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
Jan. 18, 2021 ND SB 2144 Amends Hunting Laws Related to Trespassing Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 2)
Jan. 14, 2021 MT HB 102 Authorizes Carrying Concealed Firearms in Public Settings Without a Permit Bill Passed - House (66 - 31)
Jan. 13, 2021 IL HB 3653 Prohibits Cash Bail Among Various Other Criminal Justice Reforms Concurrence Vote Passed - House (60 - 50)
Jan. 12, 2021 IL SB 1608 Establishes New Commissions to Impose Racial Diversity Requirements Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 15)
Jan. 12, 2021 IL HB 3653 Prohibits Cash Bail Among Various Other Criminal Justice Reforms Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 23)
Jan. 11, 2021 NJ A 4454 Requires School Districts to Include Instruction on Diversity and Inclusion as Part of New Education Standards Concurrence Vote Passed - House (46 - 29)
Jan. 11, 2021 IL SB 1608 Establishes New Commissions to Impose Racial Diversity Requirements Bill Passed - House (70 - 39)
Jan. 9, 2021 KY HB 1 Authorizes Businesses, Organizations, and Schools to Remain Open if they are Following CDC Guidelines Regardless of Governor Mandate Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 7)
Jan. 6, 2021 MS HB 1 Repeals the State Flag Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 7)
Dec. 22, 2020 OH HB 236 Classifies Police Employed at Hospitals as Peace Officers Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 9)
Dec. 18, 2020 OH SB 175 Expands "Stand Your Ground" Laws Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (18 - 11)
Dec. 18, 2020 NJ S 3256 Reduces Penalties for Psilocybin Possession Bill Passed - House (51 - 23)
Dec. 17, 2020 OH SB 175 Expands "Stand Your Ground" Laws Bill Passed - House (52 - 31)
Dec. 17, 2020 NJ A 4454 Requires School Districts to Include Instruction on Diversity and Inclusion as Part of New Education Standards Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 13)
Dec. 17, 2020 NJ S 3256 Reduces Penalties for Psilocybin Possession Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15)
Dec. 9, 2020 MI SB 1252 Appropriates $600 Million to the Flint Water Settlement Trust Fund Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 0)
Dec. 4, 2020 National HR 3884 Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement (MORE) Act of 2019 Bill Passed - House (228 - 164)
Dec. 3, 2020 MI SB 1048 Reduces Mandatory Minimum Sentences Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 1)
Dec. 3, 2020 National HR 1380 Big Cat Public Safety Act Bill Passed - House (272 - 114)
Dec. 2, 2020 OH SB 40 Prohibits State Universities from Enacting Limitations on Campus Free Speech Bill Passed - House (66 - 27)
Dec. 2, 2020 OH SB 334 Establishes Juneteenth as a Paid State Holiday Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 0)
Dec. 2, 2020 MI HB 5679 Amends the Sex Offender Registry Act Bill Passed - House (80 - 24)
Dec. 2, 2020 MI HB 5679 Amends the Sex Offender Registry Act Bill Passed - House (80 - 24)
Dec. 2, 2020 MI HB 5679 Amends the Sex Offender Registry Act Bill Passed - House (80 - 24)
Dec. 2, 2020 OH SB 334 Establishes Juneteenth as a Paid State Holiday Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 0)
Dec. 1, 2020 MA S 2963 Amends Various Police Accountability and Reform Laws Concurrence Vote Passed - House (91 - 67)
Dec. 1, 2020 MA S 2963 Amends Various Police Accountability and Reform Laws Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 11)
Dec. 1, 2020 MI SB 70 Authorizes Certain Protections for Victims of Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault, Stalking, or Human Trafficking Bill Passed - House (102 - 1)
Nov. 19, 2020 OH HB 310 Increases Penalties for Bullying and Hazing Bill Passed - House (74 - 14)
Nov. 18, 2020 PA HB 1747 Limits the Governors Ability to Restrict Firearm Access During a Disaster Emergency Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 20)
Nov. 18, 2020 PA HB 2440 Classifies Shooting Ranges, Sportsman Clubs, Hunting Facilities, and Firearm Businesses as "Life-Sustaining" Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 20)
Nov. 18, 2020 PA HB 2440 Classifies Shooting Ranges, Sportsman Clubs, Hunting Facilities, and Firearm Businesses as "Life-Sustaining" Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 20)
Nov. 18, 2020 OH HB 208 Amends Previous Law to Make Assaulting a Sports Referee a Felony Bill Passed - House (74 - 13)
