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 21, 2008 AZ HB 2395 Driving and Boating Under the Influence Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 6)
April 21, 2008 LA HB 852 Banning Cell Phones While Driving Bill Passed - House (55 - 43)
April 21, 2008 MO HB 1831 Prohibiting Coerced Abortion Bill Passed - House (113 - 33)
April 17, 2008 IA S 5377 to SF 2425 Pregnancy Counseling and Support Services Amendment Rejected - Senate (22 - 27)
April 17, 2008 OK SB 1819 Tax Rebates for Sports Franchises Conference Report Adopted - House (67 - 32)
April 16, 2008 MS SB 2199 Gaming Restrictions Conference Report Rejected - Senate (24 - 26)
April 16, 2008 IA HF 2686 Employee Identification Verification Bill Passed - House (84 - 16)
April 15, 2008 ME LD 701 Slot Machine Authorization Veto Override Failed - House (94 - 49)
April 15, 2008 OK SB 1819 Tax Rebates for Sports Franchises Conference Report Adopted - Senate (27 - 21)
April 15, 2008 KY HB 683 DNA Collection, Parole Board, and Felony Review Conference Report Adopted - Senate (37 - 1)
April 15, 2008 KY HB 683 DNA Collection, Parole Board, and Felony Review Conference Report Adopted - House (51 - 42)
April 15, 2008 KY HB 683 DNA Collection, Parole Board, and Felony Review Conference Report Adopted - House (51 - 42)
April 15, 2008 KY HB 683 DNA Collection, Parole Board, and Felony Review Conference Report Adopted - Senate (37 - 1)
April 15, 2008 LA SB 144 Castration of Sex Offenders Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 3)
April 15, 2008 LA HB 370 Banning Public Funds for Human Cloning Bill Passed - House (90 - 9)
April 15, 2008 LA SB 144 Castration of Sex Offenders Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 3)
April 14, 2008 MN HF 1351 Transportation Policy Reform Conference Report Adopted - House (88 - 44)
April 10, 2008 SC H 3427 Ending Common Law Marriage Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (21 - 17)
April 10, 2008 AZ SB 1096 English Language Education Funding Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (16 - 14)
April 10, 2008 ME LD 701 Slot Machine Authorization Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
April 9, 2008 AZ SB 1096 English Language Education Funding Bill Passed - House (37 - 23)
April 9, 2008 FL HB 503 Firearms in Vehicles Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 13)
April 8, 2008 IA HF 2212 Smoking Ban Conference Report Adopted - House (54 - 45)
April 8, 2008 IA HF 2212 Smoking Ban Conference Report Adopted - Senate (28 - 22)
April 8, 2008 AK HJR 2 Gambling Restrictions Joint Resolution Passed - House (33 - 6)
April 7, 2008 MN Emmer Amnd. Voter Identification Amendment Amendment Rejected - House (59 - 70)
April 7, 2008 IA HF 2539 Health Care Expansion Plan Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 6)
April 6, 2008 AK HB 364 Parental Consent for Underage Abortions Bill Passed - House (23 - 16)
April 6, 2008 AK HB 364 Parental Consent for Underage Abortions Bill Passed - House (23 - 16)
April 4, 2008 GA HB 978 Vehicle Seizures for Unlicensed Drivers Concurrence Vote Passed - House (115 - 44)
April 4, 2008 CO SB 129 Restricting Beverage Sales at Schools Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
April 4, 2008 GA HB 978 Vehicle Seizures for Unlicensed Drivers Concurrence Vote Passed - House (115 - 44)
April 4, 2008 MD SB 597 Property Transfer Tax Exemptions for Domestic Partners Bill Passed - House (86 - 47)
April 4, 2008 ME LD 701 Slot Machine Authorization Bill Passed - House (98 - 32)
April 4, 2008 MD SB 566 Hospital Visitation/Decision-Making Rights for Domestic Partners Bill Passed - House (88 - 46)
April 4, 2008 GA HB 978 Vehicle Seizures for Unlicensed Drivers Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 18)
