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
March 15, 2018 MD HB 908 Requires Insurance Companies to Cover Fertility Treatments for Cancer Patients Bill Passed - House (133 - 2)
March 15, 2018 MD HB 888 Prohibits Certain Firearms Accessories Bill Passed - House (128 - 7)
March 15, 2018 AL HB 225 Amends State Juvenile Justice Laws Bill Passed - House (69 - 20)
March 14, 2018 National HR 4909 STOP School Violence Act of 2018 Bill Passed - House (407 - 10)
March 14, 2018 National HR 4909 STOP School Violence Act of 2018 Bill Passed - House (407 - 10)
March 14, 2018 National HR 4909 STOP School Violence Act of 2018 Bill Passed - House (407 - 10)
March 13, 2018 ID S 1313 Authorizes "Stand Your Ground" Policy Bill Passed - House (57 - 12)
March 13, 2018 OK SB 1140 Authorizes Child-Placement Agencies to Deny Services Based on Religion Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 9)
March 13, 2018 OK SB 1140 Authorizes Child-Placement Agencies to Deny Services Based on Religion Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 9)
March 13, 2018 KY HB 164 Authorizes Charitable Gambling Bill Passed - House (59 - 36)
March 12, 2018 IN SB 12 Specifies Rules of Sex Offender Residency Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 20)
March 12, 2018 ID H 448 Amends Indecent Exposure Laws Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 0)
March 12, 2018 ID S 1243 Requires Public Information Regarding Abortion Interventions Bill Passed - House (55 - 11)
March 12, 2018 MD SB 122 Amends Criminal Law Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 8)
March 12, 2018 ID H 658 Amends Trespassing Laws Bill Passed - House (45 - 22)
March 10, 2018 WY HB 168 Authorizes "Stand Your Ground" Policy Concurrence Vote Passed - House (49 - 11)
March 10, 2018 WY HB 168 Authorizes "Stand Your Ground" Policy Concurrence Vote Passed - House (49 - 11)
March 9, 2018 WY HB 168 Authorizes "Stand Your Ground" Policy Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 4)
March 9, 2018 WY HB 168 Authorizes "Stand Your Ground" Policy Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 4)
March 9, 2018 WV HB 4006 Repeals Department of Education and Arts Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 15)
March 9, 2018 ID H 665 Increases Penalties for Threats Against Schools Bill Passed - House (52 - 12)
March 8, 2018 WA HB 3003 Amends Various Police 'Use of Force' Laws Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 24)
March 8, 2018 WA HB 3003 Amends Various Police 'Use of Force' Laws Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 24)
March 8, 2018 MD HB 532 Establishes Election Day Voter Registration and Same-Day Voting Bill Passed - House (91 - 46)
March 8, 2018 MI HB 5531 Requires Expulsion of Students Convicted of Criminal Sexual Conduct Bill Passed - House (93 - 14)
March 7, 2018 SD HB 1083 Amends Concealed Carry Provisions Concurrence Vote Passed - House (63 - 3)
March 7, 2018 MS HB 1083 Authorizes Concealed Carry on Public Property Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 18)
March 7, 2018 FL HB 7067 Authorizes Blackjack in Seminole Casinos Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 10)
March 7, 2018 FL SB 7026 Establishes the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Act Bill Passed - House (67 - 50)
March 7, 2018 NH HB 1319 Prohibits Discrimination Based on Gender Identity "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (195 - 129)
March 7, 2018 WA HB 3003 Amends Various Police 'Use of Force' Laws Bill Passed - House (73 - 25)
March 7, 2018 WA HB 3003 Amends Various Police 'Use of Force' Laws Bill Passed - House (73 - 25)
March 6, 2018 WA HB 2578 Establishes Source-of-Income Housing Non-Discrimination Policy Concurrence Vote Passed - House (67 - 31)
March 6, 2018 MS HB 1510 Prohibits Abortion After 15 Weeks of Pregnancy Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 14)
March 6, 2018 VA HB 1257 Prohibits the Establishment of Sanctuary Cities Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 18)
March 6, 2018 IN HB 1203 Amends Fertility Clinic Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 18)
March 6, 2018 OK HB 2632 Authorizes "Stand Your Ground" in Defense of Church Members Bill Passed - House (62 - 21)
