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
Feb. 25, 2008 IN Amnd. 19 Referendum on Township Assessors Amendment Rejected - Senate (24 - 20)
Feb. 25, 2008 IN Amnd. 19 Referendum on Township Assessors Amendment Rejected - Senate (24 - 20)
Feb. 25, 2008 VA HB 11 Property Tax Exemptions Motion Agreed - Senate (21 - 19)
Feb. 25, 2008 IN Amnd. 17 Elimination of Township Assessors Amendment Rejected - Senate (23 - 23)
Feb. 25, 2008 VA HB 933 "Triggerman Rule" in Capital Murder Cases Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 16)
Feb. 25, 2008 WY HB 145 Restricting Benefits for Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - House (40 - 18)
Feb. 25, 2008 MO HB 1406 Establishment of Drunk Driving Memorial Sign Program Bill Passed - House (82 - 51)
Feb. 25, 2008 WY HB 137 Deadly Force in Self Defense Bill Passed - House (54 - 4)
Feb. 25, 2008 WA HB 2687 2007-2009 Biennium Budget Amendments Bill Passed - House (62 - 33)
Feb. 22, 2008 LA SB 3 Restrictions on Gifts to Elected Officials Bill Passed - House (95 - 5)
Feb. 21, 2008 SD HB 1250 Legislative Pay Raise Bill Tabled - Senate (29 - 4)
Feb. 21, 2008 SD HB 1250 Legislative Pay Raise Bill Tabled - Senate (29 - 4)
Feb. 21, 2008 MS SB 2468 Voter Identification Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 18)
Feb. 21, 2008 MO SB 1038 Repealing Campaign Contribution Limits Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 9)
Feb. 21, 2008 MN HF 2800 2009-2010 Transportation Budget Bill Passed - Senate (47 - 20)
Feb. 21, 2008 NH CACR 34 Constitutional Amendment to Define an Adequate Education Resolution Passed - Senate (19 - 5)
Feb. 21, 2008 VA HB 30 2008-2010 Biennium Budget Bill Passed - House (93 - 5)
Feb. 21, 2008 MN HF 2800 2009-2010 Transportation Budget Bill Passed - House (89 - 44)
Feb. 21, 2008 MS HB 1013 Altering Medicaid and Medicare Eligibility and Increasing Cigarette Tax Bill Passed - House (75 - 41)
Feb. 20, 2008 GA HR 1206 Reassessing Georgia's Northern Border Resolution Passed - House (136 - 26)
Feb. 20, 2008 AZ HB 2043 State Government Hiring Freeze Bill Passed - House (40 - 15)
Feb. 20, 2008 GA SR 845 Regional Transportation Sales Tax Resolution Passed - Senate (51 - 4)
Feb. 20, 2008 GA SR 845 Regional Transportation Sales Tax Resolution Passed - Senate (51 - 4)
Feb. 20, 2008 WY HB 3 Campaign Finance Reporting Bill Passed - House (44 - 16)
Feb. 20, 2008 AZ HB 2043 State Government Hiring Freeze Bill Passed - House (40 - 15)
Feb. 20, 2008 GA HR 1206 Reassessing Georgia's Northern Border Resolution Passed - House (136 - 26)
Feb. 19, 2008 CA GN Borucki Confirmation of Joan Borucki as State Lottery Director Nomination Confirmed - Senate (32 - 3)
Feb. 19, 2008 CA GN Borucki Confirmation of Joan Borucki as State Lottery Director Nomination Confirmed - Senate (32 - 3)
Feb. 19, 2008 KY SFA 1 Presidential Primaries Amendment Adopted - Senate (24 - 12)
Feb. 19, 2008 KY SB 148 Regulations for Campaign Financing Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 13)
Feb. 19, 2008 WI SB 171 Financing of Judicial Campaigns Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 10)
Feb. 19, 2008 WI SB 171 Financing of Judicial Campaigns Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 10)
Feb. 19, 2008 GA SB 379 Automatic Calling Device Restrictions Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 9)
Feb. 19, 2008 WA SB 6809 Working Family Tax Exemption Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 16)
Feb. 18, 2008 WA SB 6305 Use of Federal Sex Education Grants Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 11)
Feb. 18, 2008 WA SB 5628 Presidential Election by Popular Vote Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 18)
