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 5, 2020 SD SB 186 Establishes Paid Family Leave Policies for State Employees Bill Passed - House (52 - 14)
March 5, 2020 SD SB 128 Authorizes Campaign Contributions from Indian Tribal Entities Bill Passed - House (47 - 20)
March 4, 2020 MI HB 5479 Prohibits Gun Buyback Programs by Local Governments Bill Passed - House (58 - 49)
March 3, 2020 IN SB 229 Removes State Oversight of Certain Drains Near Wetlands Bill Passed - House (58 - 37)
March 3, 2020 OK HB 3967 Prohibits State Contracts with Companies that Boycott Israel Bill Passed - House (75 - 20)
March 3, 2020 HI HB 2128 Increases Number of Voting Centers Per County Bill Passed - House (43 - 6)
March 2, 2020 VA HB 1210 Requires Voting and Election Materials in Languages Other Than English Concurrence Vote Passed - House (60 - 38)
March 2, 2020 TN HJR 741 Prohibits the Governor from Solely Taking Action to Assist with the Federal Refugee Resettlement Program Bill Passed - House (71 - 25)
March 2, 2020 TN HJR 741 Prohibits the Governor from Solely Taking Action to Assist with the Federal Refugee Resettlement Program Bill Passed - House (71 - 25)
Feb. 27, 2020 TN SB 9 Authorizes Local Governments to Prohibit Smoking on Playgrounds Conference Report Adopted - House (73 - 14)
Feb. 27, 2020 WY HB 118 Establishes the Second Amendment Preservation Act Bill Passed - House (49 - 9)
Feb. 27, 2020 AZ HB 2771 Amends State Income Tax Code to Conform with Federal Tax Law Bill Passed - House (44 - 16)
Feb. 27, 2020 IA HF 2502 Amends Gun Policies Bill Passed - House (52 - 44)
Feb. 26, 2020 VA HB 1 Authorizes Absentee Voting Without Needing Excuse Concurrence Vote Passed - House (62 - 34)
Feb. 26, 2020 VA SB 35 Authorizes Localities to Prohibit Guns at Public Events Bill Passed - House (53 - 46)
Feb. 24, 2020 VA SB 601 Establishes Election Day to Replace Lee-Jackson Day Bill Passed - House (55 - 44)
Feb. 24, 2020 VA SB 601 Establishes Election Day to Replace Lee-Jackson Day Bill Passed - House (55 - 44)
Feb. 13, 2020 OK HB 1992 Authorizes Local Governments Pay for Portion of Operating Costs with Property Tax Revenue Bill Passed - House (76 - 20)
Feb. 12, 2020 AK HB 83 Requires the Establishment of Regulations for Voting by Electronic Transmission Bill Passed - House (28 - 11)
Feb. 12, 2020 AZ HB 2686 Amends Local Government Utility Regulations Bill Passed - House (36 - 23)
Feb. 11, 2020 VA HB 177 Requires Virginia to Elect the President by National Popular Vote Bill Passed - House (51 - 46)
Feb. 11, 2020 AL HB 147 Prohibits City Occupational Taxes Without Permission of State Legislature Bill Passed - House (74 - 27)
Feb. 10, 2020 OK HB 3195 Requires County Jails Comply with ICE Detainer Requests Bill Passed - House (78 - 21)
Feb. 7, 2020 KS SCR 1613 Establishes a State Constitutional Amendment Specifying that Abortion Shall Not Be Constitutionally Protected Bill Failed - House (80 - 43)
Feb. 7, 2020 VA HB 1103 Authorizes Ranked Choice Voting Bill Passed - House (57 - 42)
Feb. 6, 2020 VA HB 108 Establishes Election Day as a State Holiday Bill Passed - House (55 - 42)
Feb. 6, 2020 VA HB 220 Requires Prepaid Postage on All Absentee Ballots Bill Passed - House (60 - 38)
Jan. 31, 2020 KY HB 168 Requires Legislative Ethics Commission to Review Sexual Harassment Complaints Bill Passed - House (85 - 0)
Jan. 21, 2020 ME LD 517 Authorizes Placing a Candidate's "Nickname" on a Ballot Veto Override Failed - House (83 - 57)
Jan. 15, 2020 VA HJ 1 Establishes an Amendment to the US Constitution Relating to Equal Rights Bill Passed - House (59 - 41)
Jan. 15, 2020 WV HB 3039 Increases Court Discretion When Determining Child Custody Bill Passed - House (87 - 11)
Jan. 15, 2020 VA HJ 1 Establishes an Amendment to the US Constitution Relating to Equal Rights Bill Passed - House (59 - 41)
Jan. 14, 2020 IN HB 1027 Repeals Township Assessor Offices Bill Passed - House (53 - 44)
