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. 22, 2022 WI AB 828 Increases Employment Incentives for Correctional Officers Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 12)
Feb. 22, 2022 WI AJR 107 Authorizes a Judge to Consider an Individual's Past Criminal Record When Determining Their Bail Amount Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (23 - 10)
Feb. 22, 2022 AL HB 2 Expands Penalties for Rioting, Certain Public Demonstrations Bill Passed - House (75 - 27)
Feb. 22, 2022 AL HB 2 Expands Penalties for Rioting, Certain Public Demonstrations Bill Passed - House (75 - 27)
Feb. 22, 2022 AL HB 272 Authorizes Permitless Carry of Handguns Bill Passed - House (65 - 37)
Feb. 21, 2022 VA HB 4 Requires School Principals to Report Student Misdemeanors to Law Enforcement Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 13)
Feb. 21, 2022 VA HB 283 Establishes Human Trafficking Training For Law Enforcement Personnel Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 0)
Feb. 21, 2022 IA HF 2416 Requires Student Athletes to Join Teams Based on Sex Assigned at Birth Bill Passed - House (55 - 39)
Feb. 17, 2022 UT SB 115 Prohibits Local Jurisdiction of State Firearm Laws Bill Passed - House (58 - 16)
Feb. 17, 2022 AR SB 21 Appropriates Funds for the Catfish Promotion Board Bill Passed - House (86 - 4)
Feb. 17, 2022 AZ HB 2414 Repeals Restrictions on Loaded Firearms Bill Passed - House (31 - 27)
Feb. 16, 2022 ME LD 344 Establishes a Constitutional Amendment that Prohibits Discrimination Based on Sex "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Adopted - House (80 - 57)
Feb. 16, 2022 MA H 4461 Authorizes Driver's Licenses for Certain Undocumented Immigrants (120 - 36)
Feb. 16, 2022 MA H 4470 Authorizes Driver's Licenses for Certain Undocumented Persons Bill Passed - House (120 - 36)
Feb. 16, 2022 OH HB 109 Increases Penalties for Specific Criminal Offenses Bill Passed - House (60 - 35)
Feb. 15, 2022 WI AB 495 Authorizes Licensed Carriage of Firearms on School Grounds Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (20 - 12)
Feb. 15, 2022 NM HB 135 Establishes Indian Family Protection Act Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 4)
Feb. 15, 2022 NM HB 52 Amends Harm Reduction Act Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 3)
Feb. 15, 2022 IN HB 1248 Prohibits Big Cat and Bear Cub Owners from Allowing Public Interaction Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 4)
Feb. 15, 2022 AL HB 95 Establishes a 180-Day Grace Period for Inmates to Repay Court-Imposed Debt After Release Bill Passed - House (63 - 35)
Feb. 15, 2022 WA HB 2068 Establishes the Imagination Library of Washington Program Bill Passed - House (89 - 7)
Feb. 15, 2022 VA HB 509 Repeals "Red Flag" Gun Law Bill Passed - House (52 - 47)
Feb. 15, 2022 VA HB 509 Repeals "Red Flag" Gun Law Bill Passed - House (52 - 47)
Feb. 15, 2022 VA HB 1197 Establishes a Study Regarding Transferring the Department of Juvenile Justice to the Secretariat of Health and Human Resources Bill Passed - House (64 - 35)
Feb. 15, 2022 WI AJR 107 Authorizes a Judge to Consider an Individual's Past Criminal Record When Determining Their Bail Amount Joint Resolution Passed - House (70 - 21)
Feb. 15, 2022 VA HB 753 Exempts Certain Religious Organizations from Following Nondiscrimination Laws Bill Passed - House (54 - 45)
Feb. 15, 2022 VA HB 670 Establishes Independent Policing Auditor to Oversee Civilian Law Enforcement Oversight Groups Bill Passed - House (65 - 35)
Feb. 15, 2022 VA SJ 1 Expands Voting Rights of Released Inmates (24 - 16)
Feb. 14, 2022 National PN 1593 Nomination of Robert Califf as Commissioner of Food and Drugs, Department of Health and Human Services Cloture Invoked - Senate (49 - 45)
Feb. 14, 2022 GA HB 1134 Authorizes the Attorney General to Prosecute Gang Activity Bill Passed - House (101 - 56)
Feb. 14, 2022 TN HB 1694 Prohibits State, Local Governments from Restricting Places of Worship Bill Passed - House (73 - 19)
