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 4, 2009 SD HB 1240 Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
March 4, 2009 GA SB 235 Ban on Required Human Microchip Implantation
March 3, 2009 ND HB 1182 Point Reduction for Seat Belt Use Bill Failed - Senate (18 - 25)
March 3, 2009 SC H 3418 Requiring Photo Identification to Vote Bill Passed - House (67 - 44)
Feb. 27, 2009 NE LB 5 Trapping In Rights-of-Way Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 18)
Feb. 26, 2009 NM SB 12 Establishing Domestic Partnerships Bill Failed - Senate (17 - 25)
Feb. 25, 2009 NM SB 44 Prohibiting Smoking in Cars with Children Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 12)
Feb. 25, 2009 AR SB 78 Seat Belt Violation as Primary Offense Bill Passed - House (60 - 31)
Feb. 25, 2009 GA SB 23 Admissibility of Seat Belt Evidence in Court Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 12)
Feb. 24, 2009 MT HB 531 Red Light Camera Prohibition Bill Passed - House (65 - 35)
Feb. 24, 2009 VA HB 1826 Driver's License Suspension for Unexcused School Absences Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 3)
Feb. 24, 2009 NV SB 116 Seat Belt Violation as a Primary Offense Bill Passed - Senate (12 - 9)
Feb. 23, 2009 MT HB 394 Prohibits the Use of Individual Prescription Information for Marketing Motion Rejected - House (50 - 50)
Feb. 23, 2009 SD HB 1240 Smoking Ban Bill Passed - House (43 - 27)
Feb. 19, 2009 VA SB 1105 Prohibiting Smoking in Restaurants Conference Report Adopted - House (60 - 39)
Feb. 19, 2009 VA SB 1105 Prohibiting Smoking in Restaurants Conference Report Adopted - Senate (27 - 13)
Feb. 19, 2009 KS SB 59 Enforcing Seat Belt Violations as a Primary Offense Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 17)
Feb. 19, 2009 ND HB 1213 Prohibiting Smoking in Bars and Hotels Bill Failed - House (33 - 59)
Feb. 18, 2009 NH HB 383 Mandating Seat Belt Usage Bill Passed - House (197 - 155)
Feb. 18, 2009 ND SB 2278 Prohibiting Sexual Orientation Discrimination Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 19)
Feb. 18, 2009 UT HB 122 Restricting Access to Government Litigation Records Bill Passed - House (43 - 27)
Feb. 17, 2009 KS SB 25 Statewide Indoor Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 13)
Feb. 17, 2009 IN HB 1213 Statewide Indoor Smoking Ban Bill Passed - House (70 - 26)
Feb. 16, 2009 IA SF 137 Wage Discrimination Policy and Penalties Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 18)
Feb. 16, 2009 ND HB 1197 Seat Belt Violation as Primary Offense Bill Failed - House (34 - 58)
Feb. 12, 2009 SD SB 156 Expansion of Hate Crime Law Bill Failed - Senate (13 - 21)
Feb. 12, 2009 ND HB 1453 Wheelchair Accessibility in Businesses Bill Failed - House (19 - 72)
Feb. 12, 2009 HI HB 444 Legalizing Same-Sex Civil Unions Bill Passed - House (33 - 17)
Feb. 11, 2009 MS HB 1533 Election Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (78 - 44)
Feb. 9, 2009 VA SB 1105 Prohibiting Smoking in Restaurants Bill Passed - House (59 - 39)
Feb. 9, 2009 ND HB 1576 Election Law Amendments Bill Failed - House (47 - 46)
Feb. 6, 2009 WY HJ 17 Constitutional Amendment to Define Marriage Joint Resolution Failed - House (25 - 35)
Feb. 5, 2009 VA SB 1161 Classifying a Seat Belt Violation as a Primary Offense Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 15)
Feb. 5, 2009 VA HB 1826 Driver's License Suspension for Unexcused School Absences Bill Passed - House (68 - 28)
Feb. 5, 2009 UT SB 16 Prohibiting "Gang Loitering" Bill Passed - House (56 - 17)
Feb. 5, 2009 MT SB 237 Primary Seatbelt Enforcement Bill Failed - Senate (25 - 25)
Feb. 4, 2009 VA HB 2314 Allowing Police Chaplains to Conduct Sectarian Prayer Bill Passed - House (66 - 30)
Feb. 4, 2009 MS SB 2548 Identification Requirements to Vote Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 17)
