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 1, 2019 TN HB 836 Authorizes Adoption Agencies to Deny Potential Parents Based on Religious Exemption Bill Passed - House (67 - 22)
March 29, 2019 GA HB 345 Establishes Rights for Pregnant Inmates Bill Passed - Senate (52 - 1)
March 29, 2019 IL HB 3394 Requires Women and African Americans on Corporate Boards Bill Passed - House (61 - 27)
March 26, 2019 NY A 6188 Prohibits Harassment of Rent Regulated Tenants Bill Passed - House (108 - 39)
March 21, 2019 TN HB 563 Prohibits Government Entities from Discriminating Based on a Company's Internal Policies Bill Passed - House (68 - 22)
March 14, 2019 IA SF 274 Amends Free Speech Regulations on College Campuses Bill Passed - House (52 - 44)
March 13, 2019 IL HB 246 Requires Public Schools to Teach about Prominent LGBTQ Figures Bill Passed - House (60 - 42)
March 12, 2019 SD HB 1087 Requires Protections for All Forms of Free Speech at Public Universities Concurrence Vote Passed - House (51 - 12)
March 12, 2019 UT HB 57 Requires Search Warrants for Electronic Information Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 0)
March 12, 2019 UT SB 103 Expands Penalty Enhancements for Hate Crimes Bill Passed - House (64 - 9)
March 12, 2019 KY HB 254 Requires Public Universities to Adopt Policies that Protect Freedom of Speech and Expression Bill Passed - House (64 - 33)
March 11, 2019 IA SF 274 Amends Free Speech Regulations on College Campuses Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 11)
March 7, 2019 NH HB 105 Repeals State Photo Identification Voter ID Laws Bill Passed - House (209 - 155)
March 7, 2019 GA HB 426 Establishes Penalties for Hate Crimes Bill Passed - House (96 - 64)
March 7, 2019 MN HF 13 Authorizes a 2020 Ballot Measure to Include an Equal Rights Amendment to the State's Constitution Bill Passed - House (72 - 55)
March 7, 2019 National H Res 183 Condemning anti-Semitism as hateful expressions of intolerance that are contradictory to the values and aspirations that define the people of the United States and condemning anti-Muslim discrimination and bigotry against minorities as hateful expressions of intolerance that are contrary to the values and aspirations of the United States Bill Passed - House (407 - 23)
March 7, 2019 MN HF 13 Authorizes a 2020 Ballot Measure to Include an Equal Rights Amendment to the State's Constitution Bill Passed - House (72 - 55)
March 7, 2019 SD SB 189 Establishes "Riot Boosting" as a Civil Offense Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 4)
March 6, 2019 MS HB 761 Prohibits Contracts with Businesses That Boycott Israel Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 8)
Feb. 26, 2019 MO HB 126 Prohibits Abortion if Roe v Wade is Overturned by the Supreme Court Bill Passed - House (110 - 37)
Feb. 26, 2019 WA SB 5165 Prohibits Discrimination Based on Citizenship or Immigration Status Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 20)
Feb. 21, 2019 NJ S 758 Requires Incarcerated Individuals Count in Legislative Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 10)
Jan. 23, 2019 DE HB 2 Establishes Protections for Federal Workers During a Shutdown Bill Passed - Senate (13 - 6)
Jan. 15, 2019 NY A 576 Prohibits Conversion Therapy Bill Passed - Senate (57 - 4)
Jan. 15, 2019 NY S 1047 Prohibits Discrimination Based on Gender Identity or Expression Bill Passed - House (105 - 43)
Jan. 15, 2019 National H Res 41 Rejecting White Nationalism and White Supremacy Bill Passed - House (424 - 1)
Jan. 15, 2019 NY S 1047 Prohibits Discrimination Based on Gender Identity or Expression Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 19)
Jan. 10, 2019 DE HB 1 Establishes an Equal Rights Amendment in the State Constitution Bill Passed - House (35 - 6)
Dec. 21, 2018 MI HB 6553 Authorizes Legislative Intervention in Individual Constitutionality Claims and Lawsuits Concurrence Vote Passed - House (60 - 47)
Dec. 17, 2018 NJ S 1036 Requires Attorney General to Appoint an Independent Prosecutor Bill Passed - House (41 - 34)
Dec. 6, 2018 OH SB 250 Increases Trespass Penalties and Other Crimes Related to Protesting Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 5)
Dec. 4, 2018 MI SB 1175 Amends Laws Regarding State Minimum Wage and Paid Sick Leave Bill Passed - House (60 - 48)
Nov. 28, 2018 MI SB 1175 Amends Laws Regarding State Minimum Wage and Paid Sick Leave Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 11)
Oct. 17, 2018 PA SB 554 Establishes Protections for Juvenile Human Trafficking Victims Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (49 - 0)