Nov. 18, 2020 OH SB 317 Authorizes Teachers to Carry Firearms on School Grounds if Approved by the School Board Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 11)
Nov. 16, 2020 NJ S 1163 Requires Law Enforcement to Wear Body Cameras Concurrence Vote Passed - House (53 - 15)
Nov. 16, 2020 NJ S 1163 Requires Law Enforcement to Wear Body Cameras Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (39 - 0)
Nov. 16, 2020 NJ A 1897 Reduces Criminal Penalty for Marijuana Possession Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 4)
Nov. 16, 2020 NJ A 1649 Prohibits Public Disclosure of Personal Information of Judicial Officers Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 0)
Nov. 9, 2020 VA HB 5109 Amends Existing Law Enforcement Officer Training and Qualifications Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 18)
Nov. 9, 2020 VA HB 5109 Amends Existing Law Enforcement Officer Training and Qualifications Concurrence Vote Passed - House (58 - 39)
Oct. 29, 2020 NJ A 4545 Requires Instruction on Racial Discrimination, Social Justice, Diversity, and Inclusion Bill Passed - House (56 - 7)
Oct. 23, 2020 LA HB 38 Establishes the Louisiana Police Funding Protection Act Conference Report Adopted - House (68 - 29)
Oct. 22, 2020 LA SR 54 Establishes Support for Law Enforcement and Police Departments and Prohibits Any Notion to Defund Law Enforcement or Police Departments in the State Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 0)
Oct. 21, 2020 PA HB 440 Repeals Obligation to Pay Outstanding Court-Ordered Finances Before Eligible Cases Are Sealed Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 0)
Oct. 21, 2020 LA SB 77 Establishes Regulations for Fantasy Sports Gambling Bill Passed - House (72 - 15)
Oct. 21, 2020 LA SB 77 Establishes Regulations for Fantasy Sports Gambling Bill Passed - House (72 - 15)
Oct. 16, 2020 VA SB 5007 Authorizes Defendants to Be Sentenced by a Judge Rather Than a Jury Conference Report Adopted - House (55 - 43)
Oct. 16, 2020 VA SB 5007 Authorizes Defendants to Be Sentenced by a Judge Rather Than a Jury Conference Report Adopted - House (55 - 43)
Oct. 16, 2020 VA HB 5043 Authorizes Mental Health Experts to Accompany Police Officers Conference Report Adopted - Senate (26 - 12)
Oct. 14, 2020 VA HB 5104 Increases Employment Assessment and Review Requirements for Law Enforcement Hiring Conference Report Adopted - Senate (31 - 5)
Date No. Title Outcome
1/18 SB 2144 Amends Hunting Laws Related to Trespassing Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 2)
1/14 HB 102 Authorizes Carrying Concealed Firearms in Public Settings Without a Permit Bill Passed - House (66 - 31)
1/13 HB 3653 Prohibits Cash Bail Among Various Other Criminal Justice Reforms Concurrence Vote Passed - House (60 - 50)
1/12 SB 1608 Establishes New Commissions to Impose Racial Diversity Requirements Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 15)
1/12 HB 3653 Prohibits Cash Bail Among Various Other Criminal Justice Reforms Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 23)
1/11 A 4454 Requires School Districts to Include Instruction on Diversity and Inclusion as Part of New Education Standards Concurrence Vote Passed - House (46 - 29)
1/11 SB 1608 Establishes New Commissions to Impose Racial Diversity Requirements Bill Passed - House (70 - 39)
1/09 HB 1 Authorizes Businesses, Organizations, and Schools to Remain Open if they are Following CDC Guidelines Regardless of Governor Mandate Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 7)
1/06 HB 1 Repeals the State Flag Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 7)
12/22 HB 236 Classifies Police Employed at Hospitals as Peace Officers Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 9)
12/18 SB 175 Expands "Stand Your Ground" Laws Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (18 - 11)
12/18 S 3256 Reduces Penalties for Psilocybin Possession Bill Passed - House (51 - 23)
12/17 SB 175 Expands "Stand Your Ground" Laws Bill Passed - House (52 - 31)
12/17 A 4454 Requires School Districts to Include Instruction on Diversity and Inclusion as Part of New Education Standards Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 13)
12/17 S 3256 Reduces Penalties for Psilocybin Possession Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15)
