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 29, 2021 SD HB 1217 Prohibits Athletes from Participating on Sports Teams that do not Match Their Birth Sex Veto Override Failed - House (45 - 24)
March 29, 2021 SD HB 1217 Prohibits Athletes from Participating on Sports Teams that do not Match Their Birth Sex Veto Override Failed - House (45 - 24)
March 29, 2021 TN SB 765 Authorizes Individuals 21 Years Old and Older to Either Openly Carry or Carry a Concealed Handgun Without a Permit Bill Passed - House (64 - 29)
March 29, 2021 CO HB 21-1011 Requires Providing Multilingual Ballot Access Bill Passed - House (40 - 23)
March 29, 2021 TN HB 1182 Prohibits Transgender Students from Using Bathroom Facilities that do Not Match their Birth Sex Bill Passed - House (62 - 25)
March 26, 2021 FL HB 259 Authorizes Individuals to Carry Concealed Weapons on Church Property Bill Passed - House (76 - 37)
March 26, 2021 FL HB 259 Authorizes Individuals to Carry Concealed Weapons on Church Property Bill Passed - House (76 - 37)
March 26, 2021 FL HB 1 Increases Criminal Penalties for Assaulting Law Enforcement Officials Bill Passed - House (76 - 39)
March 25, 2021 IN HB 1068 Authorizes the Creation of Local Justice Reinvestment Advisory Councils Concurrence Vote Passed - House (66 - 18)
March 25, 2021 GA SB 28 Authorizes Reform of Juvenile Justice System (123 - 46)
March 25, 2021 TN SB 1286 Authorizes a Child to be Detained in a Secure Facility Bill Passed - House (70 - 20)
March 25, 2021 DE HB 26 Prohibits Incarcerated Youths from Being Housed in Adult Prisons Bill Passed - House (27 - 14)
March 25, 2021 NJ A 4655 Prohibits Police from Being Within 100 Feet of a Polling Location Bill Passed - House (44 - 25)
March 23, 2021 WI AB 24 Prohibits Closing Places of Worship Due to COVID-19 Bill Passed - House (61 - 33)
March 22, 2021 MD HB 222 Expands Voting Access for Incarcerated Individuals Bill Passed - House (95 - 39)
March 18, 2021 National HR 1603 Farm Workforce Modernization Act of 2021 Bill Passed - House (247 - 174)
March 18, 2021 SC H 3094 Authorizes Individuals with Concealed Carry Permits to Open Carry Firearms Bill Passed - House (73 - 26)
March 18, 2021 National HR 6 American Dream and Promise Act of 2021 Bill Passed - House (228 - 197)
March 18, 2021 IL HB 158 Reduces Racial Disparities in Medical Care Bill Passed - House (72 - 41)
March 17, 2021 SC H 3105 Establishes Churches as Essential Services Bill Passed - House (83 - 22)
March 17, 2021 National H J Res 17 Removing the deadline for the ratification of the equal rights amendment Joint Resolution Passed - House (222 - 204)
March 17, 2021 National HR 1620 Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2021 Bill Passed - House (244 - 172)
March 17, 2021 IA HF 621 Establishes Which Legal Actions can be Brought Against Firearm Manufacturers and Distributors Bill Passed - House (60 - 37)
March 17, 2021 IA HF 756 Specifies Guidelines for Acquisition and Possession of Firearms Bill Passed - House (60 - 37)
March 16, 2021 IA HF 802 Limits the Types of Diversity Training Schools and Governments May Offer Bill Passed - House (59 - 38)
March 16, 2021 NY A 2277 Limits the Use of Solitary Confinement Bill Passed - House (101 - 49)
March 16, 2021 PA HB 103 Increases the Penalty for Spitting on a Police Officer to a First Degree Misdemeanor Bill Passed - House (146 - 56)
March 15, 2021 AR SB 289 Authorizes Denial of Healthcare on the Basis of Religious Principles Bill Passed - House (72 - 20)
