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
May 23, 2016 CA SB 1190 Prohibits Coastal Commission from Engaging in Ex Parte Communications Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
May 19, 2016 IL SB 250 Establishes Automatic Voter Registration Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 16)
May 10, 2016 MI SB 853 Prohibits Cities from Restricting Plastic Bags Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 12)
May 4, 2016 AZ SB 1268 Exempts Cities from Assured Water Supply Requirement Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (17 - 12)
May 3, 2016 MO HB 1631 Requires Individuals to Present Certain Identification to Vote Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 8)
April 21, 2016 IL SJRCA 29 Repeals Office of the Lieutenant Governor Amendment Rejected - Senate (21 - 28)
April 21, 2016 IL SJRCA 29 Repeals Office of the Lieutenant Governor Amendment Rejected - Senate (21 - 28)
April 21, 2016 IL SJRCA 30 Amends Redistricting Process Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 19)
April 21, 2016 IL SJRCA 30 Amends Redistricting Process Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 19)
April 19, 2016 TN SJR 467 Urges Attorney General to File Lawsuit in Relation to Refugee Resettlement Program Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 4)
April 13, 2016 NE LB 580 Establishes Independent Redistricting Commission Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 15)
April 13, 2016 NE LB 580 Establishes Independent Redistricting Commission Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 15)
April 11, 2016 ME LD 1600 Requires Legislative Approval for National Monument Designations Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17)
April 6, 2016 MO SCR 46 Prohibits a Wage Range Increase for Personal Care Attendants Veto Override Passed - Senate (24 - 8)
April 4, 2016 TN HB 615 Establishes the Bible as the Official State Book Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 8)
April 4, 2016 NE LB 10 Establishes Winner-Take-All Election System Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 15)
April 4, 2016 LA SB 25 Authorizes Legislature to Introduce Fiscal Bills Every Year Bill Failed - Senate (11 - 24)
March 29, 2016 RI H 7024 Authorizes Online Voting Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 6)
March 29, 2016 LA SB 227 Authorizes REAL ID Driver's Licenses Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 7)
March 29, 2016 CO SB 157 Requires Suspension of Clean Power Plan Implementation Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17)
March 29, 2016 LA SB 164 Amends Absentee Voting Requirements Bill Failed - Senate (11 - 24)
March 23, 2016 GA SB 323 Increases Deadline for Disclosure of Records of Intercollegiate Sports Programs Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 22)
March 22, 2016 KY SB 245 Authorizes State to Issue Real ID Compliant Identification Documents Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 12)
March 22, 2016 KS SB 439 Specifies Qualifications for Impeachment Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
March 15, 2016 ID H 372 Prohibits Local Limitation on Use of Plastic Bags Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
March 14, 2016 National PN 1152 Nomination of John B. King to be Secretary of Education Nomination Confirmed - Senate (49 - 40)
March 14, 2016 National PN 1152 Nomination of John B. King to be Secretary of Education Nomination Confirmed - Senate (49 - 40)
March 10, 2016 AZ HB 2131 Prohibits Local Governments from Taxing Disposable Bags Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 11)
March 10, 2016 KY SB 8 Requires the State Supreme Court to Review Judicial Districts Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 12)
March 10, 2016 KY SB 8 Requires the State Supreme Court to Review Judicial Districts Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 12)
March 10, 2016 MO SJR 39 Prohibits Penalties for Declining Participation in Same-Sex Marriage Ceremonies Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (23 - 7)
March 8, 2016 AZ SB 1516 Repeals Certain Campaign Finance Reforms Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 10)
March 2, 2016 CO SB 74 Authorizes Voters to Opt Out of Mail Ballots Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17)
Feb. 29, 2016 VA HB 587 Prohibits Removal of War Monuments Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 17)
Feb. 29, 2016 GA SR 675 Establishes English as the Official Language of the State of Georgia Resolution Passed - Senate (39 - 14)
Feb. 26, 2016 VA HB 1371 Prohibits Cities from Increasing Minimum Wage or Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
