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 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)
April 2, 2015 GA SB 127 Exempts Certain Public Officials from Late Filing Fees Conference Report Rejected - Senate (22 - 33)
March 30, 2015 AZ HB 2608 Amends Signature Requirements for Political Candidate Nominations Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 12)
March 26, 2015 NH SB 179 Amends Residency Requirement for Voter Eligibility Bill Passed - Senate (13 - 10)
March 24, 2015 ND HCR 3015 Requests a Constitutional Convention Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (29 - 17)
March 19, 2015 IA SF 331 Authorizes Online Voter Registration Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 20)
March 18, 2015 IA SF 437 Authorizes Employees to Take Unpaid Leave to Participate in a Presidential Precinct Caucus Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 24)
March 16, 2015 NJ S 2181 Increases Oversight of the Port Authority Veto Override Failed - Senate (25 - 14)
March 16, 2015 ID S 1092 Prohibits Local Knife Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 10)
March 12, 2015 MO HB 63 Prohibits Superintendents from Serving on Certain School Boards Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 3)
March 12, 2015 MT HB 203 Prohibits Enforcement of Certain Federal Gun Restrictions Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 22)
March 12, 2015 NC SB 181 Requires the Redistricting of Wake County Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 16)
March 11, 2015 AZ SCR 1001 Amends Citizens Clean Elections Fund Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (17 - 12)
March 11, 2015 AZ SCR 1001 Amends Citizens Clean Elections Fund Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (17 - 12)
March 11, 2015 AZ SB 1330 Prohibits State Employees from Enforcing Federal Firearm Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 12)
March 11, 2015 OK SB 809 Amends Local Municipalities' Ability to Regulate Oil and Gas Production Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 7)
March 11, 2015 OK SJR 4 Requests Constitutional Convention Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (26 - 20)
March 11, 2015 OK SJR 4 Requests Constitutional Convention Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (26 - 20)
March 11, 2015 OK SJR 4 Requests Constitutional Convention Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (26 - 20)
March 11, 2015 AK SB 6 Exempts State from Daylight Saving Time Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 4)
March 9, 2015 KY HB 203 Increases Limit on Individual Campaign Donations Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 8)
March 6, 2015 AZ SB 1340 Requires Photo Identification for Early Ballot Volunteers Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 12)
March 5, 2015 OR HB 2177 Establishes Automatic Voter Registration Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 13)
March 3, 2015 OK SB 315 Amends Absentee Ballot Application Procedure Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 7)
Feb. 26, 2015 MN SF 174 Requires Legislative Approval for Certain Salary Increases Conference Report Adopted - Senate (35 - 29)
Feb. 26, 2015 MN SF 174 Requires Legislative Approval for Certain Salary Increases Conference Report Adopted - Senate (35 - 29)
Feb. 26, 2015 KS SB 171 Amends Voting Schedule Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 18)
Feb. 19, 2015 MO SB 104 Establishes Deadline for Changes to Ballot Measures Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 8)
Feb. 11, 2015 MS SB 2389 Authorizes Joining Interstate Compact for a Balanced Federal Budget Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 19)
Feb. 3, 2015 WV SB 249 Repeals Straight-Ticket Voting Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 8)
Jan. 30, 2015 WY SF 56 Appropriates Funds for Study of Public Lands Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 4)
Jan. 27, 2015 CO SB 52 Expands Legislative Oversight of the Colorado Health Benefit Exchange Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11)
Dec. 11, 2014 OH SB 342 Prohibits Use of Traffic Cameras to Issue Tickets Unless Officer is Present Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 9)
Dec. 3, 2014 OH HB 5 Amends Municipal Income Tax Laws Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 8)
Dec. 1, 2014 NJ S 536 Amends Early Voting Procedures Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 15)
Dec. 1, 2014 NJ S 536 Amends Early Voting Procedures Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 15)
Nov. 19, 2014 OH SB 342 Prohibits Use of Traffic Cameras to Issue Tickets unless an Officer is Present Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 9)
Oct. 23, 2014 NJ SCR 125 Specifies that Proposed Regulations Concerning Greenhouse Gas Cap and Trade Programs are Inconsistent with Legislative Intent Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (23 - 14)
Oct. 23, 2014 NJ SCR 125 Specifies that Proposed Regulations Concerning Greenhouse Gas Cap and Trade Programs are Inconsistent with Legislative Intent Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (23 - 14)
Oct. 23, 2014 NJ S 2430 Requires Disclosure of Political Contributions Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 8)
Oct. 16, 2014 PA HB 80 Authorizes Civil Action against Local Firearm Laws Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 14)
Oct. 15, 2014 PA HB 2354 Requires Legislative Approval for Certain Plans from the Department of Environmental Protection Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 17)
Sept. 11, 2014 National S J Res 19 A Joint Resolution Proposing an Amendment to the Constitution of the United States Relating to Contributions and Expenditures Intended to Affect Elections Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (54 - 42)
Sept. 10, 2014 MO SB 506 Expands and Establishes Certain Agricultural Programs Veto Override Passed - Senate (24 - 7)
Aug. 29, 2014 CA SB 1319 Authorizes Groundwater Sustainability Plan for Certain Water Basins Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 10)
