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
May 13, 2008 LA HB 25 Verification of Citizenship or Immigration Status Bill Passed - House (83 - 11)
May 13, 2008 PA SB 1278 Child Support Fee Bill Passed - House (116 - 84)
May 13, 2008 LA HB 25 Verification of Citizenship or Immigration Status Bill Passed - House (83 - 11)
May 13, 2008 LA HB 1358 Transporting Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - House (70 - 17)
May 12, 2008 OK HB 2633 Religious Expression at Schools Concurrence Vote Passed - House (70 - 28)
May 12, 2008 MN SF 2965 Surrogate Mother Regulations Bill Passed - House (86 - 46)
May 12, 2008 AZ SCR 1042 Parameters of Marriage Resolution Passed - House (33 - 25)
May 12, 2008 AZ SCR 1042 Parameters of Marriage Resolution Passed - House (33 - 25)
May 12, 2008 AZ SCR 1042 Parameters of Marriage Resolution Passed - House (33 - 25)
May 8, 2008 National H Amdt 1045 Undocumented Immigrants' Ineligibility for Certain Financial Assistance Amendment Adopted - House (391 - 33)
May 8, 2008 MN SF 3001 Modifying State Education Policies Conference Report Adopted - House (82 - 49)
May 8, 2008 MN SF 3001 Modifying State Education Policies Conference Report Adopted - House (82 - 49)
May 7, 2008 SC Amendment No. 8A Requiring Employers to Verify Immigration the Status of Their Employees Amendment Adopted - House (80 - 33)
May 7, 2008 SC Amendment No. 8A Requiring Employers to Verify Immigration the Status of Their Employees Amendment Adopted - House (80 - 33)
May 7, 2008 MN Dean Amendment: Stem cell research that does not destroy, injure or create human embryos Amendment Rejected - House (65 - 69)
May 7, 2008 MN SF 100 Public Funding for Stem Cell Research Bill Passed - House (71 - 62)
May 7, 2008 IL HB 4139 Peace Officer Firearms Bill Passed - House (91 - 18)
May 6, 2008 RI H 7040 Twenty-Four Hour Operation of Video Lottery Games Veto Override Passed - House (51 - 16)
May 6, 2008 KS HB 2019 Voter Identification Conference Report Adopted - House (67 - 56)
May 6, 2008 CO HB 1388 Increasing Education Funding Conference Report Adopted - House (58 - 5)
May 6, 2008 AL HB 829 Hate Crime Legislation Regarding Victim's Sexual Orientation Bill Passed - House (46 - 44)
May 6, 2008 AL HB 829 Hate Crime Legislation Regarding Victim's Sexual Orientation Bill Passed - House (46 - 44)
May 5, 2008 CO HB 1325 Seasonal Foreign Worker Pilot Program Concurrence Vote Passed - House (47 - 17)
May 5, 2008 CO HB 1208 Limitations on Direct File Juvenile Cases Concurrence Vote Passed - House (34 - 30)
May 5, 2008 CO HB 1082 Sealing Criminal Records Concurrence Vote Passed - House (36 - 28)
May 5, 2008 CO HB 1082 Sealing Criminal Records Concurrence Vote Passed - House (36 - 28)
May 5, 2008 CO HB 1208 Limitations on Direct File Juvenile Cases Concurrence Vote Passed - House (34 - 30)
May 5, 2008 CO SB 226 Zebra Mussels Ban Bill Passed - House (54 - 11)
May 5, 2008 CA AB 2233 Ban on Holding Pets While Driving Bill Passed - House (44 - 20)
May 5, 2008 CA AB 2233 Ban on Holding Pets While Driving Bill Passed - House (44 - 20)
May 2, 2008 CO SB 200 Sexual Orientation Nondiscrimination Bill Passed - House (38 - 26)
May 2, 2008 CO SB 200 Sexual Orientation Nondiscrimination Bill Passed - House (38 - 26)
May 1, 2008 MN SF 2369 Background Checks for Coaches Conference Report Adopted - House (112 - 15)
April 30, 2008 IL HB 5191 Parental Responsibility for Gun Accessibility Bill Passed - House (74 - 36)
April 29, 2008 RI H 7107 Employment Verification Program Bill Passed - House (52 - 17)
April 29, 2008 RI H 7040 Twenty-Four Hour Operation of Video Lottery Games Bill Passed - House (51 - 19)
April 29, 2008 LA HB 674 Anti-Bullying Bill Bill Failed - House (28 - 63)
April 29, 2008 LA HB 674 Anti-Bullying Bill Bill Failed - House (28 - 63)
April 29, 2008 National S 2739 Consolidated Natural Resources Act of 2008 Bill Passed - House (291 - 117)
April 28, 2008 MN Walker Amdt to SF 3001 Sex Education in Schools Amendment Adopted - House (79 - 53)
