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 22, 2009 CO SB 259 2009-2010 Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 12)
April 21, 2009 AL HB 175 Permitting Elections in Smaller Municipalities on Allowing Alcohol Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 9)
April 21, 2009 ID H 262 Teacher Compensation Adjustments Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 8)
April 20, 2009 MN Permitting Slot Machines at Race Tracks Amendment Rejected - Senate (25 - 41)
April 20, 2009 MN SF 802 2009-2011 Biennium Public Safety and Corrections Budget Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 31)
April 20, 2009 MN SF 802 2009-2011 Biennium Public Safety and Corrections Budget Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 31)
April 17, 2009 MN SF 2083 2009-2011 Biennium Higher Education Budget Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 23)
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 ID S 1166 Workers' Compensation Dividend Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 7)
April 15, 2009 WA HB 1517 Expediting the Restoration of Felons' Voting Rights Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 19)
April 15, 2009 IN HB 1607 West Lake Commuter Rail Project Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 7)
April 15, 2009 IN HB 1604 Authorizing Local Tax Increases to Fund Sports and Convention Facilities Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 17)
April 15, 2009 IN HB 1604 Authorizing Local Tax Increases to Fund Sports and Convention Facilities Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 17)
April 14, 2009 MO HB 10 2009-10 Health Budget Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7)
April 14, 2009 MT HB 2 2009-2011 Biennium Budget Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 24)
April 14, 2009 MO HB 11 2009-2010 Social Services Budget Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 6)
April 14, 2009 TX SB 855 Authorizing County Taxes and Fees to Fund Transportation Projects Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 9)
April 14, 2009 TX SB 855 Authorizing County Taxes and Fees to Fund Transportation Projects Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 9)
April 14, 2009 HI HB 1605 Allowing Counties to Impose Retail Sales Tax Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 4)
April 14, 2009 HI HB 1747 Income Tax Rate Increase for Top Income Brackets Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 4)
April 14, 2009 HI HB 1605 Allowing Counties to Impose Retail Sales Tax Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 4)
April 14, 2009 HI HB 1744 Allowing a County Surcharge on the Transient Accommodations Tax Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 6)
April 14, 2009 HI HB 1744 Allowing a County Surcharge on the Transient Accommodations Tax Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 6)
April 13, 2009 MD SB 785 Inheritance Tax Exemption for Domestic Partners Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 18)
April 13, 2009 CO SB 273 Appropriation of Pinnacol Assurance Funds Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 14)
April 13, 2009 CO SB 273 Appropriation of Pinnacol Assurance Funds Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 14)
April 13, 2009 CO SB 281 Clarifying Pinnacol Assurance as a Subdivision of the State Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 15)
April 13, 2009 CO SB 281 Clarifying Pinnacol Assurance as a Subdivision of the State Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 15)
April 10, 2009 MD HB 310 Extending Unemployment Benefits to Part-Time Employees Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 9)
April 8, 2009 OR SB 311 Changes in Liability Limits Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 5)
April 8, 2009 OR SB 311 Changes in Liability Limits Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 5)
April 8, 2009 OR SB 311 Changes in Liability Limits Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 5)
April 8, 2009 OK HB 1601 Regulating Attorney Election Contributions Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 22)
April 8, 2009 OK HB 1601 Regulating Attorney Election Contributions Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 22)
April 7, 2009 MN SF 1328 2009-2011 Biennium Education Budget Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 29)
April 7, 2009 ID S 1186 Highway Project Financing Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 6)
April 3, 2009 GA HB 2 Citizenship Status Verification of Government Assistance Recipients Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (38 - 16)
April 3, 2009 NE LB 260 Wrongful Conviction Compensation Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 9)
April 3, 2009 NY A 158-B Budget Financing Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 30)
April 3, 2009 NY A 157-B Budget Financing Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 30)
April 3, 2009 ND HB 1572 Legislative Intent With Regards to the Legal Definition of Life Bill Failed - Senate (16 - 29)
April 3, 2009 NY A 159-B Budget Financing Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 30)
April 3, 2009 NE LB 260 Wrongful Conviction Compensation Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 9)
April 3, 2009 GA HB 243 Ending New Enrollment in Bonus Program for Teachers' National Certification Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 17)
April 3, 2009 GA SB 86 Requiring Proof of Citizenship for Voter Registration Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 13)
April 3, 2009 ID H 173 Restricting Eligibility for State Retiree Health Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 8)
April 2, 2009 NY A 156-B Budget Financing Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 30)
April 2, 2009 RI H 5019 2008-2009 Budget Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 6)
April 1, 2009 TX SB 1 2009-2011 Biennium Budget Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 5)
April 1, 2009 AK HB 81 2009-2010 Operating Budget Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 4)
March 31, 2009 KS HB 2354 2009-2010 Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (35 - 5)
March 26, 2009 ID S 1148 Alcohol Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
