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
April 23, 2009 MN SF 2082 2010-2011 Budget Bill Passed - House (69 - 62)
April 22, 2009 NC SB 287 State Health Plan Changes and Appropriations Conference Report Adopted - House (60 - 56)
April 22, 2009 HI SB 1111 Transient Accommodation Tax Increase Conference Report Adopted - House (35 - 14)
April 22, 2009 WA HB 1517 Expediting the Restoration of Felons' Voting Rights Concurrence Vote Passed - House (52 - 44)
April 22, 2009 WA SB 5768 Alaskan Way Viaduct Replacement Project Bill Passed - House (53 - 43)
April 22, 2009 OR HB 2672 Increasing Moist Snuff Tobacco Tax and Regulations Bill Passed - House (40 - 18)
April 22, 2009 CO SB 259 2009-2010 Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (49 - 13)
April 21, 2009 AL HB 175 Permitting Elections in Smaller Municipalities on Allowing Alcohol Concurrence Vote Passed - House (49 - 23)
April 21, 2009 OK SB 315 Top Marginal Income Tax Rate Reduction Bill Passed - House (85 - 13)
April 21, 2009 NV AB 413 Presidential Election By National Popular Vote Bill Passed - House (27 - 14)
April 21, 2009 NC HB 120 Public Financing for Municipal Campaigns Bill Passed - House (60 - 56)
April 21, 2009 NC HB 120 Public Financing for Municipal Campaigns Bill Passed - House (60 - 56)
April 20, 2009 WA HB 2261 Education Law Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - House (67 - 31)
April 20, 2009 OR HB 2067 Expiration Dates for Tax Credits Bill Passed - House (36 - 24)
April 20, 2009 NV AB 495 Removing Medical Malpractice Award Cap Bill Passed - House (26 - 15)
April 18, 2009 AK SB 75 2009-2010 Capital Budget Bill Passed - House (27 - 13)
April 16, 2009 MO HJR 32 Bonds to Fund Higher Education Joint Resolution Passed - House (131 - 28)
April 16, 2009 MO HB 795 Minimum Wage and Sales Tax Modifications for Businesses Bill Passed - House (87 - 70)
April 15, 2009 OK SB 834 Increased Local School Board Control Bill Passed - House (60 - 39)
April 15, 2009 WA SB 5599 National Popular Vote Act Bill Passed - House (52 - 42)
April 15, 2009 VT H 442 Tax Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (82 - 54)
April 15, 2009 ID S 1148 Alcohol Law Amendments Bill Failed - House (28 - 42)
April 14, 2009 HI SB 1111 Transient Accommodation Tax Increase Bill Passed - House (37 - 11)
April 14, 2009 ID H 303 Online Public Education Bill Passed - House (51 - 19)
April 13, 2009 MD SB 785 Inheritance Tax Exemption for Domestic Partners Bill Passed - House (94 - 38)
April 11, 2009 WV SB 373 PROMISE Scholarship Amendments Bill Passed - House (86 - 14)
April 11, 2009 WV SB 246 Temporary Unemployment Compensation Tax Increase for Employers Bill Passed - House (71 - 29)
April 10, 2009 ID S 1186 Highway Project Financing Bill Passed - House (39 - 29)
April 9, 2009 ID H 135 Fuel Tax for Highway Maintenance Bill Failed - House (32 - 37)
April 9, 2009 NH HB 2 Tax Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (182 - 165)
April 8, 2009 NH HB 1 2009-2011 Biennium Budget Bill Passed - House (193 - 174)
April 7, 2009 ID H 138 Allowing Lawsuits for Nonnative Species Attacks Bill Passed - House (46 - 24)
April 7, 2009 MA S 2024 Massachusetts Transportation Agency Consolidation Bill Passed - House (147 - 7)
April 7, 2009 ID H 276 2009-2010 Department of Environmental Quality Budget Bill Passed - House (53 - 16)
April 6, 2009 OR SB 311 Changes in Liability Limits Bill Passed - House (50 - 8)
April 6, 2009 OR SB 311 Changes in Liability Limits Bill Passed - House (50 - 8)
April 6, 2009 OR SB 311 Changes in Liability Limits Bill Passed - House (50 - 8)
