Key Votes

Chamber

Keyword Search

Search string must be longer than 3 characters.

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 7, 2025 ND HB 1300 Specifies Timeline for When Term Limits Passed by Voters in 2022 Officially Take Effect Concurrence Vote Failed - House (42 - 48)
April 7, 2025 AR HJR 1018 Establishes a Citizens-Only Voting Constitutional Amendment Joint Resolution Passed - House (82 - 6)
April 6, 2025 CO SB 25-183 Defines the Right to an Abortion in the State Constitution Bill Passed - House (40 - 21)
April 5, 2025 MT HB 821 Amends Vote Requirements to Enact Constitutional Amendment by Initiative Bill Passed - House (56 - 42)
April 5, 2025 MT HB 822 Amends Vote Requirements to Enact Constitutional Amendments by Legislative Referendum Bill Passed - House (55 - 42)
April 2, 2025 GA SB 36 Prohibits State and Local Governments from "Substantially Burdening" an Individual's Religious Freedom Bill Passed - House (96 - 70)
April 2, 2025 NY A 6869 Prohibits Discriminatory Practices by Real Estate Appraisers Bill Passed - House (146 - 2)
April 1, 2025 TX HJR 4 Establishes a Constitutional Amendment that Would Ban the Legislature from Imposing a Tax on Financial Trades Joint Resolution Passed - House (111 - 31)
March 31, 2025 SD HB 1169 Amends Requirements for Petition Signatures to get a Constitutional Amendment on the Ballot Veto Override Passed - House (50 - 18)
March 28, 2025 ID H 96 Prohibits Government Entities from Displaying Certain Flags Concurrence Vote Passed - House (54 - 13)
March 27, 2025 KY HB 399 Establishes Criminal Penalties for Interfering with a Legislative Proceeding Veto Override Passed - House (69 - 28)
March 25, 2025 CO SB 25-014 Repeals Colorado's Statutory Ban on Same-Sex Marriage Bill Passed - House (45 - 14)
March 17, 2025 PA HB 439 Prohibits Discrimination Based on Hair or Hairstyles Bill Passed - House (194 - 8)
March 12, 2025 SD SB 68 Requires an Individual be a Citizen of the United States Before Being Eligible to Vote Conference Report Adopted - House (66 - 4)
March 11, 2025 WV SB 456 Defines "Men" and "Women" in State Code Concurrence Vote Passed - House (90 - 8)
March 11, 2025 SD HB 1169 Amends Requirements for Petition Signatures to get a Constitutional Amendment on the Ballot Concurrence Vote Passed - House (63 - 6)
March 11, 2025 AR SB 210 Requires Canvassers to Provide Ballot Title to Petition Signees Bill Passed - House (71 - 26)
March 11, 2025 AR SB 209 Prohibits Signatures Gathered by Canvassers Which Violated State Law Bill Passed - House (72 - 25)
March 11, 2025 OR HB 3378 Requires Landlords to Provide Non-Digital Access Options to Rental Units Bill Passed - House (46 - 12)
March 7, 2025 WV SB 456 Defines "Men" and "Women" in State Code Bill Passed - House (87 - 9)
March 6, 2025 UT HB 77 Authorizes a Select Few Flags to be Displayed Inside of Public Classrooms Concurrence Vote Passed - House (53 - 20)
March 6, 2025 National H Res 189 Censuring Representative Al Green of Texas. Resolution Passed - House (224 - 198)
March 6, 2025 AL HB 202 Extends Immunity for Law Enforcement Officers Bill Passed - House (75 - 26)
March 5, 2025 National H Res 189 Censuring Representative Al Green of Texas. Resolution Not Tabled - House (209 - 211)
March 5, 2025 ID HJR 4 Authorizes a Ballot Proposal that Amends the State Constitution to State "Only the Legislature" May Reform State Cannabis Laws Joint Resolution Passed - House (58 - 10)
March 4, 2025 AL HB 209 Exempts Nursing Mothers from Jury Duty in Alabama Bill Passed - House (103 - 0)
March 3, 2025 WY HB 207 Establishes the Religious Freedom Restoration Act Concurrence Vote Passed - House (57 - 3)
Feb. 27, 2025 IA SF 418 Prohibits the Recognition of Gender Identity as a Protected Class Bill Passed - House (60 - 36)
