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 10, 2025 IL SB 42 Prohibits Police from Stopping, Detaining, or Searching a Vehicle Based Solely on the Smell of Cannabis Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 20)
March 31, 2025 SD HB 1169 Amends Requirements for Petition Signatures to get a Constitutional Amendment on the Ballot Veto Override Failed - Senate (16 - 16)
March 31, 2025 CO SB 25-001 Establishes Protections for Voters in a Protected Class and Authorizes the Filing of Civil Suits for Discrimination Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 12)
March 28, 2025 ND HB 1300 Specifies Timeline for When Term Limits Passed by Voters in 2022 Officially Take Effect Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 6)
March 27, 2025 KY HB 399 Establishes Criminal Penalties for Interfering with a Legislative Proceeding Veto Override Passed - Senate (31 - 7)
March 26, 2025 ID H 96 Prohibits Government Entities from Displaying Certain Flags Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 11)
March 25, 2025 KS HCR 5004 Amends Constitutional Citizenship Requirement for Voting Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (37 - 3)
March 25, 2025 KS HCR 5004 Amends Constitutional Citizenship Requirement for Voting Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (37 - 3)
March 25, 2025 IA SF 473 Establishes Protections for Religious and Moral Beliefs of Foster and Adoptive Parents Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 14)
March 24, 2025 WV SB 579 Prohibits Municipalities Participating in the Home Rule Program from Establishing Nondiscrimination Ordinances Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 8)
March 20, 2025 NC SB 50 Establishes State Constitutional Concealed Carry Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 18)
March 18, 2025 OK SB 1027 Limits Petitions for Ballot Measures Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 7)
March 12, 2025 SD SB 68 Requires an Individual be a Citizen of the United States Before Being Eligible to Vote Conference Report Adopted - Senate (66 - 4)
March 12, 2025 CO SB 25-183 Defines the Right to an Abortion in the State Constitution Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 12)
March 11, 2025 WV SB 456 Defines "Men" and "Women" in State Code Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 1)
March 11, 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 - Senate (29 - 6)
March 10, 2025 SD HB 1169 Amends Requirements for Petition Signatures to get a Constitutional Amendment on the Ballot Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 15)
March 10, 2025 SD HB 1184 Amends the Deadline for Filing a Petition to get a Constitutional Amendment on the Ballot Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 15)
March 10, 2025 SD HJR 5003 Authorizes Asking Voters to Increase the Approval Threshold for Constitutional Amendments from a Simple Majority to 60% Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (29 - 4)
March 6, 2025 UT HB 77 Authorizes a Select Few Flags to be Displayed Inside of Public Classrooms Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 8)
March 4, 2025 GA SB 36 Prohibits State and Local Governments from "Substantially Burdening" an Individual's Religious Freedom Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 23)
March 3, 2025 AR SB 208 Requires Canvassers to Request a Photo ID of Potential Signers Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 6)
March 3, 2025 WY HB 207 Establishes the Religious Freedom Restoration Act Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 3)
March 3, 2025 WV SB 456 Defines "Men" and "Women" in State Code Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 1)
Feb. 27, 2025 IA SF 418 Prohibits the Recognition of Gender Identity as a Protected Class Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 15)
Feb. 20, 2025 TX SJR 5 Establishes a Constitutional Amendment Authorizing the Denial of Bail Under Limited Circumstances Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (31 - 0)
Feb. 18, 2025 AR HB 1222 Requires Attorney General to Review Proposed Ballot Issues Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 8)
Feb. 18, 2025 AL SB 76 Exempts Nursing Mothers from Jury Duty Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 0)
Feb. 12, 2025 AR SB 210 Requires Canvassers to Provide Ballot Title to Petition Signees Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 10)
Feb. 12, 2025 AR SB 208 Requires Canvassers to Request a Photo ID of Potential Signers Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 6)
Feb. 12, 2025 AR SB 207 Requires Canvassers to Disclose Warnings on Petition Fraud Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 7)
Feb. 12, 2025 AR SB 209 Prohibits Signatures Gathered by Canvassers Which Violated State Law Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 11)
Feb. 11, 2025 AZ SB 1003 Prohibits Individuals from Using Locker Rooms or Bathrooms that Do Not Match Their Biological Sex Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 9)
Feb. 5, 2025 CO SB 25-014 Repeals Colorado's Statutory Ban on Same-Sex Marriage Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 6)
Jan. 31, 2025 VA HJR 1 Establishes a Constitutional Amendment Enshrining Rights to Abortion Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (21 - 18)
