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:
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.
| Date | State | Bill No. | Title | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| April 5, 2007 | SC | S 355 | Restructuring the Department of Transportation | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 18) |
| April 5, 2007 | SC | S 355 | Restructuring the Department of Transportation | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 18) |
| April 4, 2007 | VA | HB 2347 | Capital Murder of a Witness | Veto Override Passed - Senate (29 - 10) |
| April 4, 2007 | VA | Sub HB 2750 | Capital Murder of a Judge | Veto Override Passed - Senate (28 - 10) |
| April 4, 2007 | VA | Sub HB 2348 | Extension of "Triggerman Rule" | Veto Override Failed - Senate (24 - 14) |
| March 31, 2007 | MN | SF 1611 | Income Tax Increase and Education Appropriations | Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 29) |
| March 30, 2007 | ID | H 336 | Highway Project Financing | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 7) |
| March 29, 2007 | IN | HB 1835 | Slot Machines at Race Tracks | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 21) |
| March 29, 2007 | ID | S 1245 | Highway Bonding Bill | Bill Failed - Senate (12 - 23) |
| March 29, 2007 | MN | SF 2171 | 2008-2009 Health and Human Services Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 23) |
| March 28, 2007 | KS | HB 2019 | Voter Identification | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 14) |
| March 28, 2007 | IA | SF 430 | Recognition of Tribal Court Decisions | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 20) |
| March 28, 2007 | MD | SB 634 | Presidential Election by Popular Vote | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 17) |
| March 27, 2007 | IA | HF 653 | Election Day Voter Registration | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 20) |
| March 27, 2007 | KS | SB 385 | State Employee Pay Increase | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 11) |
| March 26, 2007 | MN | HF 946 | Transportation Funding and Gas Tax | Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 24) |
| March 24, 2007 | MN | SF 1997 | 2008-2009 State Government Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 20) |
| March 23, 2007 | MD | SB 488 | Felon Voting Rights | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 19) |
| March 23, 2007 | MN | SF 1986 | Transportation Taxes and Appropriations | Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 24) |
| March 22, 2007 | AR | SB 1004 | Beer Tax | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 7) |
| March 22, 2007 | MI | SB 307 | Service Providers Excise Tax Act | Bill Failed - Senate (16 - 22) |
| March 22, 2007 | MN | SF 1989 | 2008-2009 Higher Education Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (64 - 2) |
| March 21, 2007 | MD | Amendment 993627/1 | 2008-2009 Budget Amendment | Amendment Rejected - Senate (14 - 33) |
| March 20, 2007 | AL | HJR 29 | State Legislature Pay Increase | Veto Override Passed - Senate (20 - 15) |
| March 20, 2007 | National | S 214 | United States Attorneys Act of 2007 | Bill Passed - Senate (94 - 2) |
| March 20, 2007 | GA | SB 174 | Physical Fitness Standards for State Employees | Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 1) |
| March 20, 2007 | IL | SB 1296 | Damages in Civil Actions | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 23) |
| March 15, 2007 | OR | HB 2707 | Oregon Rainy Day Fund | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 8) |
| March 13, 2007 | OK | SB 861 | Sales Tax Holiday | Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 5) |
| March 13, 2007 | OK | SB 507 | Firearm Injury Liability and Tort Reform | Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 5) |
| March 8, 2007 | MS | SB 2391 | Abortion Law Reform | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (49 - 2) |
| March 8, 2007 | AZ | SB 1152 | REAL ID Implementation Prohibition | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 5) |
| March 7, 2007 | ID | S 1172 | English as the Official Language | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15) |
| March 7, 2007 | IA | SF 128 | Tobacco Tax Increase | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 14) |
