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:
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.
| Date | State | Bill No. | Title | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb. 15, 2022 | VA | SJ 1 | Expands Voting Rights of Released Inmates | (24 - 16) |
| Feb. 15, 2022 | VA | SB 4 | Limits the Duration of Executive Orders | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 11) |
| Feb. 14, 2022 | National | PN 1593 | Nomination of Robert Califf as Commissioner of Food and Drugs, Department of Health and Human Services | Cloture Invoked - Senate (49 - 45) |
| Feb. 14, 2022 | LA | SB 1 | Amends State Senate Legislative Districts | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 12) |
| Feb. 14, 2022 | LA | SB 15 | Amends Supreme Court District Boundaries | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 12) |
| Feb. 14, 2022 | LA | SB 15 | Amends Supreme Court District Boundaries | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 12) |
| Feb. 10, 2022 | GA | SB 457 | Specifies New Commission Districts | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 22) |
| Feb. 10, 2022 | ID | S 1255 | Establishes the Empowering Parents Grant Program with Funds from the American Rescue Plan | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 1) |
| Feb. 9, 2022 | AZ | SB 1008 | Establishes Automatic Recount Requirements | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 12) |
| Feb. 8, 2022 | KS | SB 355 | Amends State Congressional Districts | Veto Override Passed - Senate (27 - 11) |
| Feb. 8, 2022 | WA | HCR 4407 | Amends Congressional Districts | Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 14) |
| Feb. 2, 2022 | NY | A 9167 | Amends State Congressional Districts | Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 20) |
| Feb. 2, 2022 | GA | SB 369 | Requires Board of Education Member Elections Be Nonpartisan | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 21) |
| Feb. 2, 2022 | AZ | SB 1009 | Limits the Governor's Power to Declare a Public Health Emergency | Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 13) |
| Feb. 1, 2022 | AL | SB 77 | Prohibits Purchase of Foreign-Made U.S. and Alabama Flags | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 2) |
| Jan. 25, 2022 | GA | SR 363 | Authorizes Constitutional Referendum on Limiting Voting Rights to U.S. Citizens | Motion Agreed - Senate (33 - 18) |
| Jan. 25, 2022 | GA | SR 363 | Authorizes Constitutional Referendum on Limiting Voting Rights to U.S. Citizens | Motion Agreed - Senate (33 - 18) |
| Jan. 24, 2022 | PA | HB 2146 | Amends State Congressional Districts | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 20) |
| Jan. 20, 2022 | KY | SB 3 | Amends Congressional District Boundaries | Veto Override Passed - Senate (26 - 8) |
| Jan. 20, 2022 | SC | S 865 | Amends Congressional District Boundaries | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 15) |
| Jan. 20, 2022 | VA | SB 35 | Extends the 60-Day Commission Planning Period | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 14) |
| Jan. 20, 2022 | TN | SB 780 | Amends State Congressional Districts | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 5) |
| Jan. 20, 2022 | MD | SJ 2 | Establishes New General Assembly District Boundaries | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 14) |
| Jan. 19, 2022 | National | HR 5746 | Freedom to Vote: John R. Lewis Act | Bill Passed - Senate (52 - 48) |
| Jan. 19, 2022 | NC | HB 605 | Amends the Upcoming 2022 Primary Date | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 17) |
| Jan. 12, 2022 | MS | HB 384 | Amends State Congressional Districts | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 18) |
| Jan. 10, 2022 | NE | LR 14 | Establishes a Resolution to Amend the United States Constitution | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 10) |
| Jan. 8, 2022 | KY | HB 2 | Amends State House District Boundaries | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 10) |
| Jan. 6, 2022 | KY | HB 172 | Amends Election Filing Deadlines | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 4) |
| Jan. 6, 2022 | KY | SB 2 | Establishes Senatorial District Boundaries | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 4) |
| Jan. 5, 2022 | NH | HB 293 | Amends Child Adoption Process | "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Adopted - Senate (19 - 5) |
| Jan. 5, 2022 | IL | HB 3138 | Amends Judicial Circuits and Subcircuits | Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 16) |
| Jan. 5, 2022 | IL | HB 3138 | Amends Judicial Circuits and Subcircuits | Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 16) |
| Jan. 5, 2022 | ME | SP 620 | Authorizes Legislature to Continue Meeting Electronically | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 12) |
| Dec. 10, 2021 | NM | SB 1 | Amends State Congressional Districts | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 15) |
