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 17, 2009 MT HB 2 2009-2011 Biennium Budget Bill Passed - House (65 - 35)
March 16, 2009 NJ S 21 Local Government PERS/PFRS Contribution Deferral Bill Passed - House (42 - 36)
March 16, 2009 NJ S 21 Local Government PERS/PFRS Contribution Deferral Bill Passed - House (42 - 36)
March 13, 2009 SD HB 1300 2009-2010 Budget Bill Passed - House (42 - 28)
March 13, 2009 SD HB Fiscal Year 2009-2010 State Budget Bill Passed - House (42 - 28)
March 13, 2009 NM HB 346 Increasing Gross Receipts Tax and Compensating Tax to Fund Education Bill Passed - House (37 - 31)
March 13, 2009 AK HB 81 2009-2010 Operating Budget Bill Passed - House (29 - 9)
March 12, 2009 UT HB 2 2009-2010 Education Budget Concurrence Vote Passed - House (47 - 27)
March 12, 2009 OR HB 2588 National Popular Vote Act Bill Passed - House (39 - 19)
March 12, 2009 WA HB 2261 Education Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (71 - 26)
March 12, 2009 KS HB 2320 State Spending Limitations and Savings Accounts Bill Passed - House (89 - 33)
March 12, 2009 KS HB 2320 State Spending Limitations and Savings Accounts Bill Passed - House (89 - 33)
March 12, 2009 KS HB 2320 State Spending Limitations and Savings Accounts Bill Passed - House (89 - 33)
March 12, 2009 WA SB 2252 Shifting Local Tax Revenue Bill Passed - House (54 - 42)
March 12, 2009 WA SB 2252 Shifting Local Tax Revenue Bill Passed - House (54 - 42)
March 12, 2009 GA HB 480 Car Tax Amendments Bill Passed - House (133 - 39)
March 12, 2009 MO HJR 23 Constitutional State Spending Cap Joint Resolution Passed - House (82 - 78)
March 12, 2009 GA HB 243 Ending New Enrollment in Bonus Program for Teachers' National Certification Bill Passed - House (92 - 79)
March 11, 2009 SD HB 1197 Tax Changes Relating to Single Family Dwellings Under Construction Veto Override Passed - House (60 - 10)
March 11, 2009 SC H 3560 2009-2010 Budget Motion Agreed - House (71 - 43)
March 11, 2009 UT SB 208 Posting Public Notices Online Bill Passed - House (38 - 32)
March 11, 2009 OK HB 1037 Voter Identification Bill Passed - House (59 - 39)
March 10, 2009 UT SB 53 Prohibiting the Awarding of Legal Fees to Plaintiffs in Public Interest Lawsuits Bill Passed - House (42 - 30)
March 10, 2009 UT SB 79 Elevating Standard of Proof for Specific Medical Malpractice Lawsuits Bill Passed - House (53 - 18)
March 10, 2009 UT SB 53 Prohibiting the Awarding of Legal Fees to Plaintiffs in Public Interest Lawsuits Bill Passed - House (42 - 30)
March 10, 2009 RI H 5005 Voter Pre-Registration Bill Passed - House (56 - 10)
March 10, 2009 HI HB 1744 Suspending the Distribution of Transient Accommodation Tax Revenue to Counties Bill Passed - House (33 - 17)
March 10, 2009 HI HB 1744 Suspending the Distribution of Transient Accommodation Tax Revenue to Counties Bill Passed - House (33 - 17)
March 9, 2009 UT HB 379 Environmental Lawsuit Delay Bond Bill Passed - House (52 - 22)
March 9, 2009 KY HB 102 State and Local Transportation Authorities Bill Passed - House (67 - 23)
March 9, 2009 GA HB 160 Speeding Fee Bill Passed - House (113 - 53)
March 9, 2009 KY HB 102 State and Local Transportation Authorities Bill Passed - House (67 - 23)
March 9, 2009 AR HB 1700 Expanding Eligibility for Children's Health Insurance Program Bill Passed - House (82 - 14)
March 6, 2009 KY HB 374 Gasoline Tax Amendments Bill Passed - House (82 - 17)
March 5, 2009 SD SJR 3 Extending Senate Terms and Legislative Term-Limits Bill Failed - House (17 - 49)
March 5, 2009 OR SB 5552 2007-2009 Biennium Budget Amendments Bill Passed - House (37 - 22)
March 5, 2009 NM HB 616 State Employee Return-to-Work Restrictions Bill Passed - House (49 - 13)