| March 5, 2007 | NY | S 3318 | Sex Offender Management and Treatment Act | Bill Passed - Senate (53 - 8) |
| March 3, 2007 | SD | HB 1048 | Campaign Contribution Reform | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (19 - 16) |
| Feb. 27, 2007 | NM | SB 322 | Requiring Conference Committees to be Public | Bill Failed - Senate (20 - 21) |
| Feb. 27, 2007 | IN | SB 401 | Legislator Salary Adjustment | Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 9) |
| Feb. 27, 2007 | MD | SB 61 | Evidence in Sexual Misconduct Trials | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 20) |
| Feb. 26, 2007 | SD | HB 1139 | Tobacco Tax Funds | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15) |
| Feb. 22, 2007 | SD | HB 1048 | Campaign Contribution Reform | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11) |
| Feb. 22, 2007 | KS | Sub SB 152 | Elections for Senate Vacancies | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 15) |
| Feb. 22, 2007 | KS | Sub SB 152 | Elections for Senate Vacancies | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 15) |
| Feb. 20, 2007 | MD | SB 1 | Early Voting | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 16) |
| Feb. 15, 2007 | ND | SB 2397 | Oil Well Tax Cut | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 13) |
| Feb. 15, 2007 | KS | SB 169 | Identification Requirement to Vote | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 12) |
| Feb. 14, 2007 | VA | S Sub | Funding for Statewide Transportation Projects | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 17) |
| Feb. 14, 2007 | ND | SB 2347 | In-State Tuition Grants | Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 7) |
| Feb. 14, 2007 | IA | SF 162 | Stem Cell Research and Penalties | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 24) |
| Feb. 14, 2007 | ND | SB 2032 | Property Tax Reduction | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 22) |
| Feb. 13, 2007 | CA | SB 113 | Presidential Primaries | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 5) |
| Feb. 9, 2007 | UT | HB 148 | Parent Choice in Education Act | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 10) |
| Feb. 8, 2007 | MT | SB 290 | Presidential Election by Popular Vote | Bill Failed - Senate (20 - 30) |
| Feb. 7, 2007 | MS | SB 2391 | Parental Consent Waiver for Abortions | Bill Passed - Senate (51 - 0) |
| Feb. 7, 2007 | MS | SB 2617 | Voter Identification Requirement | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 15) |
| Feb. 6, 2007 | SD | SJR 7 | Extension of Term Limits | Joint Resolution Failed - Senate (17 - 18) |
| Feb. 6, 2007 | SD | SJR 7 | Extension of Term Limits | Joint Resolution Failed - Senate (17 - 18) |
| Feb. 5, 2007 | ND | SB 2143 | Clean Election Fund | Bill Failed - Senate (13 - 33) |
| Feb. 5, 2007 | NJ | A 1 | Property Tax Relief and Appropriations | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 10) |
| Jan. 31, 2007 | ND | SB 2230 | Mail Ballot Elections | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 14) |
| Jan. 29, 2007 | VA | SB 920 | Requirements For Absentee Voting | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 15) |
| Jan. 29, 2007 | AZ | SB 1032 | Emergency Room Malpractice | Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 12) |
| Jan. 25, 2007 | VA | SJ 307 | Voting Rights of Nonviolent Felons | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (29 - 10) |
| Jan. 24, 2007 | SC | S 284 | The Appointment of the Adjutant General | Joint Resolution Failed - Senate (27 - 18) |
| Jan. 24, 2007 | SC | S 284 | The Appointment of the Adjutant General | Joint Resolution Failed - Senate (27 - 18) |
| Jan. 24, 2007 | SC | S 287 | The Appointment of the Commissioner of Agriculture | Joint Resolution Failed - Senate (30 - 15) |
| Jan. 24, 2007 | SC | S 287 | The Appointment of the Commissioner of Agriculture | Joint Resolution Failed - Senate (30 - 15) |
| Jan. 24, 2007 | SC | S 285 | The Appointment of the Comptroller General | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (32 - 11) |
| Jan. 24, 2007 | SC | S 285 | The Appointment of the Comptroller General | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (32 - 11) |
| Jan. 24, 2007 | SC | S 101 | Reorganization of the State Government | Joint Resolution Failed - Senate (22 - 23) |
