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
May 24, 2021 TX HB 1900 Establishes Penalties for Municipalities that Reduce Police Funding Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 3)
May 21, 2021 TX HB 1239 Prohibits Elected Officials from Closing Places of Worship Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 3)
May 12, 2021 PA SB 115 Authorizes Nurses to Hold a License in Multiple States Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 16)
May 6, 2021 NH HB 183 Prohibits Municipalities from Requiring a License for a Soft Drink Stand "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Adopted - Senate (13 - 10)
May 5, 2021 KS SCR 1611 Alleges Abuse of Federal Power, Seeks Constitutional Amendment Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
May 3, 2021 CO HB 21-1114 Requires a Local Government to Obtain Voter Approval Before Providing Internet Access Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 5)
April 28, 2021 MO HB 271 Limits the Authority of Local Health Officials to Close Organizations During a Public Health Emergency Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 6)
April 27, 2021 FL HB 53 Requires State and Local Governments to Accept Certain Public Works Bids (24 - 16)
April 27, 2021 FL HB 735 Prohibits Local Governments from Requiring a License for a Contractor or Journeyman Type Job Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 18)
April 26, 2021 AR SB 298 Classifies Federal Gun Restrictions as Invalid Veto Override Passed - Senate (21 - 12)
April 20, 2021 ID S 1205 Prohibits Cooperating with Enforcement of Federal Gun Laws Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 7)
April 19, 2021 ND HB 1383 Prohibits State Enforcement of Federal Regulations on Firearms Conference Report Adopted - Senate (40 - 7)
April 14, 2021 WI SR 6 Requires the Attorney General Join the State as a Plaintiff in State of West Virginia v US Department of Treasury Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 11)
April 13, 2021 IN HB 1191 Prohibits a Local Government's Control Board from Banning a Fuel Source Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 16)
April 13, 2021 IN HB 1164 Limits a City or Township's Ability to Restrict 5G Poles Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 19)
April 7, 2021 AZ HCR 2023 Prohibits the Federal Government's Interference in the State's Elections Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (16 - 14)
April 2, 2021 WY HB 127 Limits the Time Period for Protective Orders to a Period of 10 Days Without Corresponding County or Commission Approval Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 10)
March 25, 2021 NJ A 5373 Authorizes County Board of Elections to Determine the Location of Certain Ballot Drop Boxes Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 12)
March 25, 2021 GA HB 286 Prohibits Local Police Departments from Reducing Annual Police Budgets Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 15)
March 25, 2021 MT HB 121 Repeals the Ability for Health Boards to Implement Rules Surrounding Covid-19 Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 19)
March 25, 2021 OR SB 554 Authorizes Local Governments and School Districts to Prohibit Guns on Capital and State Property Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 7)
March 22, 2021 GA HB 150 Prohibits State and Local Governments From Restricting Use of Fossil Fuels Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 15)
March 18, 2021 ID S 1168 Requires that Elections Must be Funded by Federal, State, or Local Government Entities Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 7)
March 3, 2021 MD SB 626 Establishes a Statewide Use of Force Policy Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 12)
March 2, 2021 MI SB 1 Repeals the Governors Emergency Powers Act of 1945 Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
March 1, 2021 MT SB 254 Authorizes Changes in Daylight Savings Time if Neighboring States do the Same Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 18)
March 1, 2021 MT SB 215 Limits State and Local Governmental Authority Over a Religious Activity Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 24)
Feb. 27, 2021 VA SB 1385 Rescinds the Sunset on a Pilot Program Allowing a Locality to Request an Electric Utility to Place Underground Electric Distribution Lines Conference Report Adopted - Senate (32 - 7)
Feb. 25, 2021 ID H 67 Prohibits Public Health Districts from Closing Schools or Programs Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 3)
Feb. 24, 2021 OH SB 3 Authorizes Ohio to Join the Nurse Licensure Compact Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 8)
Feb. 17, 2021 IA SF 252 Prohibits Cities from Mandating Participation in the Section 8 Federal Housing Program Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 18)
Feb. 11, 2021 OK SB 834 Authorizes Cities and Towns to Paint Blue Lines and Post Signage Supporting Law Enforcement Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 6)