| Nov. 17, 2021 | OK | SB 4 | Specifies the Application of Certain Reapportioned Districts to Certain Elections | Bill Passed - Senate (47 - 0) |
| Nov. 16, 2021 | OH | SB 258 | Establishes Congressional District Boundaries | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 7) |
| Nov. 16, 2021 | OH | SB 258 | Establishes Congressional District Boundaries | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 7) |
| Nov. 14, 2021 | NV | SB 1 | Amends State Congressional Districts | Bill Passed - Senate (12 - 9) |
| Nov. 10, 2021 | SD | HB 1001 | Amends State Legislative Districts | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (30 - 2) |
| Nov. 10, 2021 | UT | SB 2004 | Establishes Workplace COVID-19 Vaccine Exemptions | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 5) |
| Nov. 10, 2021 | UT | HB 2004 | Amends State Congressional Districts | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 7) |
| Nov. 9, 2021 | GA | SB 1 | Amends State Legislative Districts | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 21) |
| Nov. 8, 2021 | WI | SB 622 | Amends State Congressional Districts | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12) |
| Nov. 4, 2021 | NC | HB 976 | Amends State Congressional Districts | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 21) |
| Nov. 3, 2021 | AL | HB 2 | Amends State Congressional Districts | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 7) |
| Nov. 2, 2021 | NC | SB 740 | Amends Congressional Districts | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 22) |
| Nov. 2, 2021 | NC | SB 740 | Amends Congressional Districts | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 22) |
| Oct. 28, 2021 | IL | HB 1291 | Amends State Congressional Districts | Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 18) |
| Oct. 28, 2021 | IL | HB 1291 | Amends State Congressional Districts | Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 18) |
| Oct. 28, 2021 | IA | SF 621 | Establishes Congressional and Legislative Districts | Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 1) |
| Oct. 28, 2021 | IA | SF 621 | Establishes Congressional and Legislative Districts | Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 1) |
| Oct. 26, 2021 | MI | SB 602 | Prohibits the Department of Health and Human Services from Enforcing Vaccine or Mask Mandates | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 15) |
| Oct. 20, 2021 | National | S 2747 | Freedom to Vote Act | Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (49 - 51) |
| Oct. 8, 2021 | TX | SB 6 | Amends State Congressional Districts | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 13) |
| Oct. 7, 2021 | MI | HB 5007 | Rescinds Fees for Obtaining or Renewing a State ID Card Starting in 2022 | (20 - 16) |
| Oct. 7, 2021 | AR | HB 1982 | Establishes State Congressional Districts | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12) |
| Oct. 6, 2021 | AR | SB 743 | Amends State Congressional Districts | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 10) |
| Oct. 4, 2021 | AR | SB 739 | Exempts Employees from Federal Vaccine Mandates | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12) |
| Oct. 1, 2021 | IN | HB 1581 | Amends Redistricting Maps | Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 12) |
| Oct. 1, 2021 | IN | HB 1581 | Amends Redistricting Maps | Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 12) |
| Sept. 30, 2021 | MI | HB 4528 | Requires Election Challengers to Undergo Training | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 15) |
| Sept. 30, 2021 | MI | HB 4837 | Prohibits Third Parties from Accessing the Qualified Voter File | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 15) |
| Sept. 30, 2021 | MI | HB 4838 | Prohibits Electronic Poll Books from Being Connected to the Internet | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 15) |
| Sept. 30, 2021 | NE | LB 1 | Amends State Congressional Districts | Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 11) |
| Sept. 30, 2021 | MI | SB 280 | Requires the Board of State Canvassers to Complete a Canvass of an Initiative Petition Within 100 Days After It Has Been Filed | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 16) |
| Sept. 30, 2021 | MI | HB 4492 | Expands Polling Place Locations | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 15) |
| Sept. 28, 2021 | WI | SJR 63 | Establishes State Legislative Districts | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 12) |
| Sept. 28, 2021 | CT | SR 76 | Authorizes Governor's Renewed Emergency Declaration | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 15) |
| Sept. 27, 2021 | PA | SB 738 | Establishes a Public Website to Track Constitutional Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 6) |