| Jan. 24, 2007 | SC | S 101 | Reorganization of the State Government | Joint Resolution Failed - Senate (22 - 23) |
| Jan. 24, 2007 | SC | S 288 | Appointment of the Secretary of State | Joint Resolution Failed - Senate (30 - 13) |
| Jan. 24, 2007 | SC | S 288 | Appointment of the Secretary of State | Joint Resolution Failed - Senate (30 - 13) |
| Jan. 24, 2007 | SC | S 286 | Appointment of the Superintendent of Education | Joint Resolution Failed - Senate (27 - 19) |
| Jan. 24, 2007 | SC | S 286 | Appointment of the Superintendent of Education | Joint Resolution Failed - Senate (27 - 19) |
| Date | No. | Title | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4/05 | S 355 | Restructuring the Department of Transportation | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 18) |
| 4/05 | S 355 | Restructuring the Department of Transportation | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 18) |
| 4/04 | HB 2347 | Capital Murder of a Witness | Veto Override Passed - Senate (29 - 10) |
| 4/04 | Sub HB 2750 | Capital Murder of a Judge | Veto Override Passed - Senate (28 - 10) |
| 4/04 | Sub HB 2348 | Extension of "Triggerman Rule" | Veto Override Failed - Senate (24 - 14) |
| 3/31 | SF 1611 | Income Tax Increase and Education Appropriations | Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 29) |
| 3/30 | H 336 | Highway Project Financing | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 7) |
| 3/29 | HB 1835 | Slot Machines at Race Tracks | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 21) |
| 3/29 | S 1245 | Highway Bonding Bill | Bill Failed - Senate (12 - 23) |
| 3/29 | SF 2171 | 2008-2009 Health and Human Services Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 23) |
| 3/28 | HB 2019 | Voter Identification | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 14) |
| 3/28 | SF 430 | Recognition of Tribal Court Decisions | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 20) |
| 3/28 | SB 634 | Presidential Election by Popular Vote | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 17) |
| 3/27 | HF 653 | Election Day Voter Registration | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 20) |
| 3/27 | SB 385 | State Employee Pay Increase | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 11) |
| 3/26 | HF 946 | Transportation Funding and Gas Tax | Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 24) |
| 3/24 | SF 1997 | 2008-2009 State Government Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 20) |
| 3/23 | SB 488 | Felon Voting Rights | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 19) |
| 3/23 | SF 1986 | Transportation Taxes and Appropriations | Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 24) |
| 3/22 | SB 1004 | Beer Tax | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 7) |
| 3/22 | SB 307 | Service Providers Excise Tax Act | Bill Failed - Senate (16 - 22) |
| 3/22 | SF 1989 | 2008-2009 Higher Education Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (64 - 2) |
| 3/21 | Amendment 993627/1 | 2008-2009 Budget Amendment | Amendment Rejected - Senate (14 - 33) |
| 3/20 | HJR 29 | State Legislature Pay Increase | Veto Override Passed - Senate (20 - 15) |
| 3/20 | S 214 | United States Attorneys Act of 2007 | Bill Passed - Senate (94 - 2) |
| 3/20 | SB 174 | Physical Fitness Standards for State Employees | Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 1) |
| 3/20 | SB 1296 | Damages in Civil Actions | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 23) |
| 3/15 | HB 2707 | Oregon Rainy Day Fund | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 8) |
| 3/13 | SB 861 | Sales Tax Holiday | Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 5) |
| 3/13 | SB 507 | Firearm Injury Liability and Tort Reform | Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 5) |
| 3/08 | SB 2391 | Abortion Law Reform | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (49 - 2) |
| 3/08 | SB 1152 | REAL ID Implementation Prohibition | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 5) |
| 3/07 | S 1172 | English as the Official Language | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15) |
| 3/07 | SF 128 | Tobacco Tax Increase | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 14) |
