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 4, 2008 | GA | HB 978 | Vehicle Seizures for Unlicensed Drivers | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (115 - 44) |
| April 4, 2008 | GA | HB 978 | Vehicle Seizures for Unlicensed Drivers | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 18) |
| April 3, 2008 | MO | SB 858 | Restrictions on Undocumented Immigrants | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7) |
| April 3, 2008 | AZ | SB 1132 | Allowing Pistols in Restaurants | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 10) |
| April 2, 2008 | GA | HB 257 | Limiting Concealed Weapon Restrictions | Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 17) |
| April 2, 2008 | OK | SB 1878 | Abortion Regulations | Bill Passed - House (80 - 12) |
| 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 1, 2008 | PA | A 6178 to HB 1845 | Reporting Missing Firearms | Amendment Rejected - House (75 - 128) |
| April 1, 2008 | MN | SF 2369 | Background Checks for Coaches | Bill Passed - House (118 - 11) |
| April 1, 2008 | KY | HB 70 | Restoring Voting Rights to Former Felons | Bill Passed - House (80 - 14) |
| April 1, 2008 | KY | HB 70 | Restoring Voting Rights to Former Felons | Bill Passed - House (80 - 14) |
| April 1, 2008 | IL | SB 1997 | Interscholastic Event Image Release | Bill Passed - Senate (47 - 5) |
| March 31, 2008 | MS | HB 1089 | Legalizing Deer Baiting | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (68 - 51) |
| March 31, 2008 | MD | SB 269 | Authorizing Speed Monitoring Systems | Bill Passed - House (89 - 47) |
| March 31, 2008 | MD | SB 269 | Authorizing Speed Monitoring Systems | Bill Passed - House (89 - 47) |
| March 27, 2008 | MS | HB 520 | Reporting Sexual Activity of Minors | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (79 - 41) |
| March 27, 2008 | ME | LD 2012 | Prohibiting Smoking in Vehicles with Children | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12) |
| March 27, 2008 | AZ | HB 2788 | Relaxing Concealed Weapon Restrictions | Bill Passed - House (51 - 5) |
| March 26, 2008 | KS | Journey Amnd. 1 | Penalties for Obstructing Immigration Enforcement | Amendment Rejected - Senate (14 - 24) |
| March 26, 2008 | FL | HB 503 | Firearms in Vehicles | Bill Passed - House (72 - 42) |
| March 25, 2008 | NE | LB 1063 | Abolishing the Death Penalty | Motion Rejected - Senate (20 - 28) |
| March 25, 2008 | ME | LD 2012 | Prohibiting Smoking in Vehicles with Children | Bill Passed - House (92 - 46) |
| March 25, 2008 | AZ | HB 2769 | Increasing Partial-Birth/Late-Term Abortion Penalties | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 9) |
| March 24, 2008 | AZ | HB 2713 | Student's Religious Liberties Act | Bill Passed - House (36 - 23) |
| March 20, 2008 | MD | SB 2 | Banning Cell Phones While Driving | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 21) |
| March 20, 2008 | GA | SB 350 | Increasing Penalties for Driving Without a License | Bill Passed - House (99 - 68) |
| March 19, 2008 | GA | Fleming AM 29 0700 | Amending Capital Punishment Sentencing Procedures | Amendment Adopted - House (100 - 66) |
| March 19, 2008 | GA | Fleming AM 29 0700 | Amending Capital Punishment Sentencing Procedures | Amendment Adopted - House (100 - 66) |
| March 19, 2008 | MS | SB 2264 | Authorizing Wire-tapping Out of State | Bill Passed - House (97 - 21) |
| March 19, 2008 | GA | SB 145 | Amending Sentencing Guidelines for Murder | Bill Passed - House (112 - 55) |
| March 19, 2008 | GA | SB 145 | Amending Sentencing Guidelines for Murder | Bill Passed - House (112 - 55) |
| March 19, 2008 | MS | HB 1089 | Legalizing Deer Baiting | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 24) |
| March 19, 2008 | AZ | HB 2454 | Child Protective Services Information Disclosure | Bill Passed - House (47 - 12) |
| March 19, 2008 | KS | SB 409 | Three-Strikes Sentencing for Theft | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 6) |
| March 19, 2008 | ID | S 1484 | Disclosing Fiscal Impacts of Citizens Initiatives | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 9) |