April 4, 2008 GA HB 978 Vehicle Seizures for Unlicensed Drivers Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 18)
April 3, 2008 AZ SB 1132 Allowing Pistols in Restaurants Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 10)
April 3, 2008 MN SF 960 Modification of the Definition of Dependents for Local Government Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 22)
April 3, 2008 MO SB 858 Restrictions on Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7)
April 3, 2008 MO SB 858 Restrictions on Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7)
April 3, 2008 MN SF 960 Modification of the Definition of Dependents for Local Government Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 22)
April 3, 2008 MN SF 960 Modification of the Definition of Dependents for Local Government Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 22)
April 2, 2008 MN Marty Amnd. Removing Funding for Stadium Study Amendment Adopted - Senate (41 - 22)
April 2, 2008 MN Hann Amnd. Prohibiting Funding for Cities that Prevent Immigration Status Checks Amendment Rejected - Senate (24 - 33)
April 2, 2008 GA HB 257 Limiting Concealed Weapon Restrictions Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 17)
April 2, 2008 AZ HB 2700 9/11 Memorial Modifications Bill Passed - House (32 - 26)
April 2, 2008 GA SB 174 Physical Fitness Standards for State Employees Bill Failed - House (55 - 107)
April 2, 2008 National HR 5501 Funding to Combat AIDS, Malaria, and Tuberculosis Bill Passed - House (308 - 116)
April 2, 2008 KY SB 120 Booster Seat Requirement Bill Passed - House (88 - 8)
April 2, 2008 KY SB 120 Booster Seat Requirement Bill Passed - House (88 - 8)
April 2, 2008 OK SB 1878 Abortion Regulations Bill Passed - House (80 - 12)
April 2, 2008 OK SB 1878 Abortion Regulations Bill Passed - House (80 - 12)
April 1, 2008 PA A 6178 to HB 1845 Reporting Missing Firearms Amendment Rejected - House (75 - 128)
April 1, 2008 MN Seifert Amendment: Prohibiting Grants for Groups Associated with Abortion Providers Amendment Rejected - House (64 - 66)
April 1, 2008 NE AM 2319 to LB 1174 Farm and Ranch Ownership Requirements Amendment Rejected - Senate (20 - 27)
April 1, 2008 MN SF 2369 Background Checks for Coaches Bill Passed - House (118 - 11)
April 1, 2008 CO SB 129 Restricting Beverage Sales at Schools Bill Passed - House (37 - 27)
April 1, 2008 IL SB 1997 Interscholastic Event Image Release Bill Passed - Senate (47 - 5)
April 1, 2008 AZ HB 2745 Amending Undocumented Immigrant Employment Sanctions Bill Passed - House (41 - 16)
April 1, 2008 KY HB 70 Restoring Voting Rights to Former Felons Bill Passed - House (80 - 14)
April 1, 2008 KY HB 70 Restoring Voting Rights to Former Felons Bill Passed - House (80 - 14)
March 31, 2008 MS HB 1089 Legalizing Deer Baiting Concurrence Vote Passed - House (68 - 51)
March 31, 2008 MS HB 1089 Legalizing Deer Baiting Concurrence Vote Passed - House (68 - 51)
March 31, 2008 MD SB 269 Authorizing Speed Monitoring Systems Bill Passed - House (89 - 47)
March 31, 2008 MD SB 269 Authorizing Speed Monitoring Systems Bill Passed - House (89 - 47)
March 31, 2008 IA HF 2145 Mandatory HPV Vaccination Coverage Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 8)
March 27, 2008 KS Carlson Amnd. Employment Eligibility Verification Amendment Amendment Adopted - House (86 - 36)
March 27, 2008 KS Rhoades Amnd. Repealing In-State Tuition for Undocumented Immigrants Amendment Rejected - House (51 - 70)
March 27, 2008 MS HB 520 Reporting Sexual Activity of Minors Concurrence Vote Passed - House (79 - 41)
March 27, 2008 MS HB 520 Reporting Sexual Activity of Minors Concurrence Vote Passed - House (79 - 41)
