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
April 21, 2009 NV SB 283 Establishing Domestic Partnerships Bill Passed - Senate (12 - 9)
April 20, 2009 MN SF 802 2009-2011 Biennium Public Safety and Corrections Budget Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 31)
April 17, 2009 NE LB 355 Exempting Cigar Bars from the Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 22)
April 17, 2009 NV SB 372 Smoking Ban Exceptions Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 5)
April 16, 2009 TN HB 962 Authorizing Guns in Restaurants that Serve Alcohol Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7)
April 16, 2009 MO HB 668 Firearm Regulation Amendments Bill Passed - House (105 - 50)
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 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 15, 2009 VT H 147 Primary Seat Belt Enforcement Bill Passed - House (104 - 40)
April 15, 2009 WA SB 5688 Expanding Domestic Partnership Rights Bill Passed - House (62 - 35)
April 13, 2009 MD HB 387 "Lawful Status" Requirements for ID Cards, Vehicle Licenses and Permits Conference Report Adopted - House (76 - 60)
April 10, 2009 MD SB 277 Authorizing Speed Monitoring Systems Bill Passed - House (94 - 41)
April 10, 2009 MD SB 277 Authorizing Speed Monitoring Systems Bill Passed - House (94 - 41)
April 9, 2009 MT HB 228 Amending Concealed Weapons and Self-Defense Statutes Conference Report Adopted - House (85 - 14)
April 9, 2009 MT HB 228 Amending Concealed Weapons and Self-Defense Statutes Conference Report Adopted - House (85 - 14)
April 9, 2009 MT HB 228 Amending Concealed Weapons and Self-Defense Statutes Conference Report Adopted - Senate (40 - 10)
April 9, 2009 MT HB 228 Amending Concealed Weapons and Self-Defense Statutes Conference Report Adopted - Senate (40 - 10)
April 8, 2009 NH HB 415 Prohibiting Gender Identity Discrimination Bill Passed - House (188 - 187)
April 8, 2009 ME LD 67 Prohibiting Smoking at State Park Beaches Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 9)
April 7, 2009 VT S 115 Same-Sex Marriage Veto Override Passed - House (100 - 49)
April 7, 2009 VT S 115 Same-Sex Marriage Veto Override Passed - Senate (23 - 5)
April 6, 2009 TN HB 962 Authorizing Guns in Restaurants that Serve Alcohol Bill Passed - House (70 - 26)
April 6, 2009 MD HB 302 Allowing Judges to Confiscate Firearms from Domestic Abuse Suspects Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 15)
April 6, 2009 MD HB 302 Allowing Judges to Confiscate Firearms from Domestic Abuse Suspects Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 15)
April 3, 2009 ND SB 2278 Prohibiting Sexual Orientation Discrimination Bill Failed - House (34 - 54)
April 3, 2009 VT S 115 Same-Sex Marriage Bill Passed - House (94 - 52)
April 3, 2009 NE LB 260 Wrongful Conviction Compensation Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 9)
April 3, 2009 GA SB 86 Requiring Proof of Citizenship for Voter Registration Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 13)
April 3, 2009 GA SB 86 Requiring Proof of Citizenship for Voter Registration Bill Passed - House (140 - 67)
April 2, 2009 MT HB 531 Red Light Camera Prohibition Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 11)
April 2, 2009 MD SB 277 Authorizing Speed Monitoring Systems Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 20)
April 2, 2009 MD SB 277 Authorizing Speed Monitoring Systems Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 20)
April 2, 2009 NC HB 2 Statewide Indoor Smoking Ban Bill Passed - House (72 - 45)
April 2, 2009 National HR 1256 FDA Oversight of Tobacco Products Bill Passed - House (298 - 112)
