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 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)

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