Sept. 27, 2018 NJ A 2762 Amends Temporary Disability Leave Law Concurrence Vote Passed - House (70 - 8)
Sept. 26, 2018 MI HB 5548 Establishes Online Voter Registration Bill Passed - House (107 - 0)
Sept. 25, 2018 PA SB 261 Increases the Statute of Limitations for Victims of Sexual Abuse Bill Passed - House (173 - 21)
Sept. 5, 2018 MI HB 5377 Amends Prison Parole Laws Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 4)
Aug. 24, 2018 CA SB 820 Prohibits Non-Disclosure Agreements in Sexual Assault, Harassment, or Discrimination Cases Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 8)
Aug. 23, 2018 CA SB 820 Prohibits Non-Disclosure Agreements in Sexual Assault, Harassment, or Discrimination Cases Bill Passed - House (56 - 19)
Aug. 6, 2018 CA AB 282 Amends the End of Life Option Act Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 9)
June 29, 2018 NC HB 1092 Requires Photo Identification to Vote Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 12)
June 27, 2018 NC HB 913 Establishes a Bipartisan Board of Ethics and Election Enforcement Amendment Adopted - Senate (32 - 14)
June 27, 2018 OH HB 36 Exempts Licensed Ministers From Preforming Marriage Ceremonies Against Religious Beliefs Bill Passed - House (61 - 30)
June 26, 2018 NC HB 913 Establishes a Bipartisan Board of Ethics and Election Enforcement Amendment Adopted - House (74 - 44)
June 26, 2018 NC HB 1092 Requires Photo Identification to Vote Bill Passed - House (74 - 43)
June 25, 2018 NJ A 3861 Amends Unemployment Insurance Law (23 - 14)
June 21, 2018 NJ A 3861 Amends Unemployment Insurance Law (48 - 25)
June 13, 2018 NC SB 768 Amends Law to Include Person-First Lanugage Bill Passed - House (109 - 2)
June 7, 2018 DE SB 65 Prohibits the Practice of Conversion Therapy Bill Passed - House (24 - 14)
June 7, 2018 OH HB 411 Requires Compensation for Wrongfully Imprisoned Individuals Bill Passed - House (77 - 11)
May 30, 2018 IL SJRCA 4 Ratifies Equal Rights Amendment Bill Passed - House (72 - 45)
May 29, 2018 MI SB 872 Amends Statue of Limitations for Sexual Misconduct Cases Going Back until 1997 Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (34 - 2)
May 29, 2018 MI SB 871 Increases the Statute of Limitations for Sexual Assault Offenses Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (36 - 0)
May 24, 2018 MI SB 872 Amends Statue of Limitations for Sexual Misconduct Cases Going Back until 1997 Bill Passed - House (99 - 10)
May 24, 2018 MI SB 871 Increases the Statute of Limitations for Sexual Assault Offenses Bill Passed - House (108 - 1)
May 24, 2018 NJ S 493 Authorizes Transgender Death Certificates Bill Passed - House (57 - 10)
May 23, 2018 IL SB 2428 Requires Schools Provide Lunch to All Students Bill Passed - House (66 - 44)
May 22, 2018 National S 204 Trickett Wendler, Frank Mongiello, Jordan McLinn, and Matthew Bellina Right to Try Act of 2017 Bill Passed - House (250 - 169)
May 16, 2018 National S J Res 52 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Federal Communications Commission relating to "Restoring Internet Freedom" Bill Passed - Senate (52 - 47)
May 14, 2018 MO HJR 79 Amends Constitution to Include Right-to-Work Provision Bill Passed - House (93 - 54)
May 8, 2018 National S J Res 57 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection relating to "Indirect Auto Lending and Compliance with the Equal Credit Opportunity Act" Bill Passed - House (234 - 175)
May 2, 2018 NH HB 1319 Prohibits Discrimination Based on Gender Identity "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (14 - 10)
May 2, 2018 IL SB 3249 Requires LGBT History in Public Schools Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 18)
May 1, 2018 HI SB 270 Prohibits Conversion Therapy for Minors Conference Report Adopted - House (45 - 5)
May 1, 2018 HI HB 1489 Prohibits LGBTQ Discrimination Conference Report Adopted - Senate (25 - 0)
April 19, 2018 AZ HB 2563 Establishes Free Speech Policy for College Campuses Conference Report Adopted - Senate (17 - 13)
April 19, 2018 NH HB 587 Prohibits Providing Conversion Therapy to Minors "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Adopted - Senate (14 - 10)
April 19, 2018 CA AB 2943 Prohibits Advertising Conversion Therapy Bill Passed - House (50 - 18)
April 18, 2018 ME LD 912 Prohibits Conversion Therapy on Minors Concurrence Vote Failed - House (72 - 76)
April 18, 2018 VT H 333 Requires Gender-Neutral Bathrooms Bill Passed - Senate
April 18, 2018 ME LD 912 Prohibits Conversion Therapy on Minors Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17)
