Key Votes

Chamber

Keyword Search

Search string must be longer than 3 characters.

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 1, 2010 CO HB 1201 Requiring Police to Inform Citizens of Right to Refuse Searches Bill Passed - House (37 - 28)
March 1, 2010 OK HB 2745 Pet Sales Licensing Process Bill Passed - House (63 - 30)
March 1, 2010 ID H 496 Requiring Photo Identification to Vote Bill Passed - House (64 - 6)
Feb. 25, 2010 KS HB 2221 Ban on Smoking in Certain Public Places Concurrence Vote Passed - House (68 - 54)
Feb. 24, 2010 SC S 191 Authorizing Warrantless Searches and Seizures of Probationers and Parolees Motion Agreed - House (81 - 26)
Feb. 24, 2010 SC S 191 Authorizing Warrantless Searches and Seizures of Probationers and Parolees Motion Agreed - House (81 - 26)
Feb. 24, 2010 UT SB 55 Authorizing Higher Education Institutions to Authorize Charter Schools Bill Passed - House (43 - 27)
Feb. 24, 2010 UT HB 227 Lawful Presence Documentation Requirement for Business Licensing Bill Passed - House (38 - 36)
Feb. 24, 2010 AZ HB 2307 Federal Arms Regulation Exemption Bill Passed - House (35 - 23)
Feb. 23, 2010 IA HF 2456 Texting While Driving Ban Bill Passed - House (65 - 31)
Feb. 22, 2010 WY HB 113 Authorizing Concealed Weapons Without a Permit Bill Passed - House (42 - 15)
Feb. 18, 2010 NM SB 40 Authorizing Concealed Weapons in Restaurants that Serve Alcohol Bill Passed - House (54 - 12)
Feb. 18, 2010 NM SB 254 Eliminating Criminal Conviction Disclosure on State Employment Applications Bill Passed - House (54 - 14)
Feb. 18, 2010 NM SB 254 Eliminating Criminal Conviction Disclosure on State Employment Applications Bill Passed - House (54 - 14)
Feb. 17, 2010 NM SB 26 Establishing the Domestic Violence Commission Bill Passed - House (33 - 22)
Feb. 17, 2010 NM SB 26 Establishing the Domestic Violence Commission Bill Passed - House (33 - 22)
Feb. 17, 2010 NH CACR 28 Constitutional Amendment to Define Marriage "Inexpedient to Legislate" Vote Passed - House (201 - 135)
Feb. 17, 2010 NH HB 1644 Expanding Homicide to Include "Unborn Child" "Inexpedient to Legislate" Vote Failed - House (219 - 122)
Feb. 17, 2010 NH HB 1590 Repealing Same-Sex Marriage "Inexpedient to Legislate" Vote Passed - House (210 - 109)
Feb. 17, 2010 NH HB 1590 Repealing Same-Sex Marriage "Inexpedient to Legislate" Vote Passed - House (210 - 109)
Feb. 17, 2010 NH HB 1644 Expanding Homicide to Include "Unborn Child" "Inexpedient to Legislate" Vote Failed - House (219 - 122)
Feb. 17, 2010 NH CACR 28 Constitutional Amendment to Define Marriage "Inexpedient to Legislate" Vote Passed - House (201 - 135)
Feb. 17, 2010 IA Amdt 8140 Animal Abuse and Neglect Penalties Amendment Rejected - House (44 - 52)
Feb. 17, 2010 IA Amdt 8145 Animal Facility Regulations Amendment Rejected - House (42 - 53)
Feb. 17, 2010 UT HB 113 Child Safety Seat Law Amendments Bill Failed - House (24 - 47)
Feb. 17, 2010 SD HB 1178 Prohibiting Text Messaging While Driving Bill Failed - House (32 - 37)
Feb. 16, 2010 NM HB 178 Substance Abuse and Crime Prevention Act Bill Passed - House (34 - 31)
Feb. 16, 2010 NM HB 178 Substance Abuse and Crime Prevention Act Bill Passed - House (34 - 31)