Feb. 3, 2009 SD SB 79 Primary Seat Belt Enforcement Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13)
Feb. 3, 2009 SD SB 83 Statewide Indoor Smoking Ban Bill Failed - Senate (17 - 18)
Feb. 3, 2009 WY HB 31 Statewide Indoor Smoking Ban Bill Passed - House (31 - 29)
Feb. 3, 2009 VA SB 1105 Prohibiting Smoking in Bars and Restaurants Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 13)
Feb. 2, 2009 ND SB 2070 Ban on Smoking in Cars with Children Passengers Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 10)
Jan. 30, 2009 WY Amdt 2002 to HB 31 Allowing Counties and Municipalities to Opt Out of Smoking Ban Amendment Adopted - House (41 - 18)
Jan. 30, 2009 WY Amdt 2001 to HB 31 Exempting 21+ Establishments from Smoking Ban Amendment Adopted - House (34 - 25)
Jan. 30, 2009 ND SB 2087 Secrecy in Public University Hiring Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 15)
Jan. 29, 2009 ND HB 1182 Point Reduction for Seat Belt Use Bill Passed - House (56 - 38)
Jan. 29, 2009 AR HB 1013 Prohibiting Text Messaging While Driving Bill Passed - House (78 - 12)
Jan. 28, 2009 WY SF 65 Ban on Texting While Driving Bill Failed - Senate (13 - 17)
Jan. 28, 2009 AR HB 1119 Prohibiting Cell Phone Use While Driving for Specific Age Groups Bill Passed - House (62 - 27)
Jan. 27, 2009 AR HB 1050 Freedom of Information Act Exemption Specifications Bill Passed - House (57 - 31)
Jan. 26, 2009 CO HB 1042 Amending Minimum Traffic Speed Regulations Bill Passed - House (37 - 27)
Jan. 20, 2009 MT HB 62 Mandatory Trapper Education Course Bill Passed - House (51 - 48)
Dec. 10, 2008 OH HB 648 Increasing Restrictions on Access to Confidential Personal Information Bill Passed - House (69 - 26)
Dec. 4, 2008 MI HB 4090 Expanding Early Voting Bill Passed - House (58 - 50)
Dec. 4, 2008 MI HB 5117 Prohibiting Text Messaging While Driving Bill Passed - House (68 - 32)
Oct. 21, 2008 SC S 429 DNA Sampling Upon Felony Arrest Veto Override Passed - House (86 - 25)
Aug. 21, 2008 CA SB 28 Prohibiting Text Messaging While Driving Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 14)
Aug. 20, 2008 CA AB 2233 Ban on Holding Pets While Driving Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 17)
Aug. 20, 2008 CA AB 2747 Disclosing End-of-Life Care Options Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 17)
Aug. 13, 2008 CA SB 28 Prohibiting Text Messaging While Driving Bill Passed - House (52 - 24)
Aug. 7, 2008 CA AB 2654 Expanding Anti-Discrimination Laws Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15)
July 29, 2008 MA S 2807 Election Day Voter Registration Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 5)
July 17, 2008 NC HB 2340 Prohibiting Children from Riding in Pickup Truck Beds Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 20)
July 9, 2008 National S Amdt 5064 Striking Telecom Immunity from the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Bill Amendment Rejected - Senate (32 - 66)
July 9, 2008 National HR 6304 Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (69 - 28)
July 2, 2008 NC SB 1988 Outlaws Burning Crosses and Hanging Nooses Bill Passed - Senate (47 - 3)
June 28, 2008 WV HB 219 Nonbroadcast Political Advertisements Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 9)
June 27, 2008 AZ SCR 1042 Parameters of Marriage Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (16 - 4)
June 26, 2008 AZ HB 2713 Student's Religious Liberties Act Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 10)
June 26, 2008 WV HB 219 Nonbroadcast Political Advertisements Bill Passed - House (67 - 21)
June 25, 2008 AZ SCR 1042 Parameters of Marriage Concurrence Vote Failed - Senate (14 - 11)
June 25, 2008 PA A 7738 Real ID Biometric Data Bill Failed - House (92 - 108)
June 21, 2008 LA HB 906 Anonymity of Ethics Board Complaints Concurrence Vote Passed - House (79 - 21)
June 20, 2008 LA SB 718 State Board Member and Commissioner Financial Disclosures Bill Passed - House (92 - 8)
