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 9, 2008 SC H 4673 Cost-of-Living Pension Increases for Retired Legislators and State Workers Bill Passed - House (58 - 51)
April 8, 2008 IL HJRCA 28 Recall Elections Joint Resolution Passed - House (75 - 33)
April 8, 2008 MI SB 120 Issuing Food Stamps Twice Monthly Bill Passed - House (87 - 19)
April 6, 2008 AK HB 364 Parental Consent for Underage Abortions Bill Passed - House (23 - 16)
April 4, 2008 GA HB 978 Vehicle Seizures for Unlicensed Drivers Concurrence Vote Passed - House (115 - 44)
April 4, 2008 ME LD 701 Slot Machine Authorization Bill Passed - House (98 - 32)
April 4, 2008 KS SB 148 Electricity Generation and Conservation Bill Passed - House (83 - 41)
April 4, 2008 MD SB 597 Property Transfer Tax Exemptions for Domestic Partners Bill Passed - House (86 - 47)
April 4, 2008 MD SB 566 Hospital Visitation/Decision-Making Rights for Domestic Partners Bill Passed - House (88 - 46)
April 3, 2008 MO HJR 41 Prohibiting Judges from Imposing Taxes Joint Resolution Passed - House (82 - 68)
April 2, 2008 SC AM 1 Expanding the Earned Income Tax Credit Amendment Rejected - House (40 - 73)
April 2, 2008 GA SB 174 Physical Fitness Standards for State Employees Bill Failed - House (55 - 107)
April 2, 2008 KY SB 120 Booster Seat Requirement Bill Passed - House (88 - 8)
April 2, 2008 SC H 4550 Marriage Tax Cut Bill Passed - House (100 - 14)
April 1, 2008 CO SB 129 Restricting Beverage Sales at Schools Bill Passed - House (37 - 27)
April 1, 2008 AZ HB 2745 Amending Undocumented Immigrant Employment Sanctions Bill Passed - House (41 - 16)
April 1, 2008 IL HB 4232 State Board of Education Selection Process Bill Passed - House (86 - 21)
April 1, 2008 AZ HB 2745 Amending Undocumented Immigrant Employment Sanctions Bill Passed - House (41 - 16)
March 31, 2008 ME LD 2289 2008-2009 Budget Concurrence Vote Passed - House (84 - 55)
March 31, 2008 ME LD 2289 2008-2009 Budget Concurrence Vote Passed - House (84 - 55)
March 31, 2008 CO HB 1123 Funeral Registration Bill Passed - House (41 - 24)
March 27, 2008 KS Rhoades Amnd. Repealing In-State Tuition for Undocumented Immigrants Amendment Rejected - House (51 - 70)
March 27, 2008 KS Carlson Amnd. Employment Eligibility Verification Amendment Amendment Adopted - House (86 - 36)
March 27, 2008 KS Carlson Amnd. Employment Eligibility Verification Amendment Amendment Adopted - House (86 - 36)
March 27, 2008 MN Seifert Amendment: Breaches of Insurance Policy Amendment Adopted - House (80 - 52)
March 27, 2008 MS HB 520 Reporting Sexual Activity of Minors Concurrence Vote Passed - House (79 - 41)
March 27, 2008 MS HB 520 Reporting Sexual Activity of Minors Concurrence Vote Passed - House (79 - 41)
March 27, 2008 MO HB 2010 2008-2009 Department of Mental Health and Department of Health and Senior Services Budget Bill Passed - House (87 - 66)
March 26, 2008 MS SB 2188 Attorney General-Private Attorney Contract Restrictions Bill Passed - House (95 - 25)
March 26, 2008 MS SB 2188 Attorney General-Private Attorney Contract Restrictions Bill Passed - House (95 - 25)
March 25, 2008 KS SB 81 Health Care Reform Bill Passed - House (103 - 20)
March 25, 2008 ME LD 2012 Prohibiting Smoking in Vehicles with Children Bill Passed - House (92 - 46)
March 20, 2008 KS SB 461 Electronic Wage Reports and Reimbursement Payments Motion Agreed - House (63 - 58)
March 20, 2008 KS HB 2947 2008-2009 Budget Amendments Bill Passed - House (71 - 51)
March 20, 2008 GA SB 350 Increasing Penalties for Driving Without a License Bill Passed - House (99 - 68)
March 20, 2008 GA SB 350 Increasing Penalties for Driving Without a License Bill Passed - House (99 - 68)
March 20, 2008 KS HB 2947 2008-2009 Budget Amendments Bill Passed - House (71 - 51)