Aug. 29, 2014 CA SB 1168 Requires Sustainability Plans for Groundwater Usage Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 10)
Aug. 27, 2014 CA AB 1014 Authorizes Gun Violence Restraining Orders Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 8)
Aug. 27, 2014 CA AB 1739 Amends Groundwater Laws Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 11)
Aug. 11, 2014 FL SB 2-A Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 12)
Aug. 11, 2014 FL SB 2-A Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 12)
Aug. 1, 2014 NC SB 744 2014-2015 Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (33 - 10)
Aug. 1, 2014 NC SB 744 2014-2015 Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (33 - 10)
July 30, 2014 NC HB 1133 Amends Technical Language in Education, Firearm, and Economic Statutes Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 10)
July 29, 2014 National S Amdt 3584 Transportation Empowerment Act Amendment Rejected - Senate (28 - 69)
July 28, 2014 NC HB 1181 Establishes Commercial Managed Care for Medicaid Recipients Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 17)
July 10, 2014 NC SB 812 Repeals Common Core Standards Conference Report Adopted - Senate (33 - 12)
June 26, 2014 NJ S 2015 2014-2015 Budget Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 16)
June 23, 2014 CA AJR 1 Requests Constitutional Convention to Overturn Citizens United Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 11)
June 23, 2014 CA AJR 1 Requests Constitutional Convention to Overturn Citizens United Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 11)
June 18, 2014 RI H 8072A Repeals Straight Party Voting Option on Election Ballots Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 3)
June 12, 2014 NJ SCR 116 Specifies that the Job Banding Rule is Not Consistent with Legislative Intent Resolution Passed - Senate (21 - 15)
June 10, 2014 MI SB 789 Amends Firearm Licensing Procedures Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 13)
June 3, 2014 MI HB 5575 Establishes the Mighigan Settlement Authority Administration Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 17)
May 30, 2014 IL SB 274 Requires Salary Payments to State Legislators Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (39 - 18)
May 30, 2014 IL HB 105 Authorizes Election Day Voter Registration Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 17)
May 29, 2014 CA SB 1253 Amends Legislative Initiative Measure Laws Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 8)
May 29, 2014 CA SB 1253 Amends Legislative Initiative Measure Laws Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 8)
May 28, 2014 LA HB 953 Extends Timeline for Implementation of Common Core Standards Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 8)
May 28, 2014 CA SB 1319 Expands Prevention and Response Programs for Oil Spills Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
May 27, 2014 IL SB 16 Amends Formula for School Funding Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 19)
May 23, 2014 OK HJR 1092 Authorizes School Districts To Issue Bonds For Improvements in Building Safety Conference Report Rejected - Senate (16 - 25)
May 23, 2014 OK HJR 1033 Authorizes Bonds for Capitol Repairs Conference Report Adopted - Senate (34 - 8)
May 22, 2014 OK SB 1848 Amends Standards for Abortion Facilities Conference Report Adopted - Senate (34 - 9)
May 22, 2014 NH SB 120 Requires Certain Political Organizations to Disclose Individual Contributors Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (12 - 11)
Date No. Title Outcome
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)
4/02 SB 127 Exempts Certain Public Officials from Late Filing Fees Conference Report Rejected - Senate (22 - 33)
3/30 HB 2608 Amends Signature Requirements for Political Candidate Nominations Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 12)
3/26 SB 179 Amends Residency Requirement for Voter Eligibility Bill Passed - Senate (13 - 10)
3/24 HCR 3015 Requests a Constitutional Convention Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (29 - 17)
3/19 SF 331 Authorizes Online Voter Registration Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 20)
3/18 SF 437 Authorizes Employees to Take Unpaid Leave to Participate in a Presidential Precinct Caucus Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 24)
3/16 S 2181 Increases Oversight of the Port Authority Veto Override Failed - Senate (25 - 14)
3/16 S 1092 Prohibits Local Knife Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 10)
3/12 HB 63 Prohibits Superintendents from Serving on Certain School Boards Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 3)
3/12 HB 203 Prohibits Enforcement of Certain Federal Gun Restrictions Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 22)
3/12 SB 181 Requires the Redistricting of Wake County Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 16)
3/11 SCR 1001 Amends Citizens Clean Elections Fund Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (17 - 12)
3/11 SCR 1001 Amends Citizens Clean Elections Fund Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (17 - 12)
3/11 SB 1330 Prohibits State Employees from Enforcing Federal Firearm Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 12)
3/11 SB 809 Amends Local Municipalities' Ability to Regulate Oil and Gas Production Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 7)
3/11 SJR 4 Requests Constitutional Convention Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (26 - 20)
3/11 SJR 4 Requests Constitutional Convention Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (26 - 20)
3/11 SJR 4 Requests Constitutional Convention Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (26 - 20)
3/11 SB 6 Exempts State from Daylight Saving Time Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 4)
3/09 HB 203 Increases Limit on Individual Campaign Donations Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 8)
3/06 SB 1340 Requires Photo Identification for Early Ballot Volunteers Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 12)
3/05 HB 2177 Establishes Automatic Voter Registration Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 13)