April 28, 2008 FL SB 2692 Teaching Evolution in Public Schools Bill Passed - House (71 - 43)
April 25, 2008 RI H 7204 2007-2008 Budget Amendments Bill Passed - House (60 - 12)
April 25, 2008 RI H 7204 2007-2008 Budget Amendments Bill Passed - House (60 - 12)
April 25, 2008 RI H 7204 2007-2008 Budget Amendments Bill Passed - House (60 - 12)
April 25, 2008 IA SF 2432 Prison and Infrastructure Funding Bill Passed - House (53 - 43)
April 25, 2008 IA H 8672 DUI Appeals Amendment Rejected - House (45 - 50)
April 25, 2008 IA H 8672 DUI Appeals Amendment Rejected - House (45 - 50)
April 24, 2008 AZ HB 2395 Driving and Boating Under the Influence Concurrence Vote Passed - House (35 - 15)
April 23, 2008 OK SB 163 English as the Official Language Bill Passed - House (70 - 28)
April 22, 2008 AZ SB 1048 Prohibiting Partial-Birth/Late-Term Abortion Bill Passed - House (31 - 24)
April 22, 2008 CO HB 1325 Seasonal Foreign Worker Pilot Program Bill Passed - House (46 - 18)
April 22, 2008 CO HB 1082 Sealing Criminal Records Bill Passed - House (36 - 28)
April 22, 2008 CO HB 1082 Sealing Criminal Records Bill Passed - House (36 - 28)
April 21, 2008 MO HB 1831 Prohibiting Coerced Abortion Bill Passed - House (113 - 33)
April 21, 2008 LA HB 852 Banning Cell Phones While Driving Bill Passed - House (55 - 43)
April 17, 2008 OK SB 1819 Tax Rebates for Sports Franchises Conference Report Adopted - House (67 - 32)
April 16, 2008 IA HF 2686 Employee Identification Verification Bill Passed - House (84 - 16)
April 15, 2008 ME LD 701 Slot Machine Authorization Veto Override Failed - House (94 - 49)
April 15, 2008 KY HB 683 DNA Collection, Parole Board, and Felony Review Conference Report Adopted - House (51 - 42)
April 15, 2008 KY HB 683 DNA Collection, Parole Board, and Felony Review Conference Report Adopted - House (51 - 42)
April 15, 2008 LA HB 370 Banning Public Funds for Human Cloning Bill Passed - House (90 - 9)
April 14, 2008 MN HF 1351 Transportation Policy Reform Conference Report Adopted - House (88 - 44)
April 9, 2008 AZ SB 1096 English Language Education Funding Bill Passed - House (37 - 23)
April 8, 2008 IA HF 2212 Smoking Ban Conference Report Adopted - House (54 - 45)
April 8, 2008 AK HJR 2 Gambling Restrictions Joint Resolution Passed - House (33 - 6)
April 7, 2008 MN Emmer Amnd. Voter Identification Amendment Amendment Rejected - House (59 - 70)
April 6, 2008 AK HB 364 Parental Consent for Underage Abortions Bill Passed - House (23 - 16)
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 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 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 2, 2008 GA SB 174 Physical Fitness Standards for State Employees Bill Failed - House (55 - 107)
April 2, 2008 National HR 5501 Funding to Combat AIDS, Malaria, and Tuberculosis Bill Passed - House (308 - 116)
April 2, 2008 KY SB 120 Booster Seat Requirement Bill Passed - House (88 - 8)
April 2, 2008 KY SB 120 Booster Seat Requirement Bill Passed - House (88 - 8)
April 2, 2008 AZ HB 2700 9/11 Memorial Modifications Bill Passed - House (32 - 26)
April 2, 2008 OK SB 1878 Abortion Regulations Bill Passed - House (80 - 12)
April 2, 2008 OK SB 1878 Abortion Regulations Bill Passed - House (80 - 12)
April 1, 2008 PA A 6178 to HB 1845 Reporting Missing Firearms Amendment Rejected - House (75 - 128)
April 1, 2008 MN Seifert Amendment: Prohibiting Grants for Groups Associated with Abortion Providers Amendment Rejected - House (64 - 66)
April 1, 2008 CO SB 129 Restricting Beverage Sales at Schools Bill Passed - House (37 - 27)
April 1, 2008 MN SF 2369 Background Checks for Coaches Bill Passed - House (118 - 11)
April 1, 2008 AZ HB 2745 Amending Undocumented Immigrant Employment Sanctions Bill Passed - House (41 - 16)
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)
March 31, 2008 MS HB 1089 Legalizing Deer Baiting Concurrence Vote Passed - House (68 - 51)