Feb. 16, 2010 NM SB 216 Repeal "Guilty but Mentally Ill" Plea Bill Passed - House (40 - 21)
Feb. 15, 2010 WA HB 2793 Legalizing Paid Surrogacy Bill Passed - House (59 - 39)
Feb. 12, 2010 NM HB 178 Substance Abuse and Crime Prevention Act Bill Failed - House (33 - 37)
Feb. 12, 2010 NM HB 178 Substance Abuse and Crime Prevention Act Bill Failed - House (33 - 37)
Feb. 10, 2010 UT SB 11 Federal Arms Regulation Exemption Bill Passed - House (56 - 17)
Feb. 10, 2010 VA HB 53 Ban on Required Human Microchip Implantation Bill Passed - House (88 - 9)
Feb. 10, 2010 KY HB 70 Voting Rights For Certain Felons Bill Passed - House (83 - 16)
Feb. 10, 2010 KY HB 70 Voting Rights For Certain Felons Bill Passed - House (83 - 16)
Feb. 10, 2010 MS HB 232 Novelty Lighter Ban Bill Passed - House (94 - 25)
Feb. 10, 2010 WY HB 68 Repealing Campaign Finance Restrictions Bill Failed - House (36 - 22)
Feb. 9, 2010 IA HJR 6 Constitutionally Defining Marriage as Between One Man and One Woman Motion Rejected - House (45 - 54)
Feb. 9, 2010 IA HJR 6 Constitutionally Defining Marriage as Between One Man and One Woman Motion Rejected - House (45 - 54)
Feb. 9, 2010 NM HB 10 Prohibiting Hand-Held Cell Phone Use While Driving Bill Passed - House (35 - 30)
Feb. 8, 2010 AZ SB 1004 Renewal of the Lottery Bill Passed - House (40 - 17)
Feb. 8, 2010 NM HB 17 Prohibiting Domestic Violence Offenders from Being Peace Officers Bill Passed - House (48 - 19)
Feb. 4, 2010 KY HB 43 Ban on Texting and Underage Cell Phone Use While Driving Bill Passed - House (80 - 16)
Feb. 4, 2010 MA H 4466 Expanding Driving Regulations Bill Passed - House (146 - 9)
Feb. 3, 2010 VA HB 502 Expanding Death Penalty Eligibility to Accomplices Bill Passed - House (74 - 24)
Feb. 2, 2010 IN HB 1131 Statewide Indoor Smoking Ban Bill Passed - House (73 - 26)
Feb. 1, 2010 OK SB 1685 Regarding Gun Rights (28 - 16)
Jan. 29, 2010 UT HB 12 Abortion and Homicide Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (59 - 12)
Jan. 28, 2010 WI SB 415 Carbon Monoxide Detector Requirements Bill Passed - House (69 - 27)
Jan. 28, 2010 MA H 4441 School Nutrition Standards Bill Passed - House (152 - 4)
Jan. 27, 2010 OH SJR 8 Casino Location Amendment Joint Resolution Passed - House (71 - 26)
Jan. 26, 2010 IA HF 2110 Military Spouse Relocation Unemployment Benefits Bill Passed - House (56 - 44)
Jan. 21, 2010 DE HB 310 Legalizing Table Games Bill Passed - House (27 - 5)
Jan. 11, 2010 NJ S 119 Legalizing Medical Marijuana Bill Passed - House (48 - 14)
Jan. 11, 2010 NJ A 4378 Exception to the Ban on Former State Employees Working for the Casino Industry Bill Passed - House (42 - 31)
Jan. 7, 2010 NJ A 2762 Authorizing Reduction of Mandatory Minimum Sentences for Drug Offenses in School Zones Concurrence Vote Passed - House (46 - 30)
Jan. 7, 2010 NJ A 2762 Authorizing Reduction of Mandatory Minimum Sentences for Drug Offenses in School Zones Concurrence Vote Passed - House (46 - 30)
Jan. 7, 2010 NJ A 2762 Authorizing Reduction of Mandatory Minimum Sentences for Drug Offenses in School Zones Concurrence Vote Passed - House (46 - 30)
Jan. 6, 2010 PA SB 711 Legalizing Table Games Conference Report Adopted - House (103 - 89)
