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 29, 2023 GA HB 514 Limits Local Government Ability to Stop New Residential Building Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 12)
March 29, 2023 National H J Res 27 Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers, Department of Defense and the Environmental Protection Agency relating to "Revised Definition of 'Waters of the United States' " Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (53 - 43)
March 29, 2023 AZ HB 2477 Specifies the Importance of the Electoral College to United States Elections Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 13)
March 29, 2023 VT S 32 Authorizes Ranked Choice Voting for the 2028 Presidential Primary Election Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 7)
March 28, 2023 MS HB 1310 Authorizes Restoring the Voting Rights of Military Veterans Convicted of Felonies Conference Report Adopted - Senate (36 - 16)
March 28, 2023 KS SB 291 Prohibits State Investment of Public Funds for ESG Investments Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 11)
March 27, 2023 GA SB 129 Requires Employees Get Time Off to Vote Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (46 - 3)
March 23, 2023 ID H 138 Amends Date of the State Presidential Primary from March to May Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 11)
March 22, 2023 WI SJR 21 Authorizes a Special Election to Fill Secretary of State Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (20 - 11)
March 22, 2023 WI SJR 21 Authorizes a Special Election to Fill Secretary of State Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (20 - 11)
March 22, 2023 OR SB 166 Classifies Harassment Against an Election Worker as Aggravated Harassment Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 8)
March 21, 2023 GA HB 408 Amends Sales and Use Tax Laws for Competitive Projects of Regional Significance Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 22)
March 21, 2023 AZ SB 1135 Authorizes the State to Exit the Electronic Registration Information Center Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 13)
March 17, 2023 MD SB 859 Prohibits Requiring an Individual Give Testimony or Statements in Another State Regarding Their "Legally Protected Healthcare" Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 11)
March 15, 2023 KY HB 153 Prohibits Any Federal Ban or Regulation on Firearms Enacted in 2021 or After Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 9)
March 14, 2023 MS SB 2358 Prohibits a Third-Party From Collecting and Delivering Somebody Else's Absentee Ballot Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (33 - 13)
March 14, 2023 TX SB 2 Classifies Illegal Voting as a Felony Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 12)
March 14, 2023 MD SB 798 Establishes a Voter Referendum for 2024 Election that Enshrines Individual's Constitutional Right to Reproductive Freedom Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 15)
March 14, 2023 TX SB 2 Classifies Illegal Voting as a Felony Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 12)
March 14, 2023 MD SB 798 Establishes a Voter Referendum for 2024 Election that Enshrines Individual's Constitutional Right to Reproductive Freedom Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 15)
March 13, 2023 KY HB 236 Requires Public Pension Investments be based on Financial Risks and Returns not ESG Factors Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 5)
March 13, 2023 TN SB 955 Prohibits State Investment of Public Funds for ESG Investments Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 4)
March 11, 2023 WV SB 740 Increases Lawmakers Compensation to Equal 75% of the Per Capita Income in West Virginia Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 7)
March 9, 2023 ID H 124 Prohibits Using Student ID at Voting Polls Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 7)
March 9, 2023 TN HB 48 Reduces the Number of Nashville Metro City Council Members by Half Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 7)
March 8, 2023 National H J Res 26 Disapproving the action of the District of Columbia Council in approving the Revised Criminal Code Act Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (81 - 14)
March 8, 2023 NM HB 4 Expands Various Voting Rights Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 14)
March 7, 2023 MS HB 1020 Establishes a Court System of Unelected Judges and Prosecutors for the City of Jackson, Mississippi Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 15)
March 7, 2023 NM HB 7 Establishes State Protections for Gender Affirming Care Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15)
March 7, 2023 IA SF 478 Increases Restrictions on Information the State Auditor's Office can Obtain During Investigations Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 16)
March 7, 2023 AZ SB 1597 Requires On-Site Tabulation of All Election Ballots Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 14)
March 7, 2023 IA SF 514 Restructures Iowa State Government Cabinet Positions Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 15)