Feb. 25, 2025 AR SB 208 Requires Canvassers to Request a Photo ID of Potential Signers Bill Passed - House (70 - 24)
Feb. 25, 2025 ID H 158 Establishes Protections for Confidential Informants who Provide Information or Documents to Journalist Bill Passed - House (69 - 0)
Feb. 21, 2025 UT HB 77 Authorizes a Select Few Flags to be Displayed Inside of Public Classrooms Bill Passed - House (49 - 20)
Feb. 19, 2025 AZ HB 2438 Prohibits Individuals from Changing Their Birth Certificates to Reflect Their Gender Identity Bill Passed - House (33 - 26)
Feb. 18, 2025 ID H 96 Prohibits Government Entities from Displaying Certain Flags Bill Passed - House (53 - 17)
Feb. 10, 2025 SD HB 1184 Amends the Deadline for Filing a Petition to get a Constitutional Amendment on the Ballot Bill Passed - House (59 - 9)
Feb. 10, 2025 AR HB 1222 Requires Attorney General to Review Proposed Ballot Issues Bill Passed - House (62 - 30)
Feb. 5, 2025 KS HCR 5004 Amends Constitutional Citizenship Requirement for Voting Joint Resolution Passed - House (90 - 28)
Feb. 5, 2025 KS HCR 5004 Amends Constitutional Citizenship Requirement for Voting Joint Resolution Passed - House (90 - 28)
Jan. 27, 2025 ND HB 1300 Specifies Timeline for When Term Limits Passed by Voters in 2022 Officially Take Effect Bill Passed - House (64 - 28)
Jan. 22, 2025 SD HJR 5003 Authorizes Asking Voters to Increase the Approval Threshold for Constitutional Amendments from a Simple Majority to 60% Joint Resolution Passed - House (61 - 5)
Jan. 14, 2025 WI SJR 2 Authorizes a Constitutional Amendment that Requires Voter ID Joint Resolution Passed - House (54 - 45)
Jan. 14, 2025 VA HJR 9 Establishes a Constitutional Amendment Protecting Marriage Equality Joint Resolution Passed - House (58 - 35)
Jan. 14, 2025 VA HJR 2 Establishes a Constitutional Amendment that Restores Felon Voting Rights Joint Resolution Passed - House (55 - 44)
Jan. 14, 2025 VA HJR 1 Establishes a Constitutional Amendment Enshrining Rights to Abortion Joint Resolution Passed - House (51 - 48)
Dec. 17, 2024 National HR 1101 Lumbee Fairness Act Bill Passed - House (311 - 96)
Dec. 4, 2024 OH HJR 8 Establishes a Constitutional Amendment to Ask Voters to Approve $2.5 Billion in Spending Over 10 Years Joint Resolution Passed - House (87 - 4)
Nov. 12, 2024 LA HB 7 Authorizes a Constitutional Amendment to Repeal the Education Quality Trust Fund Bill Passed - House (81 - 15)
Oct. 9, 2024 MI HB 5599 Authorizes Penalty Change for Specified Felonies Bill Passed - House (109 - 0)
Sept. 28, 2024 CA AB 2499 Expands Paid Sick Leave Requirements and Amends Unlawful Employment Practices to Include New Offenses Concurrence Vote Passed - House (60 - 11)
Aug. 31, 2024 CA AB 1008 Extends Privacy Laws to AI Concurrence Vote Passed - House (55 - 15)
Aug. 30, 2024 CA SB 399 Prohibits an Employer from Requiring an Employee to Come to Certain Political Meetings or Religious Outings Bill Passed - House (51 - 17)
Aug. 29, 2024 CA AB 3089 Authorizes Apology for State's Role in Slavery Concurrence Vote Passed - House (72 - 0)
Aug. 29, 2024 CA SB 1340 Amends State Definitions of Discrimination Bill Passed - House (62 - 11)
Aug. 27, 2024 CA AB 1815 Prohibts Discrimination on Hair Texture and Hair Style Concurrence Vote Passed - House (76 - 0)
Aug. 27, 2024 CA AB 1186 Exempts Youth Restitution Charges Concurrence Vote Passed - House (61 - 13)
Aug. 19, 2024 CA SB 1022 Amend Sections Regarding the Enforcement of Civil Rights Bill Passed - House (51 - 16)
July 11, 2024 National H J Res 165 Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Department of Education relating to "Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Sex in Education Programs or Activities Receiving Federal Financial Assistance". Joint Resolution Passed - House (210 - 205)
