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
June 27, 2012 NH SB 289 Requires Photo Identification to Vote Veto Override Passed - House (231 - 112)
June 27, 2012 NH SB 318 Requires In-State Residency to Vote Veto Override Passed - House (232 - 110)
June 27, 2012 NH HB 1666 Requires Legislative Approval of Collective Bargaining Agreements Veto Override Failed - House (225 - 124)
June 27, 2012 CA AB 1499 Ballot Order for Statewide Measures Concurrence Vote Passed - House (50 - 24)
June 25, 2012 NJ A 763 Increases Fees to Fund the E-Court Information System Concurrence Vote Passed - House (48 - 30)
June 19, 2012 National HR 2578 Conservation and Economic Growth Act Bill Passed - House (232 - 188)
June 14, 2012 NC HB 7 Authorizes Community Colleges to Opt Out of Federal Loan Program Veto Override Passed - House (71 - 46)
June 12, 2012 MI SB 754 Requires Photo Identification for Voter Registration Bill Passed - House (66 - 43)
June 12, 2012 MI SB 803 Requires Proof of Citizenship to Vote Bill Passed - House (67 - 43)
June 6, 2012 NH CACR 12 Legislative Authority of Education Requirements Conference Report Rejected - House (224 - 144)
June 6, 2012 NH HB 1666 Requires Legislative Approval of Collective Bargaining Agreements Conference Report Adopted - House (203 - 77)
June 6, 2012 NH CACR 6 Requires a Supermajority for Budget Increases Conference Report Rejected - House (220 - 132)
June 6, 2012 NH CACR 6 Requires a Supermajority for Budget Increases Conference Report Rejected - House (220 - 132)
June 6, 2012 NH HB 1490 Authorizes New Hamshire to Leave the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative Conference Report Adopted - House (211 - 74)
June 6, 2012 NH CACR 12 Legislative Authority of Education Requirements Conference Report Rejected - House (224 - 144)
June 6, 2012 NH SB 318 Requires In-State Residency to Vote Conference Report Adopted - House (260 - 101)
June 6, 2012 NH SB 289 Requires Photo Identification to Vote Conference Report Adopted - House (255 - 103)
June 6, 2012 PA SB 1310 Authorizes Repayment of Unemployment Debt to the Federal Government Concurrence Vote Passed - House (129 - 67)
May 31, 2012 MA H Amdt 11 Requires Photo Identification to Vote Amendment Adopted - House (105 - 43)
May 31, 2012 CA AB 1436 Authorizes Same-Day Voter Registration Bill Passed - House (47 - 26)
May 30, 2012 IL SB 3442 Requires Recycling of Plastic Bags Bill Passed - House (72 - 44)
May 24, 2012 LA SB 303 Limits Gun Regulations Bill Passed - House (77 - 22)
May 24, 2012 AL SB 25 State Senate Redistricting Bill Passed - House (65 - 36)
May 24, 2012 AL SB 25 State Senate Redistricting Bill Passed - House (65 - 36)
May 21, 2012 AL HB 19 State House Redistricting Bill Passed - House (66 - 35)
May 21, 2012 AL HB 19 State House Redistricting Bill Passed - House (66 - 35)
May 17, 2012 DE SB 185 Requires Lobbyists to Report Their Activities in the Legislature Bill Passed - House (26 - 12)
May 10, 2012 KS SB 102 State Senate Redistricting Bill Passed - House (67 - 50)
May 10, 2012 KS SB 102 State Senate Redistricting Bill Passed - House (67 - 50)
May 10, 2012 National HR 5652 Sequester Replacement Reconciliation Act of 2012 Bill Passed - House (218 - 199)
May 9, 2012 IA SF 2315 Amends the Mental Health and Disability Services Program Conference Report Adopted - House (66 - 31)
May 9, 2012 IL SB 1313 Limits Health Care Coverage for Retired State Employees Bill Passed - House (74 - 43)
May 8, 2012 OH SB 295 Repealing Provisions of the Election Revision Code Bill Passed - House (54 - 42)
May 8, 2012 CT HB 5556 Requires Corporations to Identify Top Donors for Campaign Contributions Bill Passed - House (94 - 54)
May 7, 2012 IA HF 2475 Reduces Certain Business Property Taxes Bill Passed - House (71 - 26)
May 3, 2012 MS JR 201 State Senate Redistricting Bill Passed - House (70 - 50)
May 3, 2012 MS JR 201 State Senate Redistricting Bill Passed - House (70 - 50)