Jan. 6, 2010 NH HB 569 Expanding Coverage Requirements for Autism Disorders Bill Passed - House (213 - 147)
Jan. 5, 2010 CA SBx5 4 Education Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (41 - 27)
Jan. 5, 2010 CA SBx5 1 Education Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (45 - 17)
Dec. 16, 2009 OH HB 60 Restrictions on Snack and Beverage Sales in Schools Bill Passed - House (60 - 37)
Dec. 15, 2009 PA SB 711 Legalizing Table Games Bill Passed - House (103 - 92)
Dec. 2, 2009 NY A 40003 Legalizing Same-Sex Marriage Bill Passed - House (88 - 51)
Dec. 2, 2009 NY A 40003 Legalizing Same-Sex Marriage Bill Passed - House (88 - 51)
Nov. 5, 2009 WI AB 458 Sex Education Curriculum Requirements Bill Passed - House (48 - 43)
Nov. 5, 2009 WI AB 458 Sex Education Curriculum Requirements Bill Passed - House (48 - 43)
Oct. 29, 2009 RI HB 5044 Prostitution Ban Concurrence Vote Passed - House (46 - 9)
Oct. 28, 2009 NH HB 648 Medical Marijuana Legalization Veto Override Passed - House (240 - 115)
Oct. 8, 2009 National HR 2647 2009-2010 Defense Appropriations Conference Report Adopted - House (281 - 146)
Oct. 8, 2009 MA SB 2028 Pandemic and Disaster Preparedness Plan Bill Passed - House (114 - 36)
Oct. 7, 2009 PA HB 1531 Tax Law Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - House (102 - 96)
Oct. 2, 2009 PA HB 1531 Tax Law Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - House (103 - 98)
Sept. 29, 2009 MI HB 4437 2009-2010 Department of Corrections Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (85 - 23)
Sept. 17, 2009 MI SB 253 2009-2010 Department of State Police Budget Bill Passed - House (68 - 39)
Sept. 10, 2009 CA AB 98 Required Maternity Services Coverage Concurrence Vote Passed - House (51 - 27)
Sept. 10, 2009 CA AB 524 Privacy Law Expansion Concurrence Vote Passed - House (57 - 20)
Sept. 3, 2009 CA SB 54 Recognizing Out-of-State Same-Sex Marriages Bill Passed - House (47 - 29)
Sept. 3, 2009 CA SB 572 Harvey Milk Day Bill Passed - House (46 - 28)
Sept. 3, 2009 CA SB 572 Harvey Milk Day Bill Passed - House (46 - 28)
Sept. 3, 2009 CA SB 54 Recognizing Out-of-State Same-Sex Marriages Bill Passed - House (47 - 29)
Aug. 31, 2009 CA SBx3 18 Correctional Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (41 - 37)
Aug. 6, 2009 NC SB 943 Expanding Production Company Tax Credit Bill Passed - House (78 - 26)
Aug. 5, 2009 NC SB 138 Banning Salvia Divinorum Bill Passed - House (96 - 15)
Aug. 5, 2009 PA HB 1663 Appropriations from State Gaming Fund Bill Passed - House (110 - 87)
July 31, 2009 AZ HB 2010 Budget Reconciliation (Criminal Justice) Bill Passed - House (31 - 15)
July 31, 2009 AZ HB 2013 Budget Reconciliation (Health and Welfare) Bill Passed - House (35 - 11)
July 24, 2009 CA ABX4 19 Fiscal Year 2010 Budget Revisions: In-Home Supportive Services Fraud Concurrence Vote Passed - House (42 - 33)
July 15, 2009 NC HB 1185 Habitual DWI Reinstatement after Ten Years Concurrence Vote Passed - House (87 - 29)
July 15, 2009 NC HB 1185 Habitual DWI Reinstatement after Ten Years Concurrence Vote Passed - House (87 - 29)
July 15, 2009 NC HB 1185 Habitual DWI Reinstatement after Ten Years Concurrence Vote Passed - House (87 - 29)
July 15, 2009 NC SB 461 Racial Discrimination in Capital Sentences Bill Passed - House (61 - 54)