March 20, 2008 KS HB 2936 Capital Improvements Funding Bill Passed - House (87 - 35)
March 20, 2008 IA HF 2145 Mandatory HPV Vaccination Coverage Bill Passed - House (81 - 16)
March 19, 2008 GA Fleming AM 29 0700 Amending Capital Punishment Sentencing Procedures Amendment Adopted - House (100 - 66)
March 19, 2008 GA SB 145 Amending Sentencing Guidelines for Murder Bill Passed - House (112 - 55)
March 19, 2008 MS SB 2264 Authorizing Wire-tapping Out of State Bill Passed - House (97 - 21)
March 19, 2008 IA HF 2645 Public Employee Collective Bargaining and Teacher Termination Policy Bill Passed - House (52 - 47)
March 19, 2008 AZ HB 2454 Child Protective Services Information Disclosure Bill Passed - House (47 - 12)
March 18, 2008 CO SB 139 Undocumented Immigrant Hiring Ban Notification Bill Passed - House (52 - 12)
March 18, 2008 CO SB 139 Undocumented Immigrant Hiring Ban Notification Bill Passed - House (52 - 12)
March 18, 2008 MS SB 2497 Increasing Unemployment Compensation Bill Passed - House (71 - 48)
March 18, 2008 NH HB 1645 State Retirement System Amendments Bill Passed - House (259 - 60)
March 18, 2008 NH HB 1436 Automatic Continuation Clause in Collective Bargaining Agreements Bill Passed - House (180 - 126)
March 18, 2008 NH HB 1645 State Retirement System Amendments Bill Passed - House (259 - 60)
March 18, 2008 NH HB 1623 Marijuana Decriminalization Bill Passed - House (193 - 141)
March 18, 2008 ID S 1393 Non-Compete Agreements Bill Passed - House (43 - 27)
March 17, 2008 SD HB 1233 Government Spending Database Veto Override Passed - House (61 - 8)
March 17, 2008 CO SB 122 Wage Transparency Act Bill Passed - House (37 - 26)
March 13, 2008 NH HB 1517 Parental Consent for Underage Abortions "Inexpedient to Legislate" Vote Passed - House (211 - 109)
March 13, 2008 NH HB 1588 Residency Verification for Underage Abortions "Inexpedient to Legislate" Vote Passed - House (210 - 106)
March 13, 2008 NH HB 1498 Parental Notification for Underage Medical Procedures "Inexpedient to Legislate" Vote Passed - House (207 - 111)
March 13, 2008 NH HB 1495 Parental Notification for Underage Abortions "Inexpedient to Legislate" Vote Passed - House (190 - 128)
March 13, 2008 NJ A 873 Extending Family Leave Benefits Bill Passed - House (46 - 30)
March 12, 2008 MA DeLeo Amdt Legislative Committee Chair Pay Raises Amendment Adopted - House (126 - 20)
March 12, 2008 OK HB 2628 Parental Consent for Sex Education Bill Failed - House (50 - 51)
March 12, 2008 OK HB 2196 Campaign Finance Restrictions Bill Passed - House (92 - 8)
March 11, 2008 WI AB 862 Government Spending Database Bill Passed - House (81 - 16)
March 11, 2008 KY HB 130 Requiring Licenses for Denturists Bill Passed - House (66 - 27)
March 11, 2008 National H Res 1031 Establishment of the Office of Congressional Ethics Resolution Passed - House (229 - 182)
March 10, 2008 WA HB 2476 Tribal Police Jurisdiction Concurrence Vote Passed - House (62 - 32)
March 7, 2008 CO HB 1025 Governor's Energy Office Concurrence Vote Passed - House (56 - 7)
March 7, 2008 CO HJR 1009 Ratification of the UN Convention Against the Discrimination of Women Joint Resolution Passed - House (43 - 21)
March 6, 2008 WY HB 137 Deadly Force in Self Defense Concurrence Vote Passed - House (57 - 2)
March 6, 2008 VA SB 588 Payday Lending Restrictions Bill Passed - House (91 - 9)
March 6, 2008 WA SB 6809 Working Family Tax Exemption Bill Passed - House (57 - 37)
March 6, 2008 MS HB 1601 Medicaid Appropriations Bill Passed - House (74 - 41)
March 6, 2008 ID H 588 Food Tax Credit Expansion Bill Passed - House (62 - 8)
March 5, 2008 CO HB 1130 Removing Wiretap Restrictions Concurrence Vote Passed - House (54 - 9)
March 5, 2008 IA HF 2359 Veterans Trust Fund Bill Passed - House (75 - 21)
