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
April 12, 2023 AZ HB 2394 Prohibits Any County or Municipality in Arizona from Enacting New Taxes, Levies or Fees on Firearms or Ammunition Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 14)
April 12, 2023 WA HB 1477 Amends the State Working Families' Tax Credit Bill Passed - Senate (46 - 3)
April 11, 2023 WA HB 1470 Establishes New Regulations Concerning Private Prisons Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 20)
April 10, 2023 MD SB 1 Prohibits Open Carry in the State and Restricts Places Where Firearms can be Carried Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 16)
April 10, 2023 ND HB 1230 Establishes Penalties for the Intentional Submission of Petitions with Fraudulent Signatures Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 6)
April 10, 2023 WA HB 1394 Establishes a Developmentally Appropriate Response to Youth Who Commit Sexual Offenses Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 21)
April 10, 2023 MD HB 1071 Prohibits the Smell of Cannabis as Reasonable Suspicion or Probable Cause for Police Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 20)
April 7, 2023 AR SB 495 Requires Convicted Individuals Serve Out the Majority of Their Sentences Instead of Early Release Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 4)
April 7, 2023 MD SB 341 Requires Institutions of Higher Education Develop a Reproductive Health Services Plan in Consultation with Students Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 11)
April 7, 2023 MD SB 858 Defines Requirements Around Safe Storage of Firearms Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 12)
April 7, 2023 MD SB 37 Reduces the Time Period to Apply for Criminal Record Expungement for Certain Offenses Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 13)
April 7, 2023 MT HB 361 Specifies Incorrect Use of Pronouns by Another Student is Not Discrimination Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 20)
April 7, 2023 MD HB 824 Prohibits Certain Individuals on Probation from Receiving a Concealed Carry Permit Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 13)
April 7, 2023 MD HB 824 Prohibits Certain Individuals on Probation from Receiving a Concealed Carry Permit Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 13)
April 7, 2023 WA HB 1564 Prohibits the Sale of Over-the-Counter Sexual Assault Kits Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 7)
April 6, 2023 KS HB 2138 Prohibits Transgender Students Access to Overnight Accommodations Consistent with Their Gender Identity Conference Report Adopted - Senate (28 - 10)
April 6, 2023 KS SB 228 Prohibits Transgender Inmates Access to Overnight Accommodations Consistent with Their Gender Identity Conference Report Adopted - Senate (33 - 3)
April 6, 2023 KS SB 228 Prohibits Transgender Inmates Access to Overnight Accommodations Consistent with Their Gender Identity Conference Report Adopted - Senate (33 - 3)
April 6, 2023 KS SB 26 Prohibits Gender-Affirming Medical Care for Minors Conference Report Adopted - Senate (23 - 12)
April 6, 2023 TN SB 466 Specifies that Teachers and Peers Do Not Have to Use a Student's Preferred Pronouns Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 7)
April 6, 2023 OR SB 615 Establishes New Penalties for Street Racing and Gang Activity Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 7)
April 6, 2023 DE SB 52 Amends Delaware Statutes Regarding the Sterile Needle and Syringe Exchange Program Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 5)
April 5, 2023 AR HB 1468 Requires Parental Consent for Teachers to Address Transgender Students the Way They Identify Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 5)
April 5, 2023 ND HB 1350 Establishes Places That a Person Can Carry a Concealed Weapon and Penalties for Armed Offenders Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 2)
April 5, 2023 ND HB 1350 Establishes Places That a Person Can Carry a Concealed Weapon and Penalties for Armed Offenders Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 2)
April 5, 2023 ND HB 1339 Authorizes Citizens to Conceal Carry in North Dakota With a State Issued ID Bill Passed - Senate (44 - 2)
April 5, 2023 ND HB 1340 Prohibits Local Governments from Enforcing Stricter Gun Laws then Passed by the State Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 6)
April 5, 2023 ND HB 1340 Prohibits Local Governments from Enforcing Stricter Gun Laws then Passed by the State Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 6)
April 4, 2023 CO SB 23-188 Establishes State Protections For Accessing Reproductive Health Care Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (22 - 13)
April 4, 2023 KS SB 180 Amends State Law to Codify Narrower Definitions of Gender Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 12)
April 4, 2023 CO SB 23-189 Increases State Access to Reproductive Healthcare Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (22 - 13)