March 6, 2018 OK HB 2632 Authorizes "Stand Your Ground" in Defense of Church Members Bill Passed - House (62 - 21)
March 5, 2018 FL SB 7026 Establishes the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Act Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18)
March 5, 2018 FL HB 7067 Authorizes Blackjack in Seminole Casinos Bill Passed - House (70 - 40)
March 3, 2018 OR HB 4111 Authorizes DMV to Renew and Replace Limited-Term Driver's Licenses for DACA Recipients Concurrence Vote Passed - House (36 - 22)
March 3, 2018 WA SB 6219 Requires State Insurer Coverage of Abortion and Contraception Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 22)
March 3, 2018 OR HB 4111 Authorizes DMV to Renew and Replace Limited-Term Driver's Licenses for DACA Recipients Concurrence Vote Passed - House (36 - 22)
March 3, 2018 WA SB 5722 Prohibits Conversion Therapy on Minors Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (33 - 16)
March 3, 2018 OR SB 1563 Authorizes Undocumented Students to Continue Receiving Financial Aid Bill Passed - House (36 - 22)
March 2, 2018 WV SB 415 Authorizes Casino Sports Betting Upon Federal Approval Bill Passed - House (77 - 22)
March 2, 2018 ID S 1313 Authorizes "Stand Your Ground" Policy Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 6)
March 1, 2018 WA HB 2578 Establishes Source-of-Income Housing Non-Discrimination Policy Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 13)
March 1, 2018 MS HB 1479 Amends Bail License Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 10)
March 1, 2018 AL HB 14 Amends Driving-Under-the-Influence Laws Bill Passed - House (44 - 42)
Feb. 28, 2018 WA SB 5722 Prohibits Conversion Therapy on Minors Bill Passed - House (66 - 32)
Feb. 28, 2018 WA HB 1513 Authorizes Automatic Voter Pre-Registration for 16 and 17 Year Old Individuals Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 22)
Feb. 28, 2018 WA SB 6219 Requires State Insurer Coverage of Abortion and Contraception Bill Passed - House (50 - 48)
Feb. 28, 2018 IL SB 1657 Requires State-Level License to Sell Firearms Bill Passed - House (64 - 52)
Feb. 28, 2018 IL HB 1467 Prohibits Bump Stocks Bill Passed - House (83 - 31)
Feb. 28, 2018 IL HB 1465 Establishes Age Limit for Purchase of Assault-Style Weapons Bill Passed - House (64 - 51)
Feb. 27, 2018 WA SB 5992 Prohibits Bump Stocks Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 18)
Feb. 27, 2018 WA SB 6037 Authorizes Financial Compensation of Surrogates Bill Passed - House (50 - 47)
Feb. 27, 2018 IN HB 1359 Increases Penalties for Drug Dealers Connected to Overdose Deaths Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 9)
Feb. 27, 2018 WA SB 5996 Prohibits Employers from Requiring Sexual Assault Nondisclosure Agreements Bill Passed - House (98 - 0)
Feb. 27, 2018 OR HB 4135 Authorizes Healthcare Providers to Make Decisions for End of Life Patients Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 12)
Feb. 27, 2018 IN HB 1359 Increases Penalties for Drug Dealers Connected to Overdose Deaths Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 9)
Feb. 27, 2018 National HR 1865 Allow States and Victims to Fight Online Sex Trafficking Act of 2017 Bill Passed - House (388 - 25)
Feb. 27, 2018 National HR 1865 Allow States and Victims to Fight Online Sex Trafficking Act of 2017 Bill Passed - House (388 - 25)
Feb. 26, 2018 NJ S 478 Authorizes Birth Certificate Gender Changes Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 7)
Feb. 26, 2018 NJ S 493 Authorizes Transgender Death Certificates Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 4)
Feb. 23, 2018 WA SB 5992 Prohibits Bump Stocks Bill Passed - House (56 - 41)
Feb. 23, 2018 GA SB 375 Authorizes Child-Placement Agencies to Deny Services Based on Religion Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 19)
Feb. 23, 2018 GA SB 375 Authorizes Child-Placement Agencies to Deny Services Based on Religion Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 19)
Feb. 22, 2018 OR HB 4145 Prohibits Convicted Stalkers from Possessing Firearms Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 13)
Feb. 22, 2018 OR HB 4145 Prohibits Convicted Stalkers from Possessing Firearms Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 13)