12/09 SB 1252 Appropriates $600 Million to the Flint Water Settlement Trust Fund Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 0)
12/04 HR 3884 Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement (MORE) Act of 2019 Bill Passed - House (228 - 164)
12/03 SB 1048 Reduces Mandatory Minimum Sentences Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 1)
12/03 HR 1380 Big Cat Public Safety Act Bill Passed - House (272 - 114)
12/02 SB 40 Prohibits State Universities from Enacting Limitations on Campus Free Speech Bill Passed - House (66 - 27)
12/02 SB 334 Establishes Juneteenth as a Paid State Holiday Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 0)
12/02 HB 5679 Amends the Sex Offender Registry Act Bill Passed - House (80 - 24)
12/02 HB 5679 Amends the Sex Offender Registry Act Bill Passed - House (80 - 24)
12/02 HB 5679 Amends the Sex Offender Registry Act Bill Passed - House (80 - 24)
12/02 SB 334 Establishes Juneteenth as a Paid State Holiday Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 0)
12/01 S 2963 Amends Various Police Accountability and Reform Laws Concurrence Vote Passed - House (91 - 67)
12/01 S 2963 Amends Various Police Accountability and Reform Laws Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 11)
12/01 SB 70 Authorizes Certain Protections for Victims of Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault, Stalking, or Human Trafficking Bill Passed - House (102 - 1)
11/19 HB 310 Increases Penalties for Bullying and Hazing Bill Passed - House (74 - 14)
11/18 HB 1747 Limits the Governors Ability to Restrict Firearm Access During a Disaster Emergency Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 20)
11/18 HB 2440 Classifies Shooting Ranges, Sportsman Clubs, Hunting Facilities, and Firearm Businesses as "Life-Sustaining" Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 20)
11/18 HB 2440 Classifies Shooting Ranges, Sportsman Clubs, Hunting Facilities, and Firearm Businesses as "Life-Sustaining" Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 20)
11/18 HB 208 Amends Previous Law to Make Assaulting a Sports Referee a Felony Bill Passed - House (74 - 13)
11/18 SB 317 Authorizes Teachers to Carry Firearms on School Grounds if Approved by the School Board Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 11)
11/16 S 1163 Requires Law Enforcement to Wear Body Cameras Concurrence Vote Passed - House (53 - 15)
11/16 S 1163 Requires Law Enforcement to Wear Body Cameras Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (39 - 0)
11/16 A 1897 Reduces Criminal Penalty for Marijuana Possession Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 4)
11/16 A 1649 Prohibits Public Disclosure of Personal Information of Judicial Officers Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 0)
11/09 HB 5109 Amends Existing Law Enforcement Officer Training and Qualifications Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 18)
11/09 HB 5109 Amends Existing Law Enforcement Officer Training and Qualifications Concurrence Vote Passed - House (58 - 39)
10/29 A 4545 Requires Instruction on Racial Discrimination, Social Justice, Diversity, and Inclusion Bill Passed - House (56 - 7)
10/23 HB 38 Establishes the Louisiana Police Funding Protection Act Conference Report Adopted - House (68 - 29)
10/22 SR 54 Establishes Support for Law Enforcement and Police Departments and Prohibits Any Notion to Defund Law Enforcement or Police Departments in the State Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 0)
10/21 HB 440 Repeals Obligation to Pay Outstanding Court-Ordered Finances Before Eligible Cases Are Sealed Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 0)
10/21 SB 77 Establishes Regulations for Fantasy Sports Gambling Bill Passed - House (72 - 15)
10/21 SB 77 Establishes Regulations for Fantasy Sports Gambling Bill Passed - House (72 - 15)
10/16 SB 5007 Authorizes Defendants to Be Sentenced by a Judge Rather Than a Jury Conference Report Adopted - House (55 - 43)
10/16 SB 5007 Authorizes Defendants to Be Sentenced by a Judge Rather Than a Jury Conference Report Adopted - House (55 - 43)
10/16 HB 5043 Authorizes Mental Health Experts to Accompany Police Officers Conference Report Adopted - Senate (26 - 12)
10/14 HB 5104 Increases Employment Assessment and Review Requirements for Law Enforcement Hiring Conference Report Adopted - Senate (31 - 5)

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