April 3, 2009 GA HB 119 2009-2010 State Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (137 - 41)
April 3, 2009 GA HB 2 Citizenship Status Verification of Government Assistance Recipients Concurrence Vote Passed - House (121 - 47)
April 3, 2009 VT H 441 2009-2010 Budget Bill Passed - House (94 - 52)
April 3, 2009 GA SB 86 Requiring Proof of Citizenship for Voter Registration Bill Passed - House (140 - 67)
April 2, 2009 MO HB 681 Special Elections for Statewide Office Vacancies Bill Passed - House (94 - 63)
April 2, 2009 MO HB 681 Special Elections for Statewide Office Vacancies Bill Passed - House (94 - 63)
April 1, 2009 VT H 438 Gas Tax Increase to Fund Transportation Construction Bonds Bill Passed - House (108 - 35)
April 1, 2009 RI H 5019 2008-2009 Budget Amendments Bill Passed - House (58 - 16)
April 1, 2009 OK SB 4 Voter Identification Bill Passed - House (71 - 27)
April 1, 2009 GA SB 200 Reorganization of the Department of Transportation Bill Passed - House (90 - 84)
April 1, 2009 GA SB 200 Reorganization of the Department of Transportation Bill Passed - House (90 - 84)
April 1, 2009 GA SB 200 Reorganization of the Department of Transportation Bill Passed - House (90 - 84)
April 1, 2009 OH HB 2 2009-2011 Biennium Transportation Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (70 - 29)
March 31, 2009 KS HB 2354 2009-2010 Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (71 - 53)
March 31, 2009 NY A 156-B Budget Financing Bill Passed - House (91 - 56)
March 31, 2009 FL HB 903 Capping Attorney Fees in Workers' Compensation Lawsuits Bill Passed - House (84 - 35)
March 31, 2009 NY A 158-B Budget Financing Bill Passed - House (88 - 59)
March 31, 2009 NY A 159-B Budget Financing Bill Passed - House (86 - 59)
March 31, 2009 NY A 157-B Budget Financing Bill Passed - House (85 - 61)
March 26, 2009 FL Amdt 677495 Amendments to Attorney Fee Cap in Workers Compensation Lawsuits Amendment Rejected - House (45 - 69)
March 26, 2009 MD HB 310 Extending Unemployment Benefits to Part-Time Employees Bill Passed - House (94 - 43)
March 26, 2009 MD SB 279 Capital Punishment Restrictions Bill Passed - House (87 - 52)
March 26, 2009 MN HF 1797 Federal Stimulus Transportation Funding Bill Passed - House (113 - 19)
March 26, 2009 MO HB 2 2009-10 Education Budget Bill Passed - House (92 - 64)
March 26, 2009 MI HB 4317 Extending Pharmaceutical Manufacturer Liability Bill Passed - House (56 - 53)
March 26, 2009 MO HB 10 2009-10 Health Budget Bill Passed - House (88 - 66)
March 26, 2009 MO HB 11 2009-2010 Social Services Budget Bill Passed - House (88 - 66)
March 26, 2009 ID H 262 Teacher Compensation Adjustments Bill Passed - House (49 - 20)
March 25, 2009 KS HB 2275 Drug Testing for Cash Assistance Recipients Bill Passed - House (99 - 26)
March 25, 2009 GA SB 83 Expanding Homestead Property Tax Exemption Bill Failed - House (109 - 63)
March 24, 2009 WI SB 37 Allowing Drivers To Keep Licenses While Paying Fines Bill Passed - House (53 - 45)
March 24, 2009 KS HB 2373 2009-2011 Biennium Budget Bill Passed - House (70 - 54)
March 23, 2009 GA HB 233 Two-Year Property Tax Assessment Freeze Concurrence Vote Passed - House (114 - 55)
March 21, 2009 NM SB 116 Campaign Contribution Limits Bill Passed - House (49 - 17)
March 20, 2009 ID H 214 Voluntary Death Certificates for Miscarriages Bill Failed - House (31 - 32)
March 19, 2009 ID H 246 Gasoline Tax Increase Bill Failed - House (27 - 43)
March 19, 2009 NM HB 154 Capital Improvement Appropriations Bill Passed - House (37 - 28)
March 17, 2009 CO HB 1299 National Popular Vote Act Bill Passed - House (34 - 29)
