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
July 3, 2013 PA HB 1075 Amends Public Welfare Code Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 22)
July 1, 2013 PA HB 1075 Amends Public Welfare Code Concurrence Vote Passed - House (108 - 94)
June 27, 2013 NJ A 3371 Prohibits Sexual Orientation Conversion Therapy for Minors Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 9)
June 24, 2013 NJ S 2842 Authorizes Medical Marijuana for Minors Bill Passed - House (55 - 13)
June 24, 2013 NJ A 3371 Prohibits Sexual Orientation Conversion Therapy for Minors Bill Passed - House (56 - 14)
June 20, 2013 NJ S 2842 Authorizes Medical Marijuana for Minors Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 14)
June 18, 2013 OR HB 3162 Requires Manufacturers to Remove Certain Chemicals from Children's Products Bill Passed - House (39 - 21)
May 15, 2013 IL HB 226 Authorizes 17 Year Olds to Vote in Primary Elections Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 9)
May 10, 2013 TX HB 1340 Authorizes Certain Children to Consent to Immunizations Bill Passed - House (71 - 61)
May 9, 2013 OR HB 2896 Prohibits The Use Of Tanning Facilities By Minors Conference Report Adopted - Senate (16 - 13)
May 2, 2013 TX HB 772 Requires Individuals to Opt-Out of Immunization Registry Bill Passed - House (99 - 47)
April 24, 2013 IL SB 923 Authorizes the Use of Traffic Cameras on School Buses Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 12)
April 18, 2013 FL SB 718 Amends Alimony Provisions Bill Passed - House (85 - 31)
April 17, 2013 IL HB 226 Authorizes 17 Year Olds to Vote in Primary Elections Bill Passed - House (95 - 22)
April 16, 2013 IL HB 2404 Amends Definition of Delinquent Minor Bill Passed - House (89 - 26)
April 4, 2013 FL SB 718 Amends Alimony Provisions Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 11)
April 3, 2013 ME LD 272 Prohibits the Use of Tanning Facilities by Minors Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 16)
April 2, 2013 ME LD 272 Prohibits the Use of Tanning Facilities by Minors Bill Passed - House (91 - 56)
March 27, 2013 CO HB 1215 Prohibits The Use Of Tanning Facilities By Minors Bill Passed - House (39 - 23)
March 26, 2013 OR HB 2988 Reduces Minimum Voter Registration Age to 16 Bill Passed - House (35 - 25)
March 20, 2013 MD SB 30 Prohibits Smoking in Vehicles Containing Children Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 20)
March 18, 2013 WV SB 464 Prohibits The Use Of Tanning Facilities By Minors Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 8)
March 13, 2013 UT HB 103 Prohibits Minors From Using Cell Phones While Driving Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 12)
March 12, 2013 OK HB 1361 Requires Parental Consent Prior to an Abortion for a Minor Bill Passed - House (81 - 13)
March 8, 2013 WA HB 1283 Amends School Age Requirements Bill Passed - House (74 - 23)
March 7, 2013 OR HB 2896 Prohibits The Use Of Tanning Facilities By Minors Bill Passed - House (38 - 18)
March 6, 2013 SD SB 106 Prohibits Minors from Using a Cell Phone While Driving Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 10)
March 6, 2013 OK SB 802 Prohibits the Sale of Electric Cigarettes to Minors Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 15)
March 5, 2013 WA HB 1404 Authorizes Immunity From Prosecution for Minors Who Report Underage Intoxication Bill Passed - House (72 - 24)
March 4, 2013 SD SB 106 Prohibits Minors from Using a Cell Phone While Driving Bill Passed - House (43 - 23)
March 1, 2013 UT HB 13 Prohibits Smoking in a Vehicle with Minors Present Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 13)
Feb. 27, 2013 MT HB 391 Requires Parental Consent Prior to an Abortion for a Minor Bill Passed - House (57 - 41)
Feb. 25, 2013 UT HB 103 Prohibits Minors From Using Cell Phones While Driving Bill Passed - House (48 - 22)
Feb. 22, 2013 SD HB 1214 Authorizes Prenatal Care for Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - House (39 - 28)
Feb. 11, 2013 UT HB 13 Prohibits Smoking in a Vehicle with Minors Present Bill Passed - House (41 - 30)
Feb. 7, 2013 MT HB 239 Requires Parental Consent for Sex Education Bill Passed - House (56 - 41)
