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 6, 2018 WA HB 2595 Authorizes Automatic Voter Registration Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 21)
March 6, 2018 WY HB 70 Authorizes Cryptocurrency Regulations and Securities Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 3)
March 6, 2018 National HR 4607 Comprehensive Regulatory Review Act Bill Passed - House (246 - 143)
March 2, 2018 WV SB 415 Authorizes Casino Sports Betting Upon Federal Approval Bill Passed - House (77 - 22)
March 1, 2018 ME LD 1653 Amends Retirement Benefits for Capitol Police Officers Bill Passed - House (85 - 57)
Feb. 22, 2018 IN SB 1 Authorizes Sunday Alcohol Sales Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (38 - 10)
Feb. 22, 2018 MI HB 4053 Establishes English as Official Language Bill Passed - House (62 - 46)
Feb. 20, 2018 IN SB 1 Authorizes Sunday Alcohol Sales Bill Passed - House (82 - 10)
Feb. 20, 2018 WV SB 415 Authorizes Casino Sports Betting Upon Federal Approval Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 9)
Feb. 15, 2018 NJ S 598 Requires New Jersey to Join US Climate Alliance Bill Passed - House (49 - 23)
Feb. 14, 2018 FL HB 1013 Authorizes Daylight Saving Time Year-Round Bill Passed - House (103 - 11)
Feb. 13, 2018 OR HJR 203 Specifies Proposal for Statewide Access to Healthcare Bill Passed - House (35 - 25)
Feb. 13, 2018 AZ HB 2153 Prohibits Localities from Requiring Campaign Donation Disclosure Bill Passed - House (33 - 25)
Feb. 12, 2018 MD SB 138 Requires Governor to Include Maryland as a Member of US Climate Alliance Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 10)
Feb. 9, 2018 WV SJR 12 Prohibits a Constitutional Right to Abortion Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 9)
Feb. 8, 2018 AZ HB 2208 Prohibits Photo Speed and Red Light Enforcement Cameras Bill Passed - House (31 - 27)
Feb. 8, 2018 MS HB 1238 Prohibits Certain Consumer Protection Lawsuits Bill Passed - House (58 - 54)
Feb. 7, 2018 NM HB 49 Amends Municipality Recall Elections Bill Passed - House (47 - 21)
Feb. 7, 2018 SC H 3529 Prohibits Local Regulations on Plastic Bags Bill Passed - House (73 - 41)
Feb. 5, 2018 WV HB 2662 Prohibits the Waste of Game Animals Bill Passed - House (56 - 39)
Feb. 1, 2018 NJ S 598 Requires New Jersey to Join US Climate Alliance Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 12)
Jan. 31, 2018 MS SB 2570 Prohibits Government Bans on Storage Containers Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 15)
Jan. 18, 2018 National S 139 FISA Amendments Reauthorization Act of 2017 Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (65 - 34)
Jan. 12, 2018 FL HB 9 Prohibits Local Sanctuary Policies Bill Passed - House (71 - 35)
Jan. 12, 2018 FL HB 13 Prohibits Sport Franchises from Building on Publicly Owned Land Bill Passed - House (75 - 27)
Jan. 11, 2018 National S 139 FISA Amendments Reauthorization Act of 2017 Bill Passed - House (256 - 164)
Nov. 30, 2017 National HR 4182 Ensuring a Qualified Civil Service Act of 2017 (EQUALS Act) Bill Passed - House (213 - 204)
Nov. 8, 2017 MI SB 586 Prohibits Localities from Placing Restrictions on Firearms Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 12)
Nov. 7, 2017 WI AB 153 Amends State Election Recount Procedures Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 13)
Oct. 12, 2017 MI HB 4999 Prohibits Localities from Taxing Foods and Beverages Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 5)
Sept. 16, 2017 CA SB 54 Establishes a Statewide Sanctuary Policy Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 11)
Sept. 15, 2017 CA SB 54 Establishes a Statewide Sanctuary Policy Bill Passed - House (51 - 26)
June 29, 2017 NC SJR 36 Authorizes Participation in a Constitutional Convention Joint Resolution Failed - House (66 - 45)
June 29, 2017 National HR 3003 No Sanctuary for Criminals Act Bill Passed - House (228 - 195)
June 1, 2017 CA AB 1578 Prohibits State Law Enforcement from Cooperating with Federal Marijuana Law Enforcement Bill Passed - House (41 - 33)
May 15, 2017 AK HB 74 Authorizes REAL ID Compliance Bill Passed - House (27 - 13)
April 26, 2017 PA HB 671 Authorizes Lawsuits Against Local Governments with Gun Ordinances Bill Passed - House (134 - 53)