Feb. 22, 2018 MI HB 4053 Establishes English as Official Language Bill Passed - House (62 - 46)
Feb. 22, 2018 WA SB 6052 Repeals Death Penalty Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 22)
Feb. 22, 2018 AZ SB 1393 Authorizes Parents to Use Frozen Embryos after Divorce Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 12)
Feb. 22, 2018 AZ SB 1393 Authorizes Parents to Use Frozen Embryos after Divorce Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 12)
Date No. Title Outcome
3/15 HB 908 Requires Insurance Companies to Cover Fertility Treatments for Cancer Patients Bill Passed - House (133 - 2)
3/15 HB 888 Prohibits Certain Firearms Accessories Bill Passed - House (128 - 7)
3/15 HB 225 Amends State Juvenile Justice Laws Bill Passed - House (69 - 20)
3/14 HR 4909 STOP School Violence Act of 2018 Bill Passed - House (407 - 10)
3/14 HR 4909 STOP School Violence Act of 2018 Bill Passed - House (407 - 10)
3/14 HR 4909 STOP School Violence Act of 2018 Bill Passed - House (407 - 10)
3/13 S 1313 Authorizes "Stand Your Ground" Policy Bill Passed - House (57 - 12)
3/13 SB 1140 Authorizes Child-Placement Agencies to Deny Services Based on Religion Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 9)
3/13 SB 1140 Authorizes Child-Placement Agencies to Deny Services Based on Religion Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 9)
3/13 HB 164 Authorizes Charitable Gambling Bill Passed - House (59 - 36)
3/12 SB 12 Specifies Rules of Sex Offender Residency Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 20)
3/12 H 448 Amends Indecent Exposure Laws Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 0)
3/12 S 1243 Requires Public Information Regarding Abortion Interventions Bill Passed - House (55 - 11)
3/12 SB 122 Amends Criminal Law Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 8)
3/12 H 658 Amends Trespassing Laws Bill Passed - House (45 - 22)
3/10 HB 168 Authorizes "Stand Your Ground" Policy Concurrence Vote Passed - House (49 - 11)
3/10 HB 168 Authorizes "Stand Your Ground" Policy Concurrence Vote Passed - House (49 - 11)
3/09 HB 168 Authorizes "Stand Your Ground" Policy Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 4)
3/09 HB 168 Authorizes "Stand Your Ground" Policy Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 4)
3/09 HB 4006 Repeals Department of Education and Arts Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 15)
3/09 H 665 Increases Penalties for Threats Against Schools Bill Passed - House (52 - 12)
3/08 HB 3003 Amends Various Police 'Use of Force' Laws Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 24)
3/08 HB 3003 Amends Various Police 'Use of Force' Laws Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 24)
3/08 HB 532 Establishes Election Day Voter Registration and Same-Day Voting Bill Passed - House (91 - 46)
3/08 HB 5531 Requires Expulsion of Students Convicted of Criminal Sexual Conduct Bill Passed - House (93 - 14)
3/07 HB 1083 Amends Concealed Carry Provisions Concurrence Vote Passed - House (63 - 3)
3/07 HB 1083 Authorizes Concealed Carry on Public Property Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 18)
3/07 HB 7067 Authorizes Blackjack in Seminole Casinos Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 10)
3/07 SB 7026 Establishes the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Act Bill Passed - House (67 - 50)
3/07 HB 1319 Prohibits Discrimination Based on Gender Identity "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (195 - 129)
3/07 HB 3003 Amends Various Police 'Use of Force' Laws Bill Passed - House (73 - 25)
3/07 HB 3003 Amends Various Police 'Use of Force' Laws Bill Passed - House (73 - 25)
3/06 HB 2578 Establishes Source-of-Income Housing Non-Discrimination Policy Concurrence Vote Passed - House (67 - 31)
3/06 HB 1510 Prohibits Abortion After 15 Weeks of Pregnancy Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 14)
3/06 HB 1257 Prohibits the Establishment of Sanctuary Cities Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 18)
3/06 HB 1203 Amends Fertility Clinic Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 18)
3/06 HB 2632 Authorizes "Stand Your Ground" in Defense of Church Members Bill Passed - House (62 - 21)