June 20, 2008 National HR 6304 Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act Amendments Bill Passed - House (293 - 129)
June 20, 2008 RI S 2706 Red Light Cameras Bill Passed - House (44 - 12)
June 19, 2008 LA SB 137 Young Drivers Using Cell Phones While Driving Bill Passed - House (70 - 19)
June 17, 2008 LA HB 852 Banning Cell Phones While Driving Bill Failed - Senate (6 - 27)
June 17, 2008 NC SB 1686 Restrictions on Public Smoking Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 15)
June 17, 2008 RI S 2706 Red Light Cameras Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 2)
June 12, 2008 NY S 2375 DNA Database Expansion Bill Passed - Senate (51 - 9)
June 12, 2008 RI H 7222 page 5, re: Sec. 3-8-9: Transportation of Alcohol by Minors Bill Passed - House (52 - 14)
June 10, 2008 PA SB 246 Smoking Ban Conference Report Adopted - Senate (41 - 9)
June 4, 2008 PA SB 246 Smoking Ban Conference Report Rejected - Senate (19 - 31)
June 4, 2008 PA SB 246 Smoking Ban Conference Report Adopted - House (163 - 38)
May 29, 2008 LA S Amdt 3870 Legislator Financial Disclosures Amendment Rejected - Senate (5 - 29)
May 29, 2008 CA SB 1096 Pharmacy Prescription Refill Mailings Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 16)
May 28, 2008 LA SB 718 State Board Member and Commissioner Financial Disclosures Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 9)
May 28, 2008 CA AB 2747 Disclosing End-of-Life Care Options Bill Passed - House (42 - 34)
May 28, 2008 MI HB 5074 Ban Smoking in Places of Employment and Public Places with Exceptions for Casinos, Cigar Bars, and Specialty Tobacco Stores Bill Passed - House (65 - 39)
May 27, 2008 IL HB 5288 Expand Use of Red Light Cameras Bill Failed - Senate (26 - 24)
May 27, 2008 CA AB 2654 Expanding Anti-Discrimination Laws Bill Passed - House (48 - 30)
May 22, 2008 MS SB 2004 Voter Identification Requirement Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 17)
May 15, 2008 CA SB 1322 Communist Party Membership Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 16)
May 13, 2008 MN HF 3807 Real ID Prohibition Concurrence Vote Passed - House (103 - 30)
May 13, 2008 MN HF 3807 Real ID Prohibition Bill Passed - Senate (50 - 16)
May 12, 2008 OK HB 2633 Religious Expression at Schools Concurrence Vote Passed - House (70 - 28)
May 12, 2008 AZ SCR 1042 Parameters of Marriage Resolution Passed - House (33 - 25)
May 8, 2008 MI HB 4163 Workplace Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 12)
Date No. Title Outcome
3/04 HB 1240 Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
3/04 SB 235 Ban on Required Human Microchip Implantation
3/03 HB 1182 Point Reduction for Seat Belt Use Bill Failed - Senate (18 - 25)
3/03 H 3418 Requiring Photo Identification to Vote Bill Passed - House (67 - 44)
2/27 LB 5 Trapping In Rights-of-Way Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 18)
2/26 SB 12 Establishing Domestic Partnerships Bill Failed - Senate (17 - 25)
2/25 SB 44 Prohibiting Smoking in Cars with Children Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 12)
2/25 SB 78 Seat Belt Violation as Primary Offense Bill Passed - House (60 - 31)
2/25 SB 23 Admissibility of Seat Belt Evidence in Court Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 12)
2/24 HB 531 Red Light Camera Prohibition Bill Passed - House (65 - 35)
2/24 HB 1826 Driver's License Suspension for Unexcused School Absences Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 3)
2/24 SB 116 Seat Belt Violation as a Primary Offense Bill Passed - Senate (12 - 9)
2/23 HB 394 Prohibits the Use of Individual Prescription Information for Marketing Motion Rejected - House (50 - 50)
2/23 HB 1240 Smoking Ban Bill Passed - House (43 - 27)
2/19 SB 1105 Prohibiting Smoking in Restaurants Conference Report Adopted - House (60 - 39)