| March 19, 2008 | AZ | HB 2677 | Real ID | Bill Passed - House (51 - 8) |
| March 19, 2008 | ID | S 1441 | Prohibiting Local Gun Ordinances | Bill Passed - House (60 - 9) |
| March 18, 2008 | CO | HB 1297 | Supplemental Department of Public Safety Funding | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 9) |
| March 18, 2008 | KS | SB 389 | Partial-Birth/Late-Term Abortion Law Amendments | Bill Passed - House (84 - 40) |
| March 18, 2008 | MD | SB 269 | Authorizing Speed Monitoring Systems | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 21) |
| March 18, 2008 | MD | SB 269 | Authorizing Speed Monitoring Systems | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 21) |
| March 18, 2008 | NH | HB 1623 | Marijuana Decriminalization | Bill Passed - House (193 - 141) |
| March 18, 2008 | NH | HB 1623 | Marijuana Decriminalization | Bill Passed - House (193 - 141) |
| March 17, 2008 | ID | H 348 | Legalizing Alcohol Sales on Election Day | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 16) |
| March 14, 2008 | National | HR 3773 | Electronic Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Review Act | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (213 - 197) |
| March 14, 2008 | National | HR 3773 | Electronic Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Review Act | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (213 - 197) |
| March 14, 2008 | MD | SB 461 | Prohibiting Cell Phone Use by Drivers Under 18 | Bill Failed - Senate (22 - 21) |
| March 14, 2008 | KS | HB 2873 | Department of Corrections Bonds | Bill Passed - House (104 - 18) |
| March 13, 2008 | National | S Amdt 4309 | Restriction of Federal Assistance Based on Compliance with Federal Immigration Laws | Amendment Tabled - Senate (58 - 40) |
| March 13, 2008 | National | S Amdt 4231 | Immigration Enforcement and Border Fence Amendment | Amendment Adopted - Senate (61 - 37) |
| March 13, 2008 | VA | HB 30 | 2008-2010 Biennium Budget | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (26 - 14) |
| March 13, 2008 | IA | HF 2212 | Smoking Ban | Concurrence Vote Failed - Senate (23 - 27) |
| March 12, 2008 | IA | HF 2212 | Smoking Ban | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (59 - 40) |
| March 12, 2008 | IA | SF 2355 | Time Off to Attend Presidential Precinct Caucuses | Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 10) |
| March 12, 2008 | MD | SB 42 | Temporary Confiscation of Firearms | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 17) |
| March 12, 2008 | MD | SB 42 | Temporary Confiscation of Firearms | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 17) |
| March 12, 2008 | KY | SB 120 | Booster Seat Requirement | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 5) |
| March 11, 2008 | National | HR 2082 | Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008 | Veto Override Failed - House (225 - 188) |
| March 11, 2008 | AZ | HB 2389 | Involving Gun Owners' Rights | Bill Passed - House (37 - 22) |
| March 10, 2008 | WA | HB 2476 | Tribal Police Jurisdiction | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (62 - 32) |
| March 10, 2008 | AZ | HB 2573 | Off-Highway Vehicle Regulations | Bill Passed - House (43 - 13) |
| March 10, 2008 | CO | HJR 1009 | Ratification of the UN Convention Against the Discrimination of Women | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (19 - 14) |
| March 10, 2008 | AZ | SB 1476 | Reducing Probation for Good Behavior | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 7) |
| March 10, 2008 | AZ | SB 1476 | Reducing Probation for Good Behavior | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 7) |
| March 10, 2008 | OK | HB 2956 | Voter Identification Requirements | Bill Passed - House (55 - 42) |
| March 7, 2008 | WA | HB 2476 | Tribal Police Jurisdiction | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 15) |
| 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 | WY | HB 137 | Deadly Force in Self Defense | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (57 - 2) |
| March 6, 2008 | MO | HB 1619 | Monitoring Prescription Drug Sales | Bill Passed - House (84 - 69) |