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 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 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 MS HB 520 Reporting Sexual Activity of Minors Concurrence Vote Passed - House (79 - 41)
March 27, 2008 AZ HB 2788 Relaxing Concealed Weapon Restrictions Bill Passed - House (51 - 5)
March 26, 2008 MS SB 2199 Gaming Restrictions Bill Passed - House (114 - 7)
March 26, 2008 FL HB 503 Firearms in Vehicles Bill Passed - House (72 - 42)
March 26, 2008 AK HB 256 Relaxing Predator Control Standards Bill Passed - House (25 - 12)
Date No. Title Outcome
5/13 HB 25 Verification of Citizenship or Immigration Status Bill Passed - House (83 - 11)
5/13 SB 1278 Child Support Fee Bill Passed - House (116 - 84)
5/13 HB 25 Verification of Citizenship or Immigration Status Bill Passed - House (83 - 11)
5/13 HB 1358 Transporting Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - House (70 - 17)
5/12 HB 2633 Religious Expression at Schools Concurrence Vote Passed - House (70 - 28)
5/12 SF 2965 Surrogate Mother Regulations Bill Passed - House (86 - 46)
5/12 SCR 1042 Parameters of Marriage Resolution Passed - House (33 - 25)
5/12 SCR 1042 Parameters of Marriage Resolution Passed - House (33 - 25)
5/12 SCR 1042 Parameters of Marriage Resolution Passed - House (33 - 25)
5/08 H Amdt 1045 Undocumented Immigrants' Ineligibility for Certain Financial Assistance Amendment Adopted - House (391 - 33)
5/08 SF 3001 Modifying State Education Policies Conference Report Adopted - House (82 - 49)
5/08 SF 3001 Modifying State Education Policies Conference Report Adopted - House (82 - 49)
5/07 Amendment No. 8A Requiring Employers to Verify Immigration the Status of Their Employees Amendment Adopted - House (80 - 33)
5/07 Amendment No. 8A Requiring Employers to Verify Immigration the Status of Their Employees Amendment Adopted - House (80 - 33)
5/07 Dean Amendment: Stem cell research that does not destroy, injure or create human embryos Amendment Rejected - House (65 - 69)
5/07 SF 100 Public Funding for Stem Cell Research Bill Passed - House (71 - 62)
5/07 HB 4139 Peace Officer Firearms Bill Passed - House (91 - 18)
5/06 H 7040 Twenty-Four Hour Operation of Video Lottery Games Veto Override Passed - House (51 - 16)
5/06 HB 2019 Voter Identification Conference Report Adopted - House (67 - 56)
5/06 HB 1388 Increasing Education Funding Conference Report Adopted - House (58 - 5)
5/06 HB 829 Hate Crime Legislation Regarding Victim's Sexual Orientation Bill Passed - House (46 - 44)
5/06 HB 829 Hate Crime Legislation Regarding Victim's Sexual Orientation Bill Passed - House (46 - 44)
5/05 HB 1325 Seasonal Foreign Worker Pilot Program Concurrence Vote Passed - House (47 - 17)
5/05 HB 1208 Limitations on Direct File Juvenile Cases Concurrence Vote Passed - House (34 - 30)
5/05 HB 1082 Sealing Criminal Records Concurrence Vote Passed - House (36 - 28)
5/05 HB 1082 Sealing Criminal Records Concurrence Vote Passed - House (36 - 28)
5/05 HB 1208 Limitations on Direct File Juvenile Cases Concurrence Vote Passed - House (34 - 30)
5/05 SB 226 Zebra Mussels Ban Bill Passed - House (54 - 11)
5/05 AB 2233 Ban on Holding Pets While Driving Bill Passed - House (44 - 20)
5/05 AB 2233 Ban on Holding Pets While Driving Bill Passed - House (44 - 20)
5/02 SB 200 Sexual Orientation Nondiscrimination Bill Passed - House (38 - 26)
5/02 SB 200 Sexual Orientation Nondiscrimination Bill Passed - House (38 - 26)
5/01 SF 2369 Background Checks for Coaches Conference Report Adopted - House (112 - 15)
4/30 HB 5191 Parental Responsibility for Gun Accessibility Bill Passed - House (74 - 36)
4/29 H 7107 Employment Verification Program Bill Passed - House (52 - 17)
4/29 H 7040 Twenty-Four Hour Operation of Video Lottery Games Bill Passed - House (51 - 19)
4/29 HB 674 Anti-Bullying Bill Bill Failed - House (28 - 63)
4/29 HB 674 Anti-Bullying Bill Bill Failed - House (28 - 63)
4/29 S 2739 Consolidated Natural Resources Act of 2008 Bill Passed - House (291 - 117)
4/28 Walker Amdt to SF 3001 Sex Education in Schools Amendment Adopted - House (79 - 53)