Jan. 14, 2020 IN HB 1027 Repeals Township Assessor Offices Bill Passed - House (53 - 44)
Jan. 9, 2020 NH HB 102 Authorizes Municipalities to Regulate Single-Use Bags "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (215 - 151)
Jan. 8, 2020 NH HB 506 Authorizes Employees Time to Vote Bill Passed - House (186 - 173)
Dec. 19, 2019 National HR 5377 Restoring Tax Fairness for States and Localities Act Bill Passed - House (218 - 206)
Dec. 18, 2019 National H Res 755 Impeaching Donald John Trump, President of the United States, for high crimes and misdemeanors Bill Passed - House (229 - 198)
Dec. 18, 2019 National H Res 755 Impeaching Donald John Trump, President of the United States, for high crimes and misdemeanors Bill Passed - House (229 - 198)
Dec. 18, 2019 National H Res 755 Impeaching Donald John Trump, President of the United States, for high crimes and misdemeanors Bill Passed - House (230 - 197)
Dec. 18, 2019 National H Res 755 Impeaching Donald John Trump, President of the United States, for high crimes and misdemeanors Bill Passed - House (230 - 197)
Dec. 18, 2019 PA HB 196 Establishes a Constitutional Amendment to Elect Appellate Court Judges by Regional Districts Bill Passed - House (102 - 95)
Dec. 18, 2019 PA HB 196 Establishes a Constitutional Amendment to Elect Appellate Court Judges by Regional Districts Bill Passed - House (102 - 95)
Dec. 11, 2019 OH HB 242 Prohibits Local Government from Enacting Fees on Plastic Bags in Stores Bill Passed - House (58 - 35)
Dec. 6, 2019 National HR 4 Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2019 Bill Passed - House (228 - 187)
Nov. 13, 2019 OH HB 272 Prohibits State Officials From Changing the Time and Place of an Election Bill Passed - House (91 - 0)
Oct. 31, 2019 National H Res 660 Directing certain committees to continue their ongoing investigations as part of the existing House of Representatives inquiry into whether sufficient grounds exist for the House of Representatives to exercise its Constitutional power to impeach Donald John Trump, President of the United States of America, and for other purposes Bill Passed - House (232 - 196)
Oct. 31, 2019 National H Res 660 Directing certain committees to continue their ongoing investigations as part of the existing House of Representatives inquiry into whether sufficient grounds exist for the House of Representatives to exercise its Constitutional power to impeach Donald John Trump, President of the United States of America, and for other purposes Bill Passed - House (232 - 196)
Oct. 30, 2019 NC SB 250 Amends Voting Rolls to Correlate with Jury Selection Excusals Conference Report Adopted - House (59 - 51)
Oct. 29, 2019 NC SB 522 Amends the Innovative School District (ISD) Program Conference Report Adopted - House (64 - 48)
Oct. 29, 2019 PA SB 421 Establishes Mail-In Voting Bill Passed - House (138 - 61)
Oct. 29, 2019 IL SB 1970 Authorizes Student Absences for Voting Bill Passed - House (74 - 40)
Oct. 24, 2019 OH HB 76 Establishes the Ballot Uniformity and Transparency Act for Tax Levies Bill Passed - House (54 - 39)
Oct. 23, 2019 National HR 4617 Stopping Harmful Interference in Elections for a Lasting Democracy (SHIELD) Act Bill Passed - House (227 - 181)
Sept. 27, 2019 National SJ Res 54 Rescinds a National Emergency Declared by the President on February 15, 2019 Bill Passed - House (236 - 174)
Sept. 27, 2019 National SJ Res 54 Rescinds a National Emergency Declared by the President on February 15, 2019 Bill Passed - House (236 - 174)
Sept. 26, 2019 National HR 3525 US Border Patrol Medical Screening Standards Act Bill Passed - House (230 - 184)
Sept. 25, 2019 National H Res 576 Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives with respect to the whistleblower complaint of August 12, 2019, made to the Inspector General of the Intelligence Community Bill Passed - House (421 - 0)