Jan. 31, 2025 VA HJR 2 Establishes a Constitutional Amendment that Restores Felon Voting Rights Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (21 - 18)
Jan. 27, 2025 ID S 1001 Establishes the Uniform Public Expression Protection Act Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 1)
Jan. 21, 2025 VA SJR 249 Establishes a Constitutional Amendment Protecting Marriage Equality Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (24 - 15)
Jan. 8, 2025 WI SJR 2 Authorizes a Constitutional Amendment that Requires Voter ID Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (17 - 15)
Dec. 18, 2024 OH HJR 8 Establishes a Constitutional Amendment to Ask Voters to Approve $2.5 Billion in Spending Over 10 Years Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (30 - 1)
Nov. 20, 2024 OH SJR 4 Establishes a Statewide Measure on the Ballot in May 2025 to Ask Voters to Approve the Issuance of an Additional $2.5 Billion Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (30 - 1)
Aug. 31, 2024 CA SB 399 Prohibits an Employer from Requiring an Employee to Come to Certain Political Meetings or Religious Outings Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 9)
Aug. 30, 2024 CA SB 1340 Amends State Definitions of Discrimination Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 9)
Aug. 30, 2024 CA AB 1008 Extends Privacy Laws to AI Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 9)
Aug. 28, 2024 CA AB 3089 Authorizes Apology for State's Role in Slavery Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 0)
Aug. 27, 2024 CA AB 2499 Expands Paid Sick Leave Requirements and Amends Unlawful Employment Practices to Include New Offenses Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 7)
Aug. 26, 2024 CA SB 1022 Amend Sections Regarding the Enforcement of Civil Rights Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 9)
Aug. 26, 2024 CA AB 1815 Prohibts Discrimination on Hair Texture and Hair Style Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 0)
Aug. 26, 2024 CA AB 1186 Exempts Youth Restitution Charges Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 9)
Aug. 12, 2024 CA AB 2867 Authorizes Expropriation of Artwork Recovered by Holocaust Expropriated Art Recovery Act of 2016 Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 0)
July 9, 2024 PA HB 1466 Increases Pennsylvanians' Freedom of Speech and Those Subject to Frivolous Lawsuits Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 0)
June 26, 2024 MI SB 670 Expands Coverage of Freedom of Information Requests Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 2)
June 18, 2024 DE HCR 155 Establishes June 2024 as Pride Month In the State of Delaware Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (17 - 4)
June 11, 2024 RI H 8155 Amends and Simplifies Name Change Process Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 1)
June 4, 2024 NY S 7506 Prohibits Child Removal Based on Receiving of Gender-Affirming Care Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 18)
May 26, 2024 IL SB 3649 Prohibits Forced Partiicpation in Employer Mandated Religious or Political Meetings Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (39 - 18)
May 21, 2024 CA SB 1403 Exempts the California American Freedmen Affairs Agency from Certain Prohibitions Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 7)
May 21, 2024 CA SB 1022 Amend Sections Regarding the Enforcement of Civil Rights Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 9)
May 21, 2024 CA SB 1340 Amends State Definitions of Discrimination Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 8)
May 21, 2024 CA SB 1286 Amend Sections of the Civil and Financial Code Regarding Debt Collection Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 9)
May 20, 2024 NJ A 2280 Prohibits Discriminatory Practices in Real Estate Appraisals and Requires Appraisers Complete Anti-Bias Training Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 10)
May 20, 2024 LA HB 737 Prohibits Anyone from Protesting in a Group Within 50 Feet of a Home Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 11)
May 6, 2024 CO SB 24-053 Establishes an Independent Study on an Evaluation of Racial Equity for Black Coloradans Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (22 - 12)
May 2, 2024 IL SB 3649 Prohibits Forced Partiicpation in Employer Mandated Religious or Political Meetings Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 18)
May 1, 2024 HI SB 2919 Authorizes Counties to Enact Zoning Ordinances Conference Report Adopted - Senate (22 - 3)
April 30, 2024 CO SB 24-131 Prohibits Carrying Firearms in Sensitive Spaces Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
April 19, 2024 National HR 7888 Reforming Intelligence and Securing America Act Bill Passed - Senate (60 - 34)
April 18, 2024 National HR 7888 Reforming Intelligence and Securing America Act Cloture Invoked - Senate (67 - 32)
April 18, 2024 NE LB 1092 Requires Online Age Verification Liability Act Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 1)
April 12, 2024 IL SB 3762 Establishes the Language and Access Act Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 8)
April 11, 2024 NE LB 631 Expands the Board of Parole in Nebraska Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 4)
April 10, 2024 ID H 538 Prohibits Governmental Entities From Compelling Employees to Use Certain Pronouns or Titles Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 9)