April 25, 2017 MT SB 366 Establishes Real-ID Compliance Bill Passed - House (83 - 17)
April 20, 2017 MN HF 600 Prohibits Local Laws Regarding Minimum Wage or Paid Sick Leave Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 31)
April 11, 2017 ME LD 306 Authorizes Issuance of REAL ID Compliant Licenses "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Adopted - House (115 - 30)
April 6, 2017 ME LD 306 Authorizes Issuance of REAL ID Compliant Licenses Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 4)
April 6, 2017 IL HB 109 Establishes Stopgap Budget Bill Passed - House (64 - 45)
April 6, 2017 WI AB 109 Authorizes Towns to Withdraw from County Zoning Bill Passed - House (60 - 37)
April 4, 2017 IA HF 517 Authorizes Use of Deadly Force when Deemed Necessary Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 17)
April 3, 2017 CA SB 54 Establishes a Statewide Sanctuary Policy Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 12)
March 30, 2017 MO HB 174 Prohibits Local Governments from Enacting Ordinances that Oppose State Law Bill Passed - House (118 - 36)
March 27, 2017 TN HB 173 Prohibits Local Government from Enacting Drug-Related Sanctions Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 5)
March 27, 2017 IA HF 295 Prohibits Localities from Increasing Minimum Wage Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 21)
March 15, 2017 VT S 79 Prohibits the Disclosure of Personally Identifying Information Bill Passed - House (110 - 24)
March 9, 2017 IA HF 295 Prohibits Localities from Increasing Minimum Wage Bill Passed - House (56 - 41)
March 7, 2017 IA HF 517 Authorizes Use of Deadly Force when Deemed Necessary Bill Passed - House (58 - 39)
March 2, 2017 WA SB 5223 Prohibits Localities from Permitting Heroin Injection Sites Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 23)
Feb. 28, 2017 IN SB 423 Prohibits Sanctuary Policies on College Campuses Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 15)
Feb. 24, 2017 VT S 79 Prohibits the Disclosure of Personally Identifying Information Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 0)
Feb. 23, 2017 VA HB 2000 Prohibits Establishment of Sanctuary Cities Concurrence Vote Passed - House (65 - 34)
Feb. 22, 2017 VA HB 2000 Prohibits Establishment of Sanctuary Cities Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
Feb. 16, 2017 OK HB 1845 Requires REAL ID Compliance Bill Passed - House (78 - 18)
Feb. 10, 2017 MD SJ 5 Authorizes State Attorney General to Sue Federal Government Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (29 - 17)
Feb. 7, 2017 VA HB 2000 Prohibits Establishment of Sanctuary Cities Bill Passed - House (63 - 33)
May 30, 2016 LA SB 227 Authorizes REAL ID Driver's Licenses Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate
May 10, 2016 MI SB 853 Prohibits Cities from Restricting Plastic Bags Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 12)
April 19, 2016 TN SJR 467 Urges Attorney General to File Lawsuit in Relation to Refugee Resettlement Program Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 4)
April 18, 2016 TN SJR 467 Urges Attorney General to File Lawsuit in Relation to Refugee Resettlement Program Bill Passed - House (69 - 25)
April 11, 2016 ME LD 1600 Requires Legislative Approval for National Monument Designations Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17)
April 7, 2016 AK HB 222 Limits Governor's Ability to Accept Federal Funds Bill Passed - House (26 - 13)
April 7, 2016 ME LD 1600 Requires Legislative Approval for National Monument Designations Bill Passed - House (77 - 73)
April 6, 2016 AZ SB 1248 Prohibits Pet Stores from Selling Commercially Bred Animals Bill Passed - House (36 - 23)
March 29, 2016 CO SB 157 Requires Suspension of Clean Power Plan Implementation Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17)
March 29, 2016 LA SB 227 Authorizes REAL ID Driver's Licenses Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 7)
March 22, 2016 KY SB 245 Authorizes State to Issue Real ID Compliant Identification Documents Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 12)
March 15, 2016 ID H 372 Prohibits Local Limitation on Use of Plastic Bags Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