Sept. 25, 2019 National HR 2203 Homeland Security Improvement Act Bill Passed - House (230 - 194)
Sept. 25, 2019 National H Res 576 Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives with respect to the whistleblower complaint of August 12, 2019, made to the Inspector General of the Intelligence Community Bill Passed - House (421 - 0)
Sept. 18, 2019 NH HB 706 Establishes an Independent Redistricting Commission Veto Override Failed - House (227 - 145)
Sept. 13, 2019 CA AB 681 Requires Voter Party Affiliation Notification Prior To Primary Elections Concurrence Vote Passed - House (65 - 13)
Sept. 13, 2019 CA SB 1 Rescinds Federal Freeze of Environmental Deregulations Bill Passed - House (48 - 22)
Sept. 10, 2019 CA SB 5 Establishes the Affordable Housing and Community Development Investment Program Bill Passed - House (55 - 19)
Aug. 27, 2019 NJ S 4069 Amends Absentee Ballot Regulations Bill Passed - House (45 - 14)
Aug. 23, 2019 TN HR 7006 Alleges David Byrd Should be Expelled from the House of Representatives Resolution Sent To Committee - House (71 - 26)
Aug. 7, 2019 NC SB 681 Appropriates Funding to Rural Hospitals Bill Passed - House (81 - 31)
July 17, 2019 National H Res 497 Recommending that The House of Representatives Find William P. Barr, Attorney General of The United States, and Wilbur L. Ross, Jr., Secretary of Commerce, in Contempt of Congress for Refusal to Comply with Subpoenas Duly Issued by The Committee on Oversight and Reform Bill Passed - House (230 - 198)
July 8, 2019 CA SB 27 Requires Presidential and Gubernatorial Candidates to Release Tax Returns Bill Passed - House (57 - 17)
June 30, 2019 OR SJR 18 Establishes a Constitutional Amendment Referral for Allowing Campaign Contribution and Expenditure Limits Bill Passed - House (43 - 11)
June 30, 2019 OR SB 861 Requires State to Pay for Ballot Return Envelopes Bill Passed - House (38 - 17)
June 27, 2019 NH HB 315 Repeals Participation in Interstate Voter Registration Crosscheck Program Conference Report Adopted - House (203 - 142)
June 27, 2019 NH HB 315 Repeals Participation in Interstate Voter Registration Crosscheck Program Conference Report Adopted - House (203 - 142)
June 27, 2019 PA SB 48 Amends State Election Laws Regarding Straight Party Voting Bill Passed - House (111 - 88)
June 27, 2019 National HR 2722 Securing America's Federal Elections (SAFE) Act Bill Passed - House (225 - 184)
Date No. Title Outcome
3/05 SB 186 Establishes Paid Family Leave Policies for State Employees Bill Passed - House (52 - 14)
3/05 SB 128 Authorizes Campaign Contributions from Indian Tribal Entities Bill Passed - House (47 - 20)
3/04 HB 5479 Prohibits Gun Buyback Programs by Local Governments Bill Passed - House (58 - 49)
3/03 SB 229 Removes State Oversight of Certain Drains Near Wetlands Bill Passed - House (58 - 37)
3/03 HB 3967 Prohibits State Contracts with Companies that Boycott Israel Bill Passed - House (75 - 20)
3/03 HB 2128 Increases Number of Voting Centers Per County Bill Passed - House (43 - 6)
3/02 HB 1210 Requires Voting and Election Materials in Languages Other Than English Concurrence Vote Passed - House (60 - 38)
3/02 HJR 741 Prohibits the Governor from Solely Taking Action to Assist with the Federal Refugee Resettlement Program Bill Passed - House (71 - 25)
3/02 HJR 741 Prohibits the Governor from Solely Taking Action to Assist with the Federal Refugee Resettlement Program Bill Passed - House (71 - 25)
2/27 SB 9 Authorizes Local Governments to Prohibit Smoking on Playgrounds Conference Report Adopted - House (73 - 14)
2/27 HB 118 Establishes the Second Amendment Preservation Act Bill Passed - House (49 - 9)
2/27 HB 2771 Amends State Income Tax Code to Conform with Federal Tax Law Bill Passed - House (44 - 16)
2/27 HF 2502 Amends Gun Policies Bill Passed - House (52 - 44)
2/26 HB 1 Authorizes Absentee Voting Without Needing Excuse Concurrence Vote Passed - House (62 - 34)