July 14, 2009 PA HB 264 Expungement of Criminal Records and Juvenile Records Bill Passed - House (104 - 91)
July 13, 2009 OH HB 1 2009-2011 Biennium Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (54 - 44)
July 6, 2009 NC SB 870 Making General Statutes Gender Neutral Motion Agreed - House (79 - 33)
June 29, 2009 PA HB 746 Children's Health Care Insurance Bill Passed - House (106 - 94)
June 29, 2009 AZ SB 1175 Prohibiting Non-Physicians from Performing Abortions Bill Passed - House (35 - 19)
June 26, 2009 RI S 286 Relating to Video Lottery Terminals Bill Passed - House (63 - 9)
Date No. Title Outcome
3/01 HB 1201 Requiring Police to Inform Citizens of Right to Refuse Searches Bill Passed - House (37 - 28)
3/01 HB 2745 Pet Sales Licensing Process Bill Passed - House (63 - 30)
3/01 H 496 Requiring Photo Identification to Vote Bill Passed - House (64 - 6)
2/25 HB 2221 Ban on Smoking in Certain Public Places Concurrence Vote Passed - House (68 - 54)
2/24 S 191 Authorizing Warrantless Searches and Seizures of Probationers and Parolees Motion Agreed - House (81 - 26)
2/24 S 191 Authorizing Warrantless Searches and Seizures of Probationers and Parolees Motion Agreed - House (81 - 26)
2/24 SB 55 Authorizing Higher Education Institutions to Authorize Charter Schools Bill Passed - House (43 - 27)
2/24 HB 227 Lawful Presence Documentation Requirement for Business Licensing Bill Passed - House (38 - 36)
2/24 HB 2307 Federal Arms Regulation Exemption Bill Passed - House (35 - 23)
2/23 HF 2456 Texting While Driving Ban Bill Passed - House (65 - 31)
2/22 HB 113 Authorizing Concealed Weapons Without a Permit Bill Passed - House (42 - 15)
2/18 SB 40 Authorizing Concealed Weapons in Restaurants that Serve Alcohol Bill Passed - House (54 - 12)
2/18 SB 254 Eliminating Criminal Conviction Disclosure on State Employment Applications Bill Passed - House (54 - 14)
2/18 SB 254 Eliminating Criminal Conviction Disclosure on State Employment Applications Bill Passed - House (54 - 14)
2/17 SB 26 Establishing the Domestic Violence Commission Bill Passed - House (33 - 22)
2/17 SB 26 Establishing the Domestic Violence Commission Bill Passed - House (33 - 22)
2/17 CACR 28 Constitutional Amendment to Define Marriage "Inexpedient to Legislate" Vote Passed - House (201 - 135)
2/17 HB 1644 Expanding Homicide to Include "Unborn Child" "Inexpedient to Legislate" Vote Failed - House (219 - 122)
2/17 HB 1590 Repealing Same-Sex Marriage "Inexpedient to Legislate" Vote Passed - House (210 - 109)
2/17 HB 1590 Repealing Same-Sex Marriage "Inexpedient to Legislate" Vote Passed - House (210 - 109)
2/17 HB 1644 Expanding Homicide to Include "Unborn Child" "Inexpedient to Legislate" Vote Failed - House (219 - 122)
2/17 CACR 28 Constitutional Amendment to Define Marriage "Inexpedient to Legislate" Vote Passed - House (201 - 135)
2/17 Amdt 8140 Animal Abuse and Neglect Penalties Amendment Rejected - House (44 - 52)
2/17 Amdt 8145 Animal Facility Regulations Amendment Rejected - House (42 - 53)
2/17 HB 113 Child Safety Seat Law Amendments Bill Failed - House (24 - 47)
2/17 HB 1178 Prohibiting Text Messaging While Driving Bill Failed - House (32 - 37)