March 5, 2009 OH HB 2 2009-2011 Biennium Transportation Budget Bill Passed - House (53 - 45)
March 5, 2009 OR SB 581 2007-2008, 2008-2009, and 2009-2010 Budget Amendments Bill Passed - House (37 - 22)
March 5, 2009 OR SB 581 2007-2008, 2008-2009, and 2009-2010 Budget Amendments Bill Passed - House (37 - 22)
March 5, 2009 OR SB 5552 2007-2009 Biennium Budget Amendments Bill Passed - House (37 - 22)
March 4, 2009 NH HCR 6 Resolution Regarding States' Rights "Inexpedient to Legislate" Vote Passed - House (216 - 150)
March 4, 2009 OK HB 1603 Tort Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (61 - 39)
March 4, 2009 KS HB 2206 Partial Birth/Late-term Abortion Reporting Requirements Bill Passed - House (82 - 40)
March 4, 2009 NH HB 644 Gasoline Tax Increase Bill Passed - House (190 - 162)
March 4, 2009 UT SB 29 Authorizing Corporate Water Systems to Refuse Fluoridation Bill Passed - House (60 - 11)
March 3, 2009 WY SF 12 Increasing Campaign Contribution Limit Bill Failed - House (30 - 30)
March 3, 2009 OH HB 6 Transferable Tax Credit for Film Production Bill Passed - House (83 - 14)
March 3, 2009 SC H 3418 Requiring Photo Identification to Vote Bill Passed - House (67 - 44)
March 3, 2009 UT HB 187 Restricting Access to Public Waters on Private Property Bill Failed - House (34 - 41)
March 3, 2009 WA HB 1956 Limiting Local Regulations of Homeless Shelters Bill Passed - House (56 - 41)
March 2, 2009 UT HB 66 Tax Law and Education Funding Amendments Bill Failed - House (33 - 42)
Feb. 26, 2009 IA HF 414 2008-2009 Budget Amendments Bill Passed - House (55 - 43)
Feb. 26, 2009 MO HB 242 Authorizing Four-Day School Weeks Bill Passed - House (101 - 60)
Feb. 26, 2009 CO SB 108 Increasing Vehicle Fees to Fund Transportation Projects Bill Passed - House (34 - 31)
Feb. 26, 2009 IA SF 218 Growth Percentage for State School Foundation Program Bill Passed - House (53 - 44)
Feb. 25, 2009 IN HB 1607 West Lake Commuter Rail Project Bill Passed - House (68 - 31)
Feb. 25, 2009 AR HB 1339 Election of the President by National Popular Vote Bill Passed - House (56 - 43)
Feb. 25, 2009 VA SB 1167 Increasing the Fees for Personalized License Plates Bill Failed - House (41 - 57)
Feb. 25, 2009 IN HB 1730 Exempting Energy Efficient Projects From Referendum Requirements Bill Passed - House (52 - 48)
Feb. 25, 2009 IN HB 1730 Exempting Energy Efficient Projects From Referendum Requirements Bill Passed - House (52 - 48)
Feb. 25, 2009 IN HB 1729 Gaming Facility Tax Amendments Bill Passed - House (58 - 39)
Feb. 25, 2009 VA SB 961 Expanding Death Penalty Eligibility to Accomplices Bill Passed - House (74 - 26)
Feb. 25, 2009 NM HB 28 Increasing Penalties for Intimidation of Judges Bill Passed - House (43 - 21)
Feb. 25, 2009 CO HB 1001 Tax Credit for Job Creation Bill Passed - House (52 - 13)
Feb. 24, 2009 NV IP 1 Lodging Tax Bill Passed - House (35 - 7)
Feb. 24, 2009 IN HB 1379 Unemployment Benefit Amendments Bill Passed - House (55 - 41)
Feb. 24, 2009 IN HB 1215 Increasing Traffic Fines to Fund Trauma Centers Bill Passed - House (53 - 42)
Feb. 24, 2009 ID H 173 Restricting Eligibility for State Retiree Health Benefits Bill Passed - House (59 - 11)
Feb. 24, 2009 CO HB 1260 Designated Beneficiary Agreements Between Unmarried Adults Bill Passed - House (41 - 24)
Feb. 20, 2009 VT Ainsworth Amdt Legislative Pay Cut Amendment Rejected - House (50 - 88)
Feb. 20, 2009 VT Ainsworth Amdt Legislative Pay Cut Amendment Rejected - House (50 - 88)
Feb. 19, 2009 ND HB 1400 Education Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (78 - 16)
Feb. 18, 2009 OK HB 1602 Attorney Fee Limits Bill Passed - House (54 - 46)
Feb. 18, 2009 UT HB 122 Restricting Access to Government Litigation Records Bill Passed - House (43 - 27)
