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 20, 2023 MN HF 1830 Appropriates $1.5 Billion for State Elections and Government Agencies Operating Costs Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 33)
April 20, 2023 TX SB 990 Repeals Automatic Voter Registration at Any Polling Place on Election Day Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 12)
April 20, 2023 TX SB 2071 Establishes New Procedures for Automatic Recounts Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 10)
April 20, 2023 TX SB 2433 Establishes New Reporting Requirements for County Election Administrators Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 12)
April 20, 2023 NV SB 371 Authorizes Counties and Cities to Enact Affordable Housing Ordinances Bill Passed - Senate (12 - 9)
April 19, 2023 FL HB 3 Prohibits Usage of State Retirement and Public Funds From Being Invested in ESG Securities Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 12)
April 19, 2023 WA HB 1756 Amends Tax Rules Concerning Clean Energies and Increased Revenue to Local Governments, Schools, and Communities Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 15)
April 19, 2023 TX SB 220 Establishes a System of Election Marshals to Investigate Alleged Voting Violations Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 12)
April 19, 2023 OH SJR 2 Requires 60% Vote to Approve any Constitutional Amendment Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7)
April 19, 2023 TX SB 1938 Authorizes the Secretary of State to Withhold Funds from a Registrar Who Fails to Perform Their Duties Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 11)
April 18, 2023 MT HB 748 Repeals Local Governments Ability to Pass Zoning Restrictions for the Purpose of Promoting "Morals" Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (38 - 12)
April 18, 2023 MT HB 587 Reduces School Funding and Property Taxes Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (49 - 0)
April 18, 2023 TX SB 1600 Requires Proof of Citizenship for Voter Registration Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 11)
April 18, 2023 TX SB 1750 Authorizes the Removal of the County Election Administrator Position Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 11)
April 17, 2023 TX SB 260 Establishes Voter Removal Process for Individuals Who Have Not Voted in the Previous 25 Months Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 12)
April 17, 2023 NV SJR 7 Amends State Constitution to Protect Reproductive Health Freedom Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (13 - 8)
April 17, 2023 TN SB 978 Requires Voters be Notified of Party Affiliation Requirements at Each Polling Place on Election Day Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 9)
April 14, 2023 WA SB 5112 Amends the Voter Registration Process Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (33 - 13)
April 14, 2023 MN SF 2909 Appropriates Funding for the State Public Safety Omnibus Bill Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 33)
April 13, 2023 MT HB 693 Prohibits State Agencies from Denying Individual Records Request Due To Ongoing Litigation Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 2)
April 13, 2023 TX SB 1933 Increases Secretary of State Authority over Election Administration Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 12)
April 13, 2023 VT S 39 Increases Compensation and Benefits for Members of the Vermont General Assembly Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 10)
April 12, 2023 AZ SB 1021 Requires the Arizona Attorney General Defend the Constitutionality of Any Bill Signed into Law Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (16 - 13)
April 12, 2023 WA HB 1317 Expands Reporting Rules Regarding Grassroots Lobbying Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 19)
April 12, 2023 AZ HB 2691 Requires a Video Livestream of Ballots During the Signature Matching Process Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 13)
April 12, 2023 TX SB 1070 Authorizes the State to Discontinue Participation in the Interstate Voter Registration Crosscheck Program Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 4)
April 11, 2023 AZ HB 2305 Authorizes Party Officials Observe the Entire Ballot Signature Verification Process Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 13)
April 11, 2023 AZ HB 2319 Amends How Judges Interpret Election Laws Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 13)
April 11, 2023 AZ HB 2319 Amends How Judges Interpret Election Laws Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 13)
April 10, 2023 ND HB 1230 Establishes Penalties for the Intentional Submission of Petitions with Fraudulent Signatures Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 6)
April 7, 2023 MD SB 379 Expands Absentee Ballot Deadline Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (33 - 10)
April 7, 2023 MD HB 90 Authorizes Counties and Municipalities to Regulate Invasive Bamboo Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 5)
April 6, 2023 KS SB 17 Expands Affordable Housing Conference Report Adopted - Senate (31 - 9)
April 6, 2023 KS SB 244 Amends and Provides Technical Updates to Various Codes and Statutes Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 8)
April 6, 2023 MD HB 2 Authorizes Subtraction Modification on State Income Tax for Certain Union Dues Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 12)
April 6, 2023 DE SB 57 Requires States Electoral College Delegates go to the Winner of the Popular Vote Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 3)
April 5, 2023 AZ HB 2552 Prohibits Ranked Choice Voting Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 14)
April 5, 2023 ND HB 1340 Prohibits Local Governments from Enforcing Stricter Gun Laws then Passed by the State Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 6)
April 4, 2023 AZ HB 2308 Requires the Secretary of State Recuse Themselves from Overseeing Elections in Which they are a Candidate Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 14)
April 4, 2023 AZ HB 2322 Amends and Codifies Outdated Signature Verification Guidelines Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 14)
April 4, 2023 AZ HB 2415 Authorizes the Removal of Voters from Arizona's Permanent Mail-In Voting List Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 14)
March 30, 2023 NJ S 2866 Establishes the Elections Transparency Act Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 12)
March 30, 2023 VT S 17 Establishes Reforms for Sheriffs and Deputies Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 6)
March 30, 2023 VT S 17 Establishes Reforms for Sheriffs and Deputies Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 6)
March 30, 2023 VT S 100 Expands Affordable Housing Access Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 2)
March 30, 2023 VT S 42 Requires State Pension Funds Divest from the Fossil Fuel Industry Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 8)
March 29, 2023 GA SB 133 Requires Juvenile Judges Take "Additional Steps" Before Ordering Children Into Foster Care Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (48 - 2)
March 29, 2023 GA SB 222 Requires All Election Expenses be Paid for with State Public Funds Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 21)