Feb. 6, 2013 SD SB 107 Limits Drivers With Restricted Permits To 1 Passenger Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17)
Feb. 6, 2013 SD SB 106 Prohibits Minors from Using a Cell Phone While Driving Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 9)
Jan. 31, 2013 VA SB 975 Prohibits Smoking in a Vehicle with Minors Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 10)
Jan. 16, 2013 WY HB 23 Requires Juvenile Offenders to Be Eligible for Parole While Serving a Life Sentence Bill Passed - House (42 - 17)
Dec. 14, 2012 MI SB 756 Prohibits Teens from Using Cell Phones While Driving Bill Passed - House (74 - 33)
Oct. 18, 2012 NJ A 1711 Increases Penalties for Failing to Secure a Child in a Car Seat Bill Passed - House (63 - 16)
Oct. 17, 2012 PA SB 850 Repeals Mandatory Life Sentences for Certain Juvenile Offenders Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (37 - 12)
Oct. 17, 2012 PA HB 815 Reduces the Offense of "Sexting" for Minors Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 12)
Aug. 30, 2012 CA SB 1172 Prohibits Sexual Orientation Conversion Therapy Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 13)
Aug. 28, 2012 CA SB 1172 Prohibits Sexual Orientation Conversion Therapy Bill Passed - House (52 - 22)
Aug. 27, 2012 CA AB 1640 Expands Cash Assistance Programs for Pregnant Teenagers Concurrence Vote Passed - House (54 - 26)
Aug. 22, 2012 CA AB 1640 Expands Cash Assistance Programs for Pregnant Teenagers Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 12)
Aug. 20, 2012 CA SB 9 Sentence Reconsideration for Juvenile Offenders Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 17)
Aug. 16, 2012 CA SB 9 Sentence Reconsideration for Juvenile Offenders Bill Passed - House (41 - 34)
June 21, 2012 NJ A 1571 Increases Requirements for Learner's Permits Bill Passed - House (50 - 27)
May 31, 2012 MI HB 4513 Increases Minimum Age for Beginning Kindergarten Bill Passed - House (64 - 45)
May 30, 2012 MA H 3986 Authorizes Child Care Workers to Form Labor Organizations Bill Passed - House (117 - 32)
May 30, 2012 CA SB 1172 Prohibits Sexual Orientation Conversion Therapy Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 13)
April 26, 2012 TN HB 2566 Increases Kindergarten Age Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 10)
April 25, 2012 TN HB 2566 Increases Kindergarten Age Requirements Bill Passed - House (68 - 30)
April 18, 2012 AZ HB 2154 Requires Car Seats for Certain Children Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 10)
April 11, 2012 NE LB 599 Prenatal Care for Children of Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 15)
April 10, 2012 MS SB 2771 Expands Penalties for Child Homicide Bill Passed - House (83 - 34)
April 5, 2012 CO HB 1271 Repeals Direct Filing of Juveniles by Prosecutors Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 13)
April 5, 2012 MD HB 373 Raises the Dropout Age for Public School Students Bill Passed - House (88 - 49)
April 3, 2012 AZ HB 2348 Prohibits Cell Phone Use by Teens While Driving Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 11)
March 19, 2012 CO HB 1271 Repeals Direct Filing of Juveniles by Prosecutors Bill Passed - House (45 - 20)
March 15, 2012 MI SB 756 Prohibits Teens from Using Cell Phones While Driving Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 10)
March 14, 2012 MD SB 559 Prohibits Smoking in a Vehicle with Children Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 19)
March 13, 2012 RI S 2322 Prohibits The Use Of Tanning Facilities By Minors Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 8)
March 1, 2012 AZ HB 2154 Requires Car Seats for Certain Children Bill Passed - House (38 - 17)
Feb. 22, 2012 UT SB 41 Authorizes Regulations of Tanning Facilities Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 9)
Sept. 6, 2011 CA AB 1319 Prohibiting the Use of BPA in Baby Products Concurrence Vote Passed - House (49 - 27)
Sept. 2, 2011 CA SB 746 Prohibits the Use of Tanning Beds by Minors Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 12)
Sept. 1, 2011 CA SB 746 Prohibits the Use of Tanning Beds by Minors Bill Passed - House (49 - 27)