March 17, 2009 MT HB 2 2009-2011 Biennium Budget Bill Passed - House (65 - 35)
March 17, 2009 IA HF 670 Early Absentee Vote Counting Bill Passed - House (76 - 22)
March 16, 2009 NJ S 21 Local Government PERS/PFRS Contribution Deferral Bill Passed - House (42 - 36)
March 16, 2009 NJ S 21 Local Government PERS/PFRS Contribution Deferral Bill Passed - House (42 - 36)
March 13, 2009 SD HB Fiscal Year 2009-2010 State Budget Bill Passed - House (42 - 28)
March 13, 2009 NM HB 346 Increasing Gross Receipts Tax and Compensating Tax to Fund Education Bill Passed - House (37 - 31)
March 13, 2009 SD HB 1300 2009-2010 Budget Bill Passed - House (42 - 28)
March 13, 2009 AK HB 81 2009-2010 Operating Budget Bill Passed - House (29 - 9)
March 12, 2009 UT HB 2 2009-2010 Education Budget Concurrence Vote Passed - House (47 - 27)
March 12, 2009 MO HJR 23 Constitutional State Spending Cap Joint Resolution Passed - House (82 - 78)
March 12, 2009 WA HB 2261 Education Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (71 - 26)
March 12, 2009 WA SB 2252 Shifting Local Tax Revenue Bill Passed - House (54 - 42)
March 12, 2009 WA SB 2252 Shifting Local Tax Revenue Bill Passed - House (54 - 42)
March 12, 2009 KS HB 2320 State Spending Limitations and Savings Accounts Bill Passed - House (89 - 33)
March 12, 2009 KS HB 2320 State Spending Limitations and Savings Accounts Bill Passed - House (89 - 33)
March 12, 2009 KS HB 2320 State Spending Limitations and Savings Accounts Bill Passed - House (89 - 33)
March 12, 2009 OR HB 2588 National Popular Vote Act Bill Passed - House (39 - 19)
March 12, 2009 GA HB 480 Car Tax Amendments Bill Passed - House (133 - 39)
March 12, 2009 GA HB 243 Ending New Enrollment in Bonus Program for Teachers' National Certification Bill Passed - House (92 - 79)
March 11, 2009 SD HB 1197 Tax Changes Relating to Single Family Dwellings Under Construction Veto Override Passed - House (60 - 10)
March 11, 2009 SC H 3560 2009-2010 Budget Motion Agreed - House (71 - 43)
March 11, 2009 UT SB 208 Posting Public Notices Online Bill Passed - House (38 - 32)
March 11, 2009 OK HB 1037 Voter Identification Bill Passed - House (59 - 39)
March 10, 2009 UT SB 53 Prohibiting the Awarding of Legal Fees to Plaintiffs in Public Interest Lawsuits Bill Passed - House (42 - 30)
March 10, 2009 UT SB 79 Elevating Standard of Proof for Specific Medical Malpractice Lawsuits Bill Passed - House (53 - 18)
Date No. Title Outcome
4/23 SF 2082 2010-2011 Budget Bill Passed - House (69 - 62)
4/22 SB 287 State Health Plan Changes and Appropriations Conference Report Adopted - House (60 - 56)
4/22 SB 1111 Transient Accommodation Tax Increase Conference Report Adopted - House (35 - 14)
4/22 HB 1517 Expediting the Restoration of Felons' Voting Rights Concurrence Vote Passed - House (52 - 44)
4/22 SB 5768 Alaskan Way Viaduct Replacement Project Bill Passed - House (53 - 43)
4/22 HB 2672 Increasing Moist Snuff Tobacco Tax and Regulations Bill Passed - House (40 - 18)
4/22 SB 259 2009-2010 Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (49 - 13)
4/21 HB 175 Permitting Elections in Smaller Municipalities on Allowing Alcohol Concurrence Vote Passed - House (49 - 23)
4/21 SB 315 Top Marginal Income Tax Rate Reduction Bill Passed - House (85 - 13)
4/21 AB 413 Presidential Election By National Popular Vote Bill Passed - House (27 - 14)
4/21 HB 120 Public Financing for Municipal Campaigns Bill Passed - House (60 - 56)
4/21 HB 120 Public Financing for Municipal Campaigns Bill Passed - House (60 - 56)
4/20 HB 2261 Education Law Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - House (67 - 31)