March 15, 2021 AR SB 289 Authorizes Denial of Healthcare on the Basis of Religious Principles Bill Passed - House (72 - 20)
March 12, 2021 VT H 133 Establishes that a Judge Issuing an Emergency Protection Order has the Authority to Require the Firearm Bill Passed - House (102 - 44)
March 11, 2021 NC HB 134 Authorizes Possession of Firearms on School Grounds Bill Passed - House (72 - 44)
March 11, 2021 NC HB 134 Authorizes Possession of Firearms on School Grounds Bill Passed - House (72 - 44)
March 11, 2021 National HR 8 Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2021 Bill Passed - House (227 - 203)
March 11, 2021 National HR 1446 Enhanced Background Checks Act of 2021 Bill Passed - House (219 - 210)
March 11, 2021 VT H 128 Prohibits the "Gay Panic" Murder Defense Bill Passed - House (144 - 1)
March 11, 2021 MD HB 670 Repeals the Law Enforcement Officer's Bill of Rights and Replaces it With a Multistep System Bill Passed - House (96 - 40)
March 11, 2021 ID H 122 Authorizes School Employees to Have Guns in Schools Bill Passed - House (52 - 18)
March 11, 2021 VT H 128 Prohibits the "Gay Panic" Murder Defense Bill Passed - House (144 - 1)
March 10, 2021 AR HB 1570 Prohibits Gender Transition-Related Medical Care for Minors Bill Passed - House (70 - 22)
March 10, 2021 MI HB 4220 Authorizes First-Time DUI Offenders to Apply for Expungement from a Judge Bill Passed - House (93 - 17)
March 10, 2021 NC HB 49 Repeals Concealed Carry Firearms Safety Training Requirement in Some Cases Bill Passed - House (79 - 41)
March 10, 2021 MI HB 4219 Authorizes Drivers with a Conviction for DUI to Remove it from the Record Books Bill Passed - House (93 - 17)
March 10, 2021 ME LD 115 Establishes a New Flag for the State of Maine Bill Failed - House (57 - 91)
March 9, 2021 CO HB 21-1106 Requires Gun Owners to Securely Store their Firearms Bill Passed - House (40 - 25)
March 9, 2021 OK HB 1674 Establishes Protections for Drivers that Hit Protesters Bill Passed - House (79 - 18)
March 9, 2021 OK HB 1643 Authorizes Law Enforcement and Other Officials to Make Certain Personal Information Confidential Bill Passed - House (82 - 17)
March 9, 2021 HI HB 891 Establishes Regulations for the Use and Sale of Electric Guns and Cartridges Bill Passed - House (45 - 6)
March 8, 2021 MS SB 2107 Prohibits Cities and Counties from Creating Rental Agreements that Restrict Firearm Access Bill Passed - House (82 - 34)
March 8, 2021 MO HB 52 Establishes That Those With Concealed Carry Permits May Bring Their Guns On Public Transportation Bill Passed - House (124 - 32)
March 4, 2021 WV SB 11 Prohibits Work Stoppages or Strikes by Public Employees Bill Passed - House (55 - 44)
March 4, 2021 OK HB 1602 Establishes Computer Data Privacy Protections Bill Passed - House (85 - 11)
March 3, 2021 AZ HB 2309 Establishes Penalties for Violent and Disorderly Assembly Bill Passed - House (31 - 27)
March 3, 2021 AZ HB 2550 Prohibits False Complaints Against a Peace Officer Bill Passed - House (31 - 28)
March 3, 2021 OK HB 2648 Specifies the Free Exercise of Religion During an Emergency Bill Passed - House (80 - 18)
March 3, 2021 AZ HB 2840 Authorizes Individuals to Bring Loaded Weapons on School Campuses Bill Passed - House (31 - 28)
March 3, 2021 National HR 1280 George Floyd Justice in Policing Act of 2021 Bill Passed - House (220 - 212)
