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
March 5, 2008 National HR 1424 Mental Health Coverage Bill Bill Passed - House (268 - 148)
March 5, 2008 UT SB 299 Domestic Partnership Benefits Bill Passed - House (61 - 9)
March 5, 2008 UT SB 299 Domestic Partnership Benefits Bill Passed - House (61 - 9)
March 5, 2008 WI AB 151 Financial Aid Ineligibility for Drug Offenders Bill Passed - House (70 - 24)
March 5, 2008 IA HF 2359 Veterans Trust Fund Bill Passed - House (75 - 21)
March 5, 2008 WI AB 151 Financial Aid Ineligibility for Drug Offenders Bill Passed - House (70 - 24)
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 4, 2008 MO HA 5 Defining Mifepristone as a Schedule 1 Controlled Substance Amendment Adopted - House
March 4, 2008 MO HA 5 Defining Mifepristone as a Schedule 1 Controlled Substance Amendment Adopted - House
March 4, 2008 IN HB 1153 Low-Stakes Gambling Concurrence Vote Passed - House (53 - 42)
March 4, 2008 UT SB 81 Expanding Immigration Enforcement Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 4)
March 4, 2008 WA HB 3104 Domestic Partnership Rights Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 20)
March 4, 2008 WA HB 2438 Permitting Dogs in Cougar Hunting Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 18)
March 4, 2008 KY HB 186 Dental Health Certificate Requirement for School Enrollment Bill Passed - House (91 - 4)
March 4, 2008 AZ HB 2630 Illegally Concealed Weapon Penalty Reduction Bill Passed - House (36 - 24)
March 4, 2008 AZ HB 2630 Illegally Concealed Weapon Penalty Reduction Bill Passed - House (36 - 24)
March 4, 2008 GA HB 1245 Public Defender Funding Amendments Bill Passed - House (141 - 21)
March 4, 2008 WI SB 537 John Doe Proceedings Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 15)
March 4, 2008 UT SB 297 Increasing Penalties for Animal Cruelty Bill Passed - House (62 - 6)
March 4, 2008 UT SB 297 Increasing Penalties for Animal Cruelty Bill Passed - House (62 - 6)
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 4, 2008 AZ HB 2263 Maturity Requirement for Underage Abortions Bill Passed - House (32 - 27)
March 4, 2008 IL HB 4180 Allowing Teachers to Conduct a Silent Reflection Bill Passed - House (72 - 31)
March 4, 2008 WA HB 3104 Domestic Partnership Rights Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 20)
March 3, 2008 UT AM 1 Mandating the Concealment of Firearms on Campus Amendment Adopted - House (41 - 29)
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 WY HB 73 Increasing DUI Penalties Bill Failed - Senate (14 - 16)
March 3, 2008 WY HB 73 Increasing DUI Penalties Bill Failed - Senate (14 - 16)
March 3, 2008 UT HB 473 Campus Gun Restrictions Bill Passed - House (60 - 11)
March 3, 2008 NJ S 786 Extending Family Leave Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 16)
March 3, 2008 AZ HB 2359 County Sheriff and Border Patrol Collaboration Bill Passed - House (33 - 27)
March 3, 2008 AZ HB 2359 County Sheriff and Border Patrol Collaboration Bill Passed - House (33 - 27)
March 3, 2008 AZ HB 2769 Increasing Partial-Birth/Late-Term Abortion Penalties Bill Passed - House (34 - 25)
March 3, 2008 UT SB 299 Domestic Partnership Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 7)
March 3, 2008 AZ HB 2769 Increasing Partial-Birth/Late-Term Abortion Penalties Bill Passed - House (34 - 25)
March 3, 2008 UT SB 299 Domestic Partnership Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 7)
March 3, 2008 UT SB 299 Domestic Partnership Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 7)
Feb. 29, 2008 GA SB 506 Mandatory School Physical Fitness Testing Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 13)
Feb. 28, 2008 WI A Amnd. 2 Exemptions to Partial-Birth/Late-Term Abortion Ban Amendment Tabled - House (54 - 43)
Feb. 28, 2008 WI A Amnd. 2 Exemptions to Partial-Birth/Late-Term Abortion Ban Amendment Tabled - House (54 - 43)
Feb. 28, 2008 WI A Amnd. 2 Exemptions to Partial-Birth/Late-Term Abortion Ban Amendment Tabled - House (54 - 43)
Feb. 28, 2008 WI A Amnd. 1 Exemptions to Partial-Birth/Late-Term Abortion Ban Amendment Tabled - House (54 - 43)
Feb. 28, 2008 WI A Amnd. 1 Exemptions to Partial-Birth/Late-Term Abortion Ban Amendment Tabled - House (54 - 43)
Feb. 28, 2008 GA HB 978 Vehicle Seizures for Undocumented Immigrant Traffic Violations Bill Passed - House (104 - 51)
Feb. 28, 2008 WI AB 581 Gun Possession During Emergencies Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 5)