May 2, 2012 AZ HCR 2004 Establishes State Sovereignty Over Certain Natural Resources Concurrence Vote Passed - House (38 - 20)
May 1, 2012 MN HF 2337 Amends Property Taxes Conference Report Adopted - House (73 - 57)
May 1, 2012 MS HB 211 Authorizes Certian Officials to Hire Their Own Lawyers Conference Report Adopted - House (63 - 56)
April 30, 2012 CT HB 5024 Authorizes Election Day Registration Bill Passed - House (83 - 59)
April 26, 2012 MS HB 921 Requires Photo Identification to Vote Concurrence Vote Passed - House (79 - 39)
April 26, 2012 TN SJR 710 Amends Judicial Appointment Process Joint Resolution Passed - House (70 - 27)
April 26, 2012 MS JR 1 State House Redistricting Joint Resolution Passed - House (70 - 50)
April 26, 2012 MS JR 1 State House Redistricting Joint Resolution Passed - House (70 - 50)
April 23, 2012 AZ SB 1332 Requires the Federal Government to Give Back Land to Arizona Bill Passed - House (35 - 15)
April 19, 2012 AZ SB 1182 Prohibits Enforcement of Certain Provisions in the National Defense Authorization Act Bill Passed - House (34 - 22)
April 19, 2012 MO HB 1534 Prohibits Implementation of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act Bill Passed - House (108 - 44)
April 11, 2012 NH SB 202 Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - House (239 - 95)
April 11, 2012 NH SB 202 Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - House (239 - 95)
April 10, 2012 AZ SB 1449 Establishes a Recall Primary Election for a Recall Election Bill Passed - House (36 - 22)
April 9, 2012 AZ HB 2434 Requires Federal Agents to Notify Local Law Enforcement Prior to Taking Action Concurrence Vote Passed - House (38 - 17)
April 6, 2012 MD SB 236 Septic System Installation Requirements Bill Passed - House (93 - 45)
April 4, 2012 PA HB 153 Reduces the Number of Members in the General Assembly Bill Passed - House (140 - 49)
April 4, 2012 PA HB 153 Reduces the Number of Members in the General Assembly Bill Passed - House (140 - 49)
April 4, 2012 CT HJ 2 Authorizes Absentee Ballots for Any Reason Resolution Passed - House (97 - 50)
April 4, 2012 LA HB 209 Reduces Voting Hours Bill Passed - House (60 - 41)
April 3, 2012 MN HF 2738 Requires Photo Identification to Vote Conference Report Adopted - House (72 - 57)
April 3, 2012 MN HF 2738 Requires Photo Identification to Vote Conference Report Adopted - House (72 - 57)
March 29, 2012 MO HB 1046 Requires Proof of Citizenship for Presidential Candidates Bill Passed - House (92 - 49)
March 29, 2012 MI HB 5061 Requires Photo Identification for Absentee Ballots Bill Passed - House (65 - 45)
March 28, 2012 NH HB 592 State House Redistricting Veto Override Passed - House (246 - 112)
March 28, 2012 NH HB 592 State House Redistricting Veto Override Passed - House (246 - 112)
March 28, 2012 ID H 660 Amends the Judicial Retirement Fund Bill Passed - House (46 - 22)
March 28, 2012 NH HB 1560 Joining an Interstate Health Care Compact to Opt-Out of Federal Health Care Programs Bill Passed - House (221 - 131)
March 27, 2012 FL SJR 2B State Senate Redistricting Joint Resolution Passed - House (61 - 47)
March 27, 2012 FL SJR 2B State Senate Redistricting Joint Resolution Passed - House (61 - 47)
March 26, 2012 MN HF 545 Requires State Budget to Include Federal Insolvency Contingency Plan Concurrence Vote Passed - House (70 - 60)
March 26, 2012 ID H 695 Establishes a Legislative Legal Defense Fund Bill Passed - House (53 - 16)
March 23, 2012 ID SJM 104 Urging Congress to Repeal Insurance Coverage of Contraception Joint Resolution Passed - House (51 - 16)
March 22, 2012 ID HJR 1 Requires a 2/3 Vote for Tax Increases Motion Rejected - House (37 - 33)
March 22, 2012 CA AJR 22 Requests a Constitutional Amendment to Overturn Citizens United Joint Resolution Passed - House (48 - 22)
March 22, 2012 CA AJR 22 Requests a Constitutional Amendment to Overturn Citizens United Joint Resolution Passed - House (48 - 22)
March 21, 2012 MN HF 2337 Amends Property Taxes Bill Passed - House (72 - 62)