April 1, 2009 NC Amdt 2 to HB 2 Exempting 18+ Establishments from Smoking Ban Amendment Adopted - House (70 - 46)
April 1, 2009 OK SB 4 Voter Identification Bill Passed - House (71 - 27)
April 1, 2009 IL HB Text Messaging while Driving Ban Bill Passed - House (89 - 27)
April 1, 2009 ND SB 2070 Ban on Smoking in Cars with Children Passengers Bill Failed - House (31 - 58)
April 1, 2009 IL HB 71 Prohibiting Text Messaging While Driving Bill Passed - House (89 - 27)
March 31, 2009 TX SB 298 Authorizing Sobriety Checkpoints Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 11)
March 31, 2009 TX SB 298 Authorizing Sobriety Checkpoints Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 11)
March 30, 2009 GA HB 614 Prescription Tracking Database Bill Failed - Senate (25 - 29)
March 30, 2009 GA HB 614 Prescription Tracking Database Bill Failed - Senate (25 - 29)
March 27, 2009 WV HB 2621 Prohibiting the Use of Cell Phones While Driving Bill Passed - House (80 - 18)
March 26, 2009 MD SB 279 Capital Punishment Restrictions Bill Passed - House (87 - 52)
March 26, 2009 NH HB 436 Legalizing Same-Sex Marriage Bill Passed - House (186 - 179)
March 25, 2009 KS HB 2275 Drug Testing for Cash Assistance Recipients Bill Passed - House (99 - 26)
March 25, 2009 NH HB 556 Abolishing the Death Penalty Bill Passed - House (193 - 174)
March 25, 2009 KS HB 2275 Drug Testing for Cash Assistance Recipients Bill Passed - House (99 - 26)
March 25, 2009 NH HB 648 Medical Marijuana Legalization Bill Passed - House (234 - 138)
March 24, 2009 NH HB 34 Banning Text Messaging While Driving Bill Passed - House (222 - 137)
March 23, 2009 VT Same-Sex Marriage Ballot Question Amendment Rejected - Senate (11 - 19)
March 23, 2009 VT S 115 Same-Sex Marriage Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 4)
March 19, 2009 TN HB 390 Allowing Loaded "Long Guns" in Vehicles Bill Passed - House (82 - 10)
March 19, 2009 TX SB 188 Authorizes Needle Exchange Programs Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 6)
March 19, 2009 NM HB 393 Opening Conference Committees to the Public Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 8)
March 18, 2009 IL HB 442 Expanding Red-Light Traffic Camera Enforcement Bill Passed - House (68 - 47)
March 18, 2009 IL HB 442 Expanding Red-Light Traffic Camera Enforcement Bill Passed - House (68 - 47)
March 18, 2009 IA HF 243 Gender Requirements for Certain Local Government Positions Bill Passed - House (71 - 27)
March 17, 2009 MD HB 302 Allowing Judges to Confiscate Firearms from Domestic Abuse Suspects Bill Passed - House (92 - 45)
March 17, 2009 MD HB 302 Allowing Judges to Confiscate Firearms from Domestic Abuse Suspects Bill Passed - House (92 - 45)
March 17, 2009 MD HB 359 Handgun Permit Eligibility for Domestic Abuse Victims Bill Failed - House (51 - 86)
March 17, 2009 MD HB 359 Handgun Permit Eligibility for Domestic Abuse Victims Bill Failed - House (51 - 86)
March 13, 2009 NM HB 285 Abolishing the Death Penalty Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 18)
March 13, 2009 WV SB 238 Ban on Sexual Orientation Discrimination Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 10)
March 12, 2009 UT HB 290 Prohibiting Text Messaging While Driving Concurrence Vote Passed - House (45 - 29)
March 12, 2009 UT SJR 14 Legislative Regulation of Death Row Appeals Joint Resolution Failed - House (38 - 35)
March 12, 2009 TN HB 254 Eliminating Thumbprint Requirement for Gun Purchases Bill Passed - House (82 - 11)
March 12, 2009 GA HB 23 Age-Specific Ban on Wireless Communication While Driving Bill Passed - House (138 - 34)