Feb. 28, 2008 CO SB 129 Restricting Beverage Sales at Schools Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12)
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 WI AB 710 Partial-Birth/Late-Term Abortion Ban Bill Passed - House (59 - 38)
Feb. 28, 2008 WI AB 710 Partial-Birth/Late-Term Abortion Ban Bill Passed - House (59 - 38)
Feb. 28, 2008 WI AB 377 Emergency Contraception for Sexual Assault Victims Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 6)
Feb. 28, 2008 WI AB 377 Emergency Contraception for Sexual Assault Victims Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 6)
Feb. 28, 2008 WI AB 377 Emergency Contraception for Sexual Assault Victims Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 6)
Feb. 27, 2008 IN HB 1153 Low-Stakes Gambling Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 21)
Feb. 27, 2008 IA HF 2212 Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 21)
Feb. 27, 2008 UT SB 297 Increasing Penalties for Animal Cruelty Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 6)
Feb. 27, 2008 UT SB 297 Increasing Penalties for Animal Cruelty Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 6)
Feb. 27, 2008 MS SB 2206 Radar Speed Detection Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 19)
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 WV SB 248 Non-Participation in the Real ID Act Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 3)
Feb. 26, 2008 ID H 503 Scholarships for Drug-Free Students Bill Passed - House (55 - 14)
Feb. 26, 2008 WI AB 695 John Doe Proceedings Bill Passed - House (84 - 13)
Feb. 26, 2008 MS SB 2550 Covenant Marriage Act Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 13)
Feb. 26, 2008 MS SB 2550 Covenant Marriage Act Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 13)
Feb. 26, 2008 WI AR 13 Supporting the Individual's Right to Bear Arms Resolution Passed - House (78 - 18)
Feb. 26, 2008 GA HR 413 English as the Official Language of Georgia Resolution Failed - House (103 - 61)
Feb. 26, 2008 CO SB 139 Undocumented Immigrant Hiring Ban Notification Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 4)
Feb. 26, 2008 IA SF 2216 State-Mandated Curriculum for Schools Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 14)
Feb. 26, 2008 SD SB 174 Railroad Eminent Domain Bill Passed - House (54 - 16)
Feb. 26, 2008 GA SB 454 Permitting Public Venue Alcohol Sales on Sundays Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 20)
Feb. 25, 2008 National S Amdt 4070 Prohibiting Funds in the Bill S 1200 from Being Used to Decrease Gun Ownership Amendment Adopted - Senate (78 - 11)
Date No. Title Outcome
3/05 HR 1424 Mental Health Coverage Bill Bill Passed - House (268 - 148)
3/05 SB 299 Domestic Partnership Benefits Bill Passed - House (61 - 9)
3/05 SB 299 Domestic Partnership Benefits Bill Passed - House (61 - 9)
3/05 AB 151 Financial Aid Ineligibility for Drug Offenders Bill Passed - House (70 - 24)
3/05 HF 2359 Veterans Trust Fund Bill Passed - House (75 - 21)
3/05 AB 151 Financial Aid Ineligibility for Drug Offenders Bill Passed - House (70 - 24)
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)
3/04 HA 5 Defining Mifepristone as a Schedule 1 Controlled Substance Amendment Adopted - House
3/04 HA 5 Defining Mifepristone as a Schedule 1 Controlled Substance Amendment Adopted - House
3/04 HB 1153 Low-Stakes Gambling Concurrence Vote Passed - House (53 - 42)
3/04 SB 81 Expanding Immigration Enforcement Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 4)
3/04 HB 3104 Domestic Partnership Rights Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 20)
3/04 HB 2438 Permitting Dogs in Cougar Hunting Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 18)
3/04 HB 186 Dental Health Certificate Requirement for School Enrollment Bill Passed - House (91 - 4)
3/04 HB 2630 Illegally Concealed Weapon Penalty Reduction Bill Passed - House (36 - 24)
3/04 HB 2630 Illegally Concealed Weapon Penalty Reduction Bill Passed - House (36 - 24)
3/04 HB 1245 Public Defender Funding Amendments Bill Passed - House (141 - 21)
3/04 SB 537 John Doe Proceedings Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 15)
3/04 SB 297 Increasing Penalties for Animal Cruelty Bill Passed - House (62 - 6)
3/04 SB 297 Increasing Penalties for Animal Cruelty Bill Passed - House (62 - 6)
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)
3/04 HB 2263 Maturity Requirement for Underage Abortions Bill Passed - House (32 - 27)