Feb. 18, 2009 WI SB 62 2008-2009 Budget Amendments Bill Passed - House (51 - 48)
Feb. 17, 2009 ND HB 1279 Income Tax Rate Reduction Bill Failed - House (47 - 46)
Feb. 17, 2009 OK HB 1410 State Purchasing Authority Amendments Bill Passed - House (61 - 37)
Feb. 17, 2009 ND HB 1324 Income Tax Rebates and Rate Reduction Bill Passed - House (53 - 40)
Feb. 17, 2009 SD HB 1278 Ban on Local Firearm Restrictions Bill Passed - House (46 - 20)
Feb. 17, 2009 ND HB 1268 Sales Tax Exemption on Clothing Purchases Bill Passed - House (66 - 26)
Feb. 17, 2009 ND HB 1572 Legislative Intent With Regards to the Legal Definition of Life Bill Passed - House (51 - 41)
Feb. 17, 2009 ND HB 1255 Corporate Tax Rate Reduction Bill Passed - House (57 - 36)
Feb. 16, 2009 ND HB 1431 Increasing Fines for Certain Traffic Violations Bill Failed - House (35 - 57)
Feb. 12, 2009 KS SB 23 2008-2009, 2009-2010, and 2010-2011Budget Amendments Conference Report Adopted - House (70 - 51)
Feb. 12, 2009 GA HB 233 Two-Year Property Tax Assessment Freeze Bill Passed - House (110 - 63)
Feb. 11, 2009 OK HB 1601 Regulating Attorney Election Contributions Bill Passed - House (62 - 36)
Feb. 11, 2009 WY HB 32 Gray Wolf Management Plan Amendments Bill Failed - House (7 - 52)
Feb. 11, 2009 WY HB 32 Gray Wolf Management Plan Amendments Bill Failed - House (7 - 52)
Feb. 11, 2009 OK HB 1601 Regulating Attorney Election Contributions Bill Passed - House (62 - 36)
Feb. 11, 2009 MS HB 1533 Election Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (78 - 44)
Feb. 11, 2009 KY HB 144 Alcohol and Tobacco Sales Tax Increase Bill Passed - House (66 - 34)
Feb. 10, 2009 IN HB 1723 2009-2010 Education Budget Bill Passed - House (52 - 46)
Feb. 10, 2009 IN HB 1656 Shifting Federal Transportation Funding to Counties and Localities Bill Passed - House (88 - 11)
Feb. 10, 2009 IN HB 1656 Shifting Federal Transportation Funding to Counties and Localities Bill Passed - House (88 - 11)
Feb. 10, 2009 IN HB 1656 Shifting Federal Transportation Funding to Counties and Localities Bill Passed - House (88 - 11)
Feb. 9, 2009 ND HB 1576 Election Law Amendments Bill Failed - House (47 - 46)
Feb. 9, 2009 WY HB 170 State Lottery for Scholarship Funding Bill Failed - House (25 - 35)
Feb. 9, 2009 WY HB 240 Pay Raise for Certain Elected Officials Bill Passed - House (37 - 23)
Feb. 9, 2009 WY HB 240 Pay Raise for Certain Elected Officials Bill Passed - House (37 - 23)
Date No. Title Outcome
3/17 HB 2 2009-2011 Biennium Budget Bill Passed - House (65 - 35)
3/16 S 21 Local Government PERS/PFRS Contribution Deferral Bill Passed - House (42 - 36)
3/16 S 21 Local Government PERS/PFRS Contribution Deferral Bill Passed - House (42 - 36)
3/13 HB 1300 2009-2010 Budget Bill Passed - House (42 - 28)
3/13 HB Fiscal Year 2009-2010 State Budget Bill Passed - House (42 - 28)
3/13 HB 346 Increasing Gross Receipts Tax and Compensating Tax to Fund Education Bill Passed - House (37 - 31)
3/13 HB 81 2009-2010 Operating Budget Bill Passed - House (29 - 9)
3/12 HB 2 2009-2010 Education Budget Concurrence Vote Passed - House (47 - 27)
3/12 HB 2588 National Popular Vote Act Bill Passed - House (39 - 19)
3/12 HB 2261 Education Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (71 - 26)
3/12 HB 2320 State Spending Limitations and Savings Accounts Bill Passed - House (89 - 33)
3/12 HB 2320 State Spending Limitations and Savings Accounts Bill Passed - House (89 - 33)
3/12 HB 2320 State Spending Limitations and Savings Accounts Bill Passed - House (89 - 33)
3/12 SB 2252 Shifting Local Tax Revenue Bill Passed - House (54 - 42)
3/12 SB 2252 Shifting Local Tax Revenue Bill Passed - House (54 - 42)