Feb. 18, 2008 CO SB 3 Medicaid Funded Family Planning Bill Passed - House (41 - 23)
Feb. 18, 2008 WY HB 9 Limitations on Campaign Contributions Bill Passed - House (58 - 2)
Feb. 15, 2008 UT HB 75 State Inventory of Government Activities Bill Passed - House (54 - 17)
Feb. 15, 2008 OR HB 3618 Inheritance Tax Credit Bill Passed - House (41 - 18)
Feb. 15, 2008 LA Amnd. 423 to SB 1 Persons Restricted from Doing Business with the State Amendment Adopted - Senate (21 - 16)
Feb. 15, 2008 LA Amnd. 423 to SB 1 Persons Restricted from Doing Business with the State Amendment Adopted - Senate (21 - 16)
Feb. 14, 2008 NE AM 1736 Eliminating Opt-Out Provision of Smoking Ban Amendment Adopted - Senate (33 - 13)
Feb. 14, 2008 MN HF 2285 Funding for Natural Resources and Cultural Heritage Conference Report Adopted - Senate (46 - 17)
Feb. 14, 2008 MN HF 2285 Funding for Natural Resources and Cultural Heritage Conference Report Adopted - House (85 - 46)
Feb. 14, 2008 MS HB 859 Salary Adjustments for State Officials Bill Passed - House (61 - 60)
Feb. 14, 2008 MS HB 859 Salary Adjustments for State Officials Bill Passed - House (61 - 60)
Feb. 14, 2008 LA HB 64 Campaign Disclosures Bill Passed - House (65 - 35)
Feb. 14, 2008 National H Res 982 Contempt Charges Resolution Passed - House (223 - 32)
Feb. 14, 2008 SD HB 1124 Teacher Compensation and Performance Bill Passed - House (39 - 29)
Feb. 14, 2008 NM HB 24 Removing Tax Restrictions for Counties and Municipalities Bill Failed - Senate (19 - 21)
Feb. 14, 2008 MS HB 859 Salary Adjustments for State Officials Bill Passed - House (61 - 60)
Feb. 13, 2008 NM HB 237 Mandatory Election Recounts Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 17)
Feb. 13, 2008 NM HB 237 Mandatory Election Recounts Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 17)
Feb. 13, 2008 SD HB 1233 Government Spending Database Bill Passed - House (47 - 22)
Feb. 13, 2008 SD HB 1233 Government Spending Database Bill Passed - House (47 - 22)
Feb. 13, 2008 WA SB 5278 Public Financing of Local Campaigns Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 20)
Feb. 13, 2008 SD SB 174 Railroad Eminent Domain Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 13)
Feb. 13, 2008 NY A 9998 New York Racing Association Funding Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 17)
Feb. 13, 2008 SD SJR 1 Eliminating Term Limits Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (27 - 8)
Feb. 13, 2008 SD HB 1085 Constructing Science Facilities at Universities Bill Passed - House (61 - 6)
Feb. 13, 2008 NY A 9998 New York Racing Association Funding Bill Passed - House (92 - 40)
Feb. 12, 2008 GA SR 822 Reassessing Georgia's Northern Border Resolution Passed - Senate (52 - 0)
Feb. 12, 2008 GA SR 822 Reassessing Georgia's Northern Border Resolution Passed - Senate (52 - 0)
Feb. 12, 2008 GA SR 686 Property Tax Assessment Freeze Resolution Passed - Senate (53 - 3)
Feb. 12, 2008 GA SR 796 Property Tax Assessment Cap Resolution Passed - Senate (48 - 7)
Feb. 11, 2008 NM HB 618 Income Tax Overhaul Bill Passed - House (54 - 12)
Feb. 11, 2008 SD SB 189 Accessibility of Public Records Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 15)
Feb. 11, 2008 SD SB 189 Accessibility of Public Records Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 15)
Feb. 11, 2008 NM SB 225 Health Care Commission Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 19)
Feb. 10, 2008 NM HB 661 Affordable Housing Tax Relief Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 12)
Feb. 10, 2008 NM HB 634 Filmmakers Production Fund Bill Passed - House (42 - 25)
Feb. 8, 2008 NM HB 342 Uranium Cleanup Fund Bill Passed - House (55 - 11)
Feb. 8, 2008 VA HB 933 "Triggerman Rule" in Capital Murder Cases Bill Passed - House (77 - 21)
