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
June 26, 2023 NJ S 861 Authorizes Burning of Christmas Trees by Municipalities Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 0)
June 26, 2023 PA HB 1067 Authorizes Immigrant Teachers with Valid License Certification and Experience Bill Passed - House (110 - 93)
June 24, 2023 OR HB 2395 Authorizes Specified Persons to Distribute and Administer Short-Acting Opioid Reversal Drugs and Kits Concurrence Vote Passed - House (46 - 3)
June 24, 2023 OR HB 2395 Authorizes Specified Persons to Distribute and Administer Short-Acting Opioid Reversal Drugs and Kits Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 3)
June 24, 2023 OR HB 3235 Establishes a Refundable Child Tax Credit Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 1)
June 23, 2023 OR HB 2915 Prohibits Retail Pet Stores From Selling Dogs and Cats Concurrence Vote Passed - House (41 - 12)
June 22, 2023 ME LD 263 Increases Access to State Family Planning Services "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 12)
June 22, 2023 ME LD 1119 Classifies Assault on a Medical Professional as a Felony Bill Passed - House (105 - 38)
June 22, 2023 National H Res 461 Condemning the use of elementary and secondary school facilities to provide shelter for aliens who are not admitted to the United States. Resolution Passed - House (223 - 201)
June 22, 2023 DE SB 184 Prohibits Discrimination Based On Non-Pending Arrests in Insurance Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 1)
June 21, 2023 OR HB 2002 Expands Medicaid to Authorize Protections for Abortion and Gender Affirming Care Concurrence Vote Passed - House (35 - 12)
June 21, 2023 ME LD 616 Authorizes Legal Protections for Abortion and Reproductive Healthcare Providers "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (23 - 11)
June 21, 2023 OR HB 2915 Prohibits Retail Pet Stores From Selling Dogs and Cats Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 3)
June 21, 2023 OR SB 337 Establishes the Oregon Public Defense Commission within Judicial Branch Bill Passed - House (34 - 16)
June 21, 2023 OR HB 2281 Requires School Districts Hire a Civil Rights Coordinator Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 7)
June 21, 2023 ME LD 1215 Prohibits Flavored Tobacco "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (18 - 16)
June 21, 2023 ME LD 263 Increases Access to State Family Planning Services "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (71 - 65)
June 21, 2023 OH HB 8 Requires Parental Consent for Teachers to Educate on Sexuality-Related Content Bill Passed - House (65 - 29)
June 21, 2023 WI AB 322 Authorizes Ratification of a Collective Bargaining Agreement Between the State and Law Enforcement Association Bill Passed - House (91 - 2)
June 21, 2023 OH HB 68 Prohibits Gender Affirming Care for Minors Bill Passed - House (64 - 28)
June 20, 2023 NY S 7548 Establishes a Streamlined System for Individuals to Overturn Certain Wrongful Convictions Bill Passed - House (94 - 53)
June 20, 2023 ME LD 616 Authorizes Legal Protections for Abortion and Reproductive Healthcare Providers "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (79 - 66)
June 20, 2023 DE HB 186 Amends Rules Concerning Placement on the Sex Offender Registry Bill Passed - House (27 - 10)
June 20, 2023 OR SB 337 Establishes the Oregon Public Defense Commission within Judicial Branch Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 8)
June 20, 2023 MI HB 4475 Establishes Additional Code of Criminal Procedures Bill Passed - House (59 - 50)
June 20, 2023 MI HB 4474 Specifies what Constitutes a Hate Crime Bill Passed - House (59 - 50)
June 20, 2023 MI HB 4474 Specifies what Constitutes a Hate Crime Bill Passed - House (59 - 50)
June 20, 2023 MI HB 4476 Specifies what Constitutes Institutional Desecration Bill Passed - House (83 - 26)
June 20, 2023 MI HB 4477 Establishes Additional Code of Criminal Procedures for Institutional Desecration Bill Passed - House (82 - 27)
June 16, 2023 MI HB 4616 Prohibits Conversion Therapy for Minors Bill Passed - House (56 - 53)
June 16, 2023 MI HB 4617 Amends State Mental Health Code to Define Conversion Therapy Bill Passed - House (56 - 53)
June 15, 2023 OR SB 1043 Requires Hospitals to Provide Narcan Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 1)
June 15, 2023 OR HB 2002 Expands Medicaid to Authorize Protections for Abortion and Gender Affirming Care Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 3)
June 15, 2023 ME LD 1435 Authorizes Legal Protections for Sex Workers Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11)
June 15, 2023 ME LD 1435 Authorizes Legal Protections for Sex Workers Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11)
June 15, 2023 DE HB 142 Prohibits LGBTQ+ Panic Defense Bill Passed - House (27 - 10)
June 15, 2023 ME LD 1001 Amends the Maine Human Rights Act Regarding Right-to-sue Letters Bill Passed - House (88 - 54)