March 14, 2016 TN HB 779 Authorizes Voters to Petition for De-annexation Elections Bill Passed - House (68 - 25)
March 10, 2016 AZ HB 2131 Prohibits Local Governments from Taxing Disposable Bags Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 11)
March 3, 2016 SC H 4701 Prohibits Enforcement of Federal Restrictions on Firearms Bill Passed - House (64 - 30)
Feb. 29, 2016 VA HB 587 Prohibits Removal of War Monuments Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 17)
Date No. Title Outcome
3/06 HB 2595 Authorizes Automatic Voter Registration Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 21)
3/06 HB 70 Authorizes Cryptocurrency Regulations and Securities Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 3)
3/06 HR 4607 Comprehensive Regulatory Review Act Bill Passed - House (246 - 143)
3/02 SB 415 Authorizes Casino Sports Betting Upon Federal Approval Bill Passed - House (77 - 22)
3/01 LD 1653 Amends Retirement Benefits for Capitol Police Officers Bill Passed - House (85 - 57)
2/22 SB 1 Authorizes Sunday Alcohol Sales Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (38 - 10)
2/22 HB 4053 Establishes English as Official Language Bill Passed - House (62 - 46)
2/20 SB 1 Authorizes Sunday Alcohol Sales Bill Passed - House (82 - 10)
2/20 SB 415 Authorizes Casino Sports Betting Upon Federal Approval Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 9)
2/15 S 598 Requires New Jersey to Join US Climate Alliance Bill Passed - House (49 - 23)
2/14 HB 1013 Authorizes Daylight Saving Time Year-Round Bill Passed - House (103 - 11)
2/13 HJR 203 Specifies Proposal for Statewide Access to Healthcare Bill Passed - House (35 - 25)
2/13 HB 2153 Prohibits Localities from Requiring Campaign Donation Disclosure Bill Passed - House (33 - 25)
2/12 SB 138 Requires Governor to Include Maryland as a Member of US Climate Alliance Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 10)
2/09 SJR 12 Prohibits a Constitutional Right to Abortion Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 9)
2/08 HB 2208 Prohibits Photo Speed and Red Light Enforcement Cameras Bill Passed - House (31 - 27)
2/08 HB 1238 Prohibits Certain Consumer Protection Lawsuits Bill Passed - House (58 - 54)
2/07 HB 49 Amends Municipality Recall Elections Bill Passed - House (47 - 21)
2/07 H 3529 Prohibits Local Regulations on Plastic Bags Bill Passed - House (73 - 41)
2/05 HB 2662 Prohibits the Waste of Game Animals Bill Passed - House (56 - 39)
2/01 S 598 Requires New Jersey to Join US Climate Alliance Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 12)
1/31 SB 2570 Prohibits Government Bans on Storage Containers Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 15)
1/18 S 139 FISA Amendments Reauthorization Act of 2017 Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (65 - 34)
1/12 HB 9 Prohibits Local Sanctuary Policies Bill Passed - House (71 - 35)
1/12 HB 13 Prohibits Sport Franchises from Building on Publicly Owned Land Bill Passed - House (75 - 27)
1/11 S 139 FISA Amendments Reauthorization Act of 2017 Bill Passed - House (256 - 164)
11/30 HR 4182 Ensuring a Qualified Civil Service Act of 2017 (EQUALS Act) Bill Passed - House (213 - 204)
11/08 SB 586 Prohibits Localities from Placing Restrictions on Firearms Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 12)
11/07 AB 153 Amends State Election Recount Procedures Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 13)
10/12 HB 4999 Prohibits Localities from Taxing Foods and Beverages Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 5)
9/16 SB 54 Establishes a Statewide Sanctuary Policy Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 11)
9/15 SB 54 Establishes a Statewide Sanctuary Policy Bill Passed - House (51 - 26)
6/29 SJR 36 Authorizes Participation in a Constitutional Convention Joint Resolution Failed - House (66 - 45)
6/29 HR 3003 No Sanctuary for Criminals Act Bill Passed - House (228 - 195)
6/01 AB 1578 Prohibits State Law Enforcement from Cooperating with Federal Marijuana Law Enforcement Bill Passed - House (41 - 33)
5/15 HB 74 Authorizes REAL ID Compliance Bill Passed - House (27 - 13)
4/26 HB 671 Authorizes Lawsuits Against Local Governments with Gun Ordinances Bill Passed - House (134 - 53)
4/25 SB 366 Establishes Real-ID Compliance Bill Passed - House (83 - 17)