| Sept. 27, 2021 | PA | SB 738 | Establishes a Public Website to Track Constitutional Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 6) |
| Sept. 20, 2021 | OR | SB 882 | Amends State Legislative Districts | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 11) |
| Sept. 20, 2021 | OR | SB 881 | Amends State Congressional Districts | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 11) |
| Sept. 8, 2021 | CA | SB 660 | Prohibits Recall Organizers from Paying Signature Gatherers on a Per-Signature Basis | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 11) |
| Sept. 8, 2021 | CA | AB 105 | Requires State Boards and Committees to be More Diverse | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 8) |
| Sept. 3, 2021 | CA | SB 594 | Amends Redistricting Regulations for Congressional Districts | Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 0) |
| Sept. 2, 2021 | CA | SB 714 | Authorizes DREAMers to Participate in County Central Committees | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 6) |
| Sept. 2, 2021 | CA | AB 970 | Reduces Obstacles to Electric Vehicle Infrastructure | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 9) |
| Sept. 1, 2021 | MI | HB 4272 | Exempts Michigan Made Gas Cans from Federal Regulations | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 16) |
| Sept. 1, 2021 | MI | HB 4061 | Prohibits Using the Public Threat Alert System for Executive Orders | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 16) |
| Sept. 1, 2021 | NY | S 50001 | Authorizes New Yorkers to Participate in State and Local Government Meetings Virtually | Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 19) |
| Aug. 30, 2021 | CA | AB 816 | Requires State and Local Governments to Develop Plans to Reduce Homelessness | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 7) |
| Aug. 11, 2021 | TX | SB 1 | Amends Various Early Voting Laws to Require Individual Signature Verification and Prohibit Drive-Thru and 24 Hour Voting | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 11) |
| Aug. 11, 2021 | National | S Con Res 14 | A concurrent resolution setting forth the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2022 and setting forth the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2023 through 2031 | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (50 - 49) |
| July 20, 2021 | LA | SB 224 | Increases Requirements for Absentee Voting by Mail | Veto Override Failed - Senate (24 - 12) |
| July 20, 2021 | LA | SB 220 | Establishes Rules for Legislative Auditor Examinations, Audits, and Reviews of Elections and Retention of Election Records | Veto Override Failed - Senate (21 - 15) |
| July 20, 2021 | National | PN 126 | Nomination of Jennifer Abruzzo as General Counsel of the National Labor Relations Board | Nomination Confirmed - Senate (51 - 50) |
| July 13, 2021 | TX | SB 1 | Amends Various Early Voting Laws to Require Individual Signature Verification and Prohibit Drive-Thru and 24 Hour Voting | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 4) |
| June 30, 2021 | AZ | HB 2905 | Limits Distribution of Mail-In Ballots | Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 12) |
| June 28, 2021 | CA | SB 152 | Authorizes a Recall Election without the Approval of the Joint Legislative Budget Committee | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 9) |
| June 25, 2021 | PA | SB 255 | Appropriates Funds for Executive, Legislative, and Judicial Departments | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (43 - 7) |
| June 25, 2021 | PA | SB 255 | Appropriates Funds for Executive, Legislative, and Judicial Departments | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (43 - 7) |
| June 25, 2021 | PA | SB 255 | Appropriates Funds for Executive, Legislative, and Judicial Departments | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (43 - 7) |
| June 25, 2021 | PA | HB 1300 | Establishes State Legislative Authority Over Elections | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 21) |
| June 24, 2021 | OR | HB 3291 | Requires Ballots Returned by Mail to be Postmarked by the Date of the Election | Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 13) |
| June 24, 2021 | AZ | SB 1835 | Establishes Fines for Impersonating Election Officials | Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 14) |
| June 23, 2021 | VT | H 227 | Amends Election Laws and Regulations for the City of Winooski | Veto Override Passed - Senate (20 - 10) |
| June 23, 2021 | WI | AB 374 | Establishes Guidelines for Potential Opioid Settlement Disbursement to State Counties | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 11) |
| June 23, 2021 | WI | AB 369 | Amends Congressional Districts | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 12) |
| June 23, 2021 | WI | AB 369 | Amends Congressional Districts | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 12) |