June 14, 2023 SC H 3532 Amends and Reforms the State Bail Bond System Conference Report Adopted - House (89 - 16)
June 14, 2023 NC HB 140 Authorizes Civilian Traffic Investigators Concurrence Vote Passed - House (100 - 6)
June 14, 2023 ME LD 52 Authorizes Certain Employees to Carry Firearms on School Property "Ought Not to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (22 - 13)
June 14, 2023 MI HB 4173 Establishes the "Michigan Sentencing Commission" in the Legislative Council Bill Passed - House (56 - 53)
June 14, 2023 RI H 5902 Increases Criminal Penalties for Wage Theft by Employers from a Misdemeanor to a Felony Bill Passed - House (70 - 2)
June 14, 2023 PA HB 1305 Establishes Resources for Mental Health Behavioral Crisis Intervention Bill Passed - House (113 - 90)
June 13, 2023 AZ SB 1588 Establishes a criminal Justice Data Collection System Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (16 - 12)
June 13, 2023 AZ SB 1013 Extends Expanded Free Speech Protections to College Campuses Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 5)
June 13, 2023 ME LD 86 Amends the State Flag Designation to Reestablish the Former Flag Concurrence Vote Passed - House (72 - 70)
June 13, 2023 ME LD 279 Prohibits Public Entities from Discriminating Against Individuals "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (77 - 64)
June 13, 2023 ME LD 52 Authorizes Certain Employees to Carry Firearms on School Property "Ought Not to Pass" Report Adopted - House (76 - 67)
June 13, 2023 DE SB 145 Expands the Limits on the Dollar Amount of Awards of Compensatory or Punitive Damages for Employment Discrimination Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 1)
June 12, 2023 AZ SB 1588 Establishes a criminal Justice Data Collection System Bill Passed - House (39 - 21)
June 10, 2023 NY S 2475 Prohibits State Extradition of Minors Seeking Gender Affirming Care Bill Passed - House (97 - 47)
June 9, 2023 NY A 1029 Requires Automatic Sealing of Certain Convictions Records After Specified Periods of Time Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 25)
June 9, 2023 NY A 1029 Requires Automatic Sealing of Certain Convictions Records After Specified Periods of Time Bill Passed - House (97 - 51)
June 8, 2023 LA SB 159 Amends Previous Law to Automatically Classify 17-Year-Old Defendants as Adults Conference Report Adopted - House (70 - 34)
June 8, 2023 LA HB 160 Authorizes Victims and Family in Juvenile Court Proceedings to Openly Share Information Conference Report Adopted - Senate (37 - 1)
June 8, 2023 LA HB 90 Increases Penalties for Drug Distribution Resulting in Death to Life in Prison Conference Report Adopted - Senate (31 - 5)
June 8, 2023 LA HB 90 Increases Penalties for Drug Distribution Resulting in Death to Life in Prison Conference Report Adopted - Senate (31 - 5)
June 8, 2023 LA HB 90 Increases Penalties for Drug Distribution Resulting in Death to Life in Prison Conference Report Adopted - House (78 - 19)
June 8, 2023 LA HB 90 Increases Penalties for Drug Distribution Resulting in Death to Life in Prison Conference Report Adopted - House (78 - 19)
June 8, 2023 LA SB 159 Amends Previous Law to Automatically Classify 17-Year-Old Defendants as Adults Conference Report Adopted - Senate (28 - 11)
June 8, 2023 NH HB 315 Prohibits the Use of the "Gay Panic" Murder Defense "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (20 - 4)
June 8, 2023 NH HB 315 Prohibits the Use of the "Gay Panic" Murder Defense "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (20 - 4)
June 8, 2023 NY S 7548 Establishes a Streamlined System for Individuals to Overturn Certain Wrongful Convictions Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 21)
June 8, 2023 NY A 7691 Establishes a State Commission to Consider Reparations to Address Effects of Slavery Bill Passed - House (105 - 42)
June 8, 2023 NY S 2237 Extends Healthcare Coverage for Undocumented Individuals Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 21)
June 8, 2023 DE HB 141 Requires a Criminal History Background Checks For Candidates For State And County Public Office Bill Passed - House (25 - 7)
June 8, 2023 OR HB 2772 Classifies Domestic Terrorism as a Felony Bill Passed - House (49 - 5)
June 7, 2023 ME LD 1423 Increase the Limits on Awards for Compensatory and Punitive Damages Under the Maine Human Rights Act Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 13)
June 7, 2023 CT HB 6888 Amends Various Juvenile Justice Policies and Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 10)
June 7, 2023 RI H 5757 Increases Jail Sentences for Sexual Assault Bill Passed - House (52 - 15)
June 7, 2023 NY S 138 Amends Firearms Training Certification Rules Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 20)
June 6, 2023 LA HB 91 Authorizes Restitution to Victims of Vehicular Homicide Concurrence Vote Passed - House (78 - 16)