Feb. 25, 2016 AL HB 174 Prohibits Local Governments from Establishing Wage or Employee Benefits Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 11)
Feb. 24, 2016 UT SJR 2 Urges Congress to Repeal the 17th Amendment Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 6)
Feb. 24, 2016 CO SB 112 Requires Certain Number of Polling Centers Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17)
Feb. 24, 2016 UT SJR 2 Urges Congress to Repeal the 17th Amendment Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 6)
Feb. 24, 2016 UT SJR 2 Urges Congress to Repeal the 17th Amendment Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 6)
Feb. 22, 2016 TN SJR 467 Urges Attorney General to File Lawsuit in Relation to Refugee Resettlement Program Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (27 - 5)
Feb. 18, 2016 NC SB 2 Amends Congressional Districts Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 15)
Feb. 17, 2016 NM HB 138 Authorizes Certain Minors to Vote Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 16)
Feb. 16, 2016 WI SB 707 Prohibits a Legislator from Holding Office as County Executive Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 13)
Feb. 9, 2016 MD HB 980 Authorizes Felons to Vote While on Parole Veto Override Passed - Senate (29 - 18)
Feb. 9, 2016 VA SB 270 Requires Cities to Enforce Federal Immigration Laws Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
Feb. 9, 2016 WI SB 295 Authorizes Voters to Register Online Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 13)
Feb. 9, 2016 VA SB 705 Requires Sanctuary Cities to be Liable for Damages Caused by Undocumented Immigrant Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
Feb. 4, 2016 MO SJR 19 Amends Membership Composition of the Conservation Commission Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (22 - 10)
Feb. 4, 2016 MO SJR 19 Amends Membership Composition of the Conservation Commission Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (22 - 10)
Feb. 1, 2016 VA SB 106 Authorizes No-Excuse In-Person Absentee Voting Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
Jan. 26, 2016 VA SJ 1 Authorizes Ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
Jan. 25, 2016 MO SCR 46 Prohibits a Wage Range Increase for Personal Care Attendants Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (27 - 4)
Jan. 21, 2016 National S J Res 22 A Joint Resolution Providing for Congressional Disapproval Under Chapter 8 of Title 5, United States Code, of the Rule Submitted by the Corps of Engineers and the Environmental Protection Agency Relating to the Definition of "Waters of the United States" Under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (52 - 40)
Jan. 21, 2016 NH SB 4 Requires an Individual to Live in the State for 30 Days to be Eligible to Vote Bill Passed - Senate (12 - 11)
Jan. 19, 2016 National PN 367 Nomination of Wilhelmina Wright to Be U.S. District Judge Nomination Confirmed - Senate (58 - 36)
Jan. 19, 2016 KY SB 10 Requires Gubernatorial Elections to be Held on Even-Numbered Years Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 9)
Jan. 12, 2016 National S 2232 Federal Reserve Transparency Act of 2015 Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (53 - 44)
Dec. 16, 2015 MI SB 571 Amends Ballot Advertising Restrictions Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 12)
Oct. 27, 2015 National S 754 Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act (CISA) of 2015 Bill Passed - Senate (74 - 21)
Aug. 17, 2015 CA AB 1100 Increases Ballot Initiative Fee Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 14)
May 27, 2015 OH HB 153 Amends Date of Presidential Primary Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 10)
May 12, 2015 NV SB 421 Amends Primary Elections Procedures Bill Passed - Senate (11 - 9)
May 11, 2015 MN SF 455 Amends Elections Laws Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 28)
May 5, 2015 MI SB 133 2015-2016 Budget Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15)
May 4, 2015 TX HB 40 Specifies That The State Will Regulate Oil and Gas Operations Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 7)
April 27, 2015 IN SB 466 Amends Voting Regulations Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (38 - 8)
April 23, 2015 National PN 4 Nomination of Loretta E. Lynch to be Attorney General Nomination Confirmed - Senate (56 - 43)
April 23, 2015 MN SF 878 Authorizes Gun Silencers and Expands Ex-Felon Voting Rights Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 22)
April 22, 2015 ND SB 2304 Appropriates Funds for New Governor's Residence Conference Report Adopted - Senate (28 - 19)
