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:
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.
| Date | State | Bill No. | Title | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 5, 2010 | OK | SB 1685 | Oklahoma Firearms Freedom Act | Veto Override Failed - Senate (28 - 16) |
| May 5, 2010 | IL | HB 4927 | Video Gaming Law Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 11) |
| May 5, 2010 | CT | HB 5236 | Concerning Off-Track Betting Branch Facilities | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11) |
| April 29, 2010 | AZ | SB 1307 | Treatment of Human Embryos | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (16 - 12) |
| April 28, 2010 | CT | SB 168 | Workers Compensation Benefits for Police Officers Facing Injury From Interaction with Mammal | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 4) |
| April 28, 2010 | CT | SB 168 | Workers Compensation Benefits for Police Officers Facing Injury From Interaction with Mammal | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 4) |
| April 28, 2010 | FL | Amdt 841564 | Pre-Abortion Ultrasound Requirement | Amendment Adopted - Senate (22 - 17) |
| April 28, 2010 | LA | SB 38 | Criminalization of Participation in Cockfighting | Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 2) |
| April 28, 2010 | LA | SB 38 | Criminalization of Participation in Cockfighting | Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 2) |
| April 27, 2010 | OK | HB 2656 | Abortion Regulation Modifications | Veto Override Passed - Senate (36 - 12) |
| April 27, 2010 | HI | HB 2583 | Shark Feeding Penalty Increase | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (23 - 2) |
| April 27, 2010 | VT | SR 17 | Requesting Congressional Waiver From Federal Drinking Age Requirement | Resolution Passed - Senate (14 - 13) |
| April 22, 2010 | CO | HB 1021 | Health Insurance Policy Coverage For Reproductive Services | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 13) |
| April 21, 2010 | IL | HB 5428 | Limiting Adoption Records Disclosure Restrictions for Adoptees | Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 16) |
| April 21, 2010 | IL | HB 5428 | Limiting Adoption Records Disclosure Restrictions for Adoptees | Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 16) |
| April 21, 2010 | OK | HB 3354 | Concealed and Unconcealed Weapons Guidelines | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 15) |
| April 21, 2010 | LA | SB 9 | Classifying Text Messaging While Driving as a Primary Offense | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 9) |
| April 20, 2010 | LA | SB 368 | Notification Requirements for Iguana Sales | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14) |
| April 19, 2010 | AZ | SB 1070 | Expanding Undocumented Immigration Enforcement | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (17 - 11) |
| April 15, 2010 | CA | SB 4 | Prohibiting Smoking at State Park Beaches | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 13) |
| April 15, 2010 | CO | SB 94 | State Funding for Works of Art in Capital Construction Projects | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 11) |
| April 15, 2010 | FL | SB 622 | Gaming Law Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 9) |
| April 15, 2010 | MO | SB 1014 | Limiting Prison Eligibility | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 13) |
| April 12, 2010 | NE | LB 1103 | Prohibiting Abortions After 20 Weeks of Pregnancy | Bill Passed - Senate (44 - 5) |
| April 12, 2010 | NE | LB 594 | Abortion Screening Requirements | Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 9) |
| April 10, 2010 | MD | SB 627 | Establishes Medical Marijuana Regulations | Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 12) |
| April 8, 2010 | NE | LB 842 | Repealing Special Prosecutor Requirement for In-Custody Deaths | Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 4) |
| April 5, 2010 | ME | LD 1611 | State Prison Solitary Confinement Review | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 15) |
| April 5, 2010 | ME | LD 1611 | State Prison Solitary Confinement Review | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 15) |
| March 30, 2010 | GA | SB 67 | English Only Requirement for Driver's License Examinations | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (39 - 11) |
| March 30, 2010 | KS | HB 2115 | Late-Term/Partial Birth Abortion Reporting Requirements | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (24 - 15) |
| March 30, 2010 | NE | LB 1102 | Legalizing "Horse Racing Machines" | Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (30 - 13) |
| March 30, 2010 | AL | SB 380 | Authorization, Regulation, and Taxation of Bingo | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13) |
| March 29, 2010 | IA | SF 2379 | Requiring County Sheriffs to Issue Concealed Weapons Permits to Qualified Applicants | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (38 - 4) |
| March 29, 2010 | ID | H 729 | Prohibiting Text Messaging While Driving | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 4) |
| March 29, 2010 | AZ | HB 2307 | Federal Arms Regulation Exemption | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 8) |
| March 29, 2010 | CO | HB 1180 | Performance-Based Incentive for Film Production Activities | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 8) |
| March 27, 2010 | MS | SB 2293 | Allowing "Under-Performing" Schools to Become Charter Schools | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (27 - 11) |
| March 27, 2010 | IA | Amdt 5371 | Authorizing Qualified Individuals to Conceal Weapons Without a Permit | Amendment Rejected - Senate (20 - 28) |
| March 26, 2010 | KY | HB 368 | Telephone and Online Gambling Tax | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 17) |
| March 26, 2010 | GA | SB 529 | Abortion Law Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 14) |
| March 25, 2010 | MI | HB 4394 | Prohibiting Text Messaging While Driving | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 10) |
| March 25, 2010 | IL | SB 2494 | Funding for School Vouchers | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 20) |
| March 24, 2010 | ID | H 496 | Requiring Photo Identification to Vote | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 6) |
| March 24, 2010 | NH | SB 489 | Gambling Expansion | Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 10) |
| March 24, 2010 | OH | SB 35 | State Enforcement of Federal Immigration Law | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 11) |
| March 24, 2010 | MD | SB 321 | Prohibiting Hand-Held Cell Phone Use While Driving | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 23) |