March 7, 2023 IA SF 514 Restructures Iowa State Government Cabinet Positions Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 15)
March 6, 2023 SD SB 160 Requires Ballots be Audited Within 15 Days Following a Primary or General Election Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (34 - 1)
March 6, 2023 SD HB 1094 Reduces Tax Rates on Food and Repeals Conditional Reduction of Certain Gross Receipts Tax Rates Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17)
March 6, 2023 AR HB 1419 Increases Number of Counties Where a Minimum Number of Signatures Must be Submitted from 15 to 50 Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 8)
March 6, 2023 ID S 1056 Repeals State Law that Prohibits Local Groups from Carrying Firearms in Public Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 9)
March 2, 2023 SD SB 139 Establishes a 30-Day State Residency Requirement to Vote Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 4)
March 2, 2023 UT HB 347 Prohibits Tampering With Ballot Boxes Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 6)
March 2, 2023 MT SB 420 Requires City Official Elections be Held in Even Numbered Years Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 20)
March 2, 2023 AZ SB 1264 Prohibits Election Officials or Workers from Being in Political Action Committees Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 14)
March 2, 2023 GA SB 222 Requires All Election Expenses be Paid for with State Public Funds Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 23)
March 2, 2023 MT SB 208 Prohibits Local Governments from Banning or Limiting Energy Choices Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 17)
March 1, 2023 UT HB 131 Prohibits Public Entities from Restricting Employment Due to an Individuals Vaccination Status Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 5)
March 1, 2023 KY SB 104 Repeals the Kentucky Public Television Board and Requires Senate Confirmation for Future Appointments Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 6)
Feb. 28, 2023 WY SF 131 Prohibits the Distribution of Unsolicited Absentee Ballot Forms Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (20 - 10)
Feb. 28, 2023 MI HB 4016 Appropriates $1.4 Billion from the General Budget to Address the State Healthcare Worker Shortage Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 16)
Feb. 28, 2023 AZ SB 1066 Requires All Nongovernmental Entities Sending Election-Related Information Specify Their Status Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 14)
Feb. 28, 2023 AZ SB 1565 Prohibits Arizona Counties from Using Artificial Intelligence in Verifying a Voter's Signature Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 13)
Feb. 28, 2023 AZ SB 1180 Prohibits an Individual From Being Paid on the Basis of How Many Voter Registration Forms They Collect Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 14)
Date No. Title Outcome
3/29 HB 514 Limits Local Government Ability to Stop New Residential Building Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 12)
3/29 H J Res 27 Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers, Department of Defense and the Environmental Protection Agency relating to "Revised Definition of 'Waters of the United States' " Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (53 - 43)
3/29 HB 2477 Specifies the Importance of the Electoral College to United States Elections Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 13)
3/29 S 32 Authorizes Ranked Choice Voting for the 2028 Presidential Primary Election Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 7)
3/28 HB 1310 Authorizes Restoring the Voting Rights of Military Veterans Convicted of Felonies Conference Report Adopted - Senate (36 - 16)
3/28 SB 291 Prohibits State Investment of Public Funds for ESG Investments Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 11)
3/27 SB 129 Requires Employees Get Time Off to Vote Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (46 - 3)
3/23 H 138 Amends Date of the State Presidential Primary from March to May Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 11)
3/22 SJR 21 Authorizes a Special Election to Fill Secretary of State Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (20 - 11)
3/22 SJR 21 Authorizes a Special Election to Fill Secretary of State Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (20 - 11)
3/22 SB 166 Classifies Harassment Against an Election Worker as Aggravated Harassment Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 8)
3/21 HB 408 Amends Sales and Use Tax Laws for Competitive Projects of Regional Significance Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 22)
3/21 SB 1135 Authorizes the State to Exit the Electronic Registration Information Center Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 13)
3/17 SB 859 Prohibits Requiring an Individual Give Testimony or Statements in Another State Regarding Their "Legally Protected Healthcare" Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 11)
3/15 HB 153 Prohibits Any Federal Ban or Regulation on Firearms Enacted in 2021 or After Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 9)