March 3, 2021 National HR 1280 George Floyd Justice in Policing Act of 2021 Bill Passed - House (220 - 212)
March 3, 2021 National HR 1 For the People Act of 2021 Bill Passed - House (220 - 210)
March 2, 2021 SD HCR 6013 Specifies that the 2nd Amendment is Protected from Federal Overreach Bill Passed - House (62 - 7)
March 2, 2021 SD HCR 6013 Specifies that the 2nd Amendment is Protected from Federal Overreach Bill Passed - House (62 - 7)
March 2, 2021 WA HB 1214 Establishes the Category of Safety and Security Staff for K-12 Schools Bill Passed - House (67 - 30)
March 2, 2021 KS HB 2264 Authorizes College Athletes to Receive Compensation for the Use of their Likeness Bill Passed - House (95 - 29)
March 2, 2021 WA HB 1117 Amends the States Comprehensive Planning Network to Improve Salmon Recovery Bill Passed - House (58 - 38)
March 2, 2021 AL HB 103 Prohibits the Government Selecting Which Entities Can Remain Open During COVID-19 Bill Passed - House (75 - 22)
March 1, 2021 NJ S 3456 Rescinds Mandatory Minimum Terms of Imprisonment Bill Passed - House (46 - 20)
March 1, 2021 WA HB 1411 Prohibits the Automatic Disqualification of Individuals with Criminal Records from Providing Care to Vulnerable Adults or Children Bill Passed - House (58 - 39)
March 1, 2021 ID H 187 Authorizes Fish and Game Officers to Enforce Motorized Vehicle Restrictions Bill Passed - House (50 - 19)
Feb. 27, 2021 VA SJ 272 Amends the Qualifications to Vote Conference Report Adopted - House (56 - 40)
Feb. 27, 2021 VA HJ 555 Extends Voting Rights to Citizens on Parole Conference Report Adopted - House (56 - 40)
Feb. 27, 2021 WA HB 1054 Prohibits Chokeholds, No-Knock Warrants, and Other Police Tactics Bill Passed - House (54 - 43)
Feb. 26, 2021 MD SB 218 Extends the Earned Income Tax Credit to Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - House (91 - 44)
Feb. 25, 2021 NH HB 197 Expands "Stand Your Ground" Laws "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (206 - 144)
Feb. 25, 2021 National HR 5 Equality Act Bill Passed - House (224 - 206)
Feb. 25, 2021 National HR 5 Equality Act Bill Passed - House (224 - 206)
Feb. 25, 2021 GA HB 218 Requires the State to Recognize Gun Carry Permits from Other States Bill Passed - House (103 - 69)
Date No. Title Outcome
3/29 HB 1217 Prohibits Athletes from Participating on Sports Teams that do not Match Their Birth Sex Veto Override Failed - House (45 - 24)
3/29 HB 1217 Prohibits Athletes from Participating on Sports Teams that do not Match Their Birth Sex Veto Override Failed - House (45 - 24)
3/29 SB 765 Authorizes Individuals 21 Years Old and Older to Either Openly Carry or Carry a Concealed Handgun Without a Permit Bill Passed - House (64 - 29)
3/29 HB 21-1011 Requires Providing Multilingual Ballot Access Bill Passed - House (40 - 23)
3/29 HB 1182 Prohibits Transgender Students from Using Bathroom Facilities that do Not Match their Birth Sex Bill Passed - House (62 - 25)
3/26 HB 259 Authorizes Individuals to Carry Concealed Weapons on Church Property Bill Passed - House (76 - 37)
3/26 HB 259 Authorizes Individuals to Carry Concealed Weapons on Church Property Bill Passed - House (76 - 37)
3/26 HB 1 Increases Criminal Penalties for Assaulting Law Enforcement Officials Bill Passed - House (76 - 39)
3/25 HB 1068 Authorizes the Creation of Local Justice Reinvestment Advisory Councils Concurrence Vote Passed - House (66 - 18)
3/25 SB 28 Authorizes Reform of Juvenile Justice System (123 - 46)