3/06 HB 2632 Authorizes "Stand Your Ground" in Defense of Church Members Bill Passed - House (62 - 21)
3/05 SB 7026 Establishes the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Act Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18)
3/05 HB 7067 Authorizes Blackjack in Seminole Casinos Bill Passed - House (70 - 40)
3/03 HB 4111 Authorizes DMV to Renew and Replace Limited-Term Driver's Licenses for DACA Recipients Concurrence Vote Passed - House (36 - 22)
3/03 SB 6219 Requires State Insurer Coverage of Abortion and Contraception Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 22)
3/03 HB 4111 Authorizes DMV to Renew and Replace Limited-Term Driver's Licenses for DACA Recipients Concurrence Vote Passed - House (36 - 22)
3/03 SB 5722 Prohibits Conversion Therapy on Minors Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (33 - 16)
3/03 SB 1563 Authorizes Undocumented Students to Continue Receiving Financial Aid Bill Passed - House (36 - 22)
3/02 SB 415 Authorizes Casino Sports Betting Upon Federal Approval Bill Passed - House (77 - 22)
3/02 S 1313 Authorizes "Stand Your Ground" Policy Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 6)
3/01 HB 2578 Establishes Source-of-Income Housing Non-Discrimination Policy Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 13)
3/01 HB 1479 Amends Bail License Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 10)
3/01 HB 14 Amends Driving-Under-the-Influence Laws Bill Passed - House (44 - 42)
2/28 SB 5722 Prohibits Conversion Therapy on Minors Bill Passed - House (66 - 32)
2/28 HB 1513 Authorizes Automatic Voter Pre-Registration for 16 and 17 Year Old Individuals Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 22)
2/28 SB 6219 Requires State Insurer Coverage of Abortion and Contraception Bill Passed - House (50 - 48)
2/28 SB 1657 Requires State-Level License to Sell Firearms Bill Passed - House (64 - 52)
2/28 HB 1467 Prohibits Bump Stocks Bill Passed - House (83 - 31)
2/28 HB 1465 Establishes Age Limit for Purchase of Assault-Style Weapons Bill Passed - House (64 - 51)
2/27 SB 5992 Prohibits Bump Stocks Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 18)
2/27 SB 6037 Authorizes Financial Compensation of Surrogates Bill Passed - House (50 - 47)
2/27 HB 1359 Increases Penalties for Drug Dealers Connected to Overdose Deaths Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 9)
2/27 SB 5996 Prohibits Employers from Requiring Sexual Assault Nondisclosure Agreements Bill Passed - House (98 - 0)
2/27 HB 4135 Authorizes Healthcare Providers to Make Decisions for End of Life Patients Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 12)
2/27 HB 1359 Increases Penalties for Drug Dealers Connected to Overdose Deaths Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 9)
2/27 HR 1865 Allow States and Victims to Fight Online Sex Trafficking Act of 2017 Bill Passed - House (388 - 25)
2/27 HR 1865 Allow States and Victims to Fight Online Sex Trafficking Act of 2017 Bill Passed - House (388 - 25)
2/26 S 478 Authorizes Birth Certificate Gender Changes Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 7)
2/26 S 493 Authorizes Transgender Death Certificates Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 4)
2/23 SB 5992 Prohibits Bump Stocks Bill Passed - House (56 - 41)
2/23 SB 375 Authorizes Child-Placement Agencies to Deny Services Based on Religion Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 19)
2/23 SB 375 Authorizes Child-Placement Agencies to Deny Services Based on Religion Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 19)
2/22 HB 4145 Prohibits Convicted Stalkers from Possessing Firearms Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 13)
2/22 HB 4145 Prohibits Convicted Stalkers from Possessing Firearms Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 13)
2/22 HB 4053 Establishes English as Official Language Bill Passed - House (62 - 46)
2/22 SB 6052 Repeals Death Penalty Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 22)
2/22 SB 1393 Authorizes Parents to Use Frozen Embryos after Divorce Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 12)
2/22 SB 1393 Authorizes Parents to Use Frozen Embryos after Divorce Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 12)

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