June 6, 2023 LA HB 659 Establishes a Registry for Certain Offenders Convicted of Crimes Against Children Concurrence Vote Passed - House (73 - 19)
June 6, 2023 LA SB 56 Extends and Reinstates the Second Amendment Sales Tax Holiday Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (35 - 3)
June 6, 2023 NY A 3340 Amends State Penal Law to Modify Rape Convictions Bill Passed - Senate (58 - 4)
Date No. Title Outcome
6/26 S 861 Authorizes Burning of Christmas Trees by Municipalities Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 0)
6/26 HB 1067 Authorizes Immigrant Teachers with Valid License Certification and Experience Bill Passed - House (110 - 93)
6/24 HB 2395 Authorizes Specified Persons to Distribute and Administer Short-Acting Opioid Reversal Drugs and Kits Concurrence Vote Passed - House (46 - 3)
6/24 HB 2395 Authorizes Specified Persons to Distribute and Administer Short-Acting Opioid Reversal Drugs and Kits Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 3)
6/24 HB 3235 Establishes a Refundable Child Tax Credit Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 1)
6/23 HB 2915 Prohibits Retail Pet Stores From Selling Dogs and Cats Concurrence Vote Passed - House (41 - 12)
6/22 LD 263 Increases Access to State Family Planning Services "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 12)
6/22 LD 1119 Classifies Assault on a Medical Professional as a Felony Bill Passed - House (105 - 38)
6/22 H Res 461 Condemning the use of elementary and secondary school facilities to provide shelter for aliens who are not admitted to the United States. Resolution Passed - House (223 - 201)
6/22 SB 184 Prohibits Discrimination Based On Non-Pending Arrests in Insurance Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 1)
6/21 HB 2002 Expands Medicaid to Authorize Protections for Abortion and Gender Affirming Care Concurrence Vote Passed - House (35 - 12)
6/21 LD 616 Authorizes Legal Protections for Abortion and Reproductive Healthcare Providers "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (23 - 11)
6/21 HB 2915 Prohibits Retail Pet Stores From Selling Dogs and Cats Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 3)
6/21 SB 337 Establishes the Oregon Public Defense Commission within Judicial Branch Bill Passed - House (34 - 16)
6/21 HB 2281 Requires School Districts Hire a Civil Rights Coordinator Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 7)
6/21 LD 1215 Prohibits Flavored Tobacco "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (18 - 16)
6/21 LD 263 Increases Access to State Family Planning Services "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (71 - 65)
6/21 HB 8 Requires Parental Consent for Teachers to Educate on Sexuality-Related Content Bill Passed - House (65 - 29)
6/21 AB 322 Authorizes Ratification of a Collective Bargaining Agreement Between the State and Law Enforcement Association Bill Passed - House (91 - 2)
6/21 HB 68 Prohibits Gender Affirming Care for Minors Bill Passed - House (64 - 28)
6/20 S 7548 Establishes a Streamlined System for Individuals to Overturn Certain Wrongful Convictions Bill Passed - House (94 - 53)
6/20 LD 616 Authorizes Legal Protections for Abortion and Reproductive Healthcare Providers "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (79 - 66)
6/20 HB 186 Amends Rules Concerning Placement on the Sex Offender Registry Bill Passed - House (27 - 10)
6/20 SB 337 Establishes the Oregon Public Defense Commission within Judicial Branch Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 8)
6/20 HB 4475 Establishes Additional Code of Criminal Procedures Bill Passed - House (59 - 50)
6/20 HB 4474 Specifies what Constitutes a Hate Crime Bill Passed - House (59 - 50)
6/20 HB 4474 Specifies what Constitutes a Hate Crime Bill Passed - House (59 - 50)
6/20 HB 4476 Specifies what Constitutes Institutional Desecration Bill Passed - House (83 - 26)
6/20 HB 4477 Establishes Additional Code of Criminal Procedures for Institutional Desecration Bill Passed - House (82 - 27)
6/16 HB 4616 Prohibits Conversion Therapy for Minors Bill Passed - House (56 - 53)
6/16 HB 4617 Amends State Mental Health Code to Define Conversion Therapy Bill Passed - House (56 - 53)
6/15 SB 1043 Requires Hospitals to Provide Narcan Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 1)
6/15 HB 2002 Expands Medicaid to Authorize Protections for Abortion and Gender Affirming Care Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 3)
6/15 LD 1435 Authorizes Legal Protections for Sex Workers Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11)
6/15 LD 1435 Authorizes Legal Protections for Sex Workers Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11)
6/15 HB 142 Prohibits LGBTQ+ Panic Defense Bill Passed - House (27 - 10)
6/15 LD 1001 Amends the Maine Human Rights Act Regarding Right-to-sue Letters Bill Passed - House (88 - 54)