April 4, 2023 AR SB 270 Prohibits Individuals of the Opposite Sex from Using the Same Restroom with a Child Present Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 4)
April 4, 2023 MT SB 516 Requires Health Insurance Cover Initial Cost of Fertility Preservation for Cancer Patients Bill Passed - Senate (46 - 4)
April 3, 2023 ND HB 1473 Requires Designated Male and Female Restrooms, Lockers, and Showers in Correctional Facilities and Dormitories Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 5)
April 3, 2023 ND HB 1473 Requires Designated Male and Female Restrooms, Lockers, and Showers in Correctional Facilities and Dormitories Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 5)
April 3, 2023 ND HB 1249 Requires Classification of Student Athletes Based on "Biological Sex" Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 9)
April 3, 2023 ND HB 1489 Prohibits Collegiate Transgender Athletes from Competing with the Gender They Identify As Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 7)
April 3, 2023 ND HB 1249 Requires Classification of Student Athletes Based on "Biological Sex" Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 9)
April 3, 2023 ND HB 1254 Prohibits Gender Affirming Care for Minors Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 10)
April 3, 2023 CO SB 23-163 Classifies Wildlife Officers as State Troopers Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 1)
April 3, 2023 OR SB 238 Establishes a Curriculum to Teach about the Danger of Fentanyl and Opioids Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 1)
April 3, 2023 FL SB 300 Prohibits Abortions After 6 Weeks Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 13)
March 31, 2023 MD HB 283 Requires State Medicaid Cover Gender Affirming Care Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 13)
March 31, 2023 MD HB 279 Establishes a Prescription Drug Affordability Board Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 11)
March 31, 2023 IL SB 1909 Authorizes Lawsuits Against Crisis Pregnancy Centers Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 19)
March 30, 2023 CO HB 23-1011 Authorizes Individuals Right to Repair Agriculture Equipment Conference Report Adopted - Senate (23 - 10)
March 30, 2023 KY HB 551 Establishes Legal Sports Betting Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 12)
March 30, 2023 FL HB 543 Authorizes Conceal Carry Without a Permit Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 13)
March 30, 2023 FL SB 450 Reduces Amount of Jurors Needed for Agreement on Death Sentences Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 10)
March 30, 2023 FL SB 450 Reduces Amount of Jurors Needed for Agreement on Death Sentences Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 10)
Date No. Title Outcome
4/12 HB 2394 Prohibits Any County or Municipality in Arizona from Enacting New Taxes, Levies or Fees on Firearms or Ammunition Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 14)
4/12 HB 1477 Amends the State Working Families' Tax Credit Bill Passed - Senate (46 - 3)
4/11 HB 1470 Establishes New Regulations Concerning Private Prisons Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 20)
4/10 SB 1 Prohibits Open Carry in the State and Restricts Places Where Firearms can be Carried Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 16)
4/10 HB 1230 Establishes Penalties for the Intentional Submission of Petitions with Fraudulent Signatures Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 6)
4/10 HB 1394 Establishes a Developmentally Appropriate Response to Youth Who Commit Sexual Offenses Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 21)
4/10 HB 1071 Prohibits the Smell of Cannabis as Reasonable Suspicion or Probable Cause for Police Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 20)
4/07 SB 495 Requires Convicted Individuals Serve Out the Majority of Their Sentences Instead of Early Release Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 4)
4/07 SB 341 Requires Institutions of Higher Education Develop a Reproductive Health Services Plan in Consultation with Students Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 11)
4/07 SB 858 Defines Requirements Around Safe Storage of Firearms Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 12)
4/07 SB 37 Reduces the Time Period to Apply for Criminal Record Expungement for Certain Offenses Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 13)
4/07 HB 361 Specifies Incorrect Use of Pronouns by Another Student is Not Discrimination Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 20)
4/07 HB 824 Prohibits Certain Individuals on Probation from Receiving a Concealed Carry Permit Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 13)
4/07 HB 824 Prohibits Certain Individuals on Probation from Receiving a Concealed Carry Permit Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 13)
4/07 HB 1564 Prohibits the Sale of Over-the-Counter Sexual Assault Kits Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 7)
