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 7, 2020 VA HB 19 Repeals Photo Identification Requirement for Voting Conference Report Adopted - Senate (20 - 19)
March 7, 2020 VA SB 183 Authorizes Localities to Remove, Relocate, or Alter Monuments Conference Report Adopted - Senate (23 - 16)
March 7, 2020 WA SB 6313 Authorizes 16 and 17 Year Olds to Opt Out of the Automatic Voter Pre-Registration Process Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 21)
March 6, 2020 WA HB 1590 Authorizes Local Affordable Housing Tax to be Imposed by a Councilmanic Authority Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 21)
March 5, 2020 AZ HB 2771 Amends State Income Tax Code to Conform with Federal Tax Law Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 9)
March 3, 2020 IN HB 1222 Reduces Number of Assistance Funding Requests Made by Public Schools Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 13)
March 3, 2020 IA SF 2348 Requires Restitution Payment from Felons for Restoration of Voting Rights Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 11)
March 2, 2020 AZ SB 1059 Establishes a Ballot Referendum to Raise $900 Million Per Year for State K-12 Education Funding Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 11)
Feb. 28, 2020 VA HB 1210 Requires Voting and Election Materials in Languages Other Than English Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 13)
Feb. 27, 2020 KY SB 62 Authorizes the Restoration of Voting Rights 5 Years After Completion of Sentence for Certain Felonies Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 7)
Feb. 26, 2020 MI SB 686 Prohibits Disciplinary Action Against State Employees for Communicating with Legislative Branch Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 0)
Feb. 26, 2020 MI SB 686 Prohibits Disciplinary Action Against State Employees for Communicating with Legislative Branch Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 0)
Feb. 25, 2020 WV SJR 9 Amends the Constitution to Authorize the State Legislature to Establish Certain Tax Exemptions Bill Failed - Senate (18 - 16)
Feb. 25, 2020 WV SB 106 Establishes Daylight Savings Time as the Official Time Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 2)
Feb. 24, 2020 VA HB 1 Authorizes Absentee Voting Without Needing Excuse Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 15)
Feb. 13, 2020 AZ HB 2686 Amends Local Government Utility Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 10)
Feb. 13, 2020 IA SJR 2001 Amends the State Constitution to Repeal the Right to Abortion Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 18)
Feb. 13, 2020 AZ SB 1089 Amends Regulations for Public Records Requests Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 12)
Feb. 13, 2020 AZ SB 1434 Establishes Regulations for Recall Elections Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 13)
Feb. 10, 2020 MO SJR 38 Amends Provisions Regulating the Legislature to Limit the Influence of Partisan Interests Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (22 - 9)
Feb. 10, 2020 MO SJR 38 Amends Provisions Regulating the Legislature to Limit the Influence of Partisan Interests Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (22 - 9)
Feb. 10, 2020 WV SB 275 Establishes an Intermediate Court of Appeals Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 14)
Feb. 10, 2020 WV SB 275 Establishes an Intermediate Court of Appeals Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 14)
Feb. 5, 2020 National H Res 755 Impeaching Donald John Trump, President of the United States, for high crimes and misdemeanors Bill Failed - Senate (47 - 53)
Feb. 5, 2020 National H Res 755 Impeaching Donald John Trump, President of the United States, for high crimes and misdemeanors Bill Failed - Senate (47 - 53)
Feb. 5, 2020 National H Res 755 Impeaching Donald John Trump, President of the United States, for high crimes and misdemeanors Bill Failed - Senate (48 - 52)
Feb. 5, 2020 National H Res 755 Impeaching Donald John Trump, President of the United States, for high crimes and misdemeanors Bill Failed - Senate (48 - 52)
Feb. 4, 2020 KY SB 1 Prohibits "Sanctuary" Immigration Policies Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 10)
Feb. 4, 2020 VA SB 65 Repeals State Photo Identification Voter ID Laws Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 19)
Jan. 31, 2020 National S Amdt 1298 Requires the US Chief Justice to rule on motions to subpoena witnesses and documents and issues of privilege Amendment Tabled - Senate (53 - 47)
Jan. 31, 2020 National S Amdt 1298 Requires the US Chief Justice to rule on motions to subpoena witnesses and documents and issues of privilege Amendment Tabled - Senate (53 - 47)
Jan. 31, 2020 National S Res 488 A resolution to provide for related procedures concerning the articles of impeachment against Donald John Trump, President of the United States Bill Passed - Senate (51 - 49)