Feb. 9, 2021 MS SB 2107 Prohibits Cities and Counties from Creating Rental Agreements that Restrict Firearm Access Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 16)
Jan. 26, 2021 WI SJR 3 Prohibits Extending Emergency Orders Related to COVID-19 Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (18 - 13)
Jan. 26, 2021 PA SB 2 Specifies Executive Power Over Disaster Emergency Declarations and Management Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 20)
Dec. 9, 2020 MI SB 1252 Appropriates $600 Million to the Flint Water Settlement Trust Fund Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 0)
Dec. 2, 2020 CO HB 20B-1005 Authorizes Local Authorities to Impose Food Delivery Fee Restrictions Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
Nov. 18, 2020 OH SB 375 Rescinds the Ohio Department of Health Order Limiting Operations of County Fairs Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 8)
Oct. 22, 2020 LA HB 59 Authorizes Additional Compensation to Certain Election Officials for Elections Held During a Gubernatorially Declared Emergency Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 0)
Oct. 20, 2020 LA HB 4 Authorizes Legislative Oversight on Governor Disaster Emergency Restrictions Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 13)
Oct. 19, 2020 LA SB 22 Authorizes Additional Time for Processing Absentee Ballots Prior to Election Day 2020 Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (33 - 0)
Oct. 5, 2020 SD SCR 601 Appropriates $597 Million in Federal Funds for COVID-19 Relief Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (25 - 7)
Sept. 22, 2020 VT H 688 Establishes the Global Warming Solutions Act Veto Override Passed - Senate (22 - 8)
Sept. 22, 2020 VT S 54 Authorizes the Sale and Regulation of Cannabis Conference Report Adopted - Senate (23 - 6)
Sept. 22, 2020 PA SB 1164 Amends County Coroner Notification Requirements for Contagious Disease Deaths Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 10)
Sept. 15, 2020 MI SB 757 Authorizes Cities With Over 25,000 Residents to Begin Processing Absentee Ballots the Day Before an Election Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 2)
Aug. 27, 2020 NJ A 4276 Authorizes Voters to Cure Their Ballot to Fix Problems that County Election Officials Identify Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 7)
Aug. 27, 2020 NJ S 2607 Requires Municipal Master Plans to Factor in Climate Change Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 11)
July 15, 2020 PA HB 2463 Requires State Agency Response to Public Record Requests Made During a Gubernatorial Disaster Declaration Bill Passed - Senate (50 - 0)
June 29, 2020 NJ S 2485 Authorizes Local Governments to Prohibit Evictions during COVID-19 Pandemic Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15)
Date No. Title Outcome
5/24 HB 1900 Establishes Penalties for Municipalities that Reduce Police Funding Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 3)
5/21 HB 1239 Prohibits Elected Officials from Closing Places of Worship Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 3)
5/12 SB 115 Authorizes Nurses to Hold a License in Multiple States Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 16)
5/06 HB 183 Prohibits Municipalities from Requiring a License for a Soft Drink Stand "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Adopted - Senate (13 - 10)
5/05 SCR 1611 Alleges Abuse of Federal Power, Seeks Constitutional Amendment Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
5/03 HB 21-1114 Requires a Local Government to Obtain Voter Approval Before Providing Internet Access Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 5)
4/28 HB 271 Limits the Authority of Local Health Officials to Close Organizations During a Public Health Emergency Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 6)
4/27 HB 53 Requires State and Local Governments to Accept Certain Public Works Bids (24 - 16)
4/27 HB 735 Prohibits Local Governments from Requiring a License for a Contractor or Journeyman Type Job Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 18)
4/26 SB 298 Classifies Federal Gun Restrictions as Invalid Veto Override Passed - Senate (21 - 12)
4/20 S 1205 Prohibits Cooperating with Enforcement of Federal Gun Laws Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 7)
4/19 HB 1383 Prohibits State Enforcement of Federal Regulations on Firearms Conference Report Adopted - Senate (40 - 7)
4/14 SR 6 Requires the Attorney General Join the State as a Plaintiff in State of West Virginia v US Department of Treasury Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 11)
4/13 HB 1191 Prohibits a Local Government's Control Board from Banning a Fuel Source Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 16)
4/13 HB 1164 Limits a City or Township's Ability to Restrict 5G Poles Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 19)
4/07 HCR 2023 Prohibits the Federal Government's Interference in the State's Elections Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (16 - 14)