March 5, 2008 MS SB 2988 Prohibiting Employment of Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - House (112 - 8)
March 5, 2008 MS SB 2988 Prohibiting Employment of Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - House (112 - 8)
March 5, 2008 ID HCR 49 State Employee Pay Raise Resolution Passed - House (51 - 19)
March 5, 2008 UT SB 299 Domestic Partnership Benefits Bill Passed - House (61 - 9)
March 5, 2008 SC H 4620 Expanding Governor's Appointment Power Joint Resolution Passed - House (83 - 24)
March 4, 2008 KY HB 186 Dental Health Certificate Requirement for School Enrollment Bill Passed - House (91 - 4)
March 4, 2008 MD HB 362 Department of Information Technology Bill Passed - House (105 - 31)
March 4, 2008 GA HB 1245 Public Defender Funding Amendments Bill Passed - House (141 - 21)
March 4, 2008 KY HB 31 Felony Record Expungement Bill Passed - House (76 - 21)
March 4, 2008 AZ HB 2263 Maturity Requirement for Underage Abortions Bill Passed - House (32 - 27)
March 3, 2008 MN Seifert Amendment: Restriction of State Aid Based on Compliance with Immigration Laws Amendment Rejected - House (66 - 67)
March 3, 2008 UT SB 81 Expanding Immigration Enforcement Bill Passed - House (56 - 15)
March 3, 2008 UT SB 81 Expanding Immigration Enforcement Bill Passed - House (56 - 15)
March 3, 2008 UT SB 81 Expanding Immigration Enforcement Bill Passed - House (56 - 15)
March 3, 2008 AZ HB 2359 County Sheriff and Border Patrol Collaboration Bill Passed - House (33 - 27)
Feb. 29, 2008 KS HB 2870 Employment Incentive for Teachers Bill Failed - House (59 - 63)
Feb. 28, 2008 WI A Amnd. 2 Exemptions to Partial-Birth/Late-Term Abortion Ban Amendment Tabled - House (54 - 43)
Feb. 28, 2008 IN SB 345 Penalties for Employers of Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - House (66 - 33)
Feb. 28, 2008 GA HB 978 Vehicle Seizures for Undocumented Immigrant Traffic Violations Bill Passed - House (104 - 51)
Feb. 28, 2008 IN SB 143 Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Bill Passed - House (51 - 48)
Feb. 27, 2008 CO HB 1180 Unemployment Benefits for Military Spouses Bill Passed - House (60 - 5)
Feb. 27, 2008 CO HB 1180 Unemployment Benefits for Military Spouses Bill Passed - House (60 - 5)
Feb. 27, 2008 CO HB 1297 Supplemental Department of Public Safety Funding Bill Passed - House (45 - 20)
Feb. 27, 2008 CO HB 1276 Workplace Accommodations for Nursing Mothers Bill Passed - House (59 - 6)
Feb. 27, 2008 CO HB 1276 Workplace Accommodations for Nursing Mothers Bill Passed - House (59 - 6)
Date No. Title Outcome
4/09 H 4673 Cost-of-Living Pension Increases for Retired Legislators and State Workers Bill Passed - House (58 - 51)
4/08 HJRCA 28 Recall Elections Joint Resolution Passed - House (75 - 33)
4/08 SB 120 Issuing Food Stamps Twice Monthly Bill Passed - House (87 - 19)
4/06 HB 364 Parental Consent for Underage Abortions Bill Passed - House (23 - 16)
4/04 HB 978 Vehicle Seizures for Unlicensed Drivers Concurrence Vote Passed - House (115 - 44)
4/04 LD 701 Slot Machine Authorization Bill Passed - House (98 - 32)
4/04 SB 148 Electricity Generation and Conservation Bill Passed - House (83 - 41)
4/04 SB 597 Property Transfer Tax Exemptions for Domestic Partners Bill Passed - House (86 - 47)
4/04 SB 566 Hospital Visitation/Decision-Making Rights for Domestic Partners Bill Passed - House (88 - 46)
4/03 HJR 41 Prohibiting Judges from Imposing Taxes Joint Resolution Passed - House (82 - 68)
4/02 AM 1 Expanding the Earned Income Tax Credit Amendment Rejected - House (40 - 73)
4/02 SB 174 Physical Fitness Standards for State Employees Bill Failed - House (55 - 107)
4/02 SB 120 Booster Seat Requirement Bill Passed - House (88 - 8)
4/02 H 4550 Marriage Tax Cut Bill Passed - House (100 - 14)
4/01 SB 129 Restricting Beverage Sales at Schools Bill Passed - House (37 - 27)
