860 Requires Legislative Approval for Cities to Amend Their Charters to Address Climate Change Bill Passed - House (101 - 41)
5/12 SB 227 Amends Requirements Relating to the Culpable Mental State Necessary for a Homicide Offense Bill Passed - House (106 - 49)
5/10 SJR 2 Requires 60% Vote to Approve any Constitutional Amendment Bill Passed - House (62 - 37)
5/10 S 39 Increases Compensation and Benefits for Members of the Vermont General Assembly Bill Passed - House (102 - 44)
5/09 S 100 Expands Affordable Housing Access Bill Passed - House (135 - 11)
5/08 HB 23-1190 Authorizes Local Governments the Right of First Refusal on Multifamily Properties Concurrence Vote Passed - House (42 - 19)
5/07 HB 23-1255 Prohibits Local Growth Caps Concurrence Vote Passed - House (43 - 21)
5/07 HB 23-1057 Requires All New Government Buildings have Non-Gendered Bathrooms Concurrence Vote Passed - House (46 - 17)
5/06 SB 23-277 Expands Public Safety Programs and Extends Existing Appropriations Bill Passed - House (48 - 17)
5/05 SB 9 Requires All Electronic Voting Machines Use Paper Ballots Bill Passed - House (78 - 27)
5/04 HB 23-1245 Amends Fair Campaign Practices Act for Municipal Elections Concurrence Vote Passed - House (45 - 18)
5/03 SB 170 Amends Laws Concerning Local Ordinances and Legal Suits Bill Passed - House (82 - 33)
5/03 SF 563 Appropriates Funding for State Judicial Spending and Requires Courts Obtain Consent of Non-Contract Attorneys Bill Passed - House (60 - 33)
5/02 HB 2 Appropriates $14 Billion for Fiscal Year 2023-2024 General Budget Concurrence Vote Passed - House (88 - 8)
5/02 SB 254 Restructures General Election Laws in Montana Bill Passed - House (58 - 37)
5/02 S 4000 Appropriates Resources for the State Operations Budget Bill Passed - House (104 - 46)
5/02 SB 1079 Requires Courts Expunge Records of OWI Convictions if the Sentencing Occurred Before 1998 Bill Passed - House (49 - 2)
5/02 SF 557 Appropriates Funding for Various State Government Administrative and Regulative Costs Bill Passed - House (60 - 35)
5/02 SB 10 Prohibits Electronic Voting Machines from Being Connected to Internet or Bluetooth Bill Passed - House (77 - 28)
5/01 HB 23-1306 Authorizes Elected Officials to Block Public Access to Their Social Media Bill Passed - House (43 - 20)
5/01 HF 716 Requires Iowa Political Parties Meet in Person to Select Their Delegates in a Presidential Election Bill Passed - House (61 - 33)
5/01 HF 716 Requires Iowa Political Parties Meet in Person to Select Their Delegates in a Presidential Election Bill Passed - House (61 - 33)
4/29 SB 2012 Authorizes the Department of Health and Human Services Develop a Pregnancy and Parenting Resource Website Conference Report Adopted - House (78 - 5)
4/28 SB 7050 Authorizes State Officials to Run for Vice President or President Without Resigning Bill Passed - House (76 - 34)
4/27 HB 357 Expands Access to Trackers Used for Mail-in Ballots. Bill Passed - House (145 - 0)
4/27 HB 357 Expands Access to Trackers Used for Mail-in Ballots. Bill Passed - House (145 - 0)
4/26 SB 375 Amends Date for Upcoming Primary Elections and Deadlines for Declaring Candidacy Bill Passed - House (83 - 7)
4/25 HB 1474 Establishes State Definitions for Male, Female, Sex, and Scrap Metal Dealer Conference Report Adopted - House (75 - 15)
4/25 AB 146 Prohibits Local Governments from Using Any Public Funding for Guaranteed Income Programs Bill Passed - House (60 - 34)

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