2/16 HB 178 Substance Abuse and Crime Prevention Act Bill Passed - House (34 - 31)
2/16 HB 178 Substance Abuse and Crime Prevention Act Bill Passed - House (34 - 31)
2/16 SB 216 Repeal "Guilty but Mentally Ill" Plea Bill Passed - House (40 - 21)
2/15 HB 2793 Legalizing Paid Surrogacy Bill Passed - House (59 - 39)
2/12 HB 178 Substance Abuse and Crime Prevention Act Bill Failed - House (33 - 37)
2/12 HB 178 Substance Abuse and Crime Prevention Act Bill Failed - House (33 - 37)
2/10 SB 11 Federal Arms Regulation Exemption Bill Passed - House (56 - 17)
2/10 HB 53 Ban on Required Human Microchip Implantation Bill Passed - House (88 - 9)
2/10 HB 70 Voting Rights For Certain Felons Bill Passed - House (83 - 16)
2/10 HB 70 Voting Rights For Certain Felons Bill Passed - House (83 - 16)
2/10 HB 232 Novelty Lighter Ban Bill Passed - House (94 - 25)
2/10 HB 68 Repealing Campaign Finance Restrictions Bill Failed - House (36 - 22)
2/09 HJR 6 Constitutionally Defining Marriage as Between One Man and One Woman Motion Rejected - House (45 - 54)
2/09 HJR 6 Constitutionally Defining Marriage as Between One Man and One Woman Motion Rejected - House (45 - 54)
2/09 HB 10 Prohibiting Hand-Held Cell Phone Use While Driving Bill Passed - House (35 - 30)
2/08 SB 1004 Renewal of the Lottery Bill Passed - House (40 - 17)
2/08 HB 17 Prohibiting Domestic Violence Offenders from Being Peace Officers Bill Passed - House (48 - 19)
2/04 HB 43 Ban on Texting and Underage Cell Phone Use While Driving Bill Passed - House (80 - 16)
2/04 H 4466 Expanding Driving Regulations Bill Passed - House (146 - 9)
2/03 HB 502 Expanding Death Penalty Eligibility to Accomplices Bill Passed - House (74 - 24)
2/02 HB 1131 Statewide Indoor Smoking Ban Bill Passed - House (73 - 26)
2/01 SB 1685 Regarding Gun Rights (28 - 16)
1/29 HB 12 Abortion and Homicide Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (59 - 12)
1/28 SB 415 Carbon Monoxide Detector Requirements Bill Passed - House (69 - 27)
1/28 H 4441 School Nutrition Standards Bill Passed - House (152 - 4)
1/27 SJR 8 Casino Location Amendment Joint Resolution Passed - House (71 - 26)
1/26 HF 2110 Military Spouse Relocation Unemployment Benefits Bill Passed - House (56 - 44)
1/21 HB 310 Legalizing Table Games Bill Passed - House (27 - 5)
1/11 S 119 Legalizing Medical Marijuana Bill Passed - House (48 - 14)
1/11 A 4378 Exception to the Ban on Former State Employees Working for the Casino Industry Bill Passed - House (42 - 31)
1/07 A 2762 Authorizing Reduction of Mandatory Minimum Sentences for Drug Offenses in School Zones Concurrence Vote Passed - House (46 - 30)
1/07 A 2762 Authorizing Reduction of Mandatory Minimum Sentences for Drug Offenses in School Zones Concurrence Vote Passed - House (46 - 30)
1/07 A 2762 Authorizing Reduction of Mandatory Minimum Sentences for Drug Offenses in School Zones Concurrence Vote Passed - House (46 - 30)
1/06 SB 711 Legalizing Table Games Conference Report Adopted - House (103 - 89)
1/06 HB 569 Expanding Coverage Requirements for Autism Disorders Bill Passed - House (213 - 147)
1/05 SBx5 4 Education Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (41 - 27)
1/05 SBx5 1 Education Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (45 - 17)