July 11, 2024 National H Res 1344 Finding that Merrick Garland, Attorney General of the United States, is in contempt of the House of Representatives for disobeying a certain subpoena. Joint Resolution Failed - House (204 - 210)
June 28, 2024 NJ A 2280 Prohibits Discriminatory Practices in Real Estate Appraisals and Requires Appraisers Complete Anti-Bias Training Concurrence Vote Passed - House (65 - 10)
June 27, 2024 NC HB 1074 Amends North Carolina State Constitution to Only Allow Citizens to Vote Bill Passed - House (99 - 12)
June 27, 2024 NC HB 1074 Amends North Carolina State Constitution to Only Allow Citizens to Vote Bill Passed - House (99 - 12)
June 27, 2024 NC HB 44 Amends the State Constitution to Repeal Previous Literacy Test Requirements when Voting Bill Passed - House (110 - 0)
June 27, 2024 NC HB 44 Amends the State Constitution to Repeal Previous Literacy Test Requirements when Voting Bill Passed - House (110 - 0)
June 13, 2024 RI H 7724 Prohibits Hairstyle Discrimination in Schools Bill Passed - House (67 - 4)
June 12, 2024 MA H 4672 Amends the Legal Definition of Parentage Bill Passed - House (156 - 0)
May 29, 2024 LA HB 737 Prohibits Anyone from Protesting in a Group Within 50 Feet of a Home Concurrence Vote Passed - House (72 - 14)
May 22, 2024 IL SB 3649 Prohibits Forced Partiicpation in Employer Mandated Religious or Political Meetings Bill Passed - House (79 - 30)
May 21, 2024 CA AB 2925 Amends Education Codes by Prohibiting Discrimination in Higher Education Bill Passed - House (73 - 0)
May 21, 2024 RI H 8155 Amends and Simplifies Name Change Process Bill Passed - House (65 - 2)
May 18, 2024 MN SF 37 Authorizes Minnesota Voters to Vote On a Constitutional Amendment Providing For Equality Under the Law Bill Passed - House (68 - 62)
May 7, 2024 LA HB 800 Establishes a Legislative Call for a State Constitutional Convention Bill Passed - House (75 - 27)
May 3, 2024 CO SB 24-053 Establishes an Independent Study on an Evaluation of Racial Equity for Black Coloradans Bill Passed - House (45 - 19)
May 1, 2024 HI SB 2919 Authorizes Counties to Enact Zoning Ordinances Conference Report Adopted - House (45 - 5)
May 1, 2024 National HR 6090 Antisemitism Awareness Act of 2023 Bill Passed - House (320 - 91)
April 29, 2024 CO SB 24-131 Prohibits Carrying Firearms in Sensitive Spaces Bill Passed - House (43 - 21)
April 29, 2024 CA AB 3024 Expands the Definition of Intimidation by Threat of Violence Bill Passed - House (61 - 3)
Date No. Title Outcome
4/07 HB 1300 Specifies Timeline for When Term Limits Passed by Voters in 2022 Officially Take Effect Concurrence Vote Failed - House (42 - 48)
4/07 HJR 1018 Establishes a Citizens-Only Voting Constitutional Amendment Joint Resolution Passed - House (82 - 6)
4/06 SB 25-183 Defines the Right to an Abortion in the State Constitution Bill Passed - House (40 - 21)
4/05 HB 821 Amends Vote Requirements to Enact Constitutional Amendment by Initiative Bill Passed - House (56 - 42)
4/05 HB 822 Amends Vote Requirements to Enact Constitutional Amendments by Legislative Referendum Bill Passed - House (55 - 42)
4/02 SB 36 Prohibits State and Local Governments from "Substantially Burdening" an Individual's Religious Freedom Bill Passed - House (96 - 70)
4/02 A 6869 Prohibits Discriminatory Practices by Real Estate Appraisers Bill Passed - House (146 - 2)
4/01 HJR 4 Establishes a Constitutional Amendment that Would Ban the Legislature from Imposing a Tax on Financial Trades Joint Resolution Passed - House (111 - 31)
3/31 HB 1169 Amends Requirements for Petition Signatures to get a Constitutional Amendment on the Ballot Veto Override Passed - House (50 - 18)
3/28 H 96 Prohibits Government Entities from Displaying Certain Flags Concurrence Vote Passed - House (54 - 13)
3/27 HB 399 Establishes Criminal Penalties for Interfering with a Legislative Proceeding Veto Override Passed - House (69 - 28)