2/19 SB 1105 Prohibiting Smoking in Restaurants Conference Report Adopted - Senate (27 - 13)
2/19 SB 59 Enforcing Seat Belt Violations as a Primary Offense Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 17)
2/19 HB 1213 Prohibiting Smoking in Bars and Hotels Bill Failed - House (33 - 59)
2/18 HB 383 Mandating Seat Belt Usage Bill Passed - House (197 - 155)
2/18 SB 2278 Prohibiting Sexual Orientation Discrimination Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 19)
2/18 HB 122 Restricting Access to Government Litigation Records Bill Passed - House (43 - 27)
2/17 SB 25 Statewide Indoor Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 13)
2/17 HB 1213 Statewide Indoor Smoking Ban Bill Passed - House (70 - 26)
2/16 SF 137 Wage Discrimination Policy and Penalties Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 18)
2/16 HB 1197 Seat Belt Violation as Primary Offense Bill Failed - House (34 - 58)
2/12 SB 156 Expansion of Hate Crime Law Bill Failed - Senate (13 - 21)
2/12 HB 1453 Wheelchair Accessibility in Businesses Bill Failed - House (19 - 72)
2/12 HB 444 Legalizing Same-Sex Civil Unions Bill Passed - House (33 - 17)
2/11 HB 1533 Election Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (78 - 44)
2/09 SB 1105 Prohibiting Smoking in Restaurants Bill Passed - House (59 - 39)
2/09 HB 1576 Election Law Amendments Bill Failed - House (47 - 46)
2/06 HJ 17 Constitutional Amendment to Define Marriage Joint Resolution Failed - House (25 - 35)
2/05 SB 1161 Classifying a Seat Belt Violation as a Primary Offense Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 15)
2/05 HB 1826 Driver's License Suspension for Unexcused School Absences Bill Passed - House (68 - 28)
2/05 SB 16 Prohibiting "Gang Loitering" Bill Passed - House (56 - 17)
2/05 SB 237 Primary Seatbelt Enforcement Bill Failed - Senate (25 - 25)
2/04 HB 2314 Allowing Police Chaplains to Conduct Sectarian Prayer Bill Passed - House (66 - 30)
2/04 SB 2548 Identification Requirements to Vote Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 17)
2/03 SB 79 Primary Seat Belt Enforcement Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13)
2/03 SB 83 Statewide Indoor Smoking Ban Bill Failed - Senate (17 - 18)
2/03 HB 31 Statewide Indoor Smoking Ban Bill Passed - House (31 - 29)
2/03 SB 1105 Prohibiting Smoking in Bars and Restaurants Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 13)
2/02 SB 2070 Ban on Smoking in Cars with Children Passengers Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 10)
1/30 Amdt 2002 to HB 31 Allowing Counties and Municipalities to Opt Out of Smoking Ban Amendment Adopted - House (41 - 18)
1/30 Amdt 2001 to HB 31 Exempting 21+ Establishments from Smoking Ban Amendment Adopted - House (34 - 25)
1/30 SB 2087 Secrecy in Public University Hiring Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 15)
1/29 HB 1182 Point Reduction for Seat Belt Use Bill Passed - House (56 - 38)
1/29 HB 1013 Prohibiting Text Messaging While Driving Bill Passed - House (78 - 12)
1/28 SF 65 Ban on Texting While Driving Bill Failed - Senate (13 - 17)
1/28 HB 1119 Prohibiting Cell Phone Use While Driving for Specific Age Groups Bill Passed - House (62 - 27)
1/27 HB 1050 Freedom of Information Act Exemption Specifications Bill Passed - House (57 - 31)
1/26 HB 1042 Amending Minimum Traffic Speed Regulations Bill Passed - House (37 - 27)
1/20 HB 62 Mandatory Trapper Education Course Bill Passed - House (51 - 48)
12/10 HB 648 Increasing Restrictions on Access to Confidential Personal Information Bill Passed - House (69 - 26)
12/04 HB 4090 Expanding Early Voting Bill Passed - House (58 - 50)
12/04 HB 5117 Prohibiting Text Messaging While Driving Bill Passed - House (68 - 32)
10/21 S 429 DNA Sampling Upon Felony Arrest Veto Override Passed - House (86 - 25)
8/21 SB 28 Prohibiting Text Messaging While Driving Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 14)