March 27, 2008 MS HB 520 Reporting Sexual Activity of Minors Concurrence Vote Passed - House (79 - 41)
March 27, 2008 AZ HB 2788 Relaxing Concealed Weapon Restrictions Bill Passed - House (51 - 5)
March 27, 2008 ME LD 2012 Prohibiting Smoking in Vehicles with Children Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
March 27, 2008 ME LD 2012 Prohibiting Smoking in Vehicles with Children Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
Date No. Title Outcome
4/21 HB 2395 Driving and Boating Under the Influence Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 6)
4/21 HB 852 Banning Cell Phones While Driving Bill Passed - House (55 - 43)
4/21 HB 1831 Prohibiting Coerced Abortion Bill Passed - House (113 - 33)
4/17 S 5377 to SF 2425 Pregnancy Counseling and Support Services Amendment Rejected - Senate (22 - 27)
4/17 SB 1819 Tax Rebates for Sports Franchises Conference Report Adopted - House (67 - 32)
4/16 SB 2199 Gaming Restrictions Conference Report Rejected - Senate (24 - 26)
4/16 HF 2686 Employee Identification Verification Bill Passed - House (84 - 16)
4/15 LD 701 Slot Machine Authorization Veto Override Failed - House (94 - 49)
4/15 SB 1819 Tax Rebates for Sports Franchises Conference Report Adopted - Senate (27 - 21)
4/15 HB 683 DNA Collection, Parole Board, and Felony Review Conference Report Adopted - Senate (37 - 1)
4/15 HB 683 DNA Collection, Parole Board, and Felony Review Conference Report Adopted - House (51 - 42)
4/15 HB 683 DNA Collection, Parole Board, and Felony Review Conference Report Adopted - House (51 - 42)
4/15 HB 683 DNA Collection, Parole Board, and Felony Review Conference Report Adopted - Senate (37 - 1)
4/15 SB 144 Castration of Sex Offenders Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 3)
4/15 HB 370 Banning Public Funds for Human Cloning Bill Passed - House (90 - 9)
4/15 SB 144 Castration of Sex Offenders Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 3)
4/14 HF 1351 Transportation Policy Reform Conference Report Adopted - House (88 - 44)
4/10 H 3427 Ending Common Law Marriage Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (21 - 17)
4/10 SB 1096 English Language Education Funding Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (16 - 14)
4/10 LD 701 Slot Machine Authorization Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
4/09 SB 1096 English Language Education Funding Bill Passed - House (37 - 23)
4/09 HB 503 Firearms in Vehicles Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 13)
4/08 HF 2212 Smoking Ban Conference Report Adopted - House (54 - 45)
4/08 HF 2212 Smoking Ban Conference Report Adopted - Senate (28 - 22)
4/08 HJR 2 Gambling Restrictions Joint Resolution Passed - House (33 - 6)
4/07 Emmer Amnd. Voter Identification Amendment Amendment Rejected - House (59 - 70)
4/07 HF 2539 Health Care Expansion Plan Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 6)
4/06 HB 364 Parental Consent for Underage Abortions Bill Passed - House (23 - 16)
4/06 HB 364 Parental Consent for Underage Abortions Bill Passed - House (23 - 16)
4/04 HB 978 Vehicle Seizures for Unlicensed Drivers Concurrence Vote Passed - House (115 - 44)
4/04 SB 129 Restricting Beverage Sales at Schools Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
4/04 HB 978 Vehicle Seizures for Unlicensed Drivers Concurrence Vote Passed - House (115 - 44)
4/04 SB 597 Property Transfer Tax Exemptions for Domestic Partners Bill Passed - House (86 - 47)
4/04 LD 701 Slot Machine Authorization Bill Passed - House (98 - 32)
4/04 SB 566 Hospital Visitation/Decision-Making Rights for Domestic Partners Bill Passed - House (88 - 46)
4/04 HB 978 Vehicle Seizures for Unlicensed Drivers Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 18)
