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 11, 2020 OH HB 164 Authorizes Religious Expression in Public Schools Concurrence Vote Passed - House (90 - 3)
June 11, 2020 CA AB 2847 Requires Microstamping Within Handguns Bill Passed - House (52 - 20)
June 11, 2020 IA HF 2647 Amends Law Enforcement Policies and Training Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 0)
June 11, 2020 CO HB 20-1065 Authorizes Pharmacists to Sell Nonprescription Syringes Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
June 11, 2020 CO HB 20-1017 Expands Substance Use Disorder Treatment in the Criminal Justice System Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 11)
June 11, 2020 CO HB 20-1017 Expands Substance Use Disorder Treatment in the Criminal Justice System Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 11)
June 11, 2020 IA HF 2647 Amends Law Enforcement Policies and Training Requirements Bill Passed - House (98 - 0)
June 11, 2020 CA AB 3121 Establishes a Task Force for Reparations to African Americans Bill Passed - House (61 - 12)
June 11, 2020 OH HB 425 Repeals the Requirement that Handgun Owners Notify Police About Their Firearm When Stopped Bill Passed - House (58 - 32)
June 11, 2020 OH HB 33 Requires Social Service Professionals to Alert Authorities When They Suspect Animal Abuse Bill Passed - House (90 - 2)
June 10, 2020 OH HB 164 Authorizes Religious Expression in Public Schools Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 0)
June 10, 2020 IA HF 684 Establishes Medical Amnesty for Under-Aged Individuals in Alcohol-Related Emergencies Bill Passed - Senate (47 - 2)
June 10, 2020 NY S 8539 Establishes the Law Enforcement Misconduct Investigative Office Bill Passed - House (121 - 23)
June 10, 2020 NY S 8539 Establishes the Law Enforcement Misconduct Investigative Office Bill Passed - House (121 - 23)
June 10, 2020 CO HB 20-1343 Requires Colorado Eggs to be Cage-Free by 2025 Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 16)
June 10, 2020 NY S 2574 Establishes an Office of Special Investigation Under the Attorney General Bill Passed - House (97 - 47)
June 10, 2020 CO HB 20-1143 Increases Maximum Fines for Air and Water Quality Violations Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 14)
June 10, 2020 NY S 3595 Establishes the Law Enforcement Misconduct Investigative Office Bill Passed - House (100 - 44)
June 10, 2020 CA ACA 5 Establishes Constitutional Amendment Repealing Prohibition on Affirmative Action Policies Amendment Adopted - House (60 - 14)
June 10, 2020 NY S 2574 Establishes an Office of Special Investigation Under the Attorney General Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 17)
June 10, 2020 CA AB 2570 Establishes the False Claims Act Bill Passed - House (44 - 20)
June 10, 2020 NY S 8539 Establishes the Law Enforcement Misconduct Investigative Office Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 20)
June 10, 2020 NY S 8539 Establishes the Law Enforcement Misconduct Investigative Office Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 20)
June 9, 2020 NY S 6601 Requires Police Officers to Provide Medical and Mental Health Attention Bill Passed - House (109 - 35)
June 9, 2020 NY S 6601 Requires Police Officers to Provide Medical and Mental Health Attention Bill Passed - House (109 - 35)
June 9, 2020 NY S 8493 Establishes the "New York State Police Body-Worn Cameras Program" Bill Passed - House (142 - 2)
June 9, 2020 NY S 8493 Establishes the "New York State Police Body-Worn Cameras Program" Bill Passed - House (142 - 2)
June 9, 2020 NY S 8496 Authorizes Disclosure of Law Enforcement Disciplinary Records Bill Passed - House (101 - 43)