2/26 SB 35 Authorizes Localities to Prohibit Guns at Public Events Bill Passed - House (53 - 46)
2/24 SB 601 Establishes Election Day to Replace Lee-Jackson Day Bill Passed - House (55 - 44)
2/24 SB 601 Establishes Election Day to Replace Lee-Jackson Day Bill Passed - House (55 - 44)
2/13 HB 1992 Authorizes Local Governments Pay for Portion of Operating Costs with Property Tax Revenue Bill Passed - House (76 - 20)
2/12 HB 83 Requires the Establishment of Regulations for Voting by Electronic Transmission Bill Passed - House (28 - 11)
2/12 HB 2686 Amends Local Government Utility Regulations Bill Passed - House (36 - 23)
2/11 HB 177 Requires Virginia to Elect the President by National Popular Vote Bill Passed - House (51 - 46)
2/11 HB 147 Prohibits City Occupational Taxes Without Permission of State Legislature Bill Passed - House (74 - 27)
2/10 HB 3195 Requires County Jails Comply with ICE Detainer Requests Bill Passed - House (78 - 21)
2/07 SCR 1613 Establishes a State Constitutional Amendment Specifying that Abortion Shall Not Be Constitutionally Protected Bill Failed - House (80 - 43)
2/07 HB 1103 Authorizes Ranked Choice Voting Bill Passed - House (57 - 42)
2/06 HB 108 Establishes Election Day as a State Holiday Bill Passed - House (55 - 42)
2/06 HB 220 Requires Prepaid Postage on All Absentee Ballots Bill Passed - House (60 - 38)
1/31 HB 168 Requires Legislative Ethics Commission to Review Sexual Harassment Complaints Bill Passed - House (85 - 0)
1/21 LD 517 Authorizes Placing a Candidate's "Nickname" on a Ballot Veto Override Failed - House (83 - 57)
1/15 HJ 1 Establishes an Amendment to the US Constitution Relating to Equal Rights Bill Passed - House (59 - 41)
1/15 HB 3039 Increases Court Discretion When Determining Child Custody Bill Passed - House (87 - 11)
1/15 HJ 1 Establishes an Amendment to the US Constitution Relating to Equal Rights Bill Passed - House (59 - 41)
1/14 HB 1027 Repeals Township Assessor Offices Bill Passed - House (53 - 44)
1/14 HB 1027 Repeals Township Assessor Offices Bill Passed - House (53 - 44)
1/09 HB 102 Authorizes Municipalities to Regulate Single-Use Bags "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (215 - 151)
1/08 HB 506 Authorizes Employees Time to Vote Bill Passed - House (186 - 173)
12/19 HR 5377 Restoring Tax Fairness for States and Localities Act Bill Passed - House (218 - 206)
12/18 H Res 755 Impeaching Donald John Trump, President of the United States, for high crimes and misdemeanors Bill Passed - House (229 - 198)
12/18 H Res 755 Impeaching Donald John Trump, President of the United States, for high crimes and misdemeanors Bill Passed - House (229 - 198)
12/18 H Res 755 Impeaching Donald John Trump, President of the United States, for high crimes and misdemeanors Bill Passed - House (230 - 197)
12/18 H Res 755 Impeaching Donald John Trump, President of the United States, for high crimes and misdemeanors Bill Passed - House (230 - 197)
12/18 HB 196 Establishes a Constitutional Amendment to Elect Appellate Court Judges by Regional Districts Bill Passed - House (102 - 95)
12/18 HB 196 Establishes a Constitutional Amendment to Elect Appellate Court Judges by Regional Districts Bill Passed - House (102 - 95)
12/11 HB 242 Prohibits Local Government from Enacting Fees on Plastic Bags in Stores Bill Passed - House (58 - 35)
12/06 HR 4 Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2019 Bill Passed - House (228 - 187)
11/13 HB 272 Prohibits State Officials From Changing the Time and Place of an Election Bill Passed - House (91 - 0)
10/31 H Res 660 Directing certain committees to continue their ongoing investigations as part of the existing House of Representatives inquiry into whether sufficient grounds exist for the House of Representatives to exercise its Constitutional power to impeach Donald John Trump, President of the United States of America, and for other purposes Bill Passed - House (232 - 196)