8/20 AB 2233 Ban on Holding Pets While Driving Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 17)
8/20 AB 2747 Disclosing End-of-Life Care Options Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 17)
8/13 SB 28 Prohibiting Text Messaging While Driving Bill Passed - House (52 - 24)
8/07 AB 2654 Expanding Anti-Discrimination Laws Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15)
7/29 S 2807 Election Day Voter Registration Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 5)
7/17 HB 2340 Prohibiting Children from Riding in Pickup Truck Beds Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 20)
7/09 S Amdt 5064 Striking Telecom Immunity from the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Bill Amendment Rejected - Senate (32 - 66)
7/09 HR 6304 Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (69 - 28)
7/02 SB 1988 Outlaws Burning Crosses and Hanging Nooses Bill Passed - Senate (47 - 3)
6/28 HB 219 Nonbroadcast Political Advertisements Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 9)
6/27 SCR 1042 Parameters of Marriage Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (16 - 4)
6/26 HB 2713 Student's Religious Liberties Act Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 10)
6/26 HB 219 Nonbroadcast Political Advertisements Bill Passed - House (67 - 21)
6/25 SCR 1042 Parameters of Marriage Concurrence Vote Failed - Senate (14 - 11)
6/25 A 7738 Real ID Biometric Data Bill Failed - House (92 - 108)
6/21 HB 906 Anonymity of Ethics Board Complaints Concurrence Vote Passed - House (79 - 21)
6/20 SB 718 State Board Member and Commissioner Financial Disclosures Bill Passed - House (92 - 8)
6/20 HR 6304 Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act Amendments Bill Passed - House (293 - 129)
6/20 S 2706 Red Light Cameras Bill Passed - House (44 - 12)
6/19 SB 137 Young Drivers Using Cell Phones While Driving Bill Passed - House (70 - 19)
6/17 HB 852 Banning Cell Phones While Driving Bill Failed - Senate (6 - 27)
6/17 SB 1686 Restrictions on Public Smoking Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 15)
6/17 S 2706 Red Light Cameras Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 2)
6/12 S 2375 DNA Database Expansion Bill Passed - Senate (51 - 9)
6/12 H 7222 page 5, re: Sec. 3-8-9: Transportation of Alcohol by Minors Bill Passed - House (52 - 14)
6/10 SB 246 Smoking Ban Conference Report Adopted - Senate (41 - 9)
6/04 SB 246 Smoking Ban Conference Report Rejected - Senate (19 - 31)
6/04 SB 246 Smoking Ban Conference Report Adopted - House (163 - 38)
5/29 S Amdt 3870 Legislator Financial Disclosures Amendment Rejected - Senate (5 - 29)
5/29 SB 1096 Pharmacy Prescription Refill Mailings Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 16)
5/28 SB 718 State Board Member and Commissioner Financial Disclosures Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 9)
5/28 AB 2747 Disclosing End-of-Life Care Options Bill Passed - House (42 - 34)
5/28 HB 5074 Ban Smoking in Places of Employment and Public Places with Exceptions for Casinos, Cigar Bars, and Specialty Tobacco Stores Bill Passed - House (65 - 39)
5/27 HB 5288 Expand Use of Red Light Cameras Bill Failed - Senate (26 - 24)
5/27 AB 2654 Expanding Anti-Discrimination Laws Bill Passed - House (48 - 30)
5/22 SB 2004 Voter Identification Requirement Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 17)
5/15 SB 1322 Communist Party Membership Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 16)
5/13 HF 3807 Real ID Prohibition Concurrence Vote Passed - House (103 - 30)
5/13 HF 3807 Real ID Prohibition Bill Passed - Senate (50 - 16)
5/12 HB 2633 Religious Expression at Schools Concurrence Vote Passed - House (70 - 28)
5/12 SCR 1042 Parameters of Marriage Resolution Passed - House (33 - 25)
5/08 HB 4163 Workplace Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 12)

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