April 14, 2015 PA SB 333 Prohibits Local Paid Leave Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 12)
April 8, 2015 MO HB 63 Prohibits Superintendents from Serving on Certain School Boards Veto Override Passed - Senate (24 - 9)
April 6, 2015 ND HB 1181 Requires Special Election to Fill Vacant Senate Seat Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 20)
April 6, 2015 ND HB 1181 Requires Special Election to Fill Vacant Senate Seat Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 20)
Date No. Title Outcome
5/23 SB 1190 Prohibits Coastal Commission from Engaging in Ex Parte Communications Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
5/19 SB 250 Establishes Automatic Voter Registration Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 16)
5/10 SB 853 Prohibits Cities from Restricting Plastic Bags Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 12)
5/04 SB 1268 Exempts Cities from Assured Water Supply Requirement Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (17 - 12)
5/03 HB 1631 Requires Individuals to Present Certain Identification to Vote Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 8)
4/21 SJRCA 29 Repeals Office of the Lieutenant Governor Amendment Rejected - Senate (21 - 28)
4/21 SJRCA 29 Repeals Office of the Lieutenant Governor Amendment Rejected - Senate (21 - 28)
4/21 SJRCA 30 Amends Redistricting Process Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 19)
4/21 SJRCA 30 Amends Redistricting Process Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 19)
4/19 SJR 467 Urges Attorney General to File Lawsuit in Relation to Refugee Resettlement Program Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 4)
4/13 LB 580 Establishes Independent Redistricting Commission Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 15)
4/13 LB 580 Establishes Independent Redistricting Commission Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 15)
4/11 LD 1600 Requires Legislative Approval for National Monument Designations Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17)
4/06 SCR 46 Prohibits a Wage Range Increase for Personal Care Attendants Veto Override Passed - Senate (24 - 8)
4/04 HB 615 Establishes the Bible as the Official State Book Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 8)
4/04 LB 10 Establishes Winner-Take-All Election System Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 15)
4/04 SB 25 Authorizes Legislature to Introduce Fiscal Bills Every Year Bill Failed - Senate (11 - 24)
3/29 H 7024 Authorizes Online Voting Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 6)
3/29 SB 227 Authorizes REAL ID Driver's Licenses Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 7)
3/29 SB 157 Requires Suspension of Clean Power Plan Implementation Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17)
3/29 SB 164 Amends Absentee Voting Requirements Bill Failed - Senate (11 - 24)
3/23 SB 323 Increases Deadline for Disclosure of Records of Intercollegiate Sports Programs Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 22)
3/22 SB 245 Authorizes State to Issue Real ID Compliant Identification Documents Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 12)
3/22 SB 439 Specifies Qualifications for Impeachment Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
3/15 H 372 Prohibits Local Limitation on Use of Plastic Bags Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
3/14 PN 1152 Nomination of John B. King to be Secretary of Education Nomination Confirmed - Senate (49 - 40)
3/14 PN 1152 Nomination of John B. King to be Secretary of Education Nomination Confirmed - Senate (49 - 40)
3/10 HB 2131 Prohibits Local Governments from Taxing Disposable Bags Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 11)
3/10 SB 8 Requires the State Supreme Court to Review Judicial Districts Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 12)
3/10 SB 8 Requires the State Supreme Court to Review Judicial Districts Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 12)
3/10 SJR 39 Prohibits Penalties for Declining Participation in Same-Sex Marriage Ceremonies Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (23 - 7)
3/08 SB 1516 Repeals Certain Campaign Finance Reforms Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 10)
3/02 SB 74 Authorizes Voters to Opt Out of Mail Ballots Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17)
2/29 HB 587 Prohibits Removal of War Monuments Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 17)
2/29 SR 675 Establishes English as the Official Language of the State of Georgia Resolution Passed - Senate (39 - 14)
2/26 HB 1371 Prohibits Cities from Increasing Minimum Wage or Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