Feb. 14, 2022 AZ SB 1163 Expands Healthcare Options for Individuals with Terminal Illness/Disease Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 11)
Feb. 12, 2022 NM HB 68 Expands Police Training Requirements Bill Passed - House (50 - 17)
Feb. 12, 2022 NM HB 99 Prohibits Threats Against Judges Bill Passed - House (59 - 7)
Feb. 12, 2022 NM SB 34 Establishes Threatening a Mass Shooting as a Criminal Misdemeanor Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 5)
Feb. 12, 2022 NM SB 34 Establishes Threatening a Mass Shooting as a Criminal Misdemeanor Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 5)
Feb. 11, 2022 VA HB 11 Reduces Penalties for Carrying a Concealed Weapon Without a Permit Bill Passed - House (53 - 46)
Feb. 10, 2022 AL SB 168 Authorizes Opioid/Fentanyl Testing Strips Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 5)
Feb. 10, 2022 WA HB 1705 Prohibits the Sale of Ghost Guns Bill Passed - House (57 - 39)
Feb. 10, 2022 AZ SB 1251 Defines the Classification of Armed Robbery and Deadly Weapons Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 1)
Feb. 10, 2022 AZ SB 1251 Defines the Classification of Armed Robbery and Deadly Weapons Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 1)
Feb. 10, 2022 ID S 1262 Expands Firearm Protections During Declared Disaster Emergencies Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 5)
Feb. 9, 2022 WA SB 5078 Prohibits Sale of High-Capacity Firearm Magazines Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 20)
Feb. 9, 2022 MS HB 1367 Establishes a Process to Remove Discriminatory Provisions from Real Property Documents Bill Passed - House (115 - 3)
Feb. 9, 2022 MI HB 5559 Classifies Performing Research on the Tissue of an Aborted Fetus as a Felony Bill Passed - House (55 - 51)
Feb. 9, 2022 AL HB 17 Authorizes Deploying Wiretaps for Drug Related Offenses Bill Passed - House (84 - 7)
Feb. 9, 2022 AL HB 17 Authorizes Deploying Wiretaps for Drug Related Offenses Bill Passed - House (84 - 7)
Feb. 9, 2022 National HR 3485 Global Respect Act Bill Passed - House (227 - 206)
Feb. 9, 2022 KY HB 269 Prohibits Execution of Persons with Serious Mental Illness Bill Passed - House (76 - 19)
Feb. 9, 2022 MI HB 5558 Prohibits Research on Stem Cells Obtained from an Abortion Bill Passed - House (55 - 51)
Date No. Title Outcome
2/22 AB 828 Increases Employment Incentives for Correctional Officers Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 12)
2/22 AJR 107 Authorizes a Judge to Consider an Individual's Past Criminal Record When Determining Their Bail Amount Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (23 - 10)
2/22 HB 2 Expands Penalties for Rioting, Certain Public Demonstrations Bill Passed - House (75 - 27)
2/22 HB 2 Expands Penalties for Rioting, Certain Public Demonstrations Bill Passed - House (75 - 27)
2/22 HB 272 Authorizes Permitless Carry of Handguns Bill Passed - House (65 - 37)
2/21 HB 4 Requires School Principals to Report Student Misdemeanors to Law Enforcement Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 13)
2/21 HB 283 Establishes Human Trafficking Training For Law Enforcement Personnel Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 0)
2/21 HF 2416 Requires Student Athletes to Join Teams Based on Sex Assigned at Birth Bill Passed - House (55 - 39)
2/17 SB 115 Prohibits Local Jurisdiction of State Firearm Laws Bill Passed - House (58 - 16)
2/17 SB 21 Appropriates Funds for the Catfish Promotion Board Bill Passed - House (86 - 4)
2/17 HB 2414 Repeals Restrictions on Loaded Firearms Bill Passed - House (31 - 27)
2/16 LD 344 Establishes a Constitutional Amendment that Prohibits Discrimination Based on Sex "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Adopted - House (80 - 57)
2/16 H 4461 Authorizes Driver's Licenses for Certain Undocumented Immigrants (120 - 36)
2/16 H 4470 Authorizes Driver's Licenses for Certain Undocumented Persons Bill Passed - House (120 - 36)
2/16 HB 109 Increases Penalties for Specific Criminal Offenses Bill Passed - House (60 - 35)