4/01 HB 2745 Amending Undocumented Immigrant Employment Sanctions Bill Passed - House (41 - 16)
4/01 HB 4232 State Board of Education Selection Process Bill Passed - House (86 - 21)
4/01 HB 2745 Amending Undocumented Immigrant Employment Sanctions Bill Passed - House (41 - 16)
3/31 LD 2289 2008-2009 Budget Concurrence Vote Passed - House (84 - 55)
3/31 LD 2289 2008-2009 Budget Concurrence Vote Passed - House (84 - 55)
3/31 HB 1123 Funeral Registration Bill Passed - House (41 - 24)
3/27 Rhoades Amnd. Repealing In-State Tuition for Undocumented Immigrants Amendment Rejected - House (51 - 70)
3/27 Carlson Amnd. Employment Eligibility Verification Amendment Amendment Adopted - House (86 - 36)
3/27 Carlson Amnd. Employment Eligibility Verification Amendment Amendment Adopted - House (86 - 36)
3/27 Seifert Amendment: Breaches of Insurance Policy Amendment Adopted - House (80 - 52)
3/27 HB 520 Reporting Sexual Activity of Minors Concurrence Vote Passed - House (79 - 41)
3/27 HB 520 Reporting Sexual Activity of Minors Concurrence Vote Passed - House (79 - 41)
3/27 HB 2010 2008-2009 Department of Mental Health and Department of Health and Senior Services Budget Bill Passed - House (87 - 66)
3/26 SB 2188 Attorney General-Private Attorney Contract Restrictions Bill Passed - House (95 - 25)
3/26 SB 2188 Attorney General-Private Attorney Contract Restrictions Bill Passed - House (95 - 25)
3/25 SB 81 Health Care Reform Bill Passed - House (103 - 20)
3/25 LD 2012 Prohibiting Smoking in Vehicles with Children Bill Passed - House (92 - 46)
3/20 SB 461 Electronic Wage Reports and Reimbursement Payments Motion Agreed - House (63 - 58)
3/20 HB 2947 2008-2009 Budget Amendments Bill Passed - House (71 - 51)
3/20 SB 350 Increasing Penalties for Driving Without a License Bill Passed - House (99 - 68)
3/20 SB 350 Increasing Penalties for Driving Without a License Bill Passed - House (99 - 68)
3/20 HB 2947 2008-2009 Budget Amendments Bill Passed - House (71 - 51)
3/20 HB 2936 Capital Improvements Funding Bill Passed - House (87 - 35)
3/20 HF 2145 Mandatory HPV Vaccination Coverage Bill Passed - House (81 - 16)
3/19 Fleming AM 29 0700 Amending Capital Punishment Sentencing Procedures Amendment Adopted - House (100 - 66)
3/19 SB 145 Amending Sentencing Guidelines for Murder Bill Passed - House (112 - 55)
3/19 SB 2264 Authorizing Wire-tapping Out of State Bill Passed - House (97 - 21)
3/19 HF 2645 Public Employee Collective Bargaining and Teacher Termination Policy Bill Passed - House (52 - 47)
3/19 HB 2454 Child Protective Services Information Disclosure Bill Passed - House (47 - 12)
3/18 SB 139 Undocumented Immigrant Hiring Ban Notification Bill Passed - House (52 - 12)
3/18 SB 139 Undocumented Immigrant Hiring Ban Notification Bill Passed - House (52 - 12)
3/18 SB 2497 Increasing Unemployment Compensation Bill Passed - House (71 - 48)
3/18 HB 1645 State Retirement System Amendments Bill Passed - House (259 - 60)
3/18 HB 1436 Automatic Continuation Clause in Collective Bargaining Agreements Bill Passed - House (180 - 126)
3/18 HB 1645 State Retirement System Amendments Bill Passed - House (259 - 60)
3/18 HB 1623 Marijuana Decriminalization Bill Passed - House (193 - 141)
3/18 S 1393 Non-Compete Agreements Bill Passed - House (43 - 27)
3/17 HB 1233 Government Spending Database Veto Override Passed - House (61 - 8)
3/17 SB 122 Wage Transparency Act Bill Passed - House (37 - 26)
3/13 HB 1517 Parental Consent for Underage Abortions "Inexpedient to Legislate" Vote Passed - House (211 - 109)
3/13 HB 1588 Residency Verification for Underage Abortions "Inexpedient to Legislate" Vote Passed - House (210 - 106)
3/13 HB 1498 Parental Notification for Underage Medical Procedures "Inexpedient to Legislate" Vote Passed - House (207 - 111)