4/04 HB 978 Vehicle Seizures for Unlicensed Drivers Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 18)
4/03 SB 1132 Allowing Pistols in Restaurants Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 10)
4/03 SF 960 Modification of the Definition of Dependents for Local Government Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 22)
4/03 SB 858 Restrictions on Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7)
4/03 SB 858 Restrictions on Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7)
4/03 SF 960 Modification of the Definition of Dependents for Local Government Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 22)
4/03 SF 960 Modification of the Definition of Dependents for Local Government Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 22)
4/02 Marty Amnd. Removing Funding for Stadium Study Amendment Adopted - Senate (41 - 22)
4/02 Hann Amnd. Prohibiting Funding for Cities that Prevent Immigration Status Checks Amendment Rejected - Senate (24 - 33)
4/02 HB 257 Limiting Concealed Weapon Restrictions Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 17)
4/02 HB 2700 9/11 Memorial Modifications Bill Passed - House (32 - 26)
4/02 SB 174 Physical Fitness Standards for State Employees Bill Failed - House (55 - 107)
4/02 HR 5501 Funding to Combat AIDS, Malaria, and Tuberculosis Bill Passed - House (308 - 116)
4/02 SB 120 Booster Seat Requirement Bill Passed - House (88 - 8)
4/02 SB 120 Booster Seat Requirement Bill Passed - House (88 - 8)
4/02 SB 1878 Abortion Regulations Bill Passed - House (80 - 12)
4/02 SB 1878 Abortion Regulations Bill Passed - House (80 - 12)
4/01 A 6178 to HB 1845 Reporting Missing Firearms Amendment Rejected - House (75 - 128)
4/01 Seifert Amendment: Prohibiting Grants for Groups Associated with Abortion Providers Amendment Rejected - House (64 - 66)
4/01 AM 2319 to LB 1174 Farm and Ranch Ownership Requirements Amendment Rejected - Senate (20 - 27)
4/01 SF 2369 Background Checks for Coaches Bill Passed - House (118 - 11)
4/01 SB 129 Restricting Beverage Sales at Schools Bill Passed - House (37 - 27)
4/01 SB 1997 Interscholastic Event Image Release Bill Passed - Senate (47 - 5)
4/01 HB 2745 Amending Undocumented Immigrant Employment Sanctions Bill Passed - House (41 - 16)
4/01 HB 70 Restoring Voting Rights to Former Felons Bill Passed - House (80 - 14)
4/01 HB 70 Restoring Voting Rights to Former Felons Bill Passed - House (80 - 14)
3/31 HB 1089 Legalizing Deer Baiting Concurrence Vote Passed - House (68 - 51)
3/31 HB 1089 Legalizing Deer Baiting Concurrence Vote Passed - House (68 - 51)
3/31 SB 269 Authorizing Speed Monitoring Systems Bill Passed - House (89 - 47)
3/31 SB 269 Authorizing Speed Monitoring Systems Bill Passed - House (89 - 47)
3/31 HF 2145 Mandatory HPV Vaccination Coverage Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 8)
3/27 Carlson Amnd. Employment Eligibility Verification Amendment Amendment Adopted - House (86 - 36)
3/27 Rhoades Amnd. Repealing In-State Tuition for Undocumented Immigrants Amendment Rejected - House (51 - 70)
3/27 HB 520 Reporting Sexual Activity of Minors Concurrence Vote Passed - House (79 - 41)
3/27 HB 520 Reporting Sexual Activity of Minors Concurrence Vote Passed - House (79 - 41)
3/27 HB 520 Reporting Sexual Activity of Minors Concurrence Vote Passed - House (79 - 41)
3/27 HB 2788 Relaxing Concealed Weapon Restrictions Bill Passed - House (51 - 5)
3/27 LD 2012 Prohibiting Smoking in Vehicles with Children Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
3/27 LD 2012 Prohibiting Smoking in Vehicles with Children Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)

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