10/31 H Res 660 Directing certain committees to continue their ongoing investigations as part of the existing House of Representatives inquiry into whether sufficient grounds exist for the House of Representatives to exercise its Constitutional power to impeach Donald John Trump, President of the United States of America, and for other purposes Bill Passed - House (232 - 196)
10/30 SB 250 Amends Voting Rolls to Correlate with Jury Selection Excusals Conference Report Adopted - House (59 - 51)
10/29 SB 522 Amends the Innovative School District (ISD) Program Conference Report Adopted - House (64 - 48)
10/29 SB 421 Establishes Mail-In Voting Bill Passed - House (138 - 61)
10/29 SB 1970 Authorizes Student Absences for Voting Bill Passed - House (74 - 40)
10/24 HB 76 Establishes the Ballot Uniformity and Transparency Act for Tax Levies Bill Passed - House (54 - 39)
10/23 HR 4617 Stopping Harmful Interference in Elections for a Lasting Democracy (SHIELD) Act Bill Passed - House (227 - 181)
9/27 SJ Res 54 Rescinds a National Emergency Declared by the President on February 15, 2019 Bill Passed - House (236 - 174)
9/27 SJ Res 54 Rescinds a National Emergency Declared by the President on February 15, 2019 Bill Passed - House (236 - 174)
9/26 HR 3525 US Border Patrol Medical Screening Standards Act Bill Passed - House (230 - 184)
9/25 H Res 576 Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives with respect to the whistleblower complaint of August 12, 2019, made to the Inspector General of the Intelligence Community Bill Passed - House (421 - 0)
9/25 HR 2203 Homeland Security Improvement Act Bill Passed - House (230 - 194)
9/25 H Res 576 Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives with respect to the whistleblower complaint of August 12, 2019, made to the Inspector General of the Intelligence Community Bill Passed - House (421 - 0)
9/18 HB 706 Establishes an Independent Redistricting Commission Veto Override Failed - House (227 - 145)
9/13 AB 681 Requires Voter Party Affiliation Notification Prior To Primary Elections Concurrence Vote Passed - House (65 - 13)
9/13 SB 1 Rescinds Federal Freeze of Environmental Deregulations Bill Passed - House (48 - 22)
9/10 SB 5 Establishes the Affordable Housing and Community Development Investment Program Bill Passed - House (55 - 19)
8/27 S 4069 Amends Absentee Ballot Regulations Bill Passed - House (45 - 14)
8/23 HR 7006 Alleges David Byrd Should be Expelled from the House of Representatives Resolution Sent To Committee - House (71 - 26)
8/07 SB 681 Appropriates Funding to Rural Hospitals Bill Passed - House (81 - 31)
7/17 H Res 497 Recommending that The House of Representatives Find William P. Barr, Attorney General of The United States, and Wilbur L. Ross, Jr., Secretary of Commerce, in Contempt of Congress for Refusal to Comply with Subpoenas Duly Issued by The Committee on Oversight and Reform Bill Passed - House (230 - 198)
7/08 SB 27 Requires Presidential and Gubernatorial Candidates to Release Tax Returns Bill Passed - House (57 - 17)
6/30 SJR 18 Establishes a Constitutional Amendment Referral for Allowing Campaign Contribution and Expenditure Limits Bill Passed - House (43 - 11)
6/30 SB 861 Requires State to Pay for Ballot Return Envelopes Bill Passed - House (38 - 17)
6/27 HB 315 Repeals Participation in Interstate Voter Registration Crosscheck Program Conference Report Adopted - House (203 - 142)
6/27 HB 315 Repeals Participation in Interstate Voter Registration Crosscheck Program Conference Report Adopted - House (203 - 142)
6/27 SB 48 Amends State Election Laws Regarding Straight Party Voting Bill Passed - House (111 - 88)
6/27 HR 2722 Securing America's Federal Elections (SAFE) Act Bill Passed - House (225 - 184)

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