3/25 SB 1286 Authorizes a Child to be Detained in a Secure Facility Bill Passed - House (70 - 20)
3/25 HB 26 Prohibits Incarcerated Youths from Being Housed in Adult Prisons Bill Passed - House (27 - 14)
3/25 A 4655 Prohibits Police from Being Within 100 Feet of a Polling Location Bill Passed - House (44 - 25)
3/23 AB 24 Prohibits Closing Places of Worship Due to COVID-19 Bill Passed - House (61 - 33)
3/22 HB 222 Expands Voting Access for Incarcerated Individuals Bill Passed - House (95 - 39)
3/18 HR 1603 Farm Workforce Modernization Act of 2021 Bill Passed - House (247 - 174)
3/18 H 3094 Authorizes Individuals with Concealed Carry Permits to Open Carry Firearms Bill Passed - House (73 - 26)
3/18 HR 6 American Dream and Promise Act of 2021 Bill Passed - House (228 - 197)
3/18 HB 158 Reduces Racial Disparities in Medical Care Bill Passed - House (72 - 41)
3/17 H 3105 Establishes Churches as Essential Services Bill Passed - House (83 - 22)
3/17 H J Res 17 Removing the deadline for the ratification of the equal rights amendment Joint Resolution Passed - House (222 - 204)
3/17 HR 1620 Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2021 Bill Passed - House (244 - 172)
3/17 HF 621 Establishes Which Legal Actions can be Brought Against Firearm Manufacturers and Distributors Bill Passed - House (60 - 37)
3/17 HF 756 Specifies Guidelines for Acquisition and Possession of Firearms Bill Passed - House (60 - 37)
3/16 HF 802 Limits the Types of Diversity Training Schools and Governments May Offer Bill Passed - House (59 - 38)
3/16 A 2277 Limits the Use of Solitary Confinement Bill Passed - House (101 - 49)
3/16 HB 103 Increases the Penalty for Spitting on a Police Officer to a First Degree Misdemeanor Bill Passed - House (146 - 56)
3/15 SB 289 Authorizes Denial of Healthcare on the Basis of Religious Principles Bill Passed - House (72 - 20)
3/15 SB 289 Authorizes Denial of Healthcare on the Basis of Religious Principles Bill Passed - House (72 - 20)
3/12 H 133 Establishes that a Judge Issuing an Emergency Protection Order has the Authority to Require the Firearm Bill Passed - House (102 - 44)
3/11 HB 134 Authorizes Possession of Firearms on School Grounds Bill Passed - House (72 - 44)
3/11 HB 134 Authorizes Possession of Firearms on School Grounds Bill Passed - House (72 - 44)
3/11 HR 8 Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2021 Bill Passed - House (227 - 203)
3/11 HR 1446 Enhanced Background Checks Act of 2021 Bill Passed - House (219 - 210)
3/11 H 128 Prohibits the "Gay Panic" Murder Defense Bill Passed - House (144 - 1)
3/11 HB 670 Repeals the Law Enforcement Officer's Bill of Rights and Replaces it With a Multistep System Bill Passed - House (96 - 40)
3/11 H 122 Authorizes School Employees to Have Guns in Schools Bill Passed - House (52 - 18)
3/11 H 128 Prohibits the "Gay Panic" Murder Defense Bill Passed - House (144 - 1)
3/10 HB 1570 Prohibits Gender Transition-Related Medical Care for Minors Bill Passed - House (70 - 22)
3/10 HB 4220 Authorizes First-Time DUI Offenders to Apply for Expungement from a Judge Bill Passed - House (93 - 17)
3/10 HB 49 Repeals Concealed Carry Firearms Safety Training Requirement in Some Cases Bill Passed - House (79 - 41)
3/10 HB 4219 Authorizes Drivers with a Conviction for DUI to Remove it from the Record Books Bill Passed - House (93 - 17)
3/10 LD 115 Establishes a New Flag for the State of Maine Bill Failed - House (57 - 91)