3/25 SB 25-014 Repeals Colorado's Statutory Ban on Same-Sex Marriage Bill Passed - House (45 - 14)
3/17 HB 439 Prohibits Discrimination Based on Hair or Hairstyles Bill Passed - House (194 - 8)
3/12 SB 68 Requires an Individual be a Citizen of the United States Before Being Eligible to Vote Conference Report Adopted - House (66 - 4)
3/11 SB 456 Defines "Men" and "Women" in State Code Concurrence Vote Passed - House (90 - 8)
3/11 HB 1169 Amends Requirements for Petition Signatures to get a Constitutional Amendment on the Ballot Concurrence Vote Passed - House (63 - 6)
3/11 SB 210 Requires Canvassers to Provide Ballot Title to Petition Signees Bill Passed - House (71 - 26)
3/11 SB 209 Prohibits Signatures Gathered by Canvassers Which Violated State Law Bill Passed - House (72 - 25)
3/11 HB 3378 Requires Landlords to Provide Non-Digital Access Options to Rental Units Bill Passed - House (46 - 12)
3/07 SB 456 Defines "Men" and "Women" in State Code Bill Passed - House (87 - 9)
3/06 HB 77 Authorizes a Select Few Flags to be Displayed Inside of Public Classrooms Concurrence Vote Passed - House (53 - 20)
3/06 H Res 189 Censuring Representative Al Green of Texas. Resolution Passed - House (224 - 198)
3/06 HB 202 Extends Immunity for Law Enforcement Officers Bill Passed - House (75 - 26)
3/05 H Res 189 Censuring Representative Al Green of Texas. Resolution Not Tabled - House (209 - 211)
3/05 HJR 4 Authorizes a Ballot Proposal that Amends the State Constitution to State "Only the Legislature" May Reform State Cannabis Laws Joint Resolution Passed - House (58 - 10)
3/04 HB 209 Exempts Nursing Mothers from Jury Duty in Alabama Bill Passed - House (103 - 0)
3/03 HB 207 Establishes the Religious Freedom Restoration Act Concurrence Vote Passed - House (57 - 3)
2/27 SF 418 Prohibits the Recognition of Gender Identity as a Protected Class Bill Passed - House (60 - 36)
2/25 SB 208 Requires Canvassers to Request a Photo ID of Potential Signers Bill Passed - House (70 - 24)
2/25 H 158 Establishes Protections for Confidential Informants who Provide Information or Documents to Journalist Bill Passed - House (69 - 0)
2/21 HB 77 Authorizes a Select Few Flags to be Displayed Inside of Public Classrooms Bill Passed - House (49 - 20)
2/19 HB 2438 Prohibits Individuals from Changing Their Birth Certificates to Reflect Their Gender Identity Bill Passed - House (33 - 26)
2/18 H 96 Prohibits Government Entities from Displaying Certain Flags Bill Passed - House (53 - 17)
2/10 HB 1184 Amends the Deadline for Filing a Petition to get a Constitutional Amendment on the Ballot Bill Passed - House (59 - 9)
2/10 HB 1222 Requires Attorney General to Review Proposed Ballot Issues Bill Passed - House (62 - 30)
2/05 HCR 5004 Amends Constitutional Citizenship Requirement for Voting Joint Resolution Passed - House (90 - 28)
2/05 HCR 5004 Amends Constitutional Citizenship Requirement for Voting Joint Resolution Passed - House (90 - 28)
1/27 HB 1300 Specifies Timeline for When Term Limits Passed by Voters in 2022 Officially Take Effect Bill Passed - House (64 - 28)
1/22 HJR 5003 Authorizes Asking Voters to Increase the Approval Threshold for Constitutional Amendments from a Simple Majority to 60% Joint Resolution Passed - House (61 - 5)
1/14 SJR 2 Authorizes a Constitutional Amendment that Requires Voter ID Joint Resolution Passed - House (54 - 45)
1/14 HJR 9 Establishes a Constitutional Amendment Protecting Marriage Equality Joint Resolution Passed - House (58 - 35)
1/14 HJR 2 Establishes a Constitutional Amendment that Restores Felon Voting Rights Joint Resolution Passed - House (55 - 44)
1/14 HJR 1 Establishes a Constitutional Amendment Enshrining Rights to Abortion Joint Resolution Passed - House (51 - 48)
12/17 HR 1101 Lumbee Fairness Act Bill Passed - House (311 - 96)
