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
Feb. 11, 2011 ND HB 1450 Definition of Human Being Bill Passed - House (68 - 25)
Feb. 10, 2011 SC H 3003 Voter ID Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 17)
Feb. 10, 2011 UT HB 219 Official State Gun Designation Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 7)
Feb. 10, 2011 MT HB 384 Concealed Weapons in Prohibited Places Bill Passed - House (52 - 47)
Feb. 10, 2011 AZ SB 1086 Tobacco Prohibitions Bill Failed - Senate (13 - 16)
Feb. 10, 2011 AZ SB 1086 Tobacco Prohibitions Bill Failed - Senate (13 - 16)
Feb. 10, 2011 UT SB 124 Leaving a Child Unattended in a Motor Vehicle Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 10)
Feb. 9, 2011 WY HB 256 Tenant Rights in Domestic and Sexual Violence Cases Bill Passed - House (33 - 26)
Feb. 9, 2011 SD HB 1061 Regulation of Registered Midwives Bill Passed - House (37 - 32)
Feb. 9, 2011 WY HB 207 Allowing Guns in Cars While Parked at Work Bill Passed - House (36 - 23)
Feb. 9, 2011 WY HB 251 Requires Ultrasound Prior to Abortion Bill Passed - House (34 - 25)
Feb. 8, 2011 VA HB 1465 Excludes Undocumented Immigrants from Public Universities Bill Passed - House (75 - 24)
Feb. 8, 2011 VA HB 2332 Citizenship of Arrestee Bill Passed - House (68 - 31)
Feb. 8, 2011 SD HB 1061 Regulation of Registered Midwives Bill Failed - House (36 - 31)
Feb. 8, 2011 National HR 514 Extension of Various USA PATRIOT Act Provisions Bill Failed - House (277 - 148)
Feb. 8, 2011 ND HB 1377 Children's Health Insurance Program Bill Failed - House (25 - 67)
Feb. 8, 2011 WY HB 204 Patriotism in the Classroom Bill Passed - House (52 - 5)
Feb. 7, 2011 AR HB 1013 Hiring of Unauthorized Workers Bill Passed - House (54 - 39)
Feb. 7, 2011 WY HB 198 Admissibility of Evidence in Sex Offense Cases Bill Failed - House (29 - 30)
Feb. 7, 2011 ID HJM 1 Parental Rights Amendment Joint Resolution Passed - House (49 - 20)
Feb. 7, 2011 SD HB 1152 Drug Testing for Welfare Recipients Bill Failed - House (32 - 36)
Feb. 4, 2011 WV HB 2562 Legalizing Mixed Martial Arts Bill Passed - House (55 - 37)
Feb. 3, 2011 WY HB 188 Legalizes Casual Poker Games Bill Failed - House (22 - 38)
Feb. 3, 2011 UT HB 223 Innkeeper's Rights Act Modification Bill Failed - House (22 - 48)
Feb. 2, 2011 VA SB 747 Prohibits Discrimination in State Employment Based on Sexual Orientation Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 18)
Feb. 2, 2011 AR SB 154 Cell Phones in School Zones Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 12)
Feb. 2, 2011 AR SB 154 Cell Phones in School Zones Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 12)
Feb. 2, 2011 WY HB 186 Wyoming Lottery Bill Failed - House (27 - 33)
Feb. 1, 2011 IA HJR 6 Banning Same Sex Marriage Amendment Adopted - House (62 - 37)
Feb. 1, 2011 VA HJ 593 Free Exercise of Religion Amendment Adopted - House (61 - 33)
Feb. 1, 2011 ID H 26 Increment in fees for felonies and misdemeanors Bill Failed - House (31 - 35)
Jan. 28, 2011 HI SB 232 Civil Unions for All Couples Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 6)
Jan. 27, 2011 MS SB 2179 Restrictions on Employers of Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - House (77 - 40)
Jan. 27, 2011 AR SB 113 Prohibit Abortion Health Care Coverage Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 8)
Jan. 27, 2011 WY SF 100 Cruelty to Animals Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 11)
Jan. 27, 2011 WY SJ 5 Definition of Marriage Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (20 - 10)
Jan. 26, 2011 WY HB 31 Electronic Wagering Bill Passed - House (36 - 22)
Jan. 26, 2011 SC H 3003 Voter ID Bill Passed - House (74 - 45)
Jan. 26, 2011 TX SB 14 Voter Identification Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 11)
Jan. 26, 2011 WY HB 29 Mandatory Testing for Suspected DUI Offenders Bill Passed - House (35 - 23)
Jan. 25, 2011 WY HB 31 Electronic Wagering Bill Failed - House (29 - 29)