March 11, 2009 OK HJR 1042 English as Official State Language Joint Resolution Passed - House (66 - 32)
March 11, 2009 TX SB 362 Requiring Proof of Identification to Vote Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 12)
March 11, 2009 OK HB 1037 Voter Identification Bill Passed - House (59 - 39)
March 11, 2009 AZ HB 2400 Specifying Partial-Birth/Late-Term Abortion Penalty Bill Passed - House (37 - 19)
Date No. Title Outcome
4/21 SB 283 Establishing Domestic Partnerships Bill Passed - Senate (12 - 9)
4/20 SF 802 2009-2011 Biennium Public Safety and Corrections Budget Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 31)
4/17 LB 355 Exempting Cigar Bars from the Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 22)
4/17 SB 372 Smoking Ban Exceptions Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 5)
4/16 HB 962 Authorizing Guns in Restaurants that Serve Alcohol Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7)
4/16 HB 668 Firearm Regulation Amendments Bill Passed - House (105 - 50)
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 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)
4/15 H 147 Primary Seat Belt Enforcement Bill Passed - House (104 - 40)
4/15 SB 5688 Expanding Domestic Partnership Rights Bill Passed - House (62 - 35)
4/13 HB 387 "Lawful Status" Requirements for ID Cards, Vehicle Licenses and Permits Conference Report Adopted - House (76 - 60)
4/10 SB 277 Authorizing Speed Monitoring Systems Bill Passed - House (94 - 41)
4/10 SB 277 Authorizing Speed Monitoring Systems Bill Passed - House (94 - 41)
4/09 HB 228 Amending Concealed Weapons and Self-Defense Statutes Conference Report Adopted - House (85 - 14)
4/09 HB 228 Amending Concealed Weapons and Self-Defense Statutes Conference Report Adopted - House (85 - 14)
4/09 HB 228 Amending Concealed Weapons and Self-Defense Statutes Conference Report Adopted - Senate (40 - 10)
4/09 HB 228 Amending Concealed Weapons and Self-Defense Statutes Conference Report Adopted - Senate (40 - 10)
4/08 HB 415 Prohibiting Gender Identity Discrimination Bill Passed - House (188 - 187)
4/08 LD 67 Prohibiting Smoking at State Park Beaches Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 9)
4/07 S 115 Same-Sex Marriage Veto Override Passed - House (100 - 49)
4/07 S 115 Same-Sex Marriage Veto Override Passed - Senate (23 - 5)
4/06 HB 962 Authorizing Guns in Restaurants that Serve Alcohol Bill Passed - House (70 - 26)
4/06 HB 302 Allowing Judges to Confiscate Firearms from Domestic Abuse Suspects Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 15)
4/06 HB 302 Allowing Judges to Confiscate Firearms from Domestic Abuse Suspects Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 15)
4/03 SB 2278 Prohibiting Sexual Orientation Discrimination Bill Failed - House (34 - 54)
4/03 S 115 Same-Sex Marriage Bill Passed - House (94 - 52)
4/03 LB 260 Wrongful Conviction Compensation Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 9)
4/03 SB 86 Requiring Proof of Citizenship for Voter Registration Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 13)
4/03 SB 86 Requiring Proof of Citizenship for Voter Registration Bill Passed - House (140 - 67)
4/02 HB 531 Red Light Camera Prohibition Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 11)
4/02 SB 277 Authorizing Speed Monitoring Systems Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 20)
4/02 SB 277 Authorizing Speed Monitoring Systems Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 20)
4/02 HB 2 Statewide Indoor Smoking Ban Bill Passed - House (72 - 45)