April 18, 2018 National S J Res 57 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection relating to "Indirect Auto Lending and Compliance with the Equal Credit Opportunity Act" Bill Passed - Senate (51 - 47)
April 12, 2018 NJ A 1827 Requires Employers to Provide Paid Sick Leave Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 12)
April 12, 2018 NJ A 3686 Increases State Protections for Labor Unions Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 9)
Date No. Title Outcome
4/01 HB 836 Authorizes Adoption Agencies to Deny Potential Parents Based on Religious Exemption Bill Passed - House (67 - 22)
3/29 HB 345 Establishes Rights for Pregnant Inmates Bill Passed - Senate (52 - 1)
3/29 HB 3394 Requires Women and African Americans on Corporate Boards Bill Passed - House (61 - 27)
3/26 A 6188 Prohibits Harassment of Rent Regulated Tenants Bill Passed - House (108 - 39)
3/21 HB 563 Prohibits Government Entities from Discriminating Based on a Company's Internal Policies Bill Passed - House (68 - 22)
3/14 SF 274 Amends Free Speech Regulations on College Campuses Bill Passed - House (52 - 44)
3/13 HB 246 Requires Public Schools to Teach about Prominent LGBTQ Figures Bill Passed - House (60 - 42)
3/12 HB 1087 Requires Protections for All Forms of Free Speech at Public Universities Concurrence Vote Passed - House (51 - 12)
3/12 HB 57 Requires Search Warrants for Electronic Information Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 0)
3/12 SB 103 Expands Penalty Enhancements for Hate Crimes Bill Passed - House (64 - 9)
3/12 HB 254 Requires Public Universities to Adopt Policies that Protect Freedom of Speech and Expression Bill Passed - House (64 - 33)
3/11 SF 274 Amends Free Speech Regulations on College Campuses Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 11)
3/07 HB 105 Repeals State Photo Identification Voter ID Laws Bill Passed - House (209 - 155)
3/07 HB 426 Establishes Penalties for Hate Crimes Bill Passed - House (96 - 64)
3/07 HF 13 Authorizes a 2020 Ballot Measure to Include an Equal Rights Amendment to the State's Constitution Bill Passed - House (72 - 55)
3/07 H Res 183 Condemning anti-Semitism as hateful expressions of intolerance that are contradictory to the values and aspirations that define the people of the United States and condemning anti-Muslim discrimination and bigotry against minorities as hateful expressions of intolerance that are contrary to the values and aspirations of the United States Bill Passed - House (407 - 23)
3/07 HF 13 Authorizes a 2020 Ballot Measure to Include an Equal Rights Amendment to the State's Constitution Bill Passed - House (72 - 55)
3/07 SB 189 Establishes "Riot Boosting" as a Civil Offense Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 4)
3/06 HB 761 Prohibits Contracts with Businesses That Boycott Israel Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 8)
2/26 HB 126 Prohibits Abortion if Roe v Wade is Overturned by the Supreme Court Bill Passed - House (110 - 37)
2/26 SB 5165 Prohibits Discrimination Based on Citizenship or Immigration Status Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 20)
2/21 S 758 Requires Incarcerated Individuals Count in Legislative Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 10)
1/23 HB 2 Establishes Protections for Federal Workers During a Shutdown Bill Passed - Senate (13 - 6)
1/15 A 576 Prohibits Conversion Therapy Bill Passed - Senate (57 - 4)
1/15 S 1047 Prohibits Discrimination Based on Gender Identity or Expression Bill Passed - House (105 - 43)
1/15 H Res 41 Rejecting White Nationalism and White Supremacy Bill Passed - House (424 - 1)
1/15 S 1047 Prohibits Discrimination Based on Gender Identity or Expression Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 19)
1/10 HB 1 Establishes an Equal Rights Amendment in the State Constitution Bill Passed - House (35 - 6)
12/21 HB 6553 Authorizes Legislative Intervention in Individual Constitutionality Claims and Lawsuits Concurrence Vote Passed - House (60 - 47)
12/17 S 1036 Requires Attorney General to Appoint an Independent Prosecutor Bill Passed - House (41 - 34)
12/06 SB 250 Increases Trespass Penalties and Other Crimes Related to Protesting Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 5)
12/04 SB 1175 Amends Laws Regarding State Minimum Wage and Paid Sick Leave Bill Passed - House (60 - 48)
11/28 SB 1175 Amends Laws Regarding State Minimum Wage and Paid Sick Leave Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 11)
10/17 SB 554 Establishes Protections for Juvenile Human Trafficking Victims Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (49 - 0)