3/12 HB 480 Car Tax Amendments Bill Passed - House (133 - 39)
3/12 HJR 23 Constitutional State Spending Cap Joint Resolution Passed - House (82 - 78)
3/12 HB 243 Ending New Enrollment in Bonus Program for Teachers' National Certification Bill Passed - House (92 - 79)
3/11 HB 1197 Tax Changes Relating to Single Family Dwellings Under Construction Veto Override Passed - House (60 - 10)
3/11 H 3560 2009-2010 Budget Motion Agreed - House (71 - 43)
3/11 SB 208 Posting Public Notices Online Bill Passed - House (38 - 32)
3/11 HB 1037 Voter Identification Bill Passed - House (59 - 39)
3/10 SB 53 Prohibiting the Awarding of Legal Fees to Plaintiffs in Public Interest Lawsuits Bill Passed - House (42 - 30)
3/10 SB 79 Elevating Standard of Proof for Specific Medical Malpractice Lawsuits Bill Passed - House (53 - 18)
3/10 SB 53 Prohibiting the Awarding of Legal Fees to Plaintiffs in Public Interest Lawsuits Bill Passed - House (42 - 30)
3/10 H 5005 Voter Pre-Registration Bill Passed - House (56 - 10)
3/10 HB 1744 Suspending the Distribution of Transient Accommodation Tax Revenue to Counties Bill Passed - House (33 - 17)
3/10 HB 1744 Suspending the Distribution of Transient Accommodation Tax Revenue to Counties Bill Passed - House (33 - 17)
3/09 HB 379 Environmental Lawsuit Delay Bond Bill Passed - House (52 - 22)
3/09 HB 102 State and Local Transportation Authorities Bill Passed - House (67 - 23)
3/09 HB 160 Speeding Fee Bill Passed - House (113 - 53)
3/09 HB 102 State and Local Transportation Authorities Bill Passed - House (67 - 23)
3/09 HB 1700 Expanding Eligibility for Children's Health Insurance Program Bill Passed - House (82 - 14)
3/06 HB 374 Gasoline Tax Amendments Bill Passed - House (82 - 17)
3/05 SJR 3 Extending Senate Terms and Legislative Term-Limits Bill Failed - House (17 - 49)
3/05 SB 5552 2007-2009 Biennium Budget Amendments Bill Passed - House (37 - 22)
3/05 HB 616 State Employee Return-to-Work Restrictions Bill Passed - House (49 - 13)
3/05 HB 2 2009-2011 Biennium Transportation Budget Bill Passed - House (53 - 45)
3/05 SB 581 2007-2008, 2008-2009, and 2009-2010 Budget Amendments Bill Passed - House (37 - 22)
3/05 SB 581 2007-2008, 2008-2009, and 2009-2010 Budget Amendments Bill Passed - House (37 - 22)
3/05 SB 5552 2007-2009 Biennium Budget Amendments Bill Passed - House (37 - 22)
3/04 HCR 6 Resolution Regarding States' Rights "Inexpedient to Legislate" Vote Passed - House (216 - 150)
3/04 HB 1603 Tort Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (61 - 39)
3/04 HB 2206 Partial Birth/Late-term Abortion Reporting Requirements Bill Passed - House (82 - 40)
3/04 HB 644 Gasoline Tax Increase Bill Passed - House (190 - 162)
3/04 SB 29 Authorizing Corporate Water Systems to Refuse Fluoridation Bill Passed - House (60 - 11)
3/03 SF 12 Increasing Campaign Contribution Limit Bill Failed - House (30 - 30)
3/03 HB 6 Transferable Tax Credit for Film Production Bill Passed - House (83 - 14)
3/03 H 3418 Requiring Photo Identification to Vote Bill Passed - House (67 - 44)
3/03 HB 187 Restricting Access to Public Waters on Private Property Bill Failed - House (34 - 41)
3/03 HB 1956 Limiting Local Regulations of Homeless Shelters Bill Passed - House (56 - 41)
3/02 HB 66 Tax Law and Education Funding Amendments Bill Failed - House (33 - 42)
2/26 HF 414 2008-2009 Budget Amendments Bill Passed - House (55 - 43)
2/26 HB 242 Authorizing Four-Day School Weeks Bill Passed - House (101 - 60)
2/26 SB 108 Increasing Vehicle Fees to Fund Transportation Projects Bill Passed - House (34 - 31)
2/26 SF 218 Growth Percentage for State School Foundation Program Bill Passed - House (53 - 44)
2/25 HB 1607 West Lake Commuter Rail Project Bill Passed - House (68 - 31)