6/14 H 3532 Amends and Reforms the State Bail Bond System Conference Report Adopted - House (89 - 16)
6/14 HB 140 Authorizes Civilian Traffic Investigators Concurrence Vote Passed - House (100 - 6)
6/14 LD 52 Authorizes Certain Employees to Carry Firearms on School Property "Ought Not to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (22 - 13)
6/14 HB 4173 Establishes the "Michigan Sentencing Commission" in the Legislative Council Bill Passed - House (56 - 53)
6/14 H 5902 Increases Criminal Penalties for Wage Theft by Employers from a Misdemeanor to a Felony Bill Passed - House (70 - 2)
6/14 HB 1305 Establishes Resources for Mental Health Behavioral Crisis Intervention Bill Passed - House (113 - 90)
6/13 SB 1588 Establishes a criminal Justice Data Collection System Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (16 - 12)
6/13 SB 1013 Extends Expanded Free Speech Protections to College Campuses Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 5)
6/13 LD 86 Amends the State Flag Designation to Reestablish the Former Flag Concurrence Vote Passed - House (72 - 70)
6/13 LD 279 Prohibits Public Entities from Discriminating Against Individuals "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (77 - 64)
6/13 LD 52 Authorizes Certain Employees to Carry Firearms on School Property "Ought Not to Pass" Report Adopted - House (76 - 67)
6/13 SB 145 Expands the Limits on the Dollar Amount of Awards of Compensatory or Punitive Damages for Employment Discrimination Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 1)
6/12 SB 1588 Establishes a criminal Justice Data Collection System Bill Passed - House (39 - 21)
6/10 S 2475 Prohibits State Extradition of Minors Seeking Gender Affirming Care Bill Passed - House (97 - 47)
6/09 A 1029 Requires Automatic Sealing of Certain Convictions Records After Specified Periods of Time Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 25)
6/09 A 1029 Requires Automatic Sealing of Certain Convictions Records After Specified Periods of Time Bill Passed - House (97 - 51)
6/08 SB 159 Amends Previous Law to Automatically Classify 17-Year-Old Defendants as Adults Conference Report Adopted - House (70 - 34)
6/08 HB 160 Authorizes Victims and Family in Juvenile Court Proceedings to Openly Share Information Conference Report Adopted - Senate (37 - 1)
6/08 HB 90 Increases Penalties for Drug Distribution Resulting in Death to Life in Prison Conference Report Adopted - Senate (31 - 5)
6/08 HB 90 Increases Penalties for Drug Distribution Resulting in Death to Life in Prison Conference Report Adopted - Senate (31 - 5)
6/08 HB 90 Increases Penalties for Drug Distribution Resulting in Death to Life in Prison Conference Report Adopted - House (78 - 19)
6/08 HB 90 Increases Penalties for Drug Distribution Resulting in Death to Life in Prison Conference Report Adopted - House (78 - 19)
6/08 SB 159 Amends Previous Law to Automatically Classify 17-Year-Old Defendants as Adults Conference Report Adopted - Senate (28 - 11)
6/08 HB 315 Prohibits the Use of the "Gay Panic" Murder Defense "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (20 - 4)
6/08 HB 315 Prohibits the Use of the "Gay Panic" Murder Defense "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (20 - 4)
6/08 S 7548 Establishes a Streamlined System for Individuals to Overturn Certain Wrongful Convictions Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 21)
6/08 A 7691 Establishes a State Commission to Consider Reparations to Address Effects of Slavery Bill Passed - House (105 - 42)
6/08 S 2237 Extends Healthcare Coverage for Undocumented Individuals Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 21)
6/08 HB 141 Requires a Criminal History Background Checks For Candidates For State And County Public Office Bill Passed - House (25 - 7)
6/08 HB 2772 Classifies Domestic Terrorism as a Felony Bill Passed - House (49 - 5)
6/07 LD 1423 Increase the Limits on Awards for Compensatory and Punitive Damages Under the Maine Human Rights Act Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 13)
6/07 HB 6888 Amends Various Juvenile Justice Policies and Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 10)
6/07 H 5757 Increases Jail Sentences for Sexual Assault Bill Passed - House (52 - 15)
6/07 S 138 Amends Firearms Training Certification Rules Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 20)
6/06 HB 91 Authorizes Restitution to Victims of Vehicular Homicide Concurrence Vote Passed - House (78 - 16)
6/06 HB 659 Establishes a Registry for Certain Offenders Convicted of Crimes Against Children Concurrence Vote Passed - House (73 - 19)
6/06 SB 56 Extends and Reinstates the Second Amendment Sales Tax Holiday Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (35 - 3)
6/06 A 3340 Amends State Penal Law to Modify Rape Convictions Bill Passed - Senate (58 - 4)

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