June 9, 2020 NY S 8496 Authorizes Disclosure of Law Enforcement Disciplinary Records Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 22)
June 9, 2020 CO HB 20-1017 Expands Substance Use Disorder Treatment in the Criminal Justice System Bill Passed - House (40 - 22)
June 9, 2020 CO HB 20-1017 Expands Substance Use Disorder Treatment in the Criminal Justice System Bill Passed - House (40 - 22)
June 9, 2020 CO HB 20-1065 Authorizes Pharmacists to Sell Nonprescription Syringes Bill Passed - House (38 - 24)
June 8, 2020 NY S 3253 Authorizes Individuals to Record Law Enforcement Activity Bill Passed - House (128 - 16)
June 8, 2020 NY A 1531 Prohibits Reporting a Non-Emergency Incident Involving a Member of a Protected Class Bill Passed - Senate (56 - 6)
June 8, 2020 NY A 1531 Prohibits Reporting a Non-Emergency Incident Involving a Member of a Protected Class Bill Passed - Senate (56 - 6)
June 8, 2020 NY A 6144 Establishes the Eric Garner Anti-Chokehold Act Bill Passed - Senate (62 - 0)
June 8, 2020 NY A 4615 Prohibits Police Officers from Racial and Ethnic Profiling Bill Passed - House (105 - 39)
June 8, 2020 NY A 1531 Prohibits Reporting a Non-Emergency Incident Involving a Member of a Protected Class Bill Passed - House (115 - 29)
June 8, 2020 NY A 1531 Prohibits Reporting a Non-Emergency Incident Involving a Member of a Protected Class Bill Passed - House (115 - 29)
June 8, 2020 NY A 10608 Requires Law Enforcement Officers to Report Weapon Discharges to their Superior Bill Passed - House (105 - 39)
June 8, 2020 NY A 4615 Prohibits Police Officers from Racial and Ethnic Profiling Bill Passed - House (105 - 39)
June 8, 2020 NY A 10609 Requires Courts to Compile and Publish Data on Misdemeanors and Violations and Law Enforcement Departments on Arrest-Related Deaths Bill Passed - House (100 - 44)
June 8, 2020 NY A 10609 Requires Courts to Compile and Publish Data on Misdemeanors and Violations and Law Enforcement Departments on Arrest-Related Deaths Bill Passed - House (100 - 44)
June 5, 2020 IA SF 2413 Increases Penalties for Trespassing on Animal Food Operations Bill Passed - House (59 - 37)
June 5, 2020 IA SF 2413 Increases Penalties for Trespassing on Animal Food Operations Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 11)
June 5, 2020 CO HB 20-1143 Increases Maximum Fines for Air and Water Quality Violations Bill Passed - House (40 - 24)
June 5, 2020 CO SB 20-181 Amends Incompetent-to-Proceed Process for Mentally Ill Defendants Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 7)
June 4, 2020 MI SB 945 Requires Implicit Bias and De-Escalation Training for Law Enforcement Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 0)
June 4, 2020 MI SB 945 Requires Implicit Bias and De-Escalation Training for Law Enforcement Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 0)
June 3, 2020 IA HF 2502 Amends Gun Policies Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 17)
June 3, 2020 IA SF 2348 Requires Restitution Payment from Felons for Restoration of Voting Rights Bill Passed - House (51 - 45)
June 3, 2020 IA SF 2348 Requires Restitution Payment from Felons for Restoration of Voting Rights Bill Passed - House (51 - 45)
June 3, 2020 TN HB 1689 Prohibits Students From Participating in Sports That do Not Match Their Birth Sex Bill Passed - House (73 - 13)
May 31, 2020 LA HB 357 Establishes Regulations for Fantasy Sports Gambling Concurrence Vote Passed - House (76 - 20)
May 31, 2020 LA HB 434 Establishes Outlines and Provisions Relating to Homicide Concurrence Vote Passed - House (90 - 0)
May 29, 2020 LA HB 140 Prohibits Localities from Establishing Restrictions to Prohibit Firearm Possession Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 3)
