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 1, 2021 AR SB 488 Exempts Certain Forms of Examining and Copying of Public Records Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 5)
April 1, 2021 AR SB 487 Requires Election Officials to Ensure Electronic Pollbooks are Secure Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 7)
April 1, 2021 AL SB 97 Reduces the Power of the Public Health Officer During a Public Health Emergency Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 8)
April 1, 2021 AR SB 488 Exempts Certain Forms of Examining and Copying of Public Records Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 5)
April 1, 2021 AR SB 486 Prohibits Individuals from Entering or Remaining in an Area Where Voting is Taking Place Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 7)
April 1, 2021 AL SB 97 Reduces the Power of the Public Health Officer During a Public Health Emergency Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 8)
March 31, 2021 MT SB 196 Authorizes Voting Precincts with Less than 400 In-Person Voters to Open at Noon Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 20)
March 31, 2021 MT SB 169 Prohibits Same-Day Voter Registration Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 18)
March 31, 2021 MD HB 745 Increases the Number of Early Voting Centers in Certain Counties Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 14)
March 31, 2021 SC S 499 Requires Legislative Oversight Over Governor Election Commission Appointments Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 7)
March 30, 2021 DE SB 5 Authorizes Automatic Voter Registration at DMVs Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 7)
March 29, 2021 KY HJR 77 Limits the Governor's Emergency Health Orders to 60 Days Veto Override Passed - Senate (30 - 7)
March 25, 2021 NJ S 3203 Requires an In-Person Early Voting Period for Certain Elections Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 8)
March 25, 2021 GA SB 202 Amends Election Laws Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (34 - 20)
March 25, 2021 NJ A 5373 Authorizes County Board of Elections to Determine the Location of Certain Ballot Drop Boxes Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 12)
March 25, 2021 IN HB 1485 Establishes it is a Crime for Someone to Refuse to Leave a Polling Place After Directed Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 8)
March 25, 2021 NJ A 5373 Authorizes County Board of Elections to Determine the Location of Certain Ballot Drop Boxes Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 12)
March 25, 2021 GA HB 286 Prohibits Local Police Departments from Reducing Annual Police Budgets Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 15)
March 25, 2021 MT HB 121 Repeals the Ability for Health Boards to Implement Rules Surrounding Covid-19 Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 19)
March 25, 2021 OR SB 554 Authorizes Local Governments and School Districts to Prohibit Guns on Capital and State Property Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 7)
March 25, 2021 FL SJR 204 Authorizes Referendum as to Abolishment of Constitution Revision Commission Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 12)
March 24, 2021 National PN 121 Nomination of Rachel Levine as Assistant Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services Nomination Confirmed - Senate (52 - 48)
March 24, 2021 WA HB 1078 Extends Voting Rights to Citizens on Parole Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 22)
March 23, 2021 National PN 79-11 Nomination of Vivek Murphy as Medical Director in the Regular Corps and Surgeon General of the General Public Health Service Nomination Confirmed - Senate (57 - 43)
March 23, 2021 National PN 79-13 Nomination of Shalanda Young as Deputy Director of the Office of Management and Budget Nomination Confirmed - Senate (63 - 37)
March 22, 2021 ND HB 1378 Authorizes the State Assembly to Vote in December Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 6)
March 22, 2021 GA HB 150 Prohibits State and Local Governments From Restricting Use of Fossil Fuels Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 15)
March 18, 2021 National PN 78-2 Nomination of Xavier Becerra as Secretary of Health and Human Services Nomination Confirmed - Senate (50 - 49)
March 18, 2021 NH SB 155 Authorizes Codifying Provisions Included in Emergency Orders Issued by the Governor "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (23 - 1)
March 18, 2021 FL SB 72 Specifies Requirements for COVID-Related Civil Actions Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 15)
March 18, 2021 VT S 15 Extends the Policy of Mailing "Live" Ballots to All Active Voters Permanently Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 3)
March 18, 2021 OR SJR 12 Amends the State Constitution to Establish Healthcare as a Right for All Citizens Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 13)
