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
June 8, 2009 ME LD 1264 Expand and Fund DirigoChoice Health Insurance Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
June 5, 2009 ME LD 1088 Income and Sales Tax Reform Bill Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 15)
June 4, 2009 ME LD 977 Repealing School District Consolidation "Ought Not to Pass" Report Rejected - Senate (16 - 19)
June 3, 2009 ME LD 1357 Relating to Driver's License and Identification Card Regulations Veto Override Failed - Senate (7 - 28)
June 3, 2009 OH HB 1 2009-2011 Biennium Budget Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 11)
June 3, 2009 OR HB 2794 Mandatory HPV Vaccination Coverage Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 6)
June 3, 2009 NY S 2020 SUNY Buffalo Education Bill Bill Passed - Senate (44 - 17)
June 3, 2009 ME LD 1357 Relating to Driver's License and Identification Card Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17)
June 1, 2009 OR HB 2726 Nutrition Labeling on Menus Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 7)
June 1, 2009 NV AB 458 Establishing the K-12 Public Education Stabilization Account Veto Override Failed - Senate (12 - 9)
May 31, 2009 IL SB 612 Raising the Cap on Charter Schools Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (45 - 10)
May 31, 2009 NV AB 543 Property Tax Reappropriation Veto Override Passed - Senate (15 - 6)
May 30, 2009 CT HB 6582 Healthcare Partnership Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12)
May 30, 2009 CT HB 6600 SustiNet Health Insurance Plan Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
May 28, 2009 LA SB 186 Indoor Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 10)
May 27, 2009 LA Amendment # 1874 Video Draw Poker Device Location Restriction Amendment Adopted - Senate (18 - 16)
May 27, 2009 AZ HB 2001 Scholarships for Disabled or Displaced Students Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 11)
May 27, 2009 OR HB 2599 Expanding School Bullying Law Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 2)
May 26, 2009 CA SB 219 Extending Whistle-Blower Protection to UC Employees Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 14)
May 22, 2009 NV SB 311 Washoe County Fluoridation Bill Passed - Senate (11 - 9)
May 20, 2009 ME LD 290 Out-of-State Health Insurance "Ought Not to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (19 - 16)
May 18, 2009 MN SF 97 Legalizing Medical Marijuana Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (38 - 28)
May 18, 2009 OR HB 2509 Sexual Education Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 9)
May 18, 2009 OR HB 2509 Sexual Education Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 9)
May 14, 2009 CA SB 572 Harvey Milk Day Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 14)
May 14, 2009 CA SB 4 Prohibiting Smoking at State Park Beaches Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
May 13, 2009 AZ HB 2028 2008-2009 Budget Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 8)
May 13, 2009 WI SB 181 Indoor Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 8)
May 11, 2009 MN HF 1362 Health Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (47 - 18)
May 11, 2009 TX HB 1736 Increasing Wrongful Conviction Compensation Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 4)
May 11, 2009 NC HB 2 Statewide Indoor Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 18)
May 8, 2009 FL SB 788 Gambling Expansion Conference Report Adopted - Senate (31 - 9)
May 8, 2009 ID H 374 Allowing Diversion of Funds to Virtual Education Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 9)
May 7, 2009 TN SB 2133 Charter School Access Expansion Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 7)
May 6, 2009 NY S 1363 Tenants' Protection In Foreclosure Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 24)
May 6, 2009 CO HB 1366 Capital Gains Income Tax Reduction Modification Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
May 6, 2009 NC SB 526 Prevention of Bullying and Violence in Schools Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 22)
May 5, 2009 CO SB 244 Requiring Health Insurance Plans to Cover Autism Treatments Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 10)
May 4, 2009 MN SF 97 Legalizing Medical Marijuana Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 29)
May 1, 2009 FL HB 1495 Property Insurance Law Modifications Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 6)
May 1, 2009 FL SB 360 Growth Management Deregulation Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 7)
April 29, 2009 NH HB 383 Mandating Seat Belt Usage Bill Tabled - Senate (13 - 11)
April 29, 2009 OK SB 834 Increased Local School Board Control Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 22)
April 29, 2009 ND SCR 4038 Creating a Public Health Investment Trust Fund Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 23)
April 29, 2009 NH HB 648 Medical Marijuana Legalization Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 10)
April 28, 2009 National PN 188 Kathleen Sebelius, Secretary of Health and Human Services Nomination Confirmed - Senate (65 - 31)
April 27, 2009 CO SB 244 Requiring Health Insurance Plans to Cover Autism Treatments Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 16)
April 27, 2009 FL SB 762 Allowing Universities to Levy "Tuition Differential" Charges Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 7)