| March 24, 2010 | OH | SB 150 | County Sheriff Assistance with Federal Immigration Law Enforcement | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 10) |
| March 24, 2010 | MD | SB 1035 | Authorizes Card Games at a Specific Facility | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 13) |
| March 23, 2010 | IA | HF 2456 | Texting While Driving Ban | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (37 - 12) |
| Date | No. | Title | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5/05 | SB 1685 | Oklahoma Firearms Freedom Act | Veto Override Failed - Senate (28 - 16) |
| 5/05 | HB 4927 | Video Gaming Law Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 11) |
| 5/05 | HB 5236 | Concerning Off-Track Betting Branch Facilities | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11) |
| 4/29 | SB 1307 | Treatment of Human Embryos | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (16 - 12) |
| 4/28 | SB 168 | Workers Compensation Benefits for Police Officers Facing Injury From Interaction with Mammal | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 4) |
| 4/28 | SB 168 | Workers Compensation Benefits for Police Officers Facing Injury From Interaction with Mammal | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 4) |
| 4/28 | Amdt 841564 | Pre-Abortion Ultrasound Requirement | Amendment Adopted - Senate (22 - 17) |
| 4/28 | SB 38 | Criminalization of Participation in Cockfighting | Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 2) |
| 4/28 | SB 38 | Criminalization of Participation in Cockfighting | Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 2) |
| 4/27 | HB 2656 | Abortion Regulation Modifications | Veto Override Passed - Senate (36 - 12) |
| 4/27 | HB 2583 | Shark Feeding Penalty Increase | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (23 - 2) |
| 4/27 | SR 17 | Requesting Congressional Waiver From Federal Drinking Age Requirement | Resolution Passed - Senate (14 - 13) |
| 4/22 | HB 1021 | Health Insurance Policy Coverage For Reproductive Services | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 13) |
| 4/21 | HB 5428 | Limiting Adoption Records Disclosure Restrictions for Adoptees | Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 16) |
| 4/21 | HB 5428 | Limiting Adoption Records Disclosure Restrictions for Adoptees | Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 16) |
| 4/21 | HB 3354 | Concealed and Unconcealed Weapons Guidelines | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 15) |
| 4/21 | SB 9 | Classifying Text Messaging While Driving as a Primary Offense | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 9) |
| 4/20 | SB 368 | Notification Requirements for Iguana Sales | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14) |
| 4/19 | SB 1070 | Expanding Undocumented Immigration Enforcement | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (17 - 11) |
| 4/15 | SB 4 | Prohibiting Smoking at State Park Beaches | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 13) |
| 4/15 | SB 94 | State Funding for Works of Art in Capital Construction Projects | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 11) |
| 4/15 | SB 622 | Gaming Law Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 9) |
| 4/15 | SB 1014 | Limiting Prison Eligibility | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 13) |
| 4/12 | LB 1103 | Prohibiting Abortions After 20 Weeks of Pregnancy | Bill Passed - Senate (44 - 5) |
| 4/12 | LB 594 | Abortion Screening Requirements | Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 9) |
| 4/10 | SB 627 | Establishes Medical Marijuana Regulations | Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 12) |
| 4/08 | LB 842 | Repealing Special Prosecutor Requirement for In-Custody Deaths | Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 4) |
| 4/05 | LD 1611 | State Prison Solitary Confinement Review | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 15) |
| 4/05 | LD 1611 | State Prison Solitary Confinement Review | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 15) |
| 3/30 | SB 67 | English Only Requirement for Driver's License Examinations | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (39 - 11) |
| 3/30 | HB 2115 | Late-Term/Partial Birth Abortion Reporting Requirements | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (24 - 15) |
| 3/30 | LB 1102 | Legalizing "Horse Racing Machines" | Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (30 - 13) |
| 3/30 | SB 380 | Authorization, Regulation, and Taxation of Bingo | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13) |
| 3/29 | SF 2379 | Requiring County Sheriffs to Issue Concealed Weapons Permits to Qualified Applicants | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (38 - 4) |
| 3/29 | H 729 | Prohibiting Text Messaging While Driving | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 4) |
| 3/29 | HB 2307 | Federal Arms Regulation Exemption | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 8) |
| 3/29 | HB 1180 | Performance-Based Incentive for Film Production Activities | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 8) |
| 3/27 | SB 2293 | Allowing "Under-Performing" Schools to Become Charter Schools | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (27 - 11) |
| 3/27 | Amdt 5371 | Authorizing Qualified Individuals to Conceal Weapons Without a Permit | Amendment Rejected - Senate (20 - 28) |
| 3/26 | HB 368 | Telephone and Online Gambling Tax | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 17) |
| 3/26 | SB 529 | Abortion Law Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 14) |
| 3/25 | HB 4394 | Prohibiting Text Messaging While Driving | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 10) |
| 3/25 | SB 2494 | Funding for School Vouchers | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 20) |
| 3/24 | H 496 | Requiring Photo Identification to Vote | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 6) |
| 3/24 | SB 489 | Gambling Expansion | Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 10) |
| 3/24 | SB 35 | State Enforcement of Federal Immigration Law | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 11) |
| 3/24 | SB 321 | Prohibiting Hand-Held Cell Phone Use While Driving | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 23) |
| 3/24 | SB 150 | County Sheriff Assistance with Federal Immigration Law Enforcement | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 10) |
| 3/24 | SB 1035 | Authorizes Card Games at a Specific Facility | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 13) |
| 3/23 | HF 2456 | Texting While Driving Ban | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (37 - 12) |