Feb. 7, 2008 GA SB 350 Increasing Penalties for Driving Without a License Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 13)
Feb. 7, 2008 NH SB 436 Reducing the Voting Age for Primary Elections Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 6)
Feb. 7, 2008 GA SB 340 Prohibiting Sanctuary Policies Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 8)
Feb. 7, 2008 MA H 4488 Education Reorganization Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 5)
Feb. 7, 2008 MA H 4488 Education Reorganization Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 5)
Feb. 7, 2008 NM HB 241 Education Funding Reform Bill Passed - House (52 - 16)
Feb. 6, 2008 NM HB 2 2008-2009 Budget Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 4)
Feb. 6, 2008 MA H 4488 Education Reorganization Bill Passed - House (135 - 19)
Feb. 6, 2008 WA SB 6272 Financial Literacy for Homeowners Bill Passed - House (69 - 27)
Feb. 6, 2008 CO HB 1130 Removing Wiretap Restrictions Bill Passed - House (43 - 20)
Feb. 6, 2008 NM HB 484 Racetrack Tax Break Bill Passed - House (48 - 10)
Feb. 6, 2008 NM HB 191 Automatic Absentee Ballots Bill Failed - House (25 - 40)
Feb. 6, 2008 MA H 4488 Education Reorganization Bill Passed - House (135 - 19)
Feb. 6, 2008 NM HB 237 Mandatory Election Recounts Bill Passed - House (37 - 21)
Feb. 6, 2008 NM HB 237 Mandatory Election Recounts Bill Passed - House (37 - 21)
Feb. 6, 2008 NE LB 39 Restricting Petition Circulation Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 14)
Feb. 5, 2008 VA SB 202 Local Regulation of Smoking in Restaurants Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 9)
Feb. 5, 2008 NM HB 147 Health Care Commission Bill Passed - House (56 - 6)
Feb. 5, 2008 UT HB 85 Teacher Home Loan Program Bill Passed - House (62 - 7)
Feb. 5, 2008 SD HB 1250 Legislative Pay Raise Bill Passed - House (54 - 14)
Feb. 5, 2008 SD HB 1250 Legislative Pay Raise Bill Passed - House (54 - 14)
Feb. 5, 2008 UT SB 35 Salary Supplement for Math and Science Teachers Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 7)
Feb. 5, 2008 NM HB 400 Commuter Train Funding Bill Passed - House (56 - 9)
Feb. 4, 2008 NM SB 34 New Mexico School for the Arts Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 6)
Jan. 31, 2008 MS HB 513 Funding for K-12 Education and Related Activities Bill Passed - House (95 - 26)
Jan. 31, 2008 GA HB 881 Georgia Charter Schools Commission Bill Passed - House (119 - 48)
Date No. Title Outcome
2/25 Amnd. 19 Referendum on Township Assessors Amendment Rejected - Senate (24 - 20)
2/25 Amnd. 19 Referendum on Township Assessors Amendment Rejected - Senate (24 - 20)
2/25 HB 11 Property Tax Exemptions Motion Agreed - Senate (21 - 19)
2/25 Amnd. 17 Elimination of Township Assessors Amendment Rejected - Senate (23 - 23)
2/25 HB 933 "Triggerman Rule" in Capital Murder Cases Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 16)
2/25 HB 145 Restricting Benefits for Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - House (40 - 18)
2/25 HB 1406 Establishment of Drunk Driving Memorial Sign Program Bill Passed - House (82 - 51)
2/25 HB 137 Deadly Force in Self Defense Bill Passed - House (54 - 4)
2/25 HB 2687 2007-2009 Biennium Budget Amendments Bill Passed - House (62 - 33)
2/22 SB 3 Restrictions on Gifts to Elected Officials Bill Passed - House (95 - 5)
2/21 HB 1250 Legislative Pay Raise Bill Tabled - Senate (29 - 4)
2/21 HB 1250 Legislative Pay Raise Bill Tabled - Senate (29 - 4)
2/21 SB 2468 Voter Identification Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 18)
2/21 SB 1038 Repealing Campaign Contribution Limits Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 9)
2/21 HF 2800 2009-2010 Transportation Budget Bill Passed - Senate (47 - 20)