April 27, 2009 CO HB 1057 Mandatory Unpaid Parental Work Leave for Education Activities Conference Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 13)
April 27, 2009 CO SB 241 DNA Sampling Upon Felony Arrest Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 7)
April 25, 2009 WA SB 5288 Probation Time Reductions Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 23)
April 25, 2009 WA HB 2344 Allowing Tuition Increases Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 20)
April 22, 2009 NC SB 287 State Health Plan Changes and Appropriations Conference Report Adopted - Senate (29 - 19)
April 21, 2009 ID H 262 Teacher Compensation Adjustments Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 8)
April 20, 2009 MN SF 802 2009-2011 Biennium Public Safety and Corrections Budget Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 31)
April 17, 2009 MN Limit of 3 Percent on Tuition Increases Amendment Rejected - Senate (32 - 33)
April 17, 2009 NV SB 372 Smoking Ban Exceptions Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 5)
April 17, 2009 MN SF 971 School Anti-Bullying Policy Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 22)
April 17, 2009 MN SF 2083 2009-2011 Biennium Higher Education Budget Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 23)
April 17, 2009 MN SF 2083 2009-2011 Biennium Higher Education Budget Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 23)
April 16, 2009 MN Limmer Amdt Homosexuality in Education Amendment Rejected - Senate (24 - 37)
April 16, 2009 WA HB 2261 Education Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 23)
April 16, 2009 MO SB 306 State Health Care Expansion Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 7)
April 16, 2009 CA SB 242 Prohibiting Language Discrimination Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 15)
April 15, 2009 WA HB 1517 Expediting the Restoration of Felons' Voting Rights Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 19)
April 15, 2009 TX SB 1049 Increasing Age Restriction on Tobacco Purchases Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 5)
April 14, 2009 MO HB 10 2009-10 Health Budget Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7)
April 9, 2009 MT HB 228 Amending Concealed Weapons and Self-Defense Statutes Conference Report Adopted - Senate (40 - 10)
April 8, 2009 ME LD 67 Prohibiting Smoking at State Park Beaches Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 9)
April 7, 2009 MN SF 1328 2009-2011 Biennium Education Budget Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 29)
April 6, 2009 CO SB 170 Expanding In-State Tuition Eligibility Motion Rejected - Senate (16 - 18)
April 6, 2009 CO SB 170 Expanding In-State Tuition Eligibility Motion Rejected - Senate (16 - 18)
April 6, 2009 ND HB 1171 Home School Deregulation Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 20)
April 6, 2009 MN SF 10 Sharing Services For Schools Districts Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 33)
April 6, 2009 MD HB 302 Allowing Judges to Confiscate Firearms from Domestic Abuse Suspects Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 15)
Date No. Title Outcome
6/08 LD 1264 Expand and Fund DirigoChoice Health Insurance Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
6/05 LD 1088 Income and Sales Tax Reform Bill Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 15)
6/04 LD 977 Repealing School District Consolidation "Ought Not to Pass" Report Rejected - Senate (16 - 19)
6/03 LD 1357 Relating to Driver's License and Identification Card Regulations Veto Override Failed - Senate (7 - 28)
6/03 HB 1 2009-2011 Biennium Budget Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 11)
6/03 HB 2794 Mandatory HPV Vaccination Coverage Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 6)
6/03 S 2020 SUNY Buffalo Education Bill Bill Passed - Senate (44 - 17)
6/03 LD 1357 Relating to Driver's License and Identification Card Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17)
6/01 HB 2726 Nutrition Labeling on Menus Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 7)
6/01 AB 458 Establishing the K-12 Public Education Stabilization Account Veto Override Failed - Senate (12 - 9)
5/31 SB 612 Raising the Cap on Charter Schools Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (45 - 10)
5/31 AB 543 Property Tax Reappropriation Veto Override Passed - Senate (15 - 6)
5/30 HB 6582 Healthcare Partnership Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12)
5/30 HB 6600 SustiNet Health Insurance Plan Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
5/28 SB 186 Indoor Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 10)
5/27 Amendment # 1874 Video Draw Poker Device Location Restriction Amendment Adopted - Senate (18 - 16)
5/27 HB 2001 Scholarships for Disabled or Displaced Students Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 11)
5/27 HB 2599 Expanding School Bullying Law Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 2)
5/26 SB 219 Extending Whistle-Blower Protection to UC Employees Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 14)
5/22 SB 311 Washoe County Fluoridation Bill Passed - Senate (11 - 9)
5/20 LD 290 Out-of-State Health Insurance "Ought Not to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (19 - 16)
5/18 SF 97 Legalizing Medical Marijuana Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (38 - 28)