2/25 HB 174 Prohibits Local Governments from Establishing Wage or Employee Benefits Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 11)
2/24 SJR 2 Urges Congress to Repeal the 17th Amendment Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 6)
2/24 SB 112 Requires Certain Number of Polling Centers Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17)
2/24 SJR 2 Urges Congress to Repeal the 17th Amendment Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 6)
2/24 SJR 2 Urges Congress to Repeal the 17th Amendment Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 6)
2/22 SJR 467 Urges Attorney General to File Lawsuit in Relation to Refugee Resettlement Program Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (27 - 5)
2/18 SB 2 Amends Congressional Districts Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 15)
2/17 HB 138 Authorizes Certain Minors to Vote Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 16)
2/16 SB 707 Prohibits a Legislator from Holding Office as County Executive Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 13)
2/09 HB 980 Authorizes Felons to Vote While on Parole Veto Override Passed - Senate (29 - 18)
2/09 SB 270 Requires Cities to Enforce Federal Immigration Laws Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
2/09 SB 295 Authorizes Voters to Register Online Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 13)
2/09 SB 705 Requires Sanctuary Cities to be Liable for Damages Caused by Undocumented Immigrant Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
2/04 SJR 19 Amends Membership Composition of the Conservation Commission Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (22 - 10)
2/04 SJR 19 Amends Membership Composition of the Conservation Commission Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (22 - 10)
2/01 SB 106 Authorizes No-Excuse In-Person Absentee Voting Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
1/26 SJ 1 Authorizes Ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
1/25 SCR 46 Prohibits a Wage Range Increase for Personal Care Attendants Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (27 - 4)
1/21 S J Res 22 A Joint Resolution Providing for Congressional Disapproval Under Chapter 8 of Title 5, United States Code, of the Rule Submitted by the Corps of Engineers and the Environmental Protection Agency Relating to the Definition of "Waters of the United States" Under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (52 - 40)
1/21 SB 4 Requires an Individual to Live in the State for 30 Days to be Eligible to Vote Bill Passed - Senate (12 - 11)
1/19 PN 367 Nomination of Wilhelmina Wright to Be U.S. District Judge Nomination Confirmed - Senate (58 - 36)
1/19 SB 10 Requires Gubernatorial Elections to be Held on Even-Numbered Years Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 9)
1/12 S 2232 Federal Reserve Transparency Act of 2015 Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (53 - 44)
12/16 SB 571 Amends Ballot Advertising Restrictions Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 12)
10/27 S 754 Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act (CISA) of 2015 Bill Passed - Senate (74 - 21)
8/17 AB 1100 Increases Ballot Initiative Fee Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 14)
5/27 HB 153 Amends Date of Presidential Primary Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 10)
5/12 SB 421 Amends Primary Elections Procedures Bill Passed - Senate (11 - 9)
5/11 SF 455 Amends Elections Laws Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 28)
5/05 SB 133 2015-2016 Budget Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15)
5/04 HB 40 Specifies That The State Will Regulate Oil and Gas Operations Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 7)
4/27 SB 466 Amends Voting Regulations Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (38 - 8)
4/23 PN 4 Nomination of Loretta E. Lynch to be Attorney General Nomination Confirmed - Senate (56 - 43)
4/23 SF 878 Authorizes Gun Silencers and Expands Ex-Felon Voting Rights Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 22)
4/22 SB 2304 Appropriates Funds for New Governor's Residence Conference Report Adopted - Senate (28 - 19)
4/14 SB 333 Prohibits Local Paid Leave Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 12)
4/08 HB 63 Prohibits Superintendents from Serving on Certain School Boards Veto Override Passed - Senate (24 - 9)
4/06 HB 1181 Requires Special Election to Fill Vacant Senate Seat Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 20)
4/06 HB 1181 Requires Special Election to Fill Vacant Senate Seat Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 20)

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