3/04 HB 4180 Allowing Teachers to Conduct a Silent Reflection Bill Passed - House (72 - 31)
3/04 HB 3104 Domestic Partnership Rights Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 20)
3/03 AM 1 Mandating the Concealment of Firearms on Campus Amendment Adopted - House (41 - 29)
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 HB 73 Increasing DUI Penalties Bill Failed - Senate (14 - 16)
3/03 HB 73 Increasing DUI Penalties Bill Failed - Senate (14 - 16)
3/03 HB 473 Campus Gun Restrictions Bill Passed - House (60 - 11)
3/03 S 786 Extending Family Leave Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 16)
3/03 HB 2359 County Sheriff and Border Patrol Collaboration Bill Passed - House (33 - 27)
3/03 HB 2359 County Sheriff and Border Patrol Collaboration Bill Passed - House (33 - 27)
3/03 HB 2769 Increasing Partial-Birth/Late-Term Abortion Penalties Bill Passed - House (34 - 25)
3/03 SB 299 Domestic Partnership Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 7)
3/03 HB 2769 Increasing Partial-Birth/Late-Term Abortion Penalties Bill Passed - House (34 - 25)
3/03 SB 299 Domestic Partnership Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 7)
3/03 SB 299 Domestic Partnership Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 7)
2/29 SB 506 Mandatory School Physical Fitness Testing Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 13)
2/28 A Amnd. 2 Exemptions to Partial-Birth/Late-Term Abortion Ban Amendment Tabled - House (54 - 43)
2/28 A Amnd. 2 Exemptions to Partial-Birth/Late-Term Abortion Ban Amendment Tabled - House (54 - 43)
2/28 A Amnd. 2 Exemptions to Partial-Birth/Late-Term Abortion Ban Amendment Tabled - House (54 - 43)
2/28 A Amnd. 1 Exemptions to Partial-Birth/Late-Term Abortion Ban Amendment Tabled - House (54 - 43)
2/28 A Amnd. 1 Exemptions to Partial-Birth/Late-Term Abortion Ban Amendment Tabled - House (54 - 43)
2/28 HB 978 Vehicle Seizures for Undocumented Immigrant Traffic Violations Bill Passed - House (104 - 51)
2/28 AB 581 Gun Possession During Emergencies Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 5)
2/28 SB 129 Restricting Beverage Sales at Schools Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12)
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 AB 710 Partial-Birth/Late-Term Abortion Ban Bill Passed - House (59 - 38)
2/28 AB 710 Partial-Birth/Late-Term Abortion Ban Bill Passed - House (59 - 38)
2/28 AB 377 Emergency Contraception for Sexual Assault Victims Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 6)
2/28 AB 377 Emergency Contraception for Sexual Assault Victims Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 6)
2/28 AB 377 Emergency Contraception for Sexual Assault Victims Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 6)
2/27 HB 1153 Low-Stakes Gambling Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 21)
2/27 HF 2212 Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 21)
2/27 SB 297 Increasing Penalties for Animal Cruelty Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 6)
2/27 SB 297 Increasing Penalties for Animal Cruelty Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 6)
2/27 SB 2206 Radar Speed Detection Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 19)
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 SB 248 Non-Participation in the Real ID Act Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 3)
2/26 H 503 Scholarships for Drug-Free Students Bill Passed - House (55 - 14)
2/26 AB 695 John Doe Proceedings Bill Passed - House (84 - 13)
2/26 SB 2550 Covenant Marriage Act Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 13)
2/26 SB 2550 Covenant Marriage Act Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 13)
2/26 AR 13 Supporting the Individual's Right to Bear Arms Resolution Passed - House (78 - 18)
2/26 HR 413 English as the Official Language of Georgia Resolution Failed - House (103 - 61)
2/26 SB 139 Undocumented Immigrant Hiring Ban Notification Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 4)
2/26 SF 2216 State-Mandated Curriculum for Schools Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 14)
2/26 SB 174 Railroad Eminent Domain Bill Passed - House (54 - 16)
2/26 SB 454 Permitting Public Venue Alcohol Sales on Sundays Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 20)
2/25 S Amdt 4070 Prohibiting Funds in the Bill S 1200 from Being Used to Decrease Gun Ownership Amendment Adopted - Senate (78 - 11)

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