May 29, 2020 LA HB 241 Amends Certain Requirements of the Records Expungement Process Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 3)
May 28, 2020 LA SB 178 Authorizes Alcohol Delivery by Third Party Platforms Bill Passed - House (87 - 13)
May 28, 2020 OH HB 194 Authorizes Sports Gambling in the State Bill Passed - House (83 - 10)
May 27, 2020 National S 3744 Uyghur Human Rights Policy Act of 2020 Bill Passed - House (413 - 1)
May 27, 2020 NY S 8415 Repeals Anti-Mask Law Bill Passed - House (109 - 35)
May 27, 2020 National S 3744 Uyghur Human Rights Policy Act of 2020 Bill Passed - House (413 - 1)
May 27, 2020 NY S 8415 Repeals Anti-Mask Law Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 27)
May 27, 2020 MI HB 5217 Authorizes Compensation for College Athletes Bill Passed - House (94 - 13)
May 23, 2020 IL SB 516 Amends Tax Structure for Chicago Casino Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (42 - 14)
May 23, 2020 IL SB 516 Amends Tax Structure for Chicago Casino Bill Passed - House (77 - 32)
May 22, 2020 LA HB 334 Authorizes Concealed Handgun Permit Holders to Carry Inside Places of Worship Bill Passed - House (72 - 24)
May 22, 2020 LA HB 241 Amends Certain Requirements of the Records Expungement Process Bill Passed - House (73 - 19)
May 22, 2020 LA HB 334 Authorizes Concealed Handgun Permit Holders to Carry Inside Places of Worship Bill Passed - House (72 - 24)
May 21, 2020 LA HB 420 Establishes Minimum Training Requirements for Peace Officers Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 0)
May 20, 2020 PA HB 2440 Classifies Shooting Ranges, Sportsman Clubs, Hunting Facilities, and Firearm Businesses as "Life-Sustaining" Bill Passed - House (124 - 78)
May 20, 2020 PA HB 2440 Classifies Shooting Ranges, Sportsman Clubs, Hunting Facilities, and Firearm Businesses as "Life-Sustaining" Bill Passed - House (124 - 78)
May 20, 2020 OH HB 3 Amends Law Enforcement Response to Domestic Violence Bill Passed - House (94 - 0)
May 20, 2020 OH HB 3 Amends Law Enforcement Response to Domestic Violence Bill Passed - House (94 - 0)
May 15, 2020 OK HB 2587 Prohibits Denying Healthcare or Adjusting Coverage or Cost Based on Age or Quality of Life Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 6)
Date No. Title Outcome
6/11 HB 164 Authorizes Religious Expression in Public Schools Concurrence Vote Passed - House (90 - 3)
6/11 AB 2847 Requires Microstamping Within Handguns Bill Passed - House (52 - 20)
6/11 HF 2647 Amends Law Enforcement Policies and Training Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 0)
6/11 HB 20-1065 Authorizes Pharmacists to Sell Nonprescription Syringes Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
6/11 HB 20-1017 Expands Substance Use Disorder Treatment in the Criminal Justice System Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 11)
6/11 HB 20-1017 Expands Substance Use Disorder Treatment in the Criminal Justice System Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 11)
6/11 HF 2647 Amends Law Enforcement Policies and Training Requirements Bill Passed - House (98 - 0)
6/11 AB 3121 Establishes a Task Force for Reparations to African Americans Bill Passed - House (61 - 12)
6/11 HB 425 Repeals the Requirement that Handgun Owners Notify Police About Their Firearm When Stopped Bill Passed - House (58 - 32)
6/11 HB 33 Requires Social Service Professionals to Alert Authorities When They Suspect Animal Abuse Bill Passed - House (90 - 2)
6/10 HB 164 Authorizes Religious Expression in Public Schools Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 0)
6/10 HF 684 Establishes Medical Amnesty for Under-Aged Individuals in Alcohol-Related Emergencies Bill Passed - Senate (47 - 2)