2/21 CACR 34 Constitutional Amendment to Define an Adequate Education Resolution Passed - Senate (19 - 5)
2/21 HB 30 2008-2010 Biennium Budget Bill Passed - House (93 - 5)
2/21 HF 2800 2009-2010 Transportation Budget Bill Passed - House (89 - 44)
2/21 HB 1013 Altering Medicaid and Medicare Eligibility and Increasing Cigarette Tax Bill Passed - House (75 - 41)
2/20 HR 1206 Reassessing Georgia's Northern Border Resolution Passed - House (136 - 26)
2/20 HB 2043 State Government Hiring Freeze Bill Passed - House (40 - 15)
2/20 SR 845 Regional Transportation Sales Tax Resolution Passed - Senate (51 - 4)
2/20 SR 845 Regional Transportation Sales Tax Resolution Passed - Senate (51 - 4)
2/20 HB 3 Campaign Finance Reporting Bill Passed - House (44 - 16)
2/20 HB 2043 State Government Hiring Freeze Bill Passed - House (40 - 15)
2/20 HR 1206 Reassessing Georgia's Northern Border Resolution Passed - House (136 - 26)
2/19 GN Borucki Confirmation of Joan Borucki as State Lottery Director Nomination Confirmed - Senate (32 - 3)
2/19 GN Borucki Confirmation of Joan Borucki as State Lottery Director Nomination Confirmed - Senate (32 - 3)
2/19 SFA 1 Presidential Primaries Amendment Adopted - Senate (24 - 12)
2/19 SB 148 Regulations for Campaign Financing Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 13)
2/19 SB 171 Financing of Judicial Campaigns Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 10)
2/19 SB 171 Financing of Judicial Campaigns Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 10)
2/19 SB 379 Automatic Calling Device Restrictions Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 9)
2/19 SB 6809 Working Family Tax Exemption Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 16)
2/18 SB 6305 Use of Federal Sex Education Grants Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 11)
2/18 SB 5628 Presidential Election by Popular Vote Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 18)
2/18 SB 3 Medicaid Funded Family Planning Bill Passed - House (41 - 23)
2/18 HB 9 Limitations on Campaign Contributions Bill Passed - House (58 - 2)
2/15 HB 75 State Inventory of Government Activities Bill Passed - House (54 - 17)
2/15 HB 3618 Inheritance Tax Credit Bill Passed - House (41 - 18)
2/15 Amnd. 423 to SB 1 Persons Restricted from Doing Business with the State Amendment Adopted - Senate (21 - 16)
2/15 Amnd. 423 to SB 1 Persons Restricted from Doing Business with the State Amendment Adopted - Senate (21 - 16)
2/14 AM 1736 Eliminating Opt-Out Provision of Smoking Ban Amendment Adopted - Senate (33 - 13)
2/14 HF 2285 Funding for Natural Resources and Cultural Heritage Conference Report Adopted - Senate (46 - 17)
2/14 HF 2285 Funding for Natural Resources and Cultural Heritage Conference Report Adopted - House (85 - 46)
2/14 HB 859 Salary Adjustments for State Officials Bill Passed - House (61 - 60)
2/14 HB 859 Salary Adjustments for State Officials Bill Passed - House (61 - 60)
2/14 HB 64 Campaign Disclosures Bill Passed - House (65 - 35)
2/14 H Res 982 Contempt Charges Resolution Passed - House (223 - 32)
2/14 HB 1124 Teacher Compensation and Performance Bill Passed - House (39 - 29)
2/14 HB 24 Removing Tax Restrictions for Counties and Municipalities Bill Failed - Senate (19 - 21)
2/14 HB 859 Salary Adjustments for State Officials Bill Passed - House (61 - 60)
2/13 HB 237 Mandatory Election Recounts Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 17)
2/13 HB 237 Mandatory Election Recounts Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 17)
2/13 HB 1233 Government Spending Database Bill Passed - House (47 - 22)
2/13 HB 1233 Government Spending Database Bill Passed - House (47 - 22)
