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:
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.
| Date | State | Bill No. | Title | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| March 3, 2009 | AL | SB 279 | Funding for Road Construction | Bill Failed - Senate (19 - 11) |
| Feb. 27, 2009 | VT | S 34 | Presidential Election by National Popular Vote | Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 10) |
| Feb. 27, 2009 | VT | S 34 | Presidential Election by National Popular Vote | Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 10) |
| Feb. 26, 2009 | National | S 160 | Washington DC Voting Act | Bill Passed - Senate (61 - 37) |
| Feb. 26, 2009 | National | S 160 | Washington DC Voting Act | Bill Passed - Senate (61 - 37) |
| Feb. 26, 2009 | NM | SB 12 | Establishing Domestic Partnerships | Bill Failed - Senate (17 - 25) |
| Feb. 26, 2009 | National | S 160 | Washington DC Voting Act | Bill Passed - Senate (61 - 37) |
| Feb. 25, 2009 | NM | SB 141 | Allowing Increase of Penalties for Convicted Public Officials | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 12) |
| Feb. 25, 2009 | CT | HB 6602 | 2008-2009 Budget Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12) |
| Feb. 25, 2009 | NM | SB 141 | Allowing Increase of Penalties for Convicted Public Officials | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 12) |
| Feb. 25, 2009 | GA | SB 23 | Admissibility of Seat Belt Evidence in Court | Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 12) |
| Feb. 24, 2009 | VA | HB 1671 | "Derelict Building" Plan Requirements | Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 3) |
| Feb. 24, 2009 | IN | SB 512 | Eliminating Township Boards in Counties Without a Consolidated City | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 22) |
| Feb. 24, 2009 | IN | SB 512 | Eliminating Township Boards in Counties Without a Consolidated City | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 22) |
| Feb. 24, 2009 | GA | SB 120 | Repeal of Certain MARTA Financial Restrictions | Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 9) |
| Feb. 24, 2009 | IA | SF 218 | Growth Percentage for State School Foundation Program | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 18) |
| Feb. 23, 2009 | OR | SB 311 | Changes in Liability Limits | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 5) |
| Feb. 23, 2009 | OR | SB 311 | Changes in Liability Limits | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 5) |
| Feb. 23, 2009 | OR | SB 311 | Changes in Liability Limits | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 5) |
| Feb. 20, 2009 | NE | LB 85 | Bond Revenue to Fund Streets and Bridges | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 10) |
| Feb. 20, 2009 | MT | SB 394 | Expanding Mail Ballot Elections | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 17) |
| Feb. 19, 2009 | NC | SB 15 | Limiting Per Diem Payments to Legislators | Motion Agreed - Senate (37 - 11) |
| Feb. 19, 2009 | CA | SBx3 1 | 2009-2010 Budget | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 12) |
| Feb. 19, 2009 | CA | ABx3 3 | Tax Law Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 12) |
| Feb. 19, 2009 | CA | SBx3 7 | Transportation Financing Amendments | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 12) |
| Feb. 19, 2009 | GA | SB 42 | Transfer of Authority Over State's Public Defender System | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 21) |
| Feb. 18, 2009 | WY | HB 67 | Taxing Moist Snuff Tobacco Based on Weight | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 10) |
| Feb. 18, 2009 | SD | HB 1171 | Exemptions from School District Minimum Size Requirements | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 12) |
| Feb. 18, 2009 | SD | HB 1171 | Exemptions from School District Minimum Size Requirements | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 12) |
| Feb. 18, 2009 | SC | S 351 | State Ports Authority Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 14) |
| Feb. 18, 2009 | WI | SB 62 | 2008-2009 Budget Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 15) |
| Feb. 17, 2009 | SD | SB 106 | School Funding Formula Revision | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7) |
| Feb. 13, 2009 | ND | SB 2184 | Repeals Auto Rebate Tax | Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 6) |
| Feb. 13, 2009 | KY | HB 144 | Alcohol and Tobacco Sales Tax Increase | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 12) |
| Feb. 12, 2009 | OR | HB 2157 | Severing the Federal and State Income Tax Connection | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 13) |
| Feb. 12, 2009 | OR | HB 2157 | Severing the Federal and State Income Tax Connection | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 13) |
| Feb. 12, 2009 | KS | SB 23 | 2008-2009, 2009-2010, and 2010-2011Budget Amendments | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (27 - 11) |
| Feb. 12, 2009 | AR | HB 1204 | Tobacco Tax Increase | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 7) |
| Feb. 10, 2009 | MT | SB 243 | Majority Vote Requirement for General Elections | Bill Failed - Senate (23 - 27) |
| Feb. 10, 2009 | OH | SB 35 | State Enforcement of Federal Immigration Law | (21 - 11) |
| Feb. 9, 2009 | ND | SB 2238 | Higher Education Tuition Increase Limits | Bill Failed - Senate (21 - 22) |
| Feb. 9, 2009 | SD | SJR 3 | Extending Senate Terms and Legislative Term-Limits | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (21 - 14) |
| Feb. 9, 2009 | SD | SJR 3 | Extending Senate Terms and Legislative Term-Limits | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (21 - 14) |
| Feb. 9, 2009 | VA | SJ 354 | Civil Rights for Nonviolent Felons | Joint Resolution Failed - Senate (19 - 19) |
| Feb. 9, 2009 | VA | SJ 273 | Legislative Restoration of Voting Rights for Nonviolent Felons | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (27 - 13) |
| Feb. 9, 2009 | IN | SJR 1 | Constitutional Property Tax Cap | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (34 - 16) |
| Feb. 6, 2009 | MT | SB 187 | Limitations on Redistricting | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 23) |
| Feb. 6, 2009 | MT | SB 187 | Limitations on Redistricting | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 23) |
| Feb. 6, 2009 | GA | HB 143 | Property Tax Grant Appropriation Authorization | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 24) |
| Feb. 6, 2009 | GA | SB 83 | Expanding Homestead Property Tax Exemption | Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 14) |
| Date | No. | Title | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3/03 | SB 279 | Funding for Road Construction | Bill Failed - Senate (19 - 11) |
| 2/27 | S 34 | Presidential Election by National Popular Vote | Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 10) |
| 2/27 | S 34 | Presidential Election by National Popular Vote | Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 10) |
| 2/26 | S 160 | Washington DC Voting Act | Bill Passed - Senate (61 - 37) |
| 2/26 | S 160 | Washington DC Voting Act | Bill Passed - Senate (61 - 37) |
| 2/26 | SB 12 | Establishing Domestic Partnerships | Bill Failed - Senate (17 - 25) |
| 2/26 | S 160 | Washington DC Voting Act | Bill Passed - Senate (61 - 37) |
| 2/25 | SB 141 | Allowing Increase of Penalties for Convicted Public Officials | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 12) |
| 2/25 | HB 6602 | 2008-2009 Budget Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12) |
| 2/25 | SB 141 | Allowing Increase of Penalties for Convicted Public Officials | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 12) |
| 2/25 | SB 23 | Admissibility of Seat Belt Evidence in Court | Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 12) |
| 2/24 | HB 1671 | "Derelict Building" Plan Requirements | Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 3) |
| 2/24 | SB 512 | Eliminating Township Boards in Counties Without a Consolidated City | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 22) |
| 2/24 | SB 512 | Eliminating Township Boards in Counties Without a Consolidated City | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 22) |
| 2/24 | SB 120 | Repeal of Certain MARTA Financial Restrictions | Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 9) |
| 2/24 | SF 218 | Growth Percentage for State School Foundation Program | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 18) |
| 2/23 | SB 311 | Changes in Liability Limits | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 5) |
| 2/23 | SB 311 | Changes in Liability Limits | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 5) |
| 2/23 | SB 311 | Changes in Liability Limits | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 5) |
| 2/20 | LB 85 | Bond Revenue to Fund Streets and Bridges | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 10) |
| 2/20 | SB 394 | Expanding Mail Ballot Elections | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 17) |
| 2/19 | SB 15 | Limiting Per Diem Payments to Legislators | Motion Agreed - Senate (37 - 11) |
| 2/19 | SBx3 1 | 2009-2010 Budget | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 12) |
| 2/19 | ABx3 3 | Tax Law Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 12) |
| 2/19 | SBx3 7 | Transportation Financing Amendments | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 12) |
| 2/19 | SB 42 | Transfer of Authority Over State's Public Defender System | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 21) |
| 2/18 | HB 67 | Taxing Moist Snuff Tobacco Based on Weight | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 10) |
| 2/18 | HB 1171 | Exemptions from School District Minimum Size Requirements | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 12) |
| 2/18 | HB 1171 | Exemptions from School District Minimum Size Requirements | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 12) |
| 2/18 | S 351 | State Ports Authority Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 14) |
| 2/18 | SB 62 | 2008-2009 Budget Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 15) |
| 2/17 | SB 106 | School Funding Formula Revision | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7) |
| 2/13 | SB 2184 | Repeals Auto Rebate Tax | Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 6) |
| 2/13 | HB 144 | Alcohol and Tobacco Sales Tax Increase | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 12) |
| 2/12 | HB 2157 | Severing the Federal and State Income Tax Connection | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 13) |
| 2/12 | HB 2157 | Severing the Federal and State Income Tax Connection | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 13) |
| 2/12 | SB 23 | 2008-2009, 2009-2010, and 2010-2011Budget Amendments | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (27 - 11) |
| 2/12 | HB 1204 | Tobacco Tax Increase | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 7) |
| 2/10 | SB 243 | Majority Vote Requirement for General Elections | Bill Failed - Senate (23 - 27) |
| 2/10 | SB 35 | State Enforcement of Federal Immigration Law | (21 - 11) |
| 2/09 | SB 2238 | Higher Education Tuition Increase Limits | Bill Failed - Senate (21 - 22) |
| 2/09 | SJR 3 | Extending Senate Terms and Legislative Term-Limits | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (21 - 14) |
| 2/09 | SJR 3 | Extending Senate Terms and Legislative Term-Limits | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (21 - 14) |
| 2/09 | SJ 354 | Civil Rights for Nonviolent Felons | Joint Resolution Failed - Senate (19 - 19) |
| 2/09 | SJ 273 | Legislative Restoration of Voting Rights for Nonviolent Felons | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (27 - 13) |
| 2/09 | SJR 1 | Constitutional Property Tax Cap | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (34 - 16) |
| 2/06 | SB 187 | Limitations on Redistricting | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 23) |
| 2/06 | SB 187 | Limitations on Redistricting | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 23) |
| 2/06 | HB 143 | Property Tax Grant Appropriation Authorization | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 24) |
| 2/06 | SB 83 | Expanding Homestead Property Tax Exemption | Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 14) |