3/14 SB 2358 Prohibits a Third-Party From Collecting and Delivering Somebody Else's Absentee Ballot Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (33 - 13)
3/14 SB 2 Classifies Illegal Voting as a Felony Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 12)
3/14 SB 798 Establishes a Voter Referendum for 2024 Election that Enshrines Individual's Constitutional Right to Reproductive Freedom Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 15)
3/14 SB 2 Classifies Illegal Voting as a Felony Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 12)
3/14 SB 798 Establishes a Voter Referendum for 2024 Election that Enshrines Individual's Constitutional Right to Reproductive Freedom Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 15)
3/13 HB 236 Requires Public Pension Investments be based on Financial Risks and Returns not ESG Factors Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 5)
3/13 SB 955 Prohibits State Investment of Public Funds for ESG Investments Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 4)
3/11 SB 740 Increases Lawmakers Compensation to Equal 75% of the Per Capita Income in West Virginia Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 7)
3/09 H 124 Prohibits Using Student ID at Voting Polls Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 7)
3/09 HB 48 Reduces the Number of Nashville Metro City Council Members by Half Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 7)
3/08 H J Res 26 Disapproving the action of the District of Columbia Council in approving the Revised Criminal Code Act Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (81 - 14)
3/08 HB 4 Expands Various Voting Rights Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 14)
3/07 HB 1020 Establishes a Court System of Unelected Judges and Prosecutors for the City of Jackson, Mississippi Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 15)
3/07 HB 7 Establishes State Protections for Gender Affirming Care Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15)
3/07 SF 478 Increases Restrictions on Information the State Auditor's Office can Obtain During Investigations Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 16)
3/07 SB 1597 Requires On-Site Tabulation of All Election Ballots Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 14)
3/07 SF 514 Restructures Iowa State Government Cabinet Positions Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 15)
3/07 SF 514 Restructures Iowa State Government Cabinet Positions Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 15)
3/06 SB 160 Requires Ballots be Audited Within 15 Days Following a Primary or General Election Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (34 - 1)
3/06 HB 1094 Reduces Tax Rates on Food and Repeals Conditional Reduction of Certain Gross Receipts Tax Rates Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17)
3/06 HB 1419 Increases Number of Counties Where a Minimum Number of Signatures Must be Submitted from 15 to 50 Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 8)
3/06 S 1056 Repeals State Law that Prohibits Local Groups from Carrying Firearms in Public Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 9)
3/02 SB 139 Establishes a 30-Day State Residency Requirement to Vote Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 4)
3/02 HB 347 Prohibits Tampering With Ballot Boxes Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 6)
3/02 SB 420 Requires City Official Elections be Held in Even Numbered Years Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 20)
3/02 SB 1264 Prohibits Election Officials or Workers from Being in Political Action Committees Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 14)
3/02 SB 222 Requires All Election Expenses be Paid for with State Public Funds Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 23)
3/02 SB 208 Prohibits Local Governments from Banning or Limiting Energy Choices Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 17)
3/01 HB 131 Prohibits Public Entities from Restricting Employment Due to an Individuals Vaccination Status Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 5)
3/01 SB 104 Repeals the Kentucky Public Television Board and Requires Senate Confirmation for Future Appointments Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 6)
2/28 SF 131 Prohibits the Distribution of Unsolicited Absentee Ballot Forms Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (20 - 10)
2/28 HB 4016 Appropriates $1.4 Billion from the General Budget to Address the State Healthcare Worker Shortage Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 16)
2/28 SB 1066 Requires All Nongovernmental Entities Sending Election-Related Information Specify Their Status Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 14)
2/28 SB 1565 Prohibits Arizona Counties from Using Artificial Intelligence in Verifying a Voter's Signature Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 13)
2/28 SB 1180 Prohibits an Individual From Being Paid on the Basis of How Many Voter Registration Forms They Collect Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 14)

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