March 28, 2024 ID SCR 135 Establishes Opposition to Racism and Hate Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (33 - 1)
March 25, 2024 ID H 620 Prohibits Local Regulation of the Carrying of Knives Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 7)
March 18, 2024 CA SR 70 Establishes a Transgender Day of Visibility Resolution Passed - Senate (32 - 5)
Date No. Title Outcome
4/10 SB 42 Prohibits Police from Stopping, Detaining, or Searching a Vehicle Based Solely on the Smell of Cannabis Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 20)
3/31 HB 1169 Amends Requirements for Petition Signatures to get a Constitutional Amendment on the Ballot Veto Override Failed - Senate (16 - 16)
3/31 SB 25-001 Establishes Protections for Voters in a Protected Class and Authorizes the Filing of Civil Suits for Discrimination Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 12)
3/28 HB 1300 Specifies Timeline for When Term Limits Passed by Voters in 2022 Officially Take Effect Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 6)
3/27 HB 399 Establishes Criminal Penalties for Interfering with a Legislative Proceeding Veto Override Passed - Senate (31 - 7)
3/26 H 96 Prohibits Government Entities from Displaying Certain Flags Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 11)
3/25 HCR 5004 Amends Constitutional Citizenship Requirement for Voting Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (37 - 3)
3/25 HCR 5004 Amends Constitutional Citizenship Requirement for Voting Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (37 - 3)
3/25 SF 473 Establishes Protections for Religious and Moral Beliefs of Foster and Adoptive Parents Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 14)
3/24 SB 579 Prohibits Municipalities Participating in the Home Rule Program from Establishing Nondiscrimination Ordinances Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 8)
3/20 SB 50 Establishes State Constitutional Concealed Carry Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 18)
3/18 SB 1027 Limits Petitions for Ballot Measures Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 7)
3/12 SB 68 Requires an Individual be a Citizen of the United States Before Being Eligible to Vote Conference Report Adopted - Senate (66 - 4)
3/12 SB 25-183 Defines the Right to an Abortion in the State Constitution Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 12)
3/11 SB 456 Defines "Men" and "Women" in State Code Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 1)
3/11 HJR 4 Authorizes a Ballot Proposal that Amends the State Constitution to State "Only the Legislature" May Reform State Cannabis Laws Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (29 - 6)
3/10 HB 1169 Amends Requirements for Petition Signatures to get a Constitutional Amendment on the Ballot Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 15)
3/10 HB 1184 Amends the Deadline for Filing a Petition to get a Constitutional Amendment on the Ballot Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 15)
3/10 HJR 5003 Authorizes Asking Voters to Increase the Approval Threshold for Constitutional Amendments from a Simple Majority to 60% Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (29 - 4)
3/06 HB 77 Authorizes a Select Few Flags to be Displayed Inside of Public Classrooms Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 8)
3/04 SB 36 Prohibits State and Local Governments from "Substantially Burdening" an Individual's Religious Freedom Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 23)
3/03 SB 208 Requires Canvassers to Request a Photo ID of Potential Signers Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 6)
3/03 HB 207 Establishes the Religious Freedom Restoration Act Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 3)
3/03 SB 456 Defines "Men" and "Women" in State Code Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 1)
2/27 SF 418 Prohibits the Recognition of Gender Identity as a Protected Class Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 15)
2/20 SJR 5 Establishes a Constitutional Amendment Authorizing the Denial of Bail Under Limited Circumstances Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (31 - 0)
2/18 HB 1222 Requires Attorney General to Review Proposed Ballot Issues Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 8)
2/18 SB 76 Exempts Nursing Mothers from Jury Duty Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 0)
2/12 SB 210 Requires Canvassers to Provide Ballot Title to Petition Signees Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 10)
2/12 SB 208 Requires Canvassers to Request a Photo ID of Potential Signers Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 6)
2/12 SB 207 Requires Canvassers to Disclose Warnings on Petition Fraud Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 7)
2/12 SB 209 Prohibits Signatures Gathered by Canvassers Which Violated State Law Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 11)
2/11 SB 1003 Prohibits Individuals from Using Locker Rooms or Bathrooms that Do Not Match Their Biological Sex Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 9)
2/05 SB 25-014 Repeals Colorado's Statutory Ban on Same-Sex Marriage Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 6)
1/31 HJR 1 Establishes a Constitutional Amendment Enshrining Rights to Abortion Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (21 - 18)