March 21, 2012 IL HB 3944 Authorizing the Recording of Police Bill Failed - House (45 - 59)
March 20, 2012 CO HB 1111 Voter Identification Amendments Bill Passed - House (33 - 31)
March 20, 2012 MN HF 2738 Requires Photo Identification to Vote Bill Passed - House (72 - 62)
March 20, 2012 MN HF 2738 Requires Photo Identification to Vote Bill Passed - House (72 - 62)
March 20, 2012 AZ HB 2862 Appropriates Funds for Independent Redistricting Commission Bill Passed - House (36 - 20)
March 19, 2012 SD SB 157 Prohibits Cities From Limiting Outdoor Digital Billboards Veto Override Failed - House (43 - 24)
March 15, 2012 ID H 619 Prohibits Speed Limit Regulation by Local Authorities Bill Passed - House (56 - 10)
March 15, 2012 NH HB 1405 Authorizes Moratoriums on Refugee Resettlements Bill Passed - House (190 - 109)
March 14, 2012 PA HB 934 Amends Voter Identification Laws Concurrence Vote Passed - House (104 - 88)
March 14, 2012 NY A 9556 Authorizes Casino Gambling Amendment Adopted - House (96 - 45)
March 14, 2012 NY A 9525 State Legislative Redistricting Bill Passed - House (98 - 44)
March 14, 2012 NY A 9525 State Legislative Redistricting Bill Passed - House (98 - 44)
March 8, 2012 WY SF 27 Public Meetings Conference Report Adopted - House (54 - 3)
March 8, 2012 WY SF 25 Amends Public Records Laws Conference Report Adopted - House (49 - 8)
March 8, 2012 UT SB 208 Interstate Health Care Compact Conference Report Adopted - House (45 - 27)
March 8, 2012 VA SB 1 Requires Photo Identification to Vote Bill Passed - House (66 - 31)
March 7, 2012 UT HB 148 Authorizes the Transfer of Federal Lands to the State Concurrence Vote Passed - House (59 - 14)
March 6, 2012 WI AJR 63 Limits Recalls of Elected Officials Amendment Adopted - House (60 - 37)
March 6, 2012 AZ HCR 2056 Matches State Minimum Wage to Federal Minimum Resolution Passed - House (39 - 18)
March 6, 2012 WI AJR 63 Limits Recalls of Elected Officials Amendment Adopted - House (60 - 37)
March 5, 2012 AZ HCR 2043 Amends Requirements for Ballot Measures for Future Tax Increases Resolution Passed - House (32 - 26)
March 5, 2012 ID HCR 40 2 Percent Pay Raise for State Employees Resolution Passed - House (54 - 14)
March 2, 2012 FL HB 1205 Authorizes Random Drug Tests of State Employees Bill Passed - House (79 - 37)
March 1, 2012 FL HB 1209 Prohibits Courts from Basing Decisions on Foreign Laws Bill Passed - House (92 - 24)
Feb. 29, 2012 IA HJR 2009 Prohibiting Mandatory Licensing and Registration of Guns Amendment Adopted - House (61 - 37)
Feb. 29, 2012 FL HB 609 Prohibits Unpaid Wage Collection Ordinances Bill Passed - House (77 - 38)
Date No. Title Outcome
6/27 SB 289 Requires Photo Identification to Vote Veto Override Passed - House (231 - 112)
6/27 SB 318 Requires In-State Residency to Vote Veto Override Passed - House (232 - 110)
6/27 HB 1666 Requires Legislative Approval of Collective Bargaining Agreements Veto Override Failed - House (225 - 124)
6/27 AB 1499 Ballot Order for Statewide Measures Concurrence Vote Passed - House (50 - 24)
6/25 A 763 Increases Fees to Fund the E-Court Information System Concurrence Vote Passed - House (48 - 30)
6/19 HR 2578 Conservation and Economic Growth Act Bill Passed - House (232 - 188)
6/14 HB 7 Authorizes Community Colleges to Opt Out of Federal Loan Program Veto Override Passed - House (71 - 46)
6/12 SB 754 Requires Photo Identification for Voter Registration Bill Passed - House (66 - 43)
6/12 SB 803 Requires Proof of Citizenship to Vote Bill Passed - House (67 - 43)
6/06 CACR 12 Legislative Authority of Education Requirements Conference Report Rejected - House (224 - 144)
6/06 HB 1666 Requires Legislative Approval of Collective Bargaining Agreements Conference Report Adopted - House (203 - 77)
6/06 CACR 6 Requires a Supermajority for Budget Increases Conference Report Rejected - House (220 - 132)
6/06 CACR 6 Requires a Supermajority for Budget Increases Conference Report Rejected - House (220 - 132)