2/25 HB 1339 Election of the President by National Popular Vote Bill Passed - House (56 - 43)
2/25 SB 1167 Increasing the Fees for Personalized License Plates Bill Failed - House (41 - 57)
2/25 HB 1730 Exempting Energy Efficient Projects From Referendum Requirements Bill Passed - House (52 - 48)
2/25 HB 1730 Exempting Energy Efficient Projects From Referendum Requirements Bill Passed - House (52 - 48)
2/25 HB 1729 Gaming Facility Tax Amendments Bill Passed - House (58 - 39)
2/25 SB 961 Expanding Death Penalty Eligibility to Accomplices Bill Passed - House (74 - 26)
2/25 HB 28 Increasing Penalties for Intimidation of Judges Bill Passed - House (43 - 21)
2/25 HB 1001 Tax Credit for Job Creation Bill Passed - House (52 - 13)
2/24 IP 1 Lodging Tax Bill Passed - House (35 - 7)
2/24 HB 1379 Unemployment Benefit Amendments Bill Passed - House (55 - 41)
2/24 HB 1215 Increasing Traffic Fines to Fund Trauma Centers Bill Passed - House (53 - 42)
2/24 H 173 Restricting Eligibility for State Retiree Health Benefits Bill Passed - House (59 - 11)
2/24 HB 1260 Designated Beneficiary Agreements Between Unmarried Adults Bill Passed - House (41 - 24)
2/20 Ainsworth Amdt Legislative Pay Cut Amendment Rejected - House (50 - 88)
2/20 Ainsworth Amdt Legislative Pay Cut Amendment Rejected - House (50 - 88)
2/19 HB 1400 Education Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (78 - 16)
2/18 HB 1602 Attorney Fee Limits Bill Passed - House (54 - 46)
2/18 HB 122 Restricting Access to Government Litigation Records Bill Passed - House (43 - 27)
2/18 SB 62 2008-2009 Budget Amendments Bill Passed - House (51 - 48)
2/17 HB 1279 Income Tax Rate Reduction Bill Failed - House (47 - 46)
2/17 HB 1410 State Purchasing Authority Amendments Bill Passed - House (61 - 37)
2/17 HB 1324 Income Tax Rebates and Rate Reduction Bill Passed - House (53 - 40)
2/17 HB 1278 Ban on Local Firearm Restrictions Bill Passed - House (46 - 20)
2/17 HB 1268 Sales Tax Exemption on Clothing Purchases Bill Passed - House (66 - 26)
2/17 HB 1572 Legislative Intent With Regards to the Legal Definition of Life Bill Passed - House (51 - 41)
2/17 HB 1255 Corporate Tax Rate Reduction Bill Passed - House (57 - 36)
2/16 HB 1431 Increasing Fines for Certain Traffic Violations Bill Failed - House (35 - 57)
2/12 SB 23 2008-2009, 2009-2010, and 2010-2011Budget Amendments Conference Report Adopted - House (70 - 51)
2/12 HB 233 Two-Year Property Tax Assessment Freeze Bill Passed - House (110 - 63)
2/11 HB 1601 Regulating Attorney Election Contributions Bill Passed - House (62 - 36)
2/11 HB 32 Gray Wolf Management Plan Amendments Bill Failed - House (7 - 52)
2/11 HB 32 Gray Wolf Management Plan Amendments Bill Failed - House (7 - 52)
2/11 HB 1601 Regulating Attorney Election Contributions Bill Passed - House (62 - 36)
2/11 HB 1533 Election Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (78 - 44)
2/11 HB 144 Alcohol and Tobacco Sales Tax Increase Bill Passed - House (66 - 34)
2/10 HB 1723 2009-2010 Education Budget Bill Passed - House (52 - 46)
2/10 HB 1656 Shifting Federal Transportation Funding to Counties and Localities Bill Passed - House (88 - 11)
2/10 HB 1656 Shifting Federal Transportation Funding to Counties and Localities Bill Passed - House (88 - 11)
2/10 HB 1656 Shifting Federal Transportation Funding to Counties and Localities Bill Passed - House (88 - 11)
2/09 HB 1576 Election Law Amendments Bill Failed - House (47 - 46)
2/09 HB 170 State Lottery for Scholarship Funding Bill Failed - House (25 - 35)
2/09 HB 240 Pay Raise for Certain Elected Officials Bill Passed - House (37 - 23)
2/09 HB 240 Pay Raise for Certain Elected Officials Bill Passed - House (37 - 23)

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