| 3/05 | S 3318 | Sex Offender Management and Treatment Act | Bill Passed - Senate (53 - 8) |
| 3/03 | HB 1048 | Campaign Contribution Reform | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (19 - 16) |
| 2/27 | SB 322 | Requiring Conference Committees to be Public | Bill Failed - Senate (20 - 21) |
| 2/27 | SB 401 | Legislator Salary Adjustment | Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 9) |
| 2/27 | SB 61 | Evidence in Sexual Misconduct Trials | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 20) |
| 2/26 | HB 1139 | Tobacco Tax Funds | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15) |
| 2/22 | HB 1048 | Campaign Contribution Reform | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11) |
| 2/22 | Sub SB 152 | Elections for Senate Vacancies | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 15) |
| 2/22 | Sub SB 152 | Elections for Senate Vacancies | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 15) |
| 2/20 | SB 1 | Early Voting | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 16) |
| 2/15 | SB 2397 | Oil Well Tax Cut | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 13) |
| 2/15 | SB 169 | Identification Requirement to Vote | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 12) |
| 2/14 | S Sub | Funding for Statewide Transportation Projects | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 17) |
| 2/14 | SB 2347 | In-State Tuition Grants | Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 7) |
| 2/14 | SF 162 | Stem Cell Research and Penalties | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 24) |
| 2/14 | SB 2032 | Property Tax Reduction | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 22) |
| 2/13 | SB 113 | Presidential Primaries | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 5) |
| 2/09 | HB 148 | Parent Choice in Education Act | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 10) |
| 2/08 | SB 290 | Presidential Election by Popular Vote | Bill Failed - Senate (20 - 30) |
| 2/07 | SB 2391 | Parental Consent Waiver for Abortions | Bill Passed - Senate (51 - 0) |
| 2/07 | SB 2617 | Voter Identification Requirement | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 15) |
| 2/06 | SJR 7 | Extension of Term Limits | Joint Resolution Failed - Senate (17 - 18) |
| 2/06 | SJR 7 | Extension of Term Limits | Joint Resolution Failed - Senate (17 - 18) |
| 2/05 | SB 2143 | Clean Election Fund | Bill Failed - Senate (13 - 33) |
| 2/05 | A 1 | Property Tax Relief and Appropriations | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 10) |
| 1/31 | SB 2230 | Mail Ballot Elections | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 14) |
| 1/29 | SB 920 | Requirements For Absentee Voting | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 15) |
| 1/29 | SB 1032 | Emergency Room Malpractice | Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 12) |
| 1/25 | SJ 307 | Voting Rights of Nonviolent Felons | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (29 - 10) |
| 1/24 | S 284 | The Appointment of the Adjutant General | Joint Resolution Failed - Senate (27 - 18) |
| 1/24 | S 284 | The Appointment of the Adjutant General | Joint Resolution Failed - Senate (27 - 18) |
| 1/24 | S 287 | The Appointment of the Commissioner of Agriculture | Joint Resolution Failed - Senate (30 - 15) |
| 1/24 | S 287 | The Appointment of the Commissioner of Agriculture | Joint Resolution Failed - Senate (30 - 15) |
| 1/24 | S 285 | The Appointment of the Comptroller General | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (32 - 11) |
| 1/24 | S 285 | The Appointment of the Comptroller General | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (32 - 11) |
| 1/24 | S 101 | Reorganization of the State Government | Joint Resolution Failed - Senate (22 - 23) |
| 1/24 | S 101 | Reorganization of the State Government | Joint Resolution Failed - Senate (22 - 23) |
| 1/24 | S 288 | Appointment of the Secretary of State | Joint Resolution Failed - Senate (30 - 13) |
| 1/24 | S 288 | Appointment of the Secretary of State | Joint Resolution Failed - Senate (30 - 13) |
| 1/24 | S 286 | Appointment of the Superintendent of Education | Joint Resolution Failed - Senate (27 - 19) |
| 1/24 | S 286 | Appointment of the Superintendent of Education | Joint Resolution Failed - Senate (27 - 19) |