March 29, 2023 KS HB 2053 Appropriates Resources to Provide for a Presidential Preference Primary Election in 2024 Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 12)
March 29, 2023 ID H 286 Amends Laws Requiring Certain Information when Communicating with Voters Regarding a Bond or Levy Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 3)
Date No. Title Outcome
4/20 HF 1830 Appropriates $1.5 Billion for State Elections and Government Agencies Operating Costs Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 33)
4/20 SB 990 Repeals Automatic Voter Registration at Any Polling Place on Election Day Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 12)
4/20 SB 2071 Establishes New Procedures for Automatic Recounts Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 10)
4/20 SB 2433 Establishes New Reporting Requirements for County Election Administrators Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 12)
4/20 SB 371 Authorizes Counties and Cities to Enact Affordable Housing Ordinances Bill Passed - Senate (12 - 9)
4/19 HB 3 Prohibits Usage of State Retirement and Public Funds From Being Invested in ESG Securities Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 12)
4/19 HB 1756 Amends Tax Rules Concerning Clean Energies and Increased Revenue to Local Governments, Schools, and Communities Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 15)
4/19 SB 220 Establishes a System of Election Marshals to Investigate Alleged Voting Violations Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 12)
4/19 SJR 2 Requires 60% Vote to Approve any Constitutional Amendment Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7)
4/19 SB 1938 Authorizes the Secretary of State to Withhold Funds from a Registrar Who Fails to Perform Their Duties Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 11)
4/18 HB 748 Repeals Local Governments Ability to Pass Zoning Restrictions for the Purpose of Promoting "Morals" Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (38 - 12)
4/18 HB 587 Reduces School Funding and Property Taxes Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (49 - 0)
4/18 SB 1600 Requires Proof of Citizenship for Voter Registration Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 11)
4/18 SB 1750 Authorizes the Removal of the County Election Administrator Position Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 11)
4/17 SB 260 Establishes Voter Removal Process for Individuals Who Have Not Voted in the Previous 25 Months Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 12)
4/17 SJR 7 Amends State Constitution to Protect Reproductive Health Freedom Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (13 - 8)
4/17 SB 978 Requires Voters be Notified of Party Affiliation Requirements at Each Polling Place on Election Day Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 9)
4/14 SB 5112 Amends the Voter Registration Process Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (33 - 13)
4/14 SF 2909 Appropriates Funding for the State Public Safety Omnibus Bill Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 33)
4/13 HB 693 Prohibits State Agencies from Denying Individual Records Request Due To Ongoing Litigation Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 2)
4/13 SB 1933 Increases Secretary of State Authority over Election Administration Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 12)
4/13 S 39 Increases Compensation and Benefits for Members of the Vermont General Assembly Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 10)
4/12 SB 1021 Requires the Arizona Attorney General Defend the Constitutionality of Any Bill Signed into Law Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (16 - 13)
4/12 HB 1317 Expands Reporting Rules Regarding Grassroots Lobbying Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 19)
4/12 HB 2691 Requires a Video Livestream of Ballots During the Signature Matching Process Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 13)
4/12 SB 1070 Authorizes the State to Discontinue Participation in the Interstate Voter Registration Crosscheck Program Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 4)
4/11 HB 2305 Authorizes Party Officials Observe the Entire Ballot Signature Verification Process Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 13)
4/11 HB 2319 Amends How Judges Interpret Election Laws Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 13)
4/11 HB 2319 Amends How Judges Interpret Election Laws Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 13)
4/10 HB 1230 Establishes Penalties for the Intentional Submission of Petitions with Fraudulent Signatures Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 6)
4/07 SB 379 Expands Absentee Ballot Deadline Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (33 - 10)
4/07 HB 90 Authorizes Counties and Municipalities to Regulate Invasive Bamboo Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 5)
4/06 SB 17 Expands Affordable Housing Conference Report Adopted - Senate (31 - 9)
4/06 SB 244 Amends and Provides Technical Updates to Various Codes and Statutes Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 8)
4/06 HB 2 Authorizes Subtraction Modification on State Income Tax for Certain Union Dues Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 12)
4/06 SB 57 Requires States Electoral College Delegates go to the Winner of the Popular Vote Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 3)
4/05 HB 2552 Prohibits Ranked Choice Voting Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 14)
4/05 HB 1340 Prohibits Local Governments from Enforcing Stricter Gun Laws then Passed by the State Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 6)
4/04 HB 2308 Requires the Secretary of State Recuse Themselves from Overseeing Elections in Which they are a Candidate Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 14)
4/04 HB 2322 Amends and Codifies Outdated Signature Verification Guidelines Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 14)
4/04 HB 2415 Authorizes the Removal of Voters from Arizona's Permanent Mail-In Voting List Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 14)
3/30 S 2866 Establishes the Elections Transparency Act Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 12)
3/30 S 17 Establishes Reforms for Sheriffs and Deputies Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 6)
3/30 S 17 Establishes Reforms for Sheriffs and Deputies Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 6)
3/30 S 100 Expands Affordable Housing Access Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 2)
3/30 S 42 Requires State Pension Funds Divest from the Fossil Fuel Industry Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 8)
3/29 SB 133 Requires Juvenile Judges Take "Additional Steps" Before Ordering Children Into Foster Care Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (48 - 2)
3/29 SB 222 Requires All Election Expenses be Paid for with State Public Funds Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 21)
3/29 HB 2053 Appropriates Resources to Provide for a Presidential Preference Primary Election in 2024 Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 12)
3/29 H 286 Amends Laws Requiring Certain Information when Communicating with Voters Regarding a Bond or Levy Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 3)

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