Jan. 31, 2020 National S Res 488 A resolution to provide for related procedures concerning the articles of impeachment against Donald John Trump, President of the United States Bill Passed - Senate (51 - 49)
Jan. 29, 2020 FL SB 172 Prohibits Local Governments from Prohibiting Certain Drugs and Cosmetics Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 14)
Jan. 29, 2020 KS SCR 1613 Establishes a State Constitutional Amendment Specifying that Abortion Shall Not Be Constitutionally Protected Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 12)
Jan. 27, 2020 VA HJ 1 Establishes an Amendment to the US Constitution Relating to Equal Rights Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 12)
Jan. 27, 2020 VA HJ 1 Establishes an Amendment to the US Constitution Relating to Equal Rights Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 12)
Jan. 23, 2020 KY SB 2 Amends Voter Identification Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 9)
Jan. 22, 2020 National S Res 483 A resolution to provide for related procedures concerning the articles of impeachment against Donald John Trump, President of the United States Bill Passed - Senate (53 - 47)
Jan. 22, 2020 National S Res 483 A resolution to provide for related procedures concerning the articles of impeachment against Donald John Trump, President of the United States Bill Passed - Senate (53 - 47)
Jan. 21, 2020 VA SB 601 Establishes Election Day to Replace Lee-Jackson Day Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 18)
Jan. 21, 2020 VA SB 601 Establishes Election Day to Replace Lee-Jackson Day Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 18)
Jan. 16, 2020 DE HB 73 Amends the Delaware Constitution to Authorize the General Assembly to Pass Laws On Absentee Voting Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 5)
Jan. 16, 2020 DE HB 73 Amends the Delaware Constitution to Authorize the General Assembly to Pass Laws On Absentee Voting Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 5)
Jan. 16, 2020 DE HB 73 Amends the Delaware Constitution to Authorize the General Assembly to Pass Laws On Absentee Voting Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 5)
Jan. 16, 2020 VA SB 35 Authorizes Localities to Prohibit Guns at Public Events Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
Jan. 15, 2020 VA SJ 1 Establishes an Amendment to the US Constitution Relating to Equal Rights Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 12)
Jan. 15, 2020 VA SJ 1 Establishes an Amendment to the US Constitution Relating to Equal Rights Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 12)
Jan. 13, 2020 NJ S 589 Amends Online Voter Registration Rules Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 10)
Dec. 2, 2019 National PN 1268 Nomination of Dan Brouillette as the Secretary of Energy Nomination Confirmed - Senate (70 - 15)
Date No. Title Outcome
3/07 HB 19 Repeals Photo Identification Requirement for Voting Conference Report Adopted - Senate (20 - 19)
3/07 SB 183 Authorizes Localities to Remove, Relocate, or Alter Monuments Conference Report Adopted - Senate (23 - 16)
3/07 SB 6313 Authorizes 16 and 17 Year Olds to Opt Out of the Automatic Voter Pre-Registration Process Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 21)
3/06 HB 1590 Authorizes Local Affordable Housing Tax to be Imposed by a Councilmanic Authority Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 21)
3/05 HB 2771 Amends State Income Tax Code to Conform with Federal Tax Law Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 9)
3/03 HB 1222 Reduces Number of Assistance Funding Requests Made by Public Schools Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 13)
3/03 SF 2348 Requires Restitution Payment from Felons for Restoration of Voting Rights Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 11)
3/02 SB 1059 Establishes a Ballot Referendum to Raise $900 Million Per Year for State K-12 Education Funding Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 11)
2/28 HB 1210 Requires Voting and Election Materials in Languages Other Than English Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 13)
2/27 SB 62 Authorizes the Restoration of Voting Rights 5 Years After Completion of Sentence for Certain Felonies Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 7)
2/26 SB 686 Prohibits Disciplinary Action Against State Employees for Communicating with Legislative Branch Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 0)
2/26 SB 686 Prohibits Disciplinary Action Against State Employees for Communicating with Legislative Branch Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 0)
2/25 SJR 9 Amends the Constitution to Authorize the State Legislature to Establish Certain Tax Exemptions Bill Failed - Senate (18 - 16)
2/25 SB 106 Establishes Daylight Savings Time as the Official Time Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 2)
2/24 HB 1 Authorizes Absentee Voting Without Needing Excuse Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 15)