4/06 HB 2138 Prohibits Transgender Students Access to Overnight Accommodations Consistent with Their Gender Identity Conference Report Adopted - Senate (28 - 10)
4/06 SB 228 Prohibits Transgender Inmates Access to Overnight Accommodations Consistent with Their Gender Identity Conference Report Adopted - Senate (33 - 3)
4/06 SB 228 Prohibits Transgender Inmates Access to Overnight Accommodations Consistent with Their Gender Identity Conference Report Adopted - Senate (33 - 3)
4/06 SB 26 Prohibits Gender-Affirming Medical Care for Minors Conference Report Adopted - Senate (23 - 12)
4/06 SB 466 Specifies that Teachers and Peers Do Not Have to Use a Student's Preferred Pronouns Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 7)
4/06 SB 615 Establishes New Penalties for Street Racing and Gang Activity Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 7)
4/06 SB 52 Amends Delaware Statutes Regarding the Sterile Needle and Syringe Exchange Program Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 5)
4/05 HB 1468 Requires Parental Consent for Teachers to Address Transgender Students the Way They Identify Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 5)
4/05 HB 1350 Establishes Places That a Person Can Carry a Concealed Weapon and Penalties for Armed Offenders Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 2)
4/05 HB 1350 Establishes Places That a Person Can Carry a Concealed Weapon and Penalties for Armed Offenders Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 2)
4/05 HB 1339 Authorizes Citizens to Conceal Carry in North Dakota With a State Issued ID Bill Passed - Senate (44 - 2)
4/05 HB 1340 Prohibits Local Governments from Enforcing Stricter Gun Laws then Passed by the State Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 6)
4/05 HB 1340 Prohibits Local Governments from Enforcing Stricter Gun Laws then Passed by the State Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 6)
4/04 SB 23-188 Establishes State Protections For Accessing Reproductive Health Care Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (22 - 13)
4/04 SB 180 Amends State Law to Codify Narrower Definitions of Gender Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 12)
4/04 SB 23-189 Increases State Access to Reproductive Healthcare Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (22 - 13)
4/04 SB 270 Prohibits Individuals of the Opposite Sex from Using the Same Restroom with a Child Present Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 4)
4/04 SB 516 Requires Health Insurance Cover Initial Cost of Fertility Preservation for Cancer Patients Bill Passed - Senate (46 - 4)
4/03 HB 1473 Requires Designated Male and Female Restrooms, Lockers, and Showers in Correctional Facilities and Dormitories Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 5)
4/03 HB 1473 Requires Designated Male and Female Restrooms, Lockers, and Showers in Correctional Facilities and Dormitories Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 5)
4/03 HB 1249 Requires Classification of Student Athletes Based on "Biological Sex" Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 9)
4/03 HB 1489 Prohibits Collegiate Transgender Athletes from Competing with the Gender They Identify As Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 7)
4/03 HB 1249 Requires Classification of Student Athletes Based on "Biological Sex" Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 9)
4/03 HB 1254 Prohibits Gender Affirming Care for Minors Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 10)
4/03 SB 23-163 Classifies Wildlife Officers as State Troopers Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 1)
4/03 SB 238 Establishes a Curriculum to Teach about the Danger of Fentanyl and Opioids Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 1)
4/03 SB 300 Prohibits Abortions After 6 Weeks Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 13)
3/31 HB 283 Requires State Medicaid Cover Gender Affirming Care Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 13)
3/31 HB 279 Establishes a Prescription Drug Affordability Board Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 11)
3/31 SB 1909 Authorizes Lawsuits Against Crisis Pregnancy Centers Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 19)
3/30 HB 23-1011 Authorizes Individuals Right to Repair Agriculture Equipment Conference Report Adopted - Senate (23 - 10)
3/30 HB 551 Establishes Legal Sports Betting Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 12)
3/30 HB 543 Authorizes Conceal Carry Without a Permit Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 13)
3/30 SB 450 Reduces Amount of Jurors Needed for Agreement on Death Sentences Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 10)
3/30 SB 450 Reduces Amount of Jurors Needed for Agreement on Death Sentences Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 10)

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