3/03 SB 315 Amends Absentee Ballot Application Procedure Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 7)
2/26 SF 174 Requires Legislative Approval for Certain Salary Increases Conference Report Adopted - Senate (35 - 29)
2/26 SF 174 Requires Legislative Approval for Certain Salary Increases Conference Report Adopted - Senate (35 - 29)
2/26 SB 171 Amends Voting Schedule Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 18)
2/19 SB 104 Establishes Deadline for Changes to Ballot Measures Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 8)
2/11 SB 2389 Authorizes Joining Interstate Compact for a Balanced Federal Budget Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 19)
2/03 SB 249 Repeals Straight-Ticket Voting Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 8)
1/30 SF 56 Appropriates Funds for Study of Public Lands Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 4)
1/27 SB 52 Expands Legislative Oversight of the Colorado Health Benefit Exchange Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11)
12/11 SB 342 Prohibits Use of Traffic Cameras to Issue Tickets Unless Officer is Present Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 9)
12/03 HB 5 Amends Municipal Income Tax Laws Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 8)
12/01 S 536 Amends Early Voting Procedures Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 15)
12/01 S 536 Amends Early Voting Procedures Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 15)
11/19 SB 342 Prohibits Use of Traffic Cameras to Issue Tickets unless an Officer is Present Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 9)
10/23 SCR 125 Specifies that Proposed Regulations Concerning Greenhouse Gas Cap and Trade Programs are Inconsistent with Legislative Intent Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (23 - 14)
10/23 SCR 125 Specifies that Proposed Regulations Concerning Greenhouse Gas Cap and Trade Programs are Inconsistent with Legislative Intent Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (23 - 14)
10/23 S 2430 Requires Disclosure of Political Contributions Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 8)
10/16 HB 80 Authorizes Civil Action against Local Firearm Laws Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 14)
10/15 HB 2354 Requires Legislative Approval for Certain Plans from the Department of Environmental Protection Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 17)
9/11 S J Res 19 A Joint Resolution Proposing an Amendment to the Constitution of the United States Relating to Contributions and Expenditures Intended to Affect Elections Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (54 - 42)
9/10 SB 506 Expands and Establishes Certain Agricultural Programs Veto Override Passed - Senate (24 - 7)
8/29 SB 1319 Authorizes Groundwater Sustainability Plan for Certain Water Basins Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 10)
8/29 SB 1168 Requires Sustainability Plans for Groundwater Usage Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 10)
8/27 AB 1014 Authorizes Gun Violence Restraining Orders Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 8)
8/27 AB 1739 Amends Groundwater Laws Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 11)
8/11 SB 2-A Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 12)
8/11 SB 2-A Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 12)
8/01 SB 744 2014-2015 Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (33 - 10)
8/01 SB 744 2014-2015 Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (33 - 10)
7/30 HB 1133 Amends Technical Language in Education, Firearm, and Economic Statutes Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 10)
7/29 S Amdt 3584 Transportation Empowerment Act Amendment Rejected - Senate (28 - 69)
7/28 HB 1181 Establishes Commercial Managed Care for Medicaid Recipients Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 17)
7/10 SB 812 Repeals Common Core Standards Conference Report Adopted - Senate (33 - 12)
6/26 S 2015 2014-2015 Budget Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 16)
6/23 AJR 1 Requests Constitutional Convention to Overturn Citizens United Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 11)
6/23 AJR 1 Requests Constitutional Convention to Overturn Citizens United Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 11)
6/18 H 8072A Repeals Straight Party Voting Option on Election Ballots Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 3)
6/12 SCR 116 Specifies that the Job Banding Rule is Not Consistent with Legislative Intent Resolution Passed - Senate (21 - 15)
6/10 SB 789 Amends Firearm Licensing Procedures Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 13)
6/03 HB 5575 Establishes the Mighigan Settlement Authority Administration Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 17)
5/30 SB 274 Requires Salary Payments to State Legislators Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (39 - 18)
5/30 HB 105 Authorizes Election Day Voter Registration Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 17)
5/29 SB 1253 Amends Legislative Initiative Measure Laws Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 8)
5/29 SB 1253 Amends Legislative Initiative Measure Laws Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 8)
5/28 HB 953 Extends Timeline for Implementation of Common Core Standards Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 8)
5/28 SB 1319 Expands Prevention and Response Programs for Oil Spills Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
5/27 SB 16 Amends Formula for School Funding Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 19)
5/23 HJR 1092 Authorizes School Districts To Issue Bonds For Improvements in Building Safety Conference Report Rejected - Senate (16 - 25)
5/23 HJR 1033 Authorizes Bonds for Capitol Repairs Conference Report Adopted - Senate (34 - 8)
5/22 SB 1848 Amends Standards for Abortion Facilities Conference Report Adopted - Senate (34 - 9)
5/22 SB 120 Requires Certain Political Organizations to Disclose Individual Contributors Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (12 - 11)

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