March 18, 2021 ID S 1168 Requires that Elections Must be Funded by Federal, State, or Local Government Entities Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 7)
March 18, 2021 ID S 1168 Requires that Elections Must be Funded by Federal, State, or Local Government Entities Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 7)
March 17, 2021 AR HB 1522 Establishes a Misdemeanor Offense for False Statements by Candidates Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 1)
March 17, 2021 ID H 214 Specifies Responsibilities of the Chairman of the Idaho State Tax Commission Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 9)
March 17, 2021 IA SF 568 Amends Election Law Related to Amendments to the State Constitution Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 17)
March 17, 2021 IA SF 568 Amends Election Law Related to Amendments to the State Constitution Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 17)
March 16, 2021 KY HB 574 Authorizes Early In-Person Voting and Mail-In Voting Restrictions Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 3)
March 16, 2021 NV AB 110 Requires Lobbyists to Register with the Legislature Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 6)
March 16, 2021 WI SJR 20 Establishes February 2021 as Black History Month and Honors Black Legislators Joint Resolution Failed - Senate (11 - 20)
March 15, 2021 National PN 78-11 Nomination of Debra Haaland as Secretary of the Interior Nomination Confirmed - Senate (51 - 40)
March 15, 2021 MN SF 4 Requires the Governor to Seek Approval Before Extending an Emergency Declaration Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 29)
March 15, 2021 MN SF 4 Requires the Governor to Seek Approval Before Extending an Emergency Declaration Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 29)
March 12, 2021 MD SB 525 Requires the Baltimore City Centralized Booking Facility Provide a Secure Designated Ballot Drop Box Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 11)
March 12, 2021 ID S 1136 Establishes Restrictions on the Governor's Authority During an Emergency Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 7)
March 11, 2021 KY SB 3 Amends Laws Related to Declaring an Emergency Related to the Agricultural Industry Veto Override Passed - Senate (24 - 5)
March 11, 2021 KY SB 3 Amends Laws Related to Declaring an Emergency Related to the Agricultural Industry Veto Override Passed - Senate (24 - 5)
March 11, 2021 MA H 73 Establishes That Early Voting by Mail-In Ballot Can Continue Through the End of June Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 0)
March 11, 2021 ME LD 102 Extends the Time for Processing Absentee Ballots Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 8)
Date No. Title Outcome
4/01 SB 488 Exempts Certain Forms of Examining and Copying of Public Records Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 5)
4/01 SB 487 Requires Election Officials to Ensure Electronic Pollbooks are Secure Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 7)
4/01 SB 97 Reduces the Power of the Public Health Officer During a Public Health Emergency Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 8)
4/01 SB 488 Exempts Certain Forms of Examining and Copying of Public Records Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 5)
4/01 SB 486 Prohibits Individuals from Entering or Remaining in an Area Where Voting is Taking Place Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 7)
4/01 SB 97 Reduces the Power of the Public Health Officer During a Public Health Emergency Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 8)
3/31 SB 196 Authorizes Voting Precincts with Less than 400 In-Person Voters to Open at Noon Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 20)
3/31 SB 169 Prohibits Same-Day Voter Registration Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 18)
3/31 HB 745 Increases the Number of Early Voting Centers in Certain Counties Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 14)
3/31 S 499 Requires Legislative Oversight Over Governor Election Commission Appointments Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 7)
3/30 SB 5 Authorizes Automatic Voter Registration at DMVs Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 7)
3/29 HJR 77 Limits the Governor's Emergency Health Orders to 60 Days Veto Override Passed - Senate (30 - 7)
3/25 S 3203 Requires an In-Person Early Voting Period for Certain Elections Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 8)
3/25 SB 202 Amends Election Laws Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (34 - 20)
3/25 A 5373 Authorizes County Board of Elections to Determine the Location of Certain Ballot Drop Boxes Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 12)
3/25 HB 1485 Establishes it is a Crime for Someone to Refuse to Leave a Polling Place After Directed Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 8)