4/02 HB 127 Limits the Time Period for Protective Orders to a Period of 10 Days Without Corresponding County or Commission Approval Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 10)
3/25 A 5373 Authorizes County Board of Elections to Determine the Location of Certain Ballot Drop Boxes Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 12)
3/25 HB 286 Prohibits Local Police Departments from Reducing Annual Police Budgets Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 15)
3/25 HB 121 Repeals the Ability for Health Boards to Implement Rules Surrounding Covid-19 Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 19)
3/25 SB 554 Authorizes Local Governments and School Districts to Prohibit Guns on Capital and State Property Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 7)
3/22 HB 150 Prohibits State and Local Governments From Restricting Use of Fossil Fuels Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 15)
3/18 S 1168 Requires that Elections Must be Funded by Federal, State, or Local Government Entities Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 7)
3/03 SB 626 Establishes a Statewide Use of Force Policy Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 12)
3/02 SB 1 Repeals the Governors Emergency Powers Act of 1945 Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
3/01 SB 254 Authorizes Changes in Daylight Savings Time if Neighboring States do the Same Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 18)
3/01 SB 215 Limits State and Local Governmental Authority Over a Religious Activity Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 24)
2/27 SB 1385 Rescinds the Sunset on a Pilot Program Allowing a Locality to Request an Electric Utility to Place Underground Electric Distribution Lines Conference Report Adopted - Senate (32 - 7)
2/25 H 67 Prohibits Public Health Districts from Closing Schools or Programs Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 3)
2/24 SB 3 Authorizes Ohio to Join the Nurse Licensure Compact Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 8)
2/17 SF 252 Prohibits Cities from Mandating Participation in the Section 8 Federal Housing Program Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 18)
2/11 SB 834 Authorizes Cities and Towns to Paint Blue Lines and Post Signage Supporting Law Enforcement Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 6)
2/09 SB 2107 Prohibits Cities and Counties from Creating Rental Agreements that Restrict Firearm Access Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 16)
1/26 SJR 3 Prohibits Extending Emergency Orders Related to COVID-19 Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (18 - 13)
1/26 SB 2 Specifies Executive Power Over Disaster Emergency Declarations and Management Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 20)
12/09 SB 1252 Appropriates $600 Million to the Flint Water Settlement Trust Fund Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 0)
12/02 HB 20B-1005 Authorizes Local Authorities to Impose Food Delivery Fee Restrictions Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
11/18 SB 375 Rescinds the Ohio Department of Health Order Limiting Operations of County Fairs Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 8)
10/22 HB 59 Authorizes Additional Compensation to Certain Election Officials for Elections Held During a Gubernatorially Declared Emergency Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 0)
10/20 HB 4 Authorizes Legislative Oversight on Governor Disaster Emergency Restrictions Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 13)
10/19 SB 22 Authorizes Additional Time for Processing Absentee Ballots Prior to Election Day 2020 Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (33 - 0)
10/05 SCR 601 Appropriates $597 Million in Federal Funds for COVID-19 Relief Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (25 - 7)
9/22 H 688 Establishes the Global Warming Solutions Act Veto Override Passed - Senate (22 - 8)
9/22 S 54 Authorizes the Sale and Regulation of Cannabis Conference Report Adopted - Senate (23 - 6)
9/22 SB 1164 Amends County Coroner Notification Requirements for Contagious Disease Deaths Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 10)
9/15 SB 757 Authorizes Cities With Over 25,000 Residents to Begin Processing Absentee Ballots the Day Before an Election Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 2)
8/27 A 4276 Authorizes Voters to Cure Their Ballot to Fix Problems that County Election Officials Identify Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 7)
8/27 S 2607 Requires Municipal Master Plans to Factor in Climate Change Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 11)
7/15 HB 2463 Requires State Agency Response to Public Record Requests Made During a Gubernatorial Disaster Declaration Bill Passed - Senate (50 - 0)
6/29 S 2485 Authorizes Local Governments to Prohibit Evictions during COVID-19 Pandemic Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15)

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