March 25, 2009 PA SB 490 Oil and Gas Lease Fund Appropriations Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 17)
March 24, 2009 KS HB 2354 2009-2010 Budget Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 14)
March 24, 2009 IN HB 1379 Unemployment Benefit Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 20)
March 24, 2009 NC SB 287 State Health Plan Changes and Appropriations Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 18)
March 23, 2009 VT Same-Sex Marriage Ballot Question Amendment Rejected - Senate (11 - 19)
March 23, 2009 CO HB 1260 Designated Beneficiary Agreements Between Unmarried Adults Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 10)
March 19, 2009 IA SF 389 Health Insurance Expansion Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 18)
March 19, 2009 NM HB 393 Opening Conference Committees to the Public Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 8)
March 18, 2009 OH HB 2 2009-2011 Biennium Transportation Budget Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 9)
March 17, 2009 NM SB 263 Requiring State Contractors to Disclose Campaign Contributions Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 11)
March 17, 2009 CO SB 228 Repealing the General Fund Spending Cap Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
March 16, 2009 NJ S 2091 Formalizing Palimony Agreements Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
March 16, 2009 NJ S 2091 Formalizing Palimony Agreements Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
March 16, 2009 NJ S 21 Local Government PERS/PFRS Contribution Deferral Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 17)
March 16, 2009 NJ S 21 Local Government PERS/PFRS Contribution Deferral Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 17)
March 13, 2009 SD HB 1300 2009-2010 Budget Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 10)
March 13, 2009 KY HB 374 Gasoline Tax Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 7)
March 12, 2009 SD HB 1197 Tax Changes Relating to Single Family Dwellings Under Construction Veto Override Passed - Senate (26 - 8)
March 12, 2009 UT SB 208 Posting Public Notices Online Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (16 - 10)
March 12, 2009 WA SB 5599 National Popular Vote Act Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 21)
March 12, 2009 MI SB 69 Alternative Business Tax Eligibility Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 14)
March 12, 2009 TN SB 83 "Living" Wage Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 13)
March 12, 2009 MI SB 201 Vehicle Sales Tax Modification Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 7)
March 11, 2009 UT HB 2 2009-2010 Education Budget Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 9)
March 11, 2009 UT HB 345 Regulating Former Lawmakers in Lobbying Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 13)
March 11, 2009 UT HB 345 Regulating Former Lawmakers in Lobbying Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 13)
March 11, 2009 TX SB 362 Requiring Proof of Identification to Vote Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 12)
March 10, 2009 NV IP 1 Lodging Tax Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 5)
March 10, 2009 OK SB 834 Increased Local School Board Control Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 21)
March 10, 2009 OK SB 4 Voter Identification Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 21)
March 10, 2009 UT SB 53 Prohibiting the Awarding of Legal Fees to Plaintiffs in Public Interest Lawsuits Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 6)
March 10, 2009 UT SB 53 Prohibiting the Awarding of Legal Fees to Plaintiffs in Public Interest Lawsuits Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 6)
March 9, 2009 UT SB 241 Instructional Spending Requirements for School Districts Bill Failed - Senate (12 - 17)
March 9, 2009 UT SB 241 Instructional Spending Requirements for School Districts Bill Failed - Senate (12 - 17)
March 6, 2009 UT HB 100 Prison Education and Medical Financing Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 7)
March 5, 2009 MD SB 279 Capital Punishment Restrictions Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 13)
March 5, 2009 GA SB 200 Reorganization of State Transportation Authorities Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 25)
March 5, 2009 GA SB 200 Reorganization of State Transportation Authorities Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 25)
March 5, 2009 GA SB 200 Reorganization of State Transportation Authorities Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 25)
March 4, 2009 OK SB 318 Repeal of the Grocery Sales Tax Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 8)
March 4, 2009 OK SB 748 Independent Performance Audit of State Department of Education Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 20)
March 3, 2009 OR SB 581 2007-2008, 2008-2009, and 2009-2010 Budget Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 8)
March 3, 2009 UT SB 29 Authorizing Corporate Water Systems to Refuse Fluoridation Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 11)
March 3, 2009 OH SB 9 Transferable Tax Credit for Film Production Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 10)
March 3, 2009 OK SB 315 Top Marginal Income Tax Rate Reduction Postponement Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 20)
March 3, 2009 AL SB 279 Funding for Road Construction Bill Failed - Senate (19 - 11)
March 3, 2009 OR SB 5552 2007-2009 Biennium Budget Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 8)
Date No. Title Outcome
4/22 SB 259 2009-2010 Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 12)
4/21 HB 175 Permitting Elections in Smaller Municipalities on Allowing Alcohol Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 9)
4/21 H 262 Teacher Compensation Adjustments Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 8)
4/20 Permitting Slot Machines at Race Tracks Amendment Rejected - Senate (25 - 41)
4/20 SF 802 2009-2011 Biennium Public Safety and Corrections Budget Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 31)
4/20 SF 802 2009-2011 Biennium Public Safety and Corrections Budget Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 31)