4/20 HB 2067 Expiration Dates for Tax Credits Bill Passed - House (36 - 24)
4/20 AB 495 Removing Medical Malpractice Award Cap Bill Passed - House (26 - 15)
4/18 SB 75 2009-2010 Capital Budget Bill Passed - House (27 - 13)
4/16 HJR 32 Bonds to Fund Higher Education Joint Resolution Passed - House (131 - 28)
4/16 HB 795 Minimum Wage and Sales Tax Modifications for Businesses Bill Passed - House (87 - 70)
4/15 SB 834 Increased Local School Board Control Bill Passed - House (60 - 39)
4/15 SB 5599 National Popular Vote Act Bill Passed - House (52 - 42)
4/15 H 442 Tax Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (82 - 54)
4/15 S 1148 Alcohol Law Amendments Bill Failed - House (28 - 42)
4/14 SB 1111 Transient Accommodation Tax Increase Bill Passed - House (37 - 11)
4/14 H 303 Online Public Education Bill Passed - House (51 - 19)
4/13 SB 785 Inheritance Tax Exemption for Domestic Partners Bill Passed - House (94 - 38)
4/11 SB 373 PROMISE Scholarship Amendments Bill Passed - House (86 - 14)
4/11 SB 246 Temporary Unemployment Compensation Tax Increase for Employers Bill Passed - House (71 - 29)
4/10 S 1186 Highway Project Financing Bill Passed - House (39 - 29)
4/09 H 135 Fuel Tax for Highway Maintenance Bill Failed - House (32 - 37)
4/09 HB 2 Tax Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (182 - 165)
4/08 HB 1 2009-2011 Biennium Budget Bill Passed - House (193 - 174)
4/07 H 138 Allowing Lawsuits for Nonnative Species Attacks Bill Passed - House (46 - 24)
4/07 S 2024 Massachusetts Transportation Agency Consolidation Bill Passed - House (147 - 7)
4/07 H 276 2009-2010 Department of Environmental Quality Budget Bill Passed - House (53 - 16)
4/06 SB 311 Changes in Liability Limits Bill Passed - House (50 - 8)
4/06 SB 311 Changes in Liability Limits Bill Passed - House (50 - 8)
4/06 SB 311 Changes in Liability Limits Bill Passed - House (50 - 8)
4/03 HB 119 2009-2010 State Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (137 - 41)
4/03 HB 2 Citizenship Status Verification of Government Assistance Recipients Concurrence Vote Passed - House (121 - 47)
4/03 H 441 2009-2010 Budget Bill Passed - House (94 - 52)
4/03 SB 86 Requiring Proof of Citizenship for Voter Registration Bill Passed - House (140 - 67)
4/02 HB 681 Special Elections for Statewide Office Vacancies Bill Passed - House (94 - 63)
4/02 HB 681 Special Elections for Statewide Office Vacancies Bill Passed - House (94 - 63)
4/01 H 438 Gas Tax Increase to Fund Transportation Construction Bonds Bill Passed - House (108 - 35)
4/01 H 5019 2008-2009 Budget Amendments Bill Passed - House (58 - 16)
4/01 SB 4 Voter Identification Bill Passed - House (71 - 27)
4/01 SB 200 Reorganization of the Department of Transportation Bill Passed - House (90 - 84)
4/01 SB 200 Reorganization of the Department of Transportation Bill Passed - House (90 - 84)
4/01 SB 200 Reorganization of the Department of Transportation Bill Passed - House (90 - 84)
4/01 HB 2 2009-2011 Biennium Transportation Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (70 - 29)
3/31 HB 2354 2009-2010 Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (71 - 53)
3/31 A 156-B Budget Financing Bill Passed - House (91 - 56)
3/31 HB 903 Capping Attorney Fees in Workers' Compensation Lawsuits Bill Passed - House (84 - 35)
3/31 A 158-B Budget Financing Bill Passed - House (88 - 59)
3/31 A 159-B Budget Financing Bill Passed - House (86 - 59)
3/31 A 157-B Budget Financing Bill Passed - House (85 - 61)
3/26 Amdt 677495 Amendments to Attorney Fee Cap in Workers Compensation Lawsuits Amendment Rejected - House (45 - 69)