12/04 HJR 8 Establishes a Constitutional Amendment to Ask Voters to Approve $2.5 Billion in Spending Over 10 Years Joint Resolution Passed - House (87 - 4)
11/12 HB 7 Authorizes a Constitutional Amendment to Repeal the Education Quality Trust Fund Bill Passed - House (81 - 15)
10/09 HB 5599 Authorizes Penalty Change for Specified Felonies Bill Passed - House (109 - 0)
9/28 AB 2499 Expands Paid Sick Leave Requirements and Amends Unlawful Employment Practices to Include New Offenses Concurrence Vote Passed - House (60 - 11)
8/31 AB 1008 Extends Privacy Laws to AI Concurrence Vote Passed - House (55 - 15)
8/30 SB 399 Prohibits an Employer from Requiring an Employee to Come to Certain Political Meetings or Religious Outings Bill Passed - House (51 - 17)
8/29 AB 3089 Authorizes Apology for State's Role in Slavery Concurrence Vote Passed - House (72 - 0)
8/29 SB 1340 Amends State Definitions of Discrimination Bill Passed - House (62 - 11)
8/27 AB 1815 Prohibts Discrimination on Hair Texture and Hair Style Concurrence Vote Passed - House (76 - 0)
8/27 AB 1186 Exempts Youth Restitution Charges Concurrence Vote Passed - House (61 - 13)
8/19 SB 1022 Amend Sections Regarding the Enforcement of Civil Rights Bill Passed - House (51 - 16)
7/11 H J Res 165 Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Department of Education relating to "Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Sex in Education Programs or Activities Receiving Federal Financial Assistance". Joint Resolution Passed - House (210 - 205)
7/11 H Res 1344 Finding that Merrick Garland, Attorney General of the United States, is in contempt of the House of Representatives for disobeying a certain subpoena. Joint Resolution Failed - House (204 - 210)
6/28 A 2280 Prohibits Discriminatory Practices in Real Estate Appraisals and Requires Appraisers Complete Anti-Bias Training Concurrence Vote Passed - House (65 - 10)
6/27 HB 1074 Amends North Carolina State Constitution to Only Allow Citizens to Vote Bill Passed - House (99 - 12)
6/27 HB 1074 Amends North Carolina State Constitution to Only Allow Citizens to Vote Bill Passed - House (99 - 12)
6/27 HB 44 Amends the State Constitution to Repeal Previous Literacy Test Requirements when Voting Bill Passed - House (110 - 0)
6/27 HB 44 Amends the State Constitution to Repeal Previous Literacy Test Requirements when Voting Bill Passed - House (110 - 0)
6/13 H 7724 Prohibits Hairstyle Discrimination in Schools Bill Passed - House (67 - 4)
6/12 H 4672 Amends the Legal Definition of Parentage Bill Passed - House (156 - 0)
5/29 HB 737 Prohibits Anyone from Protesting in a Group Within 50 Feet of a Home Concurrence Vote Passed - House (72 - 14)
5/22 SB 3649 Prohibits Forced Partiicpation in Employer Mandated Religious or Political Meetings Bill Passed - House (79 - 30)
5/21 AB 2925 Amends Education Codes by Prohibiting Discrimination in Higher Education Bill Passed - House (73 - 0)
5/21 H 8155 Amends and Simplifies Name Change Process Bill Passed - House (65 - 2)
5/18 SF 37 Authorizes Minnesota Voters to Vote On a Constitutional Amendment Providing For Equality Under the Law Bill Passed - House (68 - 62)
5/07 HB 800 Establishes a Legislative Call for a State Constitutional Convention Bill Passed - House (75 - 27)
5/03 SB 24-053 Establishes an Independent Study on an Evaluation of Racial Equity for Black Coloradans Bill Passed - House (45 - 19)
5/01 SB 2919 Authorizes Counties to Enact Zoning Ordinances Conference Report Adopted - House (45 - 5)
5/01 HR 6090 Antisemitism Awareness Act of 2023 Bill Passed - House (320 - 91)
4/29 SB 24-131 Prohibits Carrying Firearms in Sensitive Spaces Bill Passed - House (43 - 21)
4/29 AB 3024 Expands the Definition of Intimidation by Threat of Violence Bill Passed - House (61 - 3)

arrow_upward