1/31 HJR 2 Establishes a Constitutional Amendment that Restores Felon Voting Rights Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (21 - 18)
1/27 S 1001 Establishes the Uniform Public Expression Protection Act Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 1)
1/21 SJR 249 Establishes a Constitutional Amendment Protecting Marriage Equality Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (24 - 15)
1/08 SJR 2 Authorizes a Constitutional Amendment that Requires Voter ID Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (17 - 15)
12/18 HJR 8 Establishes a Constitutional Amendment to Ask Voters to Approve $2.5 Billion in Spending Over 10 Years Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (30 - 1)
11/20 SJR 4 Establishes a Statewide Measure on the Ballot in May 2025 to Ask Voters to Approve the Issuance of an Additional $2.5 Billion Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (30 - 1)
8/31 SB 399 Prohibits an Employer from Requiring an Employee to Come to Certain Political Meetings or Religious Outings Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 9)
8/30 SB 1340 Amends State Definitions of Discrimination Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 9)
8/30 AB 1008 Extends Privacy Laws to AI Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 9)
8/28 AB 3089 Authorizes Apology for State's Role in Slavery Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 0)
8/27 AB 2499 Expands Paid Sick Leave Requirements and Amends Unlawful Employment Practices to Include New Offenses Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 7)
8/26 SB 1022 Amend Sections Regarding the Enforcement of Civil Rights Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 9)
8/26 AB 1815 Prohibts Discrimination on Hair Texture and Hair Style Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 0)
8/26 AB 1186 Exempts Youth Restitution Charges Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 9)
8/12 AB 2867 Authorizes Expropriation of Artwork Recovered by Holocaust Expropriated Art Recovery Act of 2016 Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 0)
7/09 HB 1466 Increases Pennsylvanians' Freedom of Speech and Those Subject to Frivolous Lawsuits Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 0)
6/26 SB 670 Expands Coverage of Freedom of Information Requests Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 2)
6/18 HCR 155 Establishes June 2024 as Pride Month In the State of Delaware Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (17 - 4)
6/11 H 8155 Amends and Simplifies Name Change Process Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 1)
6/04 S 7506 Prohibits Child Removal Based on Receiving of Gender-Affirming Care Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 18)
5/26 SB 3649 Prohibits Forced Partiicpation in Employer Mandated Religious or Political Meetings Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (39 - 18)
5/21 SB 1403 Exempts the California American Freedmen Affairs Agency from Certain Prohibitions Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 7)
5/21 SB 1022 Amend Sections Regarding the Enforcement of Civil Rights Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 9)
5/21 SB 1340 Amends State Definitions of Discrimination Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 8)
5/21 SB 1286 Amend Sections of the Civil and Financial Code Regarding Debt Collection Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 9)
5/20 A 2280 Prohibits Discriminatory Practices in Real Estate Appraisals and Requires Appraisers Complete Anti-Bias Training Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 10)
5/20 HB 737 Prohibits Anyone from Protesting in a Group Within 50 Feet of a Home Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 11)
5/06 SB 24-053 Establishes an Independent Study on an Evaluation of Racial Equity for Black Coloradans Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (22 - 12)
5/02 SB 3649 Prohibits Forced Partiicpation in Employer Mandated Religious or Political Meetings Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 18)
5/01 SB 2919 Authorizes Counties to Enact Zoning Ordinances Conference Report Adopted - Senate (22 - 3)
4/30 SB 24-131 Prohibits Carrying Firearms in Sensitive Spaces Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
4/19 HR 7888 Reforming Intelligence and Securing America Act Bill Passed - Senate (60 - 34)
4/18 HR 7888 Reforming Intelligence and Securing America Act Cloture Invoked - Senate (67 - 32)
4/18 LB 1092 Requires Online Age Verification Liability Act Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 1)
4/12 SB 3762 Establishes the Language and Access Act Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 8)
4/11 LB 631 Expands the Board of Parole in Nebraska Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 4)
4/10 H 538 Prohibits Governmental Entities From Compelling Employees to Use Certain Pronouns or Titles Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 9)
3/28 SCR 135 Establishes Opposition to Racism and Hate Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (33 - 1)
3/25 H 620 Prohibits Local Regulation of the Carrying of Knives Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 7)
3/18 SR 70 Establishes a Transgender Day of Visibility Resolution Passed - Senate (32 - 5)

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