3/26 HB 310 Extending Unemployment Benefits to Part-Time Employees Bill Passed - House (94 - 43)
3/26 SB 279 Capital Punishment Restrictions Bill Passed - House (87 - 52)
3/26 HF 1797 Federal Stimulus Transportation Funding Bill Passed - House (113 - 19)
3/26 HB 2 2009-10 Education Budget Bill Passed - House (92 - 64)
3/26 HB 4317 Extending Pharmaceutical Manufacturer Liability Bill Passed - House (56 - 53)
3/26 HB 10 2009-10 Health Budget Bill Passed - House (88 - 66)
3/26 HB 11 2009-2010 Social Services Budget Bill Passed - House (88 - 66)
3/26 H 262 Teacher Compensation Adjustments Bill Passed - House (49 - 20)
3/25 HB 2275 Drug Testing for Cash Assistance Recipients Bill Passed - House (99 - 26)
3/25 SB 83 Expanding Homestead Property Tax Exemption Bill Failed - House (109 - 63)
3/24 SB 37 Allowing Drivers To Keep Licenses While Paying Fines Bill Passed - House (53 - 45)
3/24 HB 2373 2009-2011 Biennium Budget Bill Passed - House (70 - 54)
3/23 HB 233 Two-Year Property Tax Assessment Freeze Concurrence Vote Passed - House (114 - 55)
3/21 SB 116 Campaign Contribution Limits Bill Passed - House (49 - 17)
3/20 H 214 Voluntary Death Certificates for Miscarriages Bill Failed - House (31 - 32)
3/19 H 246 Gasoline Tax Increase Bill Failed - House (27 - 43)
3/19 HB 154 Capital Improvement Appropriations Bill Passed - House (37 - 28)
3/17 HB 1299 National Popular Vote Act Bill Passed - House (34 - 29)
3/17 HB 2 2009-2011 Biennium Budget Bill Passed - House (65 - 35)
3/17 HF 670 Early Absentee Vote Counting Bill Passed - House (76 - 22)
3/16 S 21 Local Government PERS/PFRS Contribution Deferral Bill Passed - House (42 - 36)
3/16 S 21 Local Government PERS/PFRS Contribution Deferral Bill Passed - House (42 - 36)
3/13 HB Fiscal Year 2009-2010 State Budget Bill Passed - House (42 - 28)
3/13 HB 346 Increasing Gross Receipts Tax and Compensating Tax to Fund Education Bill Passed - House (37 - 31)
3/13 HB 1300 2009-2010 Budget Bill Passed - House (42 - 28)
3/13 HB 81 2009-2010 Operating Budget Bill Passed - House (29 - 9)
3/12 HB 2 2009-2010 Education Budget Concurrence Vote Passed - House (47 - 27)
3/12 HJR 23 Constitutional State Spending Cap Joint Resolution Passed - House (82 - 78)
3/12 HB 2261 Education Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (71 - 26)
3/12 SB 2252 Shifting Local Tax Revenue Bill Passed - House (54 - 42)
3/12 SB 2252 Shifting Local Tax Revenue Bill Passed - House (54 - 42)
3/12 HB 2320 State Spending Limitations and Savings Accounts Bill Passed - House (89 - 33)
3/12 HB 2320 State Spending Limitations and Savings Accounts Bill Passed - House (89 - 33)
3/12 HB 2320 State Spending Limitations and Savings Accounts Bill Passed - House (89 - 33)
3/12 HB 2588 National Popular Vote Act Bill Passed - House (39 - 19)
3/12 HB 480 Car Tax Amendments Bill Passed - House (133 - 39)
3/12 HB 243 Ending New Enrollment in Bonus Program for Teachers' National Certification Bill Passed - House (92 - 79)
3/11 HB 1197 Tax Changes Relating to Single Family Dwellings Under Construction Veto Override Passed - House (60 - 10)
3/11 H 3560 2009-2010 Budget Motion Agreed - House (71 - 43)
3/11 SB 208 Posting Public Notices Online Bill Passed - House (38 - 32)
3/11 HB 1037 Voter Identification Bill Passed - House (59 - 39)
3/10 SB 53 Prohibiting the Awarding of Legal Fees to Plaintiffs in Public Interest Lawsuits Bill Passed - House (42 - 30)
3/10 SB 79 Elevating Standard of Proof for Specific Medical Malpractice Lawsuits Bill Passed - House (53 - 18)

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