4/02 HR 1256 FDA Oversight of Tobacco Products Bill Passed - House (298 - 112)
4/01 Amdt 2 to HB 2 Exempting 18+ Establishments from Smoking Ban Amendment Adopted - House (70 - 46)
4/01 SB 4 Voter Identification Bill Passed - House (71 - 27)
4/01 HB Text Messaging while Driving Ban Bill Passed - House (89 - 27)
4/01 SB 2070 Ban on Smoking in Cars with Children Passengers Bill Failed - House (31 - 58)
4/01 HB 71 Prohibiting Text Messaging While Driving Bill Passed - House (89 - 27)
3/31 SB 298 Authorizing Sobriety Checkpoints Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 11)
3/31 SB 298 Authorizing Sobriety Checkpoints Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 11)
3/30 HB 614 Prescription Tracking Database Bill Failed - Senate (25 - 29)
3/30 HB 614 Prescription Tracking Database Bill Failed - Senate (25 - 29)
3/27 HB 2621 Prohibiting the Use of Cell Phones While Driving Bill Passed - House (80 - 18)
3/26 SB 279 Capital Punishment Restrictions Bill Passed - House (87 - 52)
3/26 HB 436 Legalizing Same-Sex Marriage Bill Passed - House (186 - 179)
3/25 HB 2275 Drug Testing for Cash Assistance Recipients Bill Passed - House (99 - 26)
3/25 HB 556 Abolishing the Death Penalty Bill Passed - House (193 - 174)
3/25 HB 2275 Drug Testing for Cash Assistance Recipients Bill Passed - House (99 - 26)
3/25 HB 648 Medical Marijuana Legalization Bill Passed - House (234 - 138)
3/24 HB 34 Banning Text Messaging While Driving Bill Passed - House (222 - 137)
3/23 Same-Sex Marriage Ballot Question Amendment Rejected - Senate (11 - 19)
3/23 S 115 Same-Sex Marriage Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 4)
3/19 HB 390 Allowing Loaded "Long Guns" in Vehicles Bill Passed - House (82 - 10)
3/19 SB 188 Authorizes Needle Exchange Programs Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 6)
3/19 HB 393 Opening Conference Committees to the Public Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 8)
3/18 HB 442 Expanding Red-Light Traffic Camera Enforcement Bill Passed - House (68 - 47)
3/18 HB 442 Expanding Red-Light Traffic Camera Enforcement Bill Passed - House (68 - 47)
3/18 HF 243 Gender Requirements for Certain Local Government Positions Bill Passed - House (71 - 27)
3/17 HB 302 Allowing Judges to Confiscate Firearms from Domestic Abuse Suspects Bill Passed - House (92 - 45)
3/17 HB 302 Allowing Judges to Confiscate Firearms from Domestic Abuse Suspects Bill Passed - House (92 - 45)
3/17 HB 359 Handgun Permit Eligibility for Domestic Abuse Victims Bill Failed - House (51 - 86)
3/17 HB 359 Handgun Permit Eligibility for Domestic Abuse Victims Bill Failed - House (51 - 86)
3/13 HB 285 Abolishing the Death Penalty Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 18)
3/13 SB 238 Ban on Sexual Orientation Discrimination Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 10)
3/12 HB 290 Prohibiting Text Messaging While Driving Concurrence Vote Passed - House (45 - 29)
3/12 SJR 14 Legislative Regulation of Death Row Appeals Joint Resolution Failed - House (38 - 35)
3/12 HB 254 Eliminating Thumbprint Requirement for Gun Purchases Bill Passed - House (82 - 11)
3/12 HB 23 Age-Specific Ban on Wireless Communication While Driving Bill Passed - House (138 - 34)
3/11 HJR 1042 English as Official State Language Joint Resolution Passed - House (66 - 32)
3/11 SB 362 Requiring Proof of Identification to Vote Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 12)
3/11 HB 1037 Voter Identification Bill Passed - House (59 - 39)
3/11 HB 2400 Specifying Partial-Birth/Late-Term Abortion Penalty Bill Passed - House (37 - 19)

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