4/28 SB 2692 Teaching Evolution in Public Schools Bill Passed - House (71 - 43)
4/25 H 7204 2007-2008 Budget Amendments Bill Passed - House (60 - 12)
4/25 H 7204 2007-2008 Budget Amendments Bill Passed - House (60 - 12)
4/25 H 7204 2007-2008 Budget Amendments Bill Passed - House (60 - 12)
4/25 SF 2432 Prison and Infrastructure Funding Bill Passed - House (53 - 43)
4/25 H 8672 DUI Appeals Amendment Rejected - House (45 - 50)
4/25 H 8672 DUI Appeals Amendment Rejected - House (45 - 50)
4/24 HB 2395 Driving and Boating Under the Influence Concurrence Vote Passed - House (35 - 15)
4/23 SB 163 English as the Official Language Bill Passed - House (70 - 28)
4/22 SB 1048 Prohibiting Partial-Birth/Late-Term Abortion Bill Passed - House (31 - 24)
4/22 HB 1325 Seasonal Foreign Worker Pilot Program Bill Passed - House (46 - 18)
4/22 HB 1082 Sealing Criminal Records Bill Passed - House (36 - 28)
4/22 HB 1082 Sealing Criminal Records Bill Passed - House (36 - 28)
4/21 HB 1831 Prohibiting Coerced Abortion Bill Passed - House (113 - 33)
4/21 HB 852 Banning Cell Phones While Driving Bill Passed - House (55 - 43)
4/17 SB 1819 Tax Rebates for Sports Franchises Conference Report Adopted - House (67 - 32)
4/16 HF 2686 Employee Identification Verification Bill Passed - House (84 - 16)
4/15 LD 701 Slot Machine Authorization Veto Override Failed - House (94 - 49)
4/15 HB 683 DNA Collection, Parole Board, and Felony Review Conference Report Adopted - House (51 - 42)
4/15 HB 683 DNA Collection, Parole Board, and Felony Review Conference Report Adopted - House (51 - 42)
4/15 HB 370 Banning Public Funds for Human Cloning Bill Passed - House (90 - 9)
4/14 HF 1351 Transportation Policy Reform Conference Report Adopted - House (88 - 44)
4/09 SB 1096 English Language Education Funding Bill Passed - House (37 - 23)
4/08 HF 2212 Smoking Ban Conference Report Adopted - House (54 - 45)
4/08 HJR 2 Gambling Restrictions Joint Resolution Passed - House (33 - 6)
4/07 Emmer Amnd. Voter Identification Amendment Amendment Rejected - House (59 - 70)
4/06 HB 364 Parental Consent for Underage Abortions Bill Passed - House (23 - 16)
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 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 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)
4/02 SB 174 Physical Fitness Standards for State Employees Bill Failed - House (55 - 107)
4/02 HR 5501 Funding to Combat AIDS, Malaria, and Tuberculosis Bill Passed - House (308 - 116)
4/02 SB 120 Booster Seat Requirement Bill Passed - House (88 - 8)
4/02 SB 120 Booster Seat Requirement Bill Passed - House (88 - 8)
4/02 HB 2700 9/11 Memorial Modifications Bill Passed - House (32 - 26)
4/02 SB 1878 Abortion Regulations Bill Passed - House (80 - 12)
4/02 SB 1878 Abortion Regulations Bill Passed - House (80 - 12)
4/01 A 6178 to HB 1845 Reporting Missing Firearms Amendment Rejected - House (75 - 128)
4/01 Seifert Amendment: Prohibiting Grants for Groups Associated with Abortion Providers Amendment Rejected - House (64 - 66)
4/01 SB 129 Restricting Beverage Sales at Schools Bill Passed - House (37 - 27)
4/01 SF 2369 Background Checks for Coaches Bill Passed - House (118 - 11)
4/01 HB 2745 Amending Undocumented Immigrant Employment Sanctions Bill Passed - House (41 - 16)
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)
3/31 HB 1089 Legalizing Deer Baiting Concurrence Vote Passed - House (68 - 51)
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 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 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 520 Reporting Sexual Activity of Minors Concurrence Vote Passed - House (79 - 41)
3/27 HB 2788 Relaxing Concealed Weapon Restrictions Bill Passed - House (51 - 5)
3/26 SB 2199 Gaming Restrictions Bill Passed - House (114 - 7)
3/26 HB 503 Firearms in Vehicles Bill Passed - House (72 - 42)
3/26 HB 256 Relaxing Predator Control Standards Bill Passed - House (25 - 12)

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