2/13 HB 2686 Amends Local Government Utility Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 10)
2/13 SJR 2001 Amends the State Constitution to Repeal the Right to Abortion Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 18)
2/13 SB 1089 Amends Regulations for Public Records Requests Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 12)
2/13 SB 1434 Establishes Regulations for Recall Elections Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 13)
2/10 SJR 38 Amends Provisions Regulating the Legislature to Limit the Influence of Partisan Interests Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (22 - 9)
2/10 SJR 38 Amends Provisions Regulating the Legislature to Limit the Influence of Partisan Interests Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (22 - 9)
2/10 SB 275 Establishes an Intermediate Court of Appeals Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 14)
2/10 SB 275 Establishes an Intermediate Court of Appeals Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 14)
2/05 H Res 755 Impeaching Donald John Trump, President of the United States, for high crimes and misdemeanors Bill Failed - Senate (47 - 53)
2/05 H Res 755 Impeaching Donald John Trump, President of the United States, for high crimes and misdemeanors Bill Failed - Senate (47 - 53)
2/05 H Res 755 Impeaching Donald John Trump, President of the United States, for high crimes and misdemeanors Bill Failed - Senate (48 - 52)
2/05 H Res 755 Impeaching Donald John Trump, President of the United States, for high crimes and misdemeanors Bill Failed - Senate (48 - 52)
2/04 SB 1 Prohibits "Sanctuary" Immigration Policies Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 10)
2/04 SB 65 Repeals State Photo Identification Voter ID Laws Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 19)
1/31 S Amdt 1298 Requires the US Chief Justice to rule on motions to subpoena witnesses and documents and issues of privilege Amendment Tabled - Senate (53 - 47)
1/31 S Amdt 1298 Requires the US Chief Justice to rule on motions to subpoena witnesses and documents and issues of privilege Amendment Tabled - Senate (53 - 47)
1/31 S Res 488 A resolution to provide for related procedures concerning the articles of impeachment against Donald John Trump, President of the United States Bill Passed - Senate (51 - 49)
1/31 S Res 488 A resolution to provide for related procedures concerning the articles of impeachment against Donald John Trump, President of the United States Bill Passed - Senate (51 - 49)
1/29 SB 172 Prohibits Local Governments from Prohibiting Certain Drugs and Cosmetics Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 14)
1/29 SCR 1613 Establishes a State Constitutional Amendment Specifying that Abortion Shall Not Be Constitutionally Protected Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 12)
1/27 HJ 1 Establishes an Amendment to the US Constitution Relating to Equal Rights Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 12)
1/27 HJ 1 Establishes an Amendment to the US Constitution Relating to Equal Rights Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 12)
1/23 SB 2 Amends Voter Identification Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 9)
1/22 S Res 483 A resolution to provide for related procedures concerning the articles of impeachment against Donald John Trump, President of the United States Bill Passed - Senate (53 - 47)
1/22 S Res 483 A resolution to provide for related procedures concerning the articles of impeachment against Donald John Trump, President of the United States Bill Passed - Senate (53 - 47)
1/21 SB 601 Establishes Election Day to Replace Lee-Jackson Day Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 18)
1/21 SB 601 Establishes Election Day to Replace Lee-Jackson Day Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 18)
1/16 HB 73 Amends the Delaware Constitution to Authorize the General Assembly to Pass Laws On Absentee Voting Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 5)
1/16 HB 73 Amends the Delaware Constitution to Authorize the General Assembly to Pass Laws On Absentee Voting Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 5)
1/16 HB 73 Amends the Delaware Constitution to Authorize the General Assembly to Pass Laws On Absentee Voting Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 5)
1/16 SB 35 Authorizes Localities to Prohibit Guns at Public Events Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
1/15 SJ 1 Establishes an Amendment to the US Constitution Relating to Equal Rights Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 12)
1/15 SJ 1 Establishes an Amendment to the US Constitution Relating to Equal Rights Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 12)
1/13 S 589 Amends Online Voter Registration Rules Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 10)
12/02 PN 1268 Nomination of Dan Brouillette as the Secretary of Energy Nomination Confirmed - Senate (70 - 15)

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