Jan. 25, 2011 IN SB 47 Gambling Expansion Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 15)
Jan. 24, 2011 VA SB 949 Allowing Absentee Voting For Any Reason Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 14)
Jan. 24, 2011 WY HB 74 Prohibiting the Recognition of Same-Sex Marriage Bill Passed - House (32 - 27)
Jan. 24, 2011 WY SF 47 Firearm Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 10)
Jan. 21, 2011 MT HB 167 Criminalizes Death to an Unborn Child Bill Passed - House (68 - 30)
Jan. 19, 2011 MT SB 112 Authorizes the Use of Hand-Thrown Spears Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 21)
Jan. 18, 2011 MT HB 71 Excludes Undocumented Immigrants from Workers' Compensation Bill Passed - House (60 - 40)
Jan. 18, 2011 MS SB 2179 Restrictions on Employers of Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 15)
Dec. 18, 2010 National HR 2965 Don't Ask, Don't Tell Repeal Act Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (65 - 31)
Dec. 15, 2010 National HR 2965 Don't Ask, Don't Tell Repeal Act Concurrence Vote Passed - House (250 - 175)
Dec. 13, 2010 NJ ACR 151 Concerning Legislative Review of the NJ Medical Marijuana Program Resolution Passed - Senate (22 - 16)
Dec. 8, 2010 National HR 5281 DREAM Act Concurrence Vote Passed - House (216 - 198)
Dec. 8, 2010 National S 3991 Allowing Collective Bargaining for Public Safety Officers Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (55 - 43)
Dec. 1, 2010 IL SB 1716 Authorizing Civil Unions Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 24)
Dec. 1, 2010 IL SB 1716 Authorizing Civil Unions Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 24)
Nov. 30, 2010 IL SB 1716 Authorizing Civil Unions Bill Passed - House (61 - 52)
Nov. 30, 2010 IL SB 1716 Authorizing Civil Unions Bill Passed - House (61 - 52)
Nov. 22, 2010 NJ ACR 151 Concerning Legislative Review of the NJ Medical Marijuana Program Resolution Passed - House (48 - 22)
Nov. 15, 2010 PA HB 1926 Amending Self-Protection Laws Concurrence Vote Passed - House (161 - 35)
Nov. 15, 2010 PA HB 1926 Amending Self-Protection Laws Concurrence Vote Passed - House (161 - 35)
Oct. 14, 2010 PA HB 1926 Amending Self-Protection Laws Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 4)
Oct. 14, 2010 PA HB 1926 Amending Self-Protection Laws Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 4)
Oct. 5, 2010 PA HB 40 Self Defense Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (159 - 38)
Oct. 5, 2010 PA HB 40 Self Defense Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (159 - 38)
Sept. 22, 2010 National HR 3470 Infant Mortality Pilot Programs Bill Passed - House (324 - 64)
Sept. 22, 2010 National HR 3470 Infant Mortality Pilot Programs Bill Passed - House (324 - 64)
Sept. 20, 2010 NJ S 2139 2010-2011 Supplemental Health Services Budget Veto Override Failed - Senate (23 - 17)
Aug. 31, 2010 CA SB 1317 Parental Crime for Chronic Truancy Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 13)
Aug. 31, 2010 CA AB 2479 Penalties for Violations Committed with the Intent to Capture Images or Recordings of a Person Concurrence Vote Passed - House (54 - 21)
Aug. 31, 2010 CA AB 2479 Penalties for Violations Committed with the Intent to Capture Images or Recordings of a Person Concurrence Vote Passed - House (54 - 21)
Aug. 30, 2010 CA SB 1317 Parental Crime for Chronic Truancy Bill Passed - House (58 - 17)
Aug. 27, 2010 CA AB 2479 Penalties for Violations Committed with the Intent to Capture Images or Recordings of a Person Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13)
Aug. 27, 2010 CA AB 2479 Penalties for Violations Committed with the Intent to Capture Images or Recordings of a Person Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13)
Aug. 26, 2010 CA AB 1825 Requiring Inclusion of Maternity Services in Health Coverage Concurrence Vote Passed - House (52 - 22)
Aug. 25, 2010 CA AB 1825 Requiring Inclusion of Maternity Services in Health Coverage Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 11)