3/09 HB 21-1106 Requires Gun Owners to Securely Store their Firearms Bill Passed - House (40 - 25)
3/09 HB 1674 Establishes Protections for Drivers that Hit Protesters Bill Passed - House (79 - 18)
3/09 HB 1643 Authorizes Law Enforcement and Other Officials to Make Certain Personal Information Confidential Bill Passed - House (82 - 17)
3/09 HB 891 Establishes Regulations for the Use and Sale of Electric Guns and Cartridges Bill Passed - House (45 - 6)
3/08 SB 2107 Prohibits Cities and Counties from Creating Rental Agreements that Restrict Firearm Access Bill Passed - House (82 - 34)
3/08 HB 52 Establishes That Those With Concealed Carry Permits May Bring Their Guns On Public Transportation Bill Passed - House (124 - 32)
3/04 SB 11 Prohibits Work Stoppages or Strikes by Public Employees Bill Passed - House (55 - 44)
3/04 HB 1602 Establishes Computer Data Privacy Protections Bill Passed - House (85 - 11)
3/03 HB 2309 Establishes Penalties for Violent and Disorderly Assembly Bill Passed - House (31 - 27)
3/03 HB 2550 Prohibits False Complaints Against a Peace Officer Bill Passed - House (31 - 28)
3/03 HB 2648 Specifies the Free Exercise of Religion During an Emergency Bill Passed - House (80 - 18)
3/03 HB 2840 Authorizes Individuals to Bring Loaded Weapons on School Campuses Bill Passed - House (31 - 28)
3/03 HR 1280 George Floyd Justice in Policing Act of 2021 Bill Passed - House (220 - 212)
3/03 HR 1280 George Floyd Justice in Policing Act of 2021 Bill Passed - House (220 - 212)
3/03 HR 1 For the People Act of 2021 Bill Passed - House (220 - 210)
3/02 HCR 6013 Specifies that the 2nd Amendment is Protected from Federal Overreach Bill Passed - House (62 - 7)
3/02 HCR 6013 Specifies that the 2nd Amendment is Protected from Federal Overreach Bill Passed - House (62 - 7)
3/02 HB 1214 Establishes the Category of Safety and Security Staff for K-12 Schools Bill Passed - House (67 - 30)
3/02 HB 2264 Authorizes College Athletes to Receive Compensation for the Use of their Likeness Bill Passed - House (95 - 29)
3/02 HB 1117 Amends the States Comprehensive Planning Network to Improve Salmon Recovery Bill Passed - House (58 - 38)
3/02 HB 103 Prohibits the Government Selecting Which Entities Can Remain Open During COVID-19 Bill Passed - House (75 - 22)
3/01 S 3456 Rescinds Mandatory Minimum Terms of Imprisonment Bill Passed - House (46 - 20)
3/01 HB 1411 Prohibits the Automatic Disqualification of Individuals with Criminal Records from Providing Care to Vulnerable Adults or Children Bill Passed - House (58 - 39)
3/01 H 187 Authorizes Fish and Game Officers to Enforce Motorized Vehicle Restrictions Bill Passed - House (50 - 19)
2/27 SJ 272 Amends the Qualifications to Vote Conference Report Adopted - House (56 - 40)
2/27 HJ 555 Extends Voting Rights to Citizens on Parole Conference Report Adopted - House (56 - 40)
2/27 HB 1054 Prohibits Chokeholds, No-Knock Warrants, and Other Police Tactics Bill Passed - House (54 - 43)
2/26 SB 218 Extends the Earned Income Tax Credit to Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - House (91 - 44)
2/25 HB 197 Expands "Stand Your Ground" Laws "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (206 - 144)
2/25 HR 5 Equality Act Bill Passed - House (224 - 206)
2/25 HR 5 Equality Act Bill Passed - House (224 - 206)
2/25 HB 218 Requires the State to Recognize Gun Carry Permits from Other States Bill Passed - House (103 - 69)

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