3/13 HB 1495 Parental Notification for Underage Abortions "Inexpedient to Legislate" Vote Passed - House (190 - 128)
3/13 A 873 Extending Family Leave Benefits Bill Passed - House (46 - 30)
3/12 DeLeo Amdt Legislative Committee Chair Pay Raises Amendment Adopted - House (126 - 20)
3/12 HB 2628 Parental Consent for Sex Education Bill Failed - House (50 - 51)
3/12 HB 2196 Campaign Finance Restrictions Bill Passed - House (92 - 8)
3/11 AB 862 Government Spending Database Bill Passed - House (81 - 16)
3/11 HB 130 Requiring Licenses for Denturists Bill Passed - House (66 - 27)
3/11 H Res 1031 Establishment of the Office of Congressional Ethics Resolution Passed - House (229 - 182)
3/10 HB 2476 Tribal Police Jurisdiction Concurrence Vote Passed - House (62 - 32)
3/07 HB 1025 Governor's Energy Office Concurrence Vote Passed - House (56 - 7)
3/07 HJR 1009 Ratification of the UN Convention Against the Discrimination of Women Joint Resolution Passed - House (43 - 21)
3/06 HB 137 Deadly Force in Self Defense Concurrence Vote Passed - House (57 - 2)
3/06 SB 588 Payday Lending Restrictions Bill Passed - House (91 - 9)
3/06 SB 6809 Working Family Tax Exemption Bill Passed - House (57 - 37)
3/06 HB 1601 Medicaid Appropriations Bill Passed - House (74 - 41)
3/06 H 588 Food Tax Credit Expansion Bill Passed - House (62 - 8)
3/05 HB 1130 Removing Wiretap Restrictions Concurrence Vote Passed - House (54 - 9)
3/05 HF 2359 Veterans Trust Fund Bill Passed - House (75 - 21)
3/05 SB 2988 Prohibiting Employment of Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - House (112 - 8)
3/05 SB 2988 Prohibiting Employment of Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - House (112 - 8)
3/05 HCR 49 State Employee Pay Raise Resolution Passed - House (51 - 19)
3/05 SB 299 Domestic Partnership Benefits Bill Passed - House (61 - 9)
3/05 H 4620 Expanding Governor's Appointment Power Joint Resolution Passed - House (83 - 24)
3/04 HB 186 Dental Health Certificate Requirement for School Enrollment Bill Passed - House (91 - 4)
3/04 HB 362 Department of Information Technology Bill Passed - House (105 - 31)
3/04 HB 1245 Public Defender Funding Amendments Bill Passed - House (141 - 21)
3/04 HB 31 Felony Record Expungement Bill Passed - House (76 - 21)
3/04 HB 2263 Maturity Requirement for Underage Abortions Bill Passed - House (32 - 27)
3/03 Seifert Amendment: Restriction of State Aid Based on Compliance with Immigration Laws Amendment Rejected - House (66 - 67)
3/03 SB 81 Expanding Immigration Enforcement Bill Passed - House (56 - 15)
3/03 SB 81 Expanding Immigration Enforcement Bill Passed - House (56 - 15)
3/03 SB 81 Expanding Immigration Enforcement Bill Passed - House (56 - 15)
3/03 HB 2359 County Sheriff and Border Patrol Collaboration Bill Passed - House (33 - 27)
2/29 HB 2870 Employment Incentive for Teachers Bill Failed - House (59 - 63)
2/28 A Amnd. 2 Exemptions to Partial-Birth/Late-Term Abortion Ban Amendment Tabled - House (54 - 43)
2/28 SB 345 Penalties for Employers of Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - House (66 - 33)
2/28 HB 978 Vehicle Seizures for Undocumented Immigrant Traffic Violations Bill Passed - House (104 - 51)
2/28 SB 143 Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Bill Passed - House (51 - 48)
2/27 HB 1180 Unemployment Benefits for Military Spouses Bill Passed - House (60 - 5)
2/27 HB 1180 Unemployment Benefits for Military Spouses Bill Passed - House (60 - 5)
2/27 HB 1297 Supplemental Department of Public Safety Funding Bill Passed - House (45 - 20)
2/27 HB 1276 Workplace Accommodations for Nursing Mothers Bill Passed - House (59 - 6)
2/27 HB 1276 Workplace Accommodations for Nursing Mothers Bill Passed - House (59 - 6)

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