4/20 HF 600 Prohibits Local Laws Regarding Minimum Wage or Paid Sick Leave Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 31)
4/11 LD 306 Authorizes Issuance of REAL ID Compliant Licenses "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Adopted - House (115 - 30)
4/06 LD 306 Authorizes Issuance of REAL ID Compliant Licenses Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 4)
4/06 HB 109 Establishes Stopgap Budget Bill Passed - House (64 - 45)
4/06 AB 109 Authorizes Towns to Withdraw from County Zoning Bill Passed - House (60 - 37)
4/04 HF 517 Authorizes Use of Deadly Force when Deemed Necessary Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 17)
4/03 SB 54 Establishes a Statewide Sanctuary Policy Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 12)
3/30 HB 174 Prohibits Local Governments from Enacting Ordinances that Oppose State Law Bill Passed - House (118 - 36)
3/27 HB 173 Prohibits Local Government from Enacting Drug-Related Sanctions Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 5)
3/27 HF 295 Prohibits Localities from Increasing Minimum Wage Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 21)
3/15 S 79 Prohibits the Disclosure of Personally Identifying Information Bill Passed - House (110 - 24)
3/09 HF 295 Prohibits Localities from Increasing Minimum Wage Bill Passed - House (56 - 41)
3/07 HF 517 Authorizes Use of Deadly Force when Deemed Necessary Bill Passed - House (58 - 39)
3/02 SB 5223 Prohibits Localities from Permitting Heroin Injection Sites Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 23)
2/28 SB 423 Prohibits Sanctuary Policies on College Campuses Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 15)
2/24 S 79 Prohibits the Disclosure of Personally Identifying Information Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 0)
2/23 HB 2000 Prohibits Establishment of Sanctuary Cities Concurrence Vote Passed - House (65 - 34)
2/22 HB 2000 Prohibits Establishment of Sanctuary Cities Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
2/16 HB 1845 Requires REAL ID Compliance Bill Passed - House (78 - 18)
2/10 SJ 5 Authorizes State Attorney General to Sue Federal Government Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (29 - 17)
2/07 HB 2000 Prohibits Establishment of Sanctuary Cities Bill Passed - House (63 - 33)
5/30 SB 227 Authorizes REAL ID Driver's Licenses Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate
5/10 SB 853 Prohibits Cities from Restricting Plastic Bags Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 12)
4/19 SJR 467 Urges Attorney General to File Lawsuit in Relation to Refugee Resettlement Program Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 4)
4/18 SJR 467 Urges Attorney General to File Lawsuit in Relation to Refugee Resettlement Program Bill Passed - House (69 - 25)
4/11 LD 1600 Requires Legislative Approval for National Monument Designations Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17)
4/07 HB 222 Limits Governor's Ability to Accept Federal Funds Bill Passed - House (26 - 13)
4/07 LD 1600 Requires Legislative Approval for National Monument Designations Bill Passed - House (77 - 73)
4/06 SB 1248 Prohibits Pet Stores from Selling Commercially Bred Animals Bill Passed - House (36 - 23)
3/29 SB 157 Requires Suspension of Clean Power Plan Implementation Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17)
3/29 SB 227 Authorizes REAL ID Driver's Licenses Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 7)
3/22 SB 245 Authorizes State to Issue Real ID Compliant Identification Documents Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 12)
3/15 H 372 Prohibits Local Limitation on Use of Plastic Bags Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
3/14 HB 779 Authorizes Voters to Petition for De-annexation Elections Bill Passed - House (68 - 25)
3/10 HB 2131 Prohibits Local Governments from Taxing Disposable Bags Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 11)
3/03 H 4701 Prohibits Enforcement of Federal Restrictions on Firearms Bill Passed - House (64 - 30)
2/29 HB 587 Prohibits Removal of War Monuments Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 17)

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