2/15 AB 495 Authorizes Licensed Carriage of Firearms on School Grounds Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (20 - 12)
2/15 HB 135 Establishes Indian Family Protection Act Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 4)
2/15 HB 52 Amends Harm Reduction Act Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 3)
2/15 HB 1248 Prohibits Big Cat and Bear Cub Owners from Allowing Public Interaction Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 4)
2/15 HB 95 Establishes a 180-Day Grace Period for Inmates to Repay Court-Imposed Debt After Release Bill Passed - House (63 - 35)
2/15 HB 2068 Establishes the Imagination Library of Washington Program Bill Passed - House (89 - 7)
2/15 HB 509 Repeals "Red Flag" Gun Law Bill Passed - House (52 - 47)
2/15 HB 509 Repeals "Red Flag" Gun Law Bill Passed - House (52 - 47)
2/15 HB 1197 Establishes a Study Regarding Transferring the Department of Juvenile Justice to the Secretariat of Health and Human Resources Bill Passed - House (64 - 35)
2/15 AJR 107 Authorizes a Judge to Consider an Individual's Past Criminal Record When Determining Their Bail Amount Joint Resolution Passed - House (70 - 21)
2/15 HB 753 Exempts Certain Religious Organizations from Following Nondiscrimination Laws Bill Passed - House (54 - 45)
2/15 HB 670 Establishes Independent Policing Auditor to Oversee Civilian Law Enforcement Oversight Groups Bill Passed - House (65 - 35)
2/15 SJ 1 Expands Voting Rights of Released Inmates (24 - 16)
2/14 PN 1593 Nomination of Robert Califf as Commissioner of Food and Drugs, Department of Health and Human Services Cloture Invoked - Senate (49 - 45)
2/14 HB 1134 Authorizes the Attorney General to Prosecute Gang Activity Bill Passed - House (101 - 56)
2/14 HB 1694 Prohibits State, Local Governments from Restricting Places of Worship Bill Passed - House (73 - 19)
2/14 SB 1163 Expands Healthcare Options for Individuals with Terminal Illness/Disease Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 11)
2/12 HB 68 Expands Police Training Requirements Bill Passed - House (50 - 17)
2/12 HB 99 Prohibits Threats Against Judges Bill Passed - House (59 - 7)
2/12 SB 34 Establishes Threatening a Mass Shooting as a Criminal Misdemeanor Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 5)
2/12 SB 34 Establishes Threatening a Mass Shooting as a Criminal Misdemeanor Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 5)
2/11 HB 11 Reduces Penalties for Carrying a Concealed Weapon Without a Permit Bill Passed - House (53 - 46)
2/10 SB 168 Authorizes Opioid/Fentanyl Testing Strips Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 5)
2/10 HB 1705 Prohibits the Sale of Ghost Guns Bill Passed - House (57 - 39)
2/10 SB 1251 Defines the Classification of Armed Robbery and Deadly Weapons Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 1)
2/10 SB 1251 Defines the Classification of Armed Robbery and Deadly Weapons Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 1)
2/10 S 1262 Expands Firearm Protections During Declared Disaster Emergencies Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 5)
2/09 SB 5078 Prohibits Sale of High-Capacity Firearm Magazines Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 20)
2/09 HB 1367 Establishes a Process to Remove Discriminatory Provisions from Real Property Documents Bill Passed - House (115 - 3)
2/09 HB 5559 Classifies Performing Research on the Tissue of an Aborted Fetus as a Felony Bill Passed - House (55 - 51)
2/09 HB 17 Authorizes Deploying Wiretaps for Drug Related Offenses Bill Passed - House (84 - 7)
2/09 HB 17 Authorizes Deploying Wiretaps for Drug Related Offenses Bill Passed - House (84 - 7)
2/09 HR 3485 Global Respect Act Bill Passed - House (227 - 206)
2/09 HB 269 Prohibits Execution of Persons with Serious Mental Illness Bill Passed - House (76 - 19)
2/09 HB 5558 Prohibits Research on Stem Cells Obtained from an Abortion Bill Passed - House (55 - 51)

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