2/13 SB 5278 Public Financing of Local Campaigns Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 20)
2/13 SB 174 Railroad Eminent Domain Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 13)
2/13 A 9998 New York Racing Association Funding Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 17)
2/13 SJR 1 Eliminating Term Limits Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (27 - 8)
2/13 HB 1085 Constructing Science Facilities at Universities Bill Passed - House (61 - 6)
2/13 A 9998 New York Racing Association Funding Bill Passed - House (92 - 40)
2/12 SR 822 Reassessing Georgia's Northern Border Resolution Passed - Senate (52 - 0)
2/12 SR 822 Reassessing Georgia's Northern Border Resolution Passed - Senate (52 - 0)
2/12 SR 686 Property Tax Assessment Freeze Resolution Passed - Senate (53 - 3)
2/12 SR 796 Property Tax Assessment Cap Resolution Passed - Senate (48 - 7)
2/11 HB 618 Income Tax Overhaul Bill Passed - House (54 - 12)
2/11 SB 189 Accessibility of Public Records Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 15)
2/11 SB 189 Accessibility of Public Records Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 15)
2/11 SB 225 Health Care Commission Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 19)
2/10 HB 661 Affordable Housing Tax Relief Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 12)
2/10 HB 634 Filmmakers Production Fund Bill Passed - House (42 - 25)
2/08 HB 342 Uranium Cleanup Fund Bill Passed - House (55 - 11)
2/08 HB 933 "Triggerman Rule" in Capital Murder Cases Bill Passed - House (77 - 21)
2/07 SB 350 Increasing Penalties for Driving Without a License Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 13)
2/07 SB 436 Reducing the Voting Age for Primary Elections Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 6)
2/07 SB 340 Prohibiting Sanctuary Policies Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 8)
2/07 H 4488 Education Reorganization Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 5)
2/07 H 4488 Education Reorganization Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 5)
2/07 HB 241 Education Funding Reform Bill Passed - House (52 - 16)
2/06 HB 2 2008-2009 Budget Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 4)
2/06 H 4488 Education Reorganization Bill Passed - House (135 - 19)
2/06 SB 6272 Financial Literacy for Homeowners Bill Passed - House (69 - 27)
2/06 HB 1130 Removing Wiretap Restrictions Bill Passed - House (43 - 20)
2/06 HB 484 Racetrack Tax Break Bill Passed - House (48 - 10)
2/06 HB 191 Automatic Absentee Ballots Bill Failed - House (25 - 40)
2/06 H 4488 Education Reorganization Bill Passed - House (135 - 19)
2/06 HB 237 Mandatory Election Recounts Bill Passed - House (37 - 21)
2/06 HB 237 Mandatory Election Recounts Bill Passed - House (37 - 21)
2/06 LB 39 Restricting Petition Circulation Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 14)
2/05 SB 202 Local Regulation of Smoking in Restaurants Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 9)
2/05 HB 147 Health Care Commission Bill Passed - House (56 - 6)
2/05 HB 85 Teacher Home Loan Program Bill Passed - House (62 - 7)
2/05 HB 1250 Legislative Pay Raise Bill Passed - House (54 - 14)
2/05 HB 1250 Legislative Pay Raise Bill Passed - House (54 - 14)
2/05 SB 35 Salary Supplement for Math and Science Teachers Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 7)
2/05 HB 400 Commuter Train Funding Bill Passed - House (56 - 9)
2/04 SB 34 New Mexico School for the Arts Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 6)
1/31 HB 513 Funding for K-12 Education and Related Activities Bill Passed - House (95 - 26)
1/31 HB 881 Georgia Charter Schools Commission Bill Passed - House (119 - 48)

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