5/18 HB 2509 Sexual Education Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 9)
5/18 HB 2509 Sexual Education Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 9)
5/14 SB 572 Harvey Milk Day Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 14)
5/14 SB 4 Prohibiting Smoking at State Park Beaches Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
5/13 HB 2028 2008-2009 Budget Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 8)
5/13 SB 181 Indoor Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 8)
5/11 HF 1362 Health Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (47 - 18)
5/11 HB 1736 Increasing Wrongful Conviction Compensation Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 4)
5/11 HB 2 Statewide Indoor Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 18)
5/08 SB 788 Gambling Expansion Conference Report Adopted - Senate (31 - 9)
5/08 H 374 Allowing Diversion of Funds to Virtual Education Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 9)
5/07 SB 2133 Charter School Access Expansion Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 7)
5/06 S 1363 Tenants' Protection In Foreclosure Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 24)
5/06 HB 1366 Capital Gains Income Tax Reduction Modification Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
5/06 SB 526 Prevention of Bullying and Violence in Schools Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 22)
5/05 SB 244 Requiring Health Insurance Plans to Cover Autism Treatments Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 10)
5/04 SF 97 Legalizing Medical Marijuana Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 29)
5/01 HB 1495 Property Insurance Law Modifications Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 6)
5/01 SB 360 Growth Management Deregulation Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 7)
4/29 HB 383 Mandating Seat Belt Usage Bill Tabled - Senate (13 - 11)
4/29 SB 834 Increased Local School Board Control Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 22)
4/29 SCR 4038 Creating a Public Health Investment Trust Fund Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 23)
4/29 HB 648 Medical Marijuana Legalization Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 10)
4/28 PN 188 Kathleen Sebelius, Secretary of Health and Human Services Nomination Confirmed - Senate (65 - 31)
4/27 SB 244 Requiring Health Insurance Plans to Cover Autism Treatments Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 16)
4/27 SB 762 Allowing Universities to Levy "Tuition Differential" Charges Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 7)
4/27 HB 1057 Mandatory Unpaid Parental Work Leave for Education Activities Conference Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 13)
4/27 SB 241 DNA Sampling Upon Felony Arrest Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 7)
4/25 SB 5288 Probation Time Reductions Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 23)
4/25 HB 2344 Allowing Tuition Increases Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 20)
4/22 SB 287 State Health Plan Changes and Appropriations Conference Report Adopted - Senate (29 - 19)
4/21 H 262 Teacher Compensation Adjustments Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 8)
4/20 SF 802 2009-2011 Biennium Public Safety and Corrections Budget Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 31)
4/17 Limit of 3 Percent on Tuition Increases Amendment Rejected - Senate (32 - 33)
4/17 SB 372 Smoking Ban Exceptions Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 5)
4/17 SF 971 School Anti-Bullying Policy Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 22)
4/17 SF 2083 2009-2011 Biennium Higher Education Budget Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 23)
4/17 SF 2083 2009-2011 Biennium Higher Education Budget Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 23)
4/16 Limmer Amdt Homosexuality in Education Amendment Rejected - Senate (24 - 37)
4/16 HB 2261 Education Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 23)
4/16 SB 306 State Health Care Expansion Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 7)
4/16 SB 242 Prohibiting Language Discrimination Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 15)
4/15 HB 1517 Expediting the Restoration of Felons' Voting Rights Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 19)
4/15 SB 1049 Increasing Age Restriction on Tobacco Purchases Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 5)
4/14 HB 10 2009-10 Health Budget Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7)
4/09 HB 228 Amending Concealed Weapons and Self-Defense Statutes Conference Report Adopted - Senate (40 - 10)
4/08 LD 67 Prohibiting Smoking at State Park Beaches Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 9)
4/07 SF 1328 2009-2011 Biennium Education Budget Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 29)
4/06 SB 170 Expanding In-State Tuition Eligibility Motion Rejected - Senate (16 - 18)
4/06 SB 170 Expanding In-State Tuition Eligibility Motion Rejected - Senate (16 - 18)
4/06 HB 1171 Home School Deregulation Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 20)
4/06 SF 10 Sharing Services For Schools Districts Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 33)
4/06 HB 302 Allowing Judges to Confiscate Firearms from Domestic Abuse Suspects Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 15)

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