12/16 HB 60 Restrictions on Snack and Beverage Sales in Schools Bill Passed - House (60 - 37)
12/15 SB 711 Legalizing Table Games Bill Passed - House (103 - 92)
12/02 A 40003 Legalizing Same-Sex Marriage Bill Passed - House (88 - 51)
12/02 A 40003 Legalizing Same-Sex Marriage Bill Passed - House (88 - 51)
11/05 AB 458 Sex Education Curriculum Requirements Bill Passed - House (48 - 43)
11/05 AB 458 Sex Education Curriculum Requirements Bill Passed - House (48 - 43)
10/29 HB 5044 Prostitution Ban Concurrence Vote Passed - House (46 - 9)
10/28 HB 648 Medical Marijuana Legalization Veto Override Passed - House (240 - 115)
10/08 HR 2647 2009-2010 Defense Appropriations Conference Report Adopted - House (281 - 146)
10/08 SB 2028 Pandemic and Disaster Preparedness Plan Bill Passed - House (114 - 36)
10/07 HB 1531 Tax Law Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - House (102 - 96)
10/02 HB 1531 Tax Law Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - House (103 - 98)
9/29 HB 4437 2009-2010 Department of Corrections Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (85 - 23)
9/17 SB 253 2009-2010 Department of State Police Budget Bill Passed - House (68 - 39)
9/10 AB 98 Required Maternity Services Coverage Concurrence Vote Passed - House (51 - 27)
9/10 AB 524 Privacy Law Expansion Concurrence Vote Passed - House (57 - 20)
9/03 SB 54 Recognizing Out-of-State Same-Sex Marriages Bill Passed - House (47 - 29)
9/03 SB 572 Harvey Milk Day Bill Passed - House (46 - 28)
9/03 SB 572 Harvey Milk Day Bill Passed - House (46 - 28)
9/03 SB 54 Recognizing Out-of-State Same-Sex Marriages Bill Passed - House (47 - 29)
8/31 SBx3 18 Correctional Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (41 - 37)
8/06 SB 943 Expanding Production Company Tax Credit Bill Passed - House (78 - 26)
8/05 SB 138 Banning Salvia Divinorum Bill Passed - House (96 - 15)
8/05 HB 1663 Appropriations from State Gaming Fund Bill Passed - House (110 - 87)
7/31 HB 2010 Budget Reconciliation (Criminal Justice) Bill Passed - House (31 - 15)
7/31 HB 2013 Budget Reconciliation (Health and Welfare) Bill Passed - House (35 - 11)
7/24 ABX4 19 Fiscal Year 2010 Budget Revisions: In-Home Supportive Services Fraud Concurrence Vote Passed - House (42 - 33)
7/15 HB 1185 Habitual DWI Reinstatement after Ten Years Concurrence Vote Passed - House (87 - 29)
7/15 HB 1185 Habitual DWI Reinstatement after Ten Years Concurrence Vote Passed - House (87 - 29)
7/15 HB 1185 Habitual DWI Reinstatement after Ten Years Concurrence Vote Passed - House (87 - 29)
7/15 SB 461 Racial Discrimination in Capital Sentences Bill Passed - House (61 - 54)
7/14 HB 264 Expungement of Criminal Records and Juvenile Records Bill Passed - House (104 - 91)
7/13 HB 1 2009-2011 Biennium Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (54 - 44)
7/06 SB 870 Making General Statutes Gender Neutral Motion Agreed - House (79 - 33)
6/29 HB 746 Children's Health Care Insurance Bill Passed - House (106 - 94)
6/29 SB 1175 Prohibiting Non-Physicians from Performing Abortions Bill Passed - House (35 - 19)
6/26 S 286 Relating to Video Lottery Terminals Bill Passed - House (63 - 9)

arrow_upward