Aug. 31, 2011 CA AB 499 Authorizes Minors to Seek Medical Care for STDs Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 17)
Aug. 30, 2011 CA AB 1319 Prohibiting the Use of BPA in Baby Products Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12)
June 9, 2011 TX SB 7 Health Care Bill Passed - House (89 - 41)
May 23, 2011 PA HB 815 Reduces the Offense of "Sexting" for Minors Bill Passed - House (178 - 20)
Date No. Title Outcome
7/03 HB 1075 Amends Public Welfare Code Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 22)
7/01 HB 1075 Amends Public Welfare Code Concurrence Vote Passed - House (108 - 94)
6/27 A 3371 Prohibits Sexual Orientation Conversion Therapy for Minors Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 9)
6/24 S 2842 Authorizes Medical Marijuana for Minors Bill Passed - House (55 - 13)
6/24 A 3371 Prohibits Sexual Orientation Conversion Therapy for Minors Bill Passed - House (56 - 14)
6/20 S 2842 Authorizes Medical Marijuana for Minors Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 14)
6/18 HB 3162 Requires Manufacturers to Remove Certain Chemicals from Children's Products Bill Passed - House (39 - 21)
5/15 HB 226 Authorizes 17 Year Olds to Vote in Primary Elections Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 9)
5/10 HB 1340 Authorizes Certain Children to Consent to Immunizations Bill Passed - House (71 - 61)
5/09 HB 2896 Prohibits The Use Of Tanning Facilities By Minors Conference Report Adopted - Senate (16 - 13)
5/02 HB 772 Requires Individuals to Opt-Out of Immunization Registry Bill Passed - House (99 - 47)
4/24 SB 923 Authorizes the Use of Traffic Cameras on School Buses Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 12)
4/18 SB 718 Amends Alimony Provisions Bill Passed - House (85 - 31)
4/17 HB 226 Authorizes 17 Year Olds to Vote in Primary Elections Bill Passed - House (95 - 22)
4/16 HB 2404 Amends Definition of Delinquent Minor Bill Passed - House (89 - 26)
4/04 SB 718 Amends Alimony Provisions Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 11)
4/03 LD 272 Prohibits the Use of Tanning Facilities by Minors Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 16)
4/02 LD 272 Prohibits the Use of Tanning Facilities by Minors Bill Passed - House (91 - 56)
3/27 HB 1215 Prohibits The Use Of Tanning Facilities By Minors Bill Passed - House (39 - 23)
3/26 HB 2988 Reduces Minimum Voter Registration Age to 16 Bill Passed - House (35 - 25)
3/20 SB 30 Prohibits Smoking in Vehicles Containing Children Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 20)
3/18 SB 464 Prohibits The Use Of Tanning Facilities By Minors Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 8)
3/13 HB 103 Prohibits Minors From Using Cell Phones While Driving Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 12)
3/12 HB 1361 Requires Parental Consent Prior to an Abortion for a Minor Bill Passed - House (81 - 13)
3/08 HB 1283 Amends School Age Requirements Bill Passed - House (74 - 23)
3/07 HB 2896 Prohibits The Use Of Tanning Facilities By Minors Bill Passed - House (38 - 18)
3/06 SB 106 Prohibits Minors from Using a Cell Phone While Driving Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 10)
3/06 SB 802 Prohibits the Sale of Electric Cigarettes to Minors Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 15)
3/05 HB 1404 Authorizes Immunity From Prosecution for Minors Who Report Underage Intoxication Bill Passed - House (72 - 24)
3/04 SB 106 Prohibits Minors from Using a Cell Phone While Driving Bill Passed - House (43 - 23)
3/01 HB 13 Prohibits Smoking in a Vehicle with Minors Present Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 13)
2/27 HB 391 Requires Parental Consent Prior to an Abortion for a Minor Bill Passed - House (57 - 41)
2/25 HB 103 Prohibits Minors From Using Cell Phones While Driving Bill Passed - House (48 - 22)
2/22 HB 1214 Authorizes Prenatal Care for Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - House (39 - 28)
2/11 HB 13 Prohibits Smoking in a Vehicle with Minors Present Bill Passed - House (41 - 30)
2/07 HB 239 Requires Parental Consent for Sex Education Bill Passed - House (56 - 41)