Aug. 24, 2010 CA SB 399 Authorizing Youth Offenders to Appeal a Sentence of Life Without Parole Bill Failed - House (34 - 38)
Aug. 24, 2010 CA AB 2072 Informational Pamphlet for Parents of Deaf Children Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 11)
Aug. 23, 2010 NJ A 2740 Requiring Review of New Drivers' Program Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 12)
July 31, 2010 MA H 5000 Gambling Law Amendments Conference Report Adopted - Senate (25 - 15)
July 31, 2010 MA H 5000 Gambling Law Amendments Conference Report Adopted - House (117 - 36)
July 28, 2010 National HR 5827 Exempting Guns from an Estate for Bankruptcy Purposes Bill Passed - House (307 - 113)
July 21, 2010 National HR 725 Tribal Law Enforcement Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - House (326 - 92)
July 10, 2010 NC HB 1403 Collecting DNA Sample Upon Arrest Conference Report Adopted - House (83 - 21)
July 10, 2010 NC HB 1403 Collecting DNA Sample Upon Arrest Conference Report Adopted - House (83 - 21)
July 8, 2010 NC HB 1726 Child Care Nutrition and Activity Standards Concurrence Vote Passed - House (99 - 8)
July 7, 2010 NC HB 80 Banning Electronic Sweepstakes Concurrence Vote Passed - House (86 - 27)
July 7, 2010 NC HB 1726 Child Care Nutrition and Activity Standards Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 13)
July 7, 2010 NC HB 1403 Collecting DNA Sample Upon Arrest Bill Passed - House (93 - 20)
July 7, 2010 NC HB 1403 Collecting DNA Sample Upon Arrest Bill Passed - House (93 - 20)
July 1, 2010 MA H 4619 Gambling Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 15)
July 1, 2010 NY S 1523 Allowing Unmarried Partners to Adopt a Child Bill Passed - House (95 - 44)
July 1, 2010 NY S 1523 Allowing Unmarried Partners to Adopt a Child Bill Passed - House (95 - 44)
July 1, 2010 NY S 3890 Divorce Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (120 - 20)
July 1, 2010 NY S 1523 Allowing Unmarried Partners to Adopt a Child Bill Passed - House (95 - 44)
July 1, 2010 PA HB 67 Driving Law Amendments Concurrence Vote Failed - House (71 - 126)
June 30, 2010 PA HB 2572 Establishing the Special Juvenile Victim Compensation Fund Bill Passed - House (125 - 76)
June 29, 2010 NJ S 2139 2010-2011 Supplemental Health Services Budget Bill Passed - House (42 - 22)
June 29, 2010 NY S 5620 Reducing Drug Penalties for Offenders with Hypodermic Syringes Bill Passed - House (93 - 52)
June 29, 2010 NY S 5620 Reducing Drug Penalties for Offenders with Hypodermic Syringes Bill Passed - House (93 - 52)
Date No. Title Outcome
2/11 HB 1450 Definition of Human Being Bill Passed - House (68 - 25)
2/10 H 3003 Voter ID Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 17)
2/10 HB 219 Official State Gun Designation Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 7)
2/10 HB 384 Concealed Weapons in Prohibited Places Bill Passed - House (52 - 47)
2/10 SB 1086 Tobacco Prohibitions Bill Failed - Senate (13 - 16)
2/10 SB 1086 Tobacco Prohibitions Bill Failed - Senate (13 - 16)
2/10 SB 124 Leaving a Child Unattended in a Motor Vehicle Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 10)
2/09 HB 256 Tenant Rights in Domestic and Sexual Violence Cases Bill Passed - House (33 - 26)
2/09 HB 1061 Regulation of Registered Midwives Bill Passed - House (37 - 32)
2/09 HB 207 Allowing Guns in Cars While Parked at Work Bill Passed - House (36 - 23)
2/09 HB 251 Requires Ultrasound Prior to Abortion Bill Passed - House (34 - 25)
2/08 HB 1465 Excludes Undocumented Immigrants from Public Universities Bill Passed - House (75 - 24)
2/08 HB 2332 Citizenship of Arrestee Bill Passed - House (68 - 31)
2/08 HB 1061 Regulation of Registered Midwives Bill Failed - House (36 - 31)
2/08 HR 514 Extension of Various USA PATRIOT Act Provisions Bill Failed - House (277 - 148)
2/08 HB 1377 Children's Health Insurance Program Bill Failed - House (25 - 67)
2/08 HB 204 Patriotism in the Classroom Bill Passed - House (52 - 5)