6/10 S 8539 Establishes the Law Enforcement Misconduct Investigative Office Bill Passed - House (121 - 23)
6/10 S 8539 Establishes the Law Enforcement Misconduct Investigative Office Bill Passed - House (121 - 23)
6/10 HB 20-1343 Requires Colorado Eggs to be Cage-Free by 2025 Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 16)
6/10 S 2574 Establishes an Office of Special Investigation Under the Attorney General Bill Passed - House (97 - 47)
6/10 HB 20-1143 Increases Maximum Fines for Air and Water Quality Violations Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 14)
6/10 S 3595 Establishes the Law Enforcement Misconduct Investigative Office Bill Passed - House (100 - 44)
6/10 ACA 5 Establishes Constitutional Amendment Repealing Prohibition on Affirmative Action Policies Amendment Adopted - House (60 - 14)
6/10 S 2574 Establishes an Office of Special Investigation Under the Attorney General Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 17)
6/10 AB 2570 Establishes the False Claims Act Bill Passed - House (44 - 20)
6/10 S 8539 Establishes the Law Enforcement Misconduct Investigative Office Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 20)
6/10 S 8539 Establishes the Law Enforcement Misconduct Investigative Office Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 20)
6/09 S 6601 Requires Police Officers to Provide Medical and Mental Health Attention Bill Passed - House (109 - 35)
6/09 S 6601 Requires Police Officers to Provide Medical and Mental Health Attention Bill Passed - House (109 - 35)
6/09 S 8493 Establishes the "New York State Police Body-Worn Cameras Program" Bill Passed - House (142 - 2)
6/09 S 8493 Establishes the "New York State Police Body-Worn Cameras Program" Bill Passed - House (142 - 2)
6/09 S 8496 Authorizes Disclosure of Law Enforcement Disciplinary Records Bill Passed - House (101 - 43)
6/09 S 8496 Authorizes Disclosure of Law Enforcement Disciplinary Records Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 22)
6/09 HB 20-1017 Expands Substance Use Disorder Treatment in the Criminal Justice System Bill Passed - House (40 - 22)
6/09 HB 20-1017 Expands Substance Use Disorder Treatment in the Criminal Justice System Bill Passed - House (40 - 22)
6/09 HB 20-1065 Authorizes Pharmacists to Sell Nonprescription Syringes Bill Passed - House (38 - 24)
6/08 S 3253 Authorizes Individuals to Record Law Enforcement Activity Bill Passed - House (128 - 16)
6/08 A 1531 Prohibits Reporting a Non-Emergency Incident Involving a Member of a Protected Class Bill Passed - Senate (56 - 6)
6/08 A 1531 Prohibits Reporting a Non-Emergency Incident Involving a Member of a Protected Class Bill Passed - Senate (56 - 6)
6/08 A 6144 Establishes the Eric Garner Anti-Chokehold Act Bill Passed - Senate (62 - 0)
6/08 A 4615 Prohibits Police Officers from Racial and Ethnic Profiling Bill Passed - House (105 - 39)
6/08 A 1531 Prohibits Reporting a Non-Emergency Incident Involving a Member of a Protected Class Bill Passed - House (115 - 29)
6/08 A 1531 Prohibits Reporting a Non-Emergency Incident Involving a Member of a Protected Class Bill Passed - House (115 - 29)
6/08 A 10608 Requires Law Enforcement Officers to Report Weapon Discharges to their Superior Bill Passed - House (105 - 39)
6/08 A 4615 Prohibits Police Officers from Racial and Ethnic Profiling Bill Passed - House (105 - 39)
6/08 A 10609 Requires Courts to Compile and Publish Data on Misdemeanors and Violations and Law Enforcement Departments on Arrest-Related Deaths Bill Passed - House (100 - 44)
6/08 A 10609 Requires Courts to Compile and Publish Data on Misdemeanors and Violations and Law Enforcement Departments on Arrest-Related Deaths Bill Passed - House (100 - 44)