| March 6, 2008 | MO | HB 1619 | Monitoring Prescription Drug Sales | Bill Passed - House (84 - 69) |
| March 5, 2008 | CO | HB 1130 | Removing Wiretap Restrictions | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (54 - 9) |
| March 5, 2008 | CO | HB 1130 | Removing Wiretap Restrictions | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (54 - 9) |
| March 5, 2008 | WY | HB 137 | Deadly Force in Self Defense | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 1) |
| Date | No. | Title | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4/04 | HB 978 | Vehicle Seizures for Unlicensed Drivers | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (115 - 44) |
| 4/04 | HB 978 | Vehicle Seizures for Unlicensed Drivers | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 18) |
| 4/03 | SB 858 | Restrictions on Undocumented Immigrants | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7) |
| 4/03 | SB 1132 | Allowing Pistols in Restaurants | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 10) |
| 4/02 | HB 257 | Limiting Concealed Weapon Restrictions | Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 17) |
| 4/02 | SB 1878 | Abortion Regulations | Bill Passed - House (80 - 12) |
| 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) |
| 4/01 | A 6178 to HB 1845 | Reporting Missing Firearms | Amendment Rejected - House (75 - 128) |
| 4/01 | SF 2369 | Background Checks for Coaches | Bill Passed - House (118 - 11) |
| 4/01 | HB 70 | Restoring Voting Rights to Former Felons | Bill Passed - House (80 - 14) |
| 4/01 | HB 70 | Restoring Voting Rights to Former Felons | Bill Passed - House (80 - 14) |
| 4/01 | SB 1997 | Interscholastic Event Image Release | Bill Passed - Senate (47 - 5) |
| 3/31 | HB 1089 | Legalizing Deer Baiting | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (68 - 51) |
| 3/31 | SB 269 | Authorizing Speed Monitoring Systems | Bill Passed - House (89 - 47) |
| 3/31 | SB 269 | Authorizing Speed Monitoring Systems | Bill Passed - House (89 - 47) |
| 3/27 | HB 520 | Reporting Sexual Activity of Minors | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (79 - 41) |
| 3/27 | LD 2012 | Prohibiting Smoking in Vehicles with Children | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12) |
| 3/27 | HB 2788 | Relaxing Concealed Weapon Restrictions | Bill Passed - House (51 - 5) |
| 3/26 | Journey Amnd. 1 | Penalties for Obstructing Immigration Enforcement | Amendment Rejected - Senate (14 - 24) |
| 3/26 | HB 503 | Firearms in Vehicles | Bill Passed - House (72 - 42) |
| 3/25 | LB 1063 | Abolishing the Death Penalty | Motion Rejected - Senate (20 - 28) |
| 3/25 | LD 2012 | Prohibiting Smoking in Vehicles with Children | Bill Passed - House (92 - 46) |
| 3/25 | HB 2769 | Increasing Partial-Birth/Late-Term Abortion Penalties | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 9) |
| 3/24 | HB 2713 | Student's Religious Liberties Act | Bill Passed - House (36 - 23) |
| 3/20 | SB 2 | Banning Cell Phones While Driving | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 21) |
| 3/20 | SB 350 | Increasing Penalties for Driving Without a License | Bill Passed - House (99 - 68) |
| 3/19 | Fleming AM 29 0700 | Amending Capital Punishment Sentencing Procedures | Amendment Adopted - House (100 - 66) |
| 3/19 | Fleming AM 29 0700 | Amending Capital Punishment Sentencing Procedures | Amendment Adopted - House (100 - 66) |
| 3/19 | SB 2264 | Authorizing Wire-tapping Out of State | Bill Passed - House (97 - 21) |
| 3/19 | SB 145 | Amending Sentencing Guidelines for Murder | Bill Passed - House (112 - 55) |
| 3/19 | SB 145 | Amending Sentencing Guidelines for Murder | Bill Passed - House (112 - 55) |
| 3/19 | HB 1089 | Legalizing Deer Baiting | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 24) |
| 3/19 | HB 2454 | Child Protective Services Information Disclosure | Bill Passed - House (47 - 12) |
| 3/19 | SB 409 | Three-Strikes Sentencing for Theft | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 6) |
| 3/19 | S 1484 | Disclosing Fiscal Impacts of Citizens Initiatives | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 9) |