3/25 A 5373 Authorizes County Board of Elections to Determine the Location of Certain Ballot Drop Boxes Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 12)
3/25 HB 286 Prohibits Local Police Departments from Reducing Annual Police Budgets Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 15)
3/25 HB 121 Repeals the Ability for Health Boards to Implement Rules Surrounding Covid-19 Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 19)
3/25 SB 554 Authorizes Local Governments and School Districts to Prohibit Guns on Capital and State Property Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 7)
3/25 SJR 204 Authorizes Referendum as to Abolishment of Constitution Revision Commission Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 12)
3/24 PN 121 Nomination of Rachel Levine as Assistant Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services Nomination Confirmed - Senate (52 - 48)
3/24 HB 1078 Extends Voting Rights to Citizens on Parole Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 22)
3/23 PN 79-11 Nomination of Vivek Murphy as Medical Director in the Regular Corps and Surgeon General of the General Public Health Service Nomination Confirmed - Senate (57 - 43)
3/23 PN 79-13 Nomination of Shalanda Young as Deputy Director of the Office of Management and Budget Nomination Confirmed - Senate (63 - 37)
3/22 HB 1378 Authorizes the State Assembly to Vote in December Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 6)
3/22 HB 150 Prohibits State and Local Governments From Restricting Use of Fossil Fuels Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 15)
3/18 PN 78-2 Nomination of Xavier Becerra as Secretary of Health and Human Services Nomination Confirmed - Senate (50 - 49)
3/18 SB 155 Authorizes Codifying Provisions Included in Emergency Orders Issued by the Governor "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (23 - 1)
3/18 SB 72 Specifies Requirements for COVID-Related Civil Actions Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 15)
3/18 S 15 Extends the Policy of Mailing "Live" Ballots to All Active Voters Permanently Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 3)
3/18 SJR 12 Amends the State Constitution to Establish Healthcare as a Right for All Citizens Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 13)
3/18 S 1168 Requires that Elections Must be Funded by Federal, State, or Local Government Entities Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 7)
3/18 S 1168 Requires that Elections Must be Funded by Federal, State, or Local Government Entities Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 7)
3/17 HB 1522 Establishes a Misdemeanor Offense for False Statements by Candidates Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 1)
3/17 H 214 Specifies Responsibilities of the Chairman of the Idaho State Tax Commission Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 9)
3/17 SF 568 Amends Election Law Related to Amendments to the State Constitution Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 17)
3/17 SF 568 Amends Election Law Related to Amendments to the State Constitution Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 17)
3/16 HB 574 Authorizes Early In-Person Voting and Mail-In Voting Restrictions Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 3)
3/16 AB 110 Requires Lobbyists to Register with the Legislature Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 6)
3/16 SJR 20 Establishes February 2021 as Black History Month and Honors Black Legislators Joint Resolution Failed - Senate (11 - 20)
3/15 PN 78-11 Nomination of Debra Haaland as Secretary of the Interior Nomination Confirmed - Senate (51 - 40)
3/15 SF 4 Requires the Governor to Seek Approval Before Extending an Emergency Declaration Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 29)
3/15 SF 4 Requires the Governor to Seek Approval Before Extending an Emergency Declaration Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 29)
3/12 SB 525 Requires the Baltimore City Centralized Booking Facility Provide a Secure Designated Ballot Drop Box Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 11)
3/12 S 1136 Establishes Restrictions on the Governor's Authority During an Emergency Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 7)
3/11 SB 3 Amends Laws Related to Declaring an Emergency Related to the Agricultural Industry Veto Override Passed - Senate (24 - 5)
3/11 SB 3 Amends Laws Related to Declaring an Emergency Related to the Agricultural Industry Veto Override Passed - Senate (24 - 5)
3/11 H 73 Establishes That Early Voting by Mail-In Ballot Can Continue Through the End of June Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 0)
3/11 LD 102 Extends the Time for Processing Absentee Ballots Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 8)

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