2/06 SB 107 Limits Drivers With Restricted Permits To 1 Passenger Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17)
2/06 SB 106 Prohibits Minors from Using a Cell Phone While Driving Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 9)
1/31 SB 975 Prohibits Smoking in a Vehicle with Minors Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 10)
1/16 HB 23 Requires Juvenile Offenders to Be Eligible for Parole While Serving a Life Sentence Bill Passed - House (42 - 17)
12/14 SB 756 Prohibits Teens from Using Cell Phones While Driving Bill Passed - House (74 - 33)
10/18 A 1711 Increases Penalties for Failing to Secure a Child in a Car Seat Bill Passed - House (63 - 16)
10/17 SB 850 Repeals Mandatory Life Sentences for Certain Juvenile Offenders Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (37 - 12)
10/17 HB 815 Reduces the Offense of "Sexting" for Minors Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 12)
8/30 SB 1172 Prohibits Sexual Orientation Conversion Therapy Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 13)
8/28 SB 1172 Prohibits Sexual Orientation Conversion Therapy Bill Passed - House (52 - 22)
8/27 AB 1640 Expands Cash Assistance Programs for Pregnant Teenagers Concurrence Vote Passed - House (54 - 26)
8/22 AB 1640 Expands Cash Assistance Programs for Pregnant Teenagers Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 12)
8/20 SB 9 Sentence Reconsideration for Juvenile Offenders Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 17)
8/16 SB 9 Sentence Reconsideration for Juvenile Offenders Bill Passed - House (41 - 34)
6/21 A 1571 Increases Requirements for Learner's Permits Bill Passed - House (50 - 27)
5/31 HB 4513 Increases Minimum Age for Beginning Kindergarten Bill Passed - House (64 - 45)
5/30 H 3986 Authorizes Child Care Workers to Form Labor Organizations Bill Passed - House (117 - 32)
5/30 SB 1172 Prohibits Sexual Orientation Conversion Therapy Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 13)
4/26 HB 2566 Increases Kindergarten Age Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 10)
4/25 HB 2566 Increases Kindergarten Age Requirements Bill Passed - House (68 - 30)
4/18 HB 2154 Requires Car Seats for Certain Children Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 10)
4/11 LB 599 Prenatal Care for Children of Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 15)
4/10 SB 2771 Expands Penalties for Child Homicide Bill Passed - House (83 - 34)
4/05 HB 1271 Repeals Direct Filing of Juveniles by Prosecutors Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 13)
4/05 HB 373 Raises the Dropout Age for Public School Students Bill Passed - House (88 - 49)
4/03 HB 2348 Prohibits Cell Phone Use by Teens While Driving Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 11)
3/19 HB 1271 Repeals Direct Filing of Juveniles by Prosecutors Bill Passed - House (45 - 20)
3/15 SB 756 Prohibits Teens from Using Cell Phones While Driving Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 10)
3/14 SB 559 Prohibits Smoking in a Vehicle with Children Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 19)
3/13 S 2322 Prohibits The Use Of Tanning Facilities By Minors Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 8)
3/01 HB 2154 Requires Car Seats for Certain Children Bill Passed - House (38 - 17)
2/22 SB 41 Authorizes Regulations of Tanning Facilities Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 9)
9/06 AB 1319 Prohibiting the Use of BPA in Baby Products Concurrence Vote Passed - House (49 - 27)
9/02 SB 746 Prohibits the Use of Tanning Beds by Minors Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 12)
9/01 SB 746 Prohibits the Use of Tanning Beds by Minors Bill Passed - House (49 - 27)
8/31 AB 499 Authorizes Minors to Seek Medical Care for STDs Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 17)
8/30 AB 1319 Prohibiting the Use of BPA in Baby Products Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12)
6/09 SB 7 Health Care Bill Passed - House (89 - 41)
5/23 HB 815 Reduces the Offense of "Sexting" for Minors Bill Passed - House (178 - 20)

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