4/17 SF 2083 2009-2011 Biennium Higher Education Budget Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 23)
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 S 1166 Workers' Compensation Dividend Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 7)
4/15 HB 1517 Expediting the Restoration of Felons' Voting Rights Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 19)
4/15 HB 1607 West Lake Commuter Rail Project Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 7)
4/15 HB 1604 Authorizing Local Tax Increases to Fund Sports and Convention Facilities Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 17)
4/15 HB 1604 Authorizing Local Tax Increases to Fund Sports and Convention Facilities Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 17)
4/14 HB 10 2009-10 Health Budget Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7)
4/14 HB 2 2009-2011 Biennium Budget Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 24)
4/14 HB 11 2009-2010 Social Services Budget Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 6)
4/14 SB 855 Authorizing County Taxes and Fees to Fund Transportation Projects Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 9)
4/14 SB 855 Authorizing County Taxes and Fees to Fund Transportation Projects Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 9)
4/14 HB 1605 Allowing Counties to Impose Retail Sales Tax Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 4)
4/14 HB 1747 Income Tax Rate Increase for Top Income Brackets Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 4)
4/14 HB 1605 Allowing Counties to Impose Retail Sales Tax Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 4)
4/14 HB 1744 Allowing a County Surcharge on the Transient Accommodations Tax Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 6)
4/14 HB 1744 Allowing a County Surcharge on the Transient Accommodations Tax Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 6)
4/13 SB 785 Inheritance Tax Exemption for Domestic Partners Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 18)
4/13 SB 273 Appropriation of Pinnacol Assurance Funds Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 14)
4/13 SB 273 Appropriation of Pinnacol Assurance Funds Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 14)
4/13 SB 281 Clarifying Pinnacol Assurance as a Subdivision of the State Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 15)
4/13 SB 281 Clarifying Pinnacol Assurance as a Subdivision of the State Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 15)
4/10 HB 310 Extending Unemployment Benefits to Part-Time Employees Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 9)
4/08 SB 311 Changes in Liability Limits Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 5)
4/08 SB 311 Changes in Liability Limits Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 5)
4/08 SB 311 Changes in Liability Limits Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 5)
4/08 HB 1601 Regulating Attorney Election Contributions Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 22)
4/08 HB 1601 Regulating Attorney Election Contributions Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 22)
4/07 SF 1328 2009-2011 Biennium Education Budget Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 29)
4/07 S 1186 Highway Project Financing Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 6)
4/03 HB 2 Citizenship Status Verification of Government Assistance Recipients Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (38 - 16)
4/03 LB 260 Wrongful Conviction Compensation Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 9)
4/03 A 158-B Budget Financing Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 30)
4/03 A 157-B Budget Financing Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 30)
4/03 HB 1572 Legislative Intent With Regards to the Legal Definition of Life Bill Failed - Senate (16 - 29)
4/03 A 159-B Budget Financing Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 30)
4/03 LB 260 Wrongful Conviction Compensation Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 9)
4/03 HB 243 Ending New Enrollment in Bonus Program for Teachers' National Certification Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 17)
4/03 SB 86 Requiring Proof of Citizenship for Voter Registration Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 13)
4/03 H 173 Restricting Eligibility for State Retiree Health Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 8)
4/02 A 156-B Budget Financing Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 30)
4/02 H 5019 2008-2009 Budget Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 6)
4/01 SB 1 2009-2011 Biennium Budget Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 5)
4/01 HB 81 2009-2010 Operating Budget Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 4)
3/31 HB 2354 2009-2010 Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (35 - 5)
3/26 S 1148 Alcohol Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
3/25 SB 490 Oil and Gas Lease Fund Appropriations Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 17)
3/24 HB 2354 2009-2010 Budget Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 14)
3/24 HB 1379 Unemployment Benefit Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 20)
3/24 SB 287 State Health Plan Changes and Appropriations Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 18)
3/23 Same-Sex Marriage Ballot Question Amendment Rejected - Senate (11 - 19)
3/23 HB 1260 Designated Beneficiary Agreements Between Unmarried Adults Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 10)
3/19 SF 389 Health Insurance Expansion Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 18)
3/19 HB 393 Opening Conference Committees to the Public Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 8)
3/18 HB 2 2009-2011 Biennium Transportation Budget Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 9)
3/17 SB 263 Requiring State Contractors to Disclose Campaign Contributions Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 11)
3/17 SB 228 Repealing the General Fund Spending Cap Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
3/16 S 2091 Formalizing Palimony Agreements Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
3/16 S 2091 