6/06 HB 1490 Authorizes New Hamshire to Leave the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative Conference Report Adopted - House (211 - 74)
6/06 CACR 12 Legislative Authority of Education Requirements Conference Report Rejected - House (224 - 144)
6/06 SB 318 Requires In-State Residency to Vote Conference Report Adopted - House (260 - 101)
6/06 SB 289 Requires Photo Identification to Vote Conference Report Adopted - House (255 - 103)
6/06 SB 1310 Authorizes Repayment of Unemployment Debt to the Federal Government Concurrence Vote Passed - House (129 - 67)
5/31 H Amdt 11 Requires Photo Identification to Vote Amendment Adopted - House (105 - 43)
5/31 AB 1436 Authorizes Same-Day Voter Registration Bill Passed - House (47 - 26)
5/30 SB 3442 Requires Recycling of Plastic Bags Bill Passed - House (72 - 44)
5/24 SB 303 Limits Gun Regulations Bill Passed - House (77 - 22)
5/24 SB 25 State Senate Redistricting Bill Passed - House (65 - 36)
5/24 SB 25 State Senate Redistricting Bill Passed - House (65 - 36)
5/21 HB 19 State House Redistricting Bill Passed - House (66 - 35)
5/21 HB 19 State House Redistricting Bill Passed - House (66 - 35)
5/17 SB 185 Requires Lobbyists to Report Their Activities in the Legislature Bill Passed - House (26 - 12)
5/10 SB 102 State Senate Redistricting Bill Passed - House (67 - 50)
5/10 SB 102 State Senate Redistricting Bill Passed - House (67 - 50)
5/10 HR 5652 Sequester Replacement Reconciliation Act of 2012 Bill Passed - House (218 - 199)
5/09 SF 2315 Amends the Mental Health and Disability Services Program Conference Report Adopted - House (66 - 31)
5/09 SB 1313 Limits Health Care Coverage for Retired State Employees Bill Passed - House (74 - 43)
5/08 SB 295 Repealing Provisions of the Election Revision Code Bill Passed - House (54 - 42)
5/08 HB 5556 Requires Corporations to Identify Top Donors for Campaign Contributions Bill Passed - House (94 - 54)
5/07 HF 2475 Reduces Certain Business Property Taxes Bill Passed - House (71 - 26)
5/03 JR 201 State Senate Redistricting Bill Passed - House (70 - 50)
5/03 JR 201 State Senate Redistricting Bill Passed - House (70 - 50)
5/02 HCR 2004 Establishes State Sovereignty Over Certain Natural Resources Concurrence Vote Passed - House (38 - 20)
5/01 HF 2337 Amends Property Taxes Conference Report Adopted - House (73 - 57)
5/01 HB 211 Authorizes Certian Officials to Hire Their Own Lawyers Conference Report Adopted - House (63 - 56)
4/30 HB 5024 Authorizes Election Day Registration Bill Passed - House (83 - 59)
4/26 HB 921 Requires Photo Identification to Vote Concurrence Vote Passed - House (79 - 39)
4/26 SJR 710 Amends Judicial Appointment Process Joint Resolution Passed - House (70 - 27)
4/26 JR 1 State House Redistricting Joint Resolution Passed - House (70 - 50)
4/26 JR 1 State House Redistricting Joint Resolution Passed - House (70 - 50)
4/23 SB 1332 Requires the Federal Government to Give Back Land to Arizona Bill Passed - House (35 - 15)
4/19 SB 1182 Prohibits Enforcement of Certain Provisions in the National Defense Authorization Act Bill Passed - House (34 - 22)
4/19 HB 1534 Prohibits Implementation of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act Bill Passed - House (108 - 44)
4/11 SB 202 Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - House (239 - 95)
4/11 SB 202 Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - House (239 - 95)
4/10 SB 1449 Establishes a Recall Primary Election for a Recall Election Bill Passed - House (36 - 22)
4/09 HB 2434 Requires Federal Agents to Notify Local Law Enforcement Prior to Taking Action Concurrence Vote Passed - House (38 - 17)
4/06 SB 236 Septic System Installation Requirements Bill Passed - House (93 - 45)
4/04 HB 153 Reduces the Number of Members in the General Assembly Bill Passed - House (140 - 49)
4/04 HB 153 Reduces the Number of Members in the General Assembly Bill Passed - House (140 - 49)
4/04 HJ 2 Authorizes Absentee Ballots for Any Reason Resolution Passed - House (97 - 50)
4/04 HB 209 Reduces Voting Hours Bill Passed - House (60 - 41)