9/27 A 2762 Amends Temporary Disability Leave Law Concurrence Vote Passed - House (70 - 8)
9/26 HB 5548 Establishes Online Voter Registration Bill Passed - House (107 - 0)
9/25 SB 261 Increases the Statute of Limitations for Victims of Sexual Abuse Bill Passed - House (173 - 21)
9/05 HB 5377 Amends Prison Parole Laws Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 4)
8/24 SB 820 Prohibits Non-Disclosure Agreements in Sexual Assault, Harassment, or Discrimination Cases Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 8)
8/23 SB 820 Prohibits Non-Disclosure Agreements in Sexual Assault, Harassment, or Discrimination Cases Bill Passed - House (56 - 19)
8/06 AB 282 Amends the End of Life Option Act Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 9)
6/29 HB 1092 Requires Photo Identification to Vote Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 12)
6/27 HB 913 Establishes a Bipartisan Board of Ethics and Election Enforcement Amendment Adopted - Senate (32 - 14)
6/27 HB 36 Exempts Licensed Ministers From Preforming Marriage Ceremonies Against Religious Beliefs Bill Passed - House (61 - 30)
6/26 HB 913 Establishes a Bipartisan Board of Ethics and Election Enforcement Amendment Adopted - House (74 - 44)
6/26 HB 1092 Requires Photo Identification to Vote Bill Passed - House (74 - 43)
6/25 A 3861 Amends Unemployment Insurance Law (23 - 14)
6/21 A 3861 Amends Unemployment Insurance Law (48 - 25)
6/13 SB 768 Amends Law to Include Person-First Lanugage Bill Passed - House (109 - 2)
6/07 SB 65 Prohibits the Practice of Conversion Therapy Bill Passed - House (24 - 14)
6/07 HB 411 Requires Compensation for Wrongfully Imprisoned Individuals Bill Passed - House (77 - 11)
5/30 SJRCA 4 Ratifies Equal Rights Amendment Bill Passed - House (72 - 45)
5/29 SB 872 Amends Statue of Limitations for Sexual Misconduct Cases Going Back until 1997 Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (34 - 2)
5/29 SB 871 Increases the Statute of Limitations for Sexual Assault Offenses Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (36 - 0)
5/24 SB 872 Amends Statue of Limitations for Sexual Misconduct Cases Going Back until 1997 Bill Passed - House (99 - 10)
5/24 SB 871 Increases the Statute of Limitations for Sexual Assault Offenses Bill Passed - House (108 - 1)
5/24 S 493 Authorizes Transgender Death Certificates Bill Passed - House (57 - 10)
5/23 SB 2428 Requires Schools Provide Lunch to All Students Bill Passed - House (66 - 44)
5/22 S 204 Trickett Wendler, Frank Mongiello, Jordan McLinn, and Matthew Bellina Right to Try Act of 2017 Bill Passed - House (250 - 169)
5/16 S J Res 52 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Federal Communications Commission relating to "Restoring Internet Freedom" Bill Passed - Senate (52 - 47)
5/14 HJR 79 Amends Constitution to Include Right-to-Work Provision Bill Passed - House (93 - 54)
5/08 S J Res 57 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection relating to "Indirect Auto Lending and Compliance with the Equal Credit Opportunity Act" Bill Passed - House (234 - 175)
5/02 HB 1319 Prohibits Discrimination Based on Gender Identity "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (14 - 10)
5/02 SB 3249 Requires LGBT History in Public Schools Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 18)
5/01 SB 270 Prohibits Conversion Therapy for Minors Conference Report Adopted - House (45 - 5)
5/01 HB 1489 Prohibits LGBTQ Discrimination Conference Report Adopted - Senate (25 - 0)
4/19 HB 2563 Establishes Free Speech Policy for College Campuses Conference Report Adopted - Senate (17 - 13)
4/19 HB 587 Prohibits Providing Conversion Therapy to Minors "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Adopted - Senate (14 - 10)
4/19 AB 2943 Prohibits Advertising Conversion Therapy Bill Passed - House (50 - 18)
4/18 LD 912 Prohibits Conversion Therapy on Minors Concurrence Vote Failed - House (72 - 76)
4/18 H 333 Requires Gender-Neutral Bathrooms Bill Passed - Senate
4/18 LD 912 Prohibits Conversion Therapy on Minors Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17)
4/18 S J Res 57 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection relating to "Indirect Auto Lending and Compliance with the Equal Credit Opportunity Act" Bill Passed - Senate (51 - 47)
4/12 A 1827 Requires Employers to Provide Paid Sick Leave Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 12)
4/12 A 3686 Increases State Protections for Labor Unions Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 9)

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