6/05 SF 2413 Increases Penalties for Trespassing on Animal Food Operations Bill Passed - House (59 - 37)
6/05 SF 2413 Increases Penalties for Trespassing on Animal Food Operations Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 11)
6/05 HB 20-1143 Increases Maximum Fines for Air and Water Quality Violations Bill Passed - House (40 - 24)
6/05 SB 20-181 Amends Incompetent-to-Proceed Process for Mentally Ill Defendants Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 7)
6/04 SB 945 Requires Implicit Bias and De-Escalation Training for Law Enforcement Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 0)
6/04 SB 945 Requires Implicit Bias and De-Escalation Training for Law Enforcement Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 0)
6/03 HF 2502 Amends Gun Policies Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 17)
6/03 SF 2348 Requires Restitution Payment from Felons for Restoration of Voting Rights Bill Passed - House (51 - 45)
6/03 SF 2348 Requires Restitution Payment from Felons for Restoration of Voting Rights Bill Passed - House (51 - 45)
6/03 HB 1689 Prohibits Students From Participating in Sports That do Not Match Their Birth Sex Bill Passed - House (73 - 13)
5/31 HB 357 Establishes Regulations for Fantasy Sports Gambling Concurrence Vote Passed - House (76 - 20)
5/31 HB 434 Establishes Outlines and Provisions Relating to Homicide Concurrence Vote Passed - House (90 - 0)
5/29 HB 140 Prohibits Localities from Establishing Restrictions to Prohibit Firearm Possession Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 3)
5/29 HB 241 Amends Certain Requirements of the Records Expungement Process Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 3)
5/28 SB 178 Authorizes Alcohol Delivery by Third Party Platforms Bill Passed - House (87 - 13)
5/28 HB 194 Authorizes Sports Gambling in the State Bill Passed - House (83 - 10)
5/27 S 3744 Uyghur Human Rights Policy Act of 2020 Bill Passed - House (413 - 1)
5/27 S 8415 Repeals Anti-Mask Law Bill Passed - House (109 - 35)
5/27 S 3744 Uyghur Human Rights Policy Act of 2020 Bill Passed - House (413 - 1)
5/27 S 8415 Repeals Anti-Mask Law Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 27)
5/27 HB 5217 Authorizes Compensation for College Athletes Bill Passed - House (94 - 13)
5/23 SB 516 Amends Tax Structure for Chicago Casino Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (42 - 14)
5/23 SB 516 Amends Tax Structure for Chicago Casino Bill Passed - House (77 - 32)
5/22 HB 334 Authorizes Concealed Handgun Permit Holders to Carry Inside Places of Worship Bill Passed - House (72 - 24)
5/22 HB 241 Amends Certain Requirements of the Records Expungement Process Bill Passed - House (73 - 19)
5/22 HB 334 Authorizes Concealed Handgun Permit Holders to Carry Inside Places of Worship Bill Passed - House (72 - 24)
5/21 HB 420 Establishes Minimum Training Requirements for Peace Officers Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 0)
5/20 HB 2440 Classifies Shooting Ranges, Sportsman Clubs, Hunting Facilities, and Firearm Businesses as "Life-Sustaining" Bill Passed - House (124 - 78)
5/20 HB 2440 Classifies Shooting Ranges, Sportsman Clubs, Hunting Facilities, and Firearm Businesses as "Life-Sustaining" Bill Passed - House (124 - 78)
5/20 HB 3 Amends Law Enforcement Response to Domestic Violence Bill Passed - House (94 - 0)
5/20 HB 3 Amends Law Enforcement Response to Domestic Violence Bill Passed - House (94 - 0)
5/15 HB 2587 Prohibits Denying Healthcare or Adjusting Coverage or Cost Based on Age or Quality of Life Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 6)

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