4/03 HF 2738 Requires Photo Identification to Vote Conference Report Adopted - House (72 - 57)
4/03 HF 2738 Requires Photo Identification to Vote Conference Report Adopted - House (72 - 57)
3/29 HB 1046 Requires Proof of Citizenship for Presidential Candidates Bill Passed - House (92 - 49)
3/29 HB 5061 Requires Photo Identification for Absentee Ballots Bill Passed - House (65 - 45)
3/28 HB 592 State House Redistricting Veto Override Passed - House (246 - 112)
3/28 HB 592 State House Redistricting Veto Override Passed - House (246 - 112)
3/28 H 660 Amends the Judicial Retirement Fund Bill Passed - House (46 - 22)
3/28 HB 1560 Joining an Interstate Health Care Compact to Opt-Out of Federal Health Care Programs Bill Passed - House (221 - 131)
3/27 SJR 2B State Senate Redistricting Joint Resolution Passed - House (61 - 47)
3/27 SJR 2B State Senate Redistricting Joint Resolution Passed - House (61 - 47)
3/26 HF 545 Requires State Budget to Include Federal Insolvency Contingency Plan Concurrence Vote Passed - House (70 - 60)
3/26 H 695 Establishes a Legislative Legal Defense Fund Bill Passed - House (53 - 16)
3/23 SJM 104 Urging Congress to Repeal Insurance Coverage of Contraception Joint Resolution Passed - House (51 - 16)
3/22 HJR 1 Requires a 2/3 Vote for Tax Increases Motion Rejected - House (37 - 33)
3/22 AJR 22 Requests a Constitutional Amendment to Overturn Citizens United Joint Resolution Passed - House (48 - 22)
3/22 AJR 22 Requests a Constitutional Amendment to Overturn Citizens United Joint Resolution Passed - House (48 - 22)
3/21 HF 2337 Amends Property Taxes Bill Passed - House (72 - 62)
3/21 HB 3944 Authorizing the Recording of Police Bill Failed - House (45 - 59)
3/20 HB 1111 Voter Identification Amendments Bill Passed - House (33 - 31)
3/20 HF 2738 Requires Photo Identification to Vote Bill Passed - House (72 - 62)
3/20 HF 2738 Requires Photo Identification to Vote Bill Passed - House (72 - 62)
3/20 HB 2862 Appropriates Funds for Independent Redistricting Commission Bill Passed - House (36 - 20)
3/19 SB 157 Prohibits Cities From Limiting Outdoor Digital Billboards Veto Override Failed - House (43 - 24)
3/15 H 619 Prohibits Speed Limit Regulation by Local Authorities Bill Passed - House (56 - 10)
3/15 HB 1405 Authorizes Moratoriums on Refugee Resettlements Bill Passed - House (190 - 109)
3/14 HB 934 Amends Voter Identification Laws Concurrence Vote Passed - House (104 - 88)
3/14 A 9556 Authorizes Casino Gambling Amendment Adopted - House (96 - 45)
3/14 A 9525 State Legislative Redistricting Bill Passed - House (98 - 44)
3/14 A 9525 State Legislative Redistricting Bill Passed - House (98 - 44)
3/08 SF 27 Public Meetings Conference Report Adopted - House (54 - 3)
3/08 SF 25 Amends Public Records Laws Conference Report Adopted - House (49 - 8)
3/08 SB 208 Interstate Health Care Compact Conference Report Adopted - House (45 - 27)
3/08 SB 1 Requires Photo Identification to Vote Bill Passed - House (66 - 31)
3/07 HB 148 Authorizes the Transfer of Federal Lands to the State Concurrence Vote Passed - House (59 - 14)
3/06 AJR 63 Limits Recalls of Elected Officials Amendment Adopted - House (60 - 37)
3/06 HCR 2056 Matches State Minimum Wage to Federal Minimum Resolution Passed - House (39 - 18)
3/06 AJR 63 Limits Recalls of Elected Officials Amendment Adopted - House (60 - 37)
3/05 HCR 2043 Amends Requirements for Ballot Measures for Future Tax Increases Resolution Passed - House (32 - 26)
3/05 HCR 40 2 Percent Pay Raise for State Employees Resolution Passed - House (54 - 14)
3/02 HB 1205 Authorizes Random Drug Tests of State Employees Bill Passed - House (79 - 37)
3/01 HB 1209 Prohibits Courts from Basing Decisions on Foreign Laws Bill Passed - House (92 - 24)
2/29 HJR 2009 Prohibiting Mandatory Licensing and Registration of Guns Amendment Adopted - House (61 - 37)
2/29 HB 609 Prohibits Unpaid Wage Collection Ordinances Bill Passed - House (77 - 38)

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