| 3/19 | HB 2677 | Real ID | Bill Passed - House (51 - 8) |
| 3/19 | S 1441 | Prohibiting Local Gun Ordinances | Bill Passed - House (60 - 9) |
| 3/18 | HB 1297 | Supplemental Department of Public Safety Funding | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 9) |
| 3/18 | SB 389 | Partial-Birth/Late-Term Abortion Law Amendments | Bill Passed - House (84 - 40) |
| 3/18 | SB 269 | Authorizing Speed Monitoring Systems | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 21) |
| 3/18 | SB 269 | Authorizing Speed Monitoring Systems | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 21) |
| 3/18 | HB 1623 | Marijuana Decriminalization | Bill Passed - House (193 - 141) |
| 3/18 | HB 1623 | Marijuana Decriminalization | Bill Passed - House (193 - 141) |
| 3/17 | H 348 | Legalizing Alcohol Sales on Election Day | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 16) |
| 3/14 | HR 3773 | Electronic Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Review Act | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (213 - 197) |
| 3/14 | HR 3773 | Electronic Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Review Act | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (213 - 197) |
| 3/14 | SB 461 | Prohibiting Cell Phone Use by Drivers Under 18 | Bill Failed - Senate (22 - 21) |
| 3/14 | HB 2873 | Department of Corrections Bonds | Bill Passed - House (104 - 18) |
| 3/13 | S Amdt 4309 | Restriction of Federal Assistance Based on Compliance with Federal Immigration Laws | Amendment Tabled - Senate (58 - 40) |
| 3/13 | S Amdt 4231 | Immigration Enforcement and Border Fence Amendment | Amendment Adopted - Senate (61 - 37) |
| 3/13 | HB 30 | 2008-2010 Biennium Budget | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (26 - 14) |
| 3/13 | HF 2212 | Smoking Ban | Concurrence Vote Failed - Senate (23 - 27) |
| 3/12 | HF 2212 | Smoking Ban | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (59 - 40) |
| 3/12 | SF 2355 | Time Off to Attend Presidential Precinct Caucuses | Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 10) |
| 3/12 | SB 42 | Temporary Confiscation of Firearms | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 17) |
| 3/12 | SB 42 | Temporary Confiscation of Firearms | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 17) |
| 3/12 | SB 120 | Booster Seat Requirement | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 5) |
| 3/11 | HR 2082 | Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008 | Veto Override Failed - House (225 - 188) |
| 3/11 | HB 2389 | Involving Gun Owners' Rights | Bill Passed - House (37 - 22) |
| 3/10 | HB 2476 | Tribal Police Jurisdiction | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (62 - 32) |
| 3/10 | HB 2573 | Off-Highway Vehicle Regulations | Bill Passed - House (43 - 13) |
| 3/10 | HJR 1009 | Ratification of the UN Convention Against the Discrimination of Women | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (19 - 14) |
| 3/10 | SB 1476 | Reducing Probation for Good Behavior | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 7) |
| 3/10 | SB 1476 | Reducing Probation for Good Behavior | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 7) |
| 3/10 | HB 2956 | Voter Identification Requirements | Bill Passed - House (55 - 42) |
| 3/07 | HB 2476 | Tribal Police Jurisdiction | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 15) |
| 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 | HB 137 | Deadly Force in Self Defense | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (57 - 2) |
| 3/06 | HB 1619 | Monitoring Prescription Drug Sales | Bill Passed - House (84 - 69) |
| 3/06 | HB 1619 | Monitoring Prescription Drug Sales | Bill Passed - House (84 - 69) |
| 3/05 | HB 1130 | Removing Wiretap Restrictions | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (54 - 9) |
| 3/05 | HB 1130 | Removing Wiretap Restrictions | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (54 - 9) |
| 3/05 | HB 137 | Deadly Force in Self Defense | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 1) |