2/07 HB 1013 Hiring of Unauthorized Workers Bill Passed - House (54 - 39)
2/07 HB 198 Admissibility of Evidence in Sex Offense Cases Bill Failed - House (29 - 30)
2/07 HJM 1 Parental Rights Amendment Joint Resolution Passed - House (49 - 20)
2/07 HB 1152 Drug Testing for Welfare Recipients Bill Failed - House (32 - 36)
2/04 HB 2562 Legalizing Mixed Martial Arts Bill Passed - House (55 - 37)
2/03 HB 188 Legalizes Casual Poker Games Bill Failed - House (22 - 38)
2/03 HB 223 Innkeeper's Rights Act Modification Bill Failed - House (22 - 48)
2/02 SB 747 Prohibits Discrimination in State Employment Based on Sexual Orientation Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 18)
2/02 SB 154 Cell Phones in School Zones Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 12)
2/02 SB 154 Cell Phones in School Zones Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 12)
2/02 HB 186 Wyoming Lottery Bill Failed - House (27 - 33)
2/01 HJR 6 Banning Same Sex Marriage Amendment Adopted - House (62 - 37)
2/01 HJ 593 Free Exercise of Religion Amendment Adopted - House (61 - 33)
2/01 H 26 Increment in fees for felonies and misdemeanors Bill Failed - House (31 - 35)
1/28 SB 232 Civil Unions for All Couples Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 6)
1/27 SB 2179 Restrictions on Employers of Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - House (77 - 40)
1/27 SB 113 Prohibit Abortion Health Care Coverage Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 8)
1/27 SF 100 Cruelty to Animals Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 11)
1/27 SJ 5 Definition of Marriage Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (20 - 10)
1/26 HB 31 Electronic Wagering Bill Passed - House (36 - 22)
1/26 H 3003 Voter ID Bill Passed - House (74 - 45)
1/26 SB 14 Voter Identification Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 11)
1/26 HB 29 Mandatory Testing for Suspected DUI Offenders Bill Passed - House (35 - 23)
1/25 HB 31 Electronic Wagering Bill Failed - House (29 - 29)
1/25 SB 47 Gambling Expansion Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 15)
1/24 SB 949 Allowing Absentee Voting For Any Reason Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 14)
1/24 HB 74 Prohibiting the Recognition of Same-Sex Marriage Bill Passed - House (32 - 27)
1/24 SF 47 Firearm Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 10)
1/21 HB 167 Criminalizes Death to an Unborn Child Bill Passed - House (68 - 30)
1/19 SB 112 Authorizes the Use of Hand-Thrown Spears Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 21)
1/18 HB 71 Excludes Undocumented Immigrants from Workers' Compensation Bill Passed - House (60 - 40)
1/18 SB 2179 Restrictions on Employers of Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 15)
12/18 HR 2965 Don't Ask, Don't Tell Repeal Act Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (65 - 31)
12/15 HR 2965 Don't Ask, Don't Tell Repeal Act Concurrence Vote Passed - House (250 - 175)
12/13 ACR 151 Concerning Legislative Review of the NJ Medical Marijuana Program Resolution Passed - Senate (22 - 16)
12/08 HR 5281 DREAM Act Concurrence Vote Passed - House (216 - 198)
12/08 S 3991 Allowing Collective Bargaining for Public Safety Officers Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (55 - 43)
12/01 SB 1716 Authorizing Civil Unions Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 24)
12/01 SB 1716 Authorizing Civil Unions Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 24)
11/30 SB 1716 Authorizing Civil Unions Bill Passed - House (61 - 52)
11/30 SB 1716 Authorizing Civil Unions Bill Passed - House (61 - 52)
11/22 ACR 151 Concerning Legislative Review of the NJ Medical Marijuana Program Resolution Passed - House (48 - 22)
11/15 HB 1926 Amending Self-Protection Laws Concurrence Vote Passed - House (161 - 35)
11/15 HB 1926 Amending Self-Protection Laws Concurrence Vote Passed - House (161 - 35)
10/14 HB 1926 Amending Self-Protection Laws Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 4)
10/14 HB 1926 Amending Self-Protection Laws Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 4)
10/05 HB 40 Self Defense Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (159 - 38)
10/05 HB 40 Self Defense Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (159 - 38)
9/22 HR 3470 Infant Mortality Pilot Programs Bill Passed - House (324 - 64)
9/22 HR 3470 Infant Mortality Pilot Programs Bill Passed - House (324 - 64)
9/20 S 2139 2010-2011 Supplemental Health Services Budget Veto Override Failed - Senate (23 - 17)
8/31 SB 1317 Parental Crime for Chronic Truancy Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 13)
8/31 AB 2479 Penalties for Violations Committed with the Intent to Capture Images or Recordings of a Person Concurrence Vote Passed - House (54 - 21)
8/31 AB 2479 Penalties for Violations Committed with the Intent to Capture Images or Recordings of a Person Concurrence Vote Passed - House (54 - 21)
8/30 SB 1317 Parental Crime for Chronic Truancy Bill Passed - House (58 - 17)
8/27 AB 2479 Penalties for Violations Committed with the Intent to Capture Images or Recordings of a Person Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13)
8/27 AB 2479 Penalties for Violations Committed with the Intent to Capture Images or Recordings of a Person Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13)
8/26 AB 1825 Requiring Inclusion of Maternity Services in Health Coverage Concurrence Vote Passed - House (52 - 22)
8/25 AB 1825 Requiring Inclusion of Maternity Services in Health Coverage Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 11)
8/24 SB 399 Authorizing Youth Offenders to Appeal a Sentence of Life Without Parole Bill Failed - House (34 - 38)
8/24 AB 2072 Informational Pamphlet for Parents of Deaf Children Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 11)
8/23 A 2740 Requiring Review of New Drivers' Program Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 12)
7/31 H 5000 Gambling Law Amendments Conference Report Adopted - Senate (25 - 15)
7/31 H 5000 Gambling Law Amendments Conference Report Adopted - House (117 - 36)
7/28 HR 5827 Exempting Guns from an Estate for Bankruptcy Purposes Bill Passed - House (307 - 113)
7/21 HR 725 Tribal Law Enforcement Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - House (326 - 92)
7/10 HB 1403 Collecting DNA Sample Upon Arrest Conference Report Adopted - House (83 - 21)
7/10 HB 1403 Collecting DNA Sample Upon Arrest Conference Report Adopted - House (83 - 21)
7/08 HB 1726 Child Care Nutrition and Activity Standards Concurrence Vote Passed - House (99 - 8)
7/07 HB 80 Banning Electronic Sweepstakes Concurrence Vote Passed - House (86 - 27)
7/07 HB 1726 Child Care Nutrition and Activity Standards Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 13)
7/07 HB 1403 Collecting DNA Sample Upon Arrest Bill Passed - House (93 - 20)
7/07 HB 1403 Collecting DNA Sample Upon Arrest Bill Passed - House (93 - 20)
7/01 H 4619 Gambling Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 15)
7/01 S 1523 Allowing Unmarried Partners to Adopt a Child Bill Passed - House (95 - 44)
7/01 S 1523 Allowing Unmarried Partners to Adopt a Child Bill Passed - House (95 - 44)
7/01 S 3890 Divorce Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (120 - 20)
7/01 S 1523 Allowing Unmarried Partners to Adopt a Child Bill Passed - House (95 - 44)
7/01 HB 67 Driving Law Amendments Concurrence Vote Failed - House (71 - 126)
6/30 HB 2572 Establishing the Special Juvenile Victim Compensation Fund Bill Passed - House (125 - 76)
6/29 S 2139 2010-2011 Supplemental Health Services Budget Bill Passed - House (42 - 22)
6/29 S 5620 Reducing Drug Penalties for Offenders with Hypodermic Syringes Bill Passed - House (93 - 52)
6/29 S 5620 Reducing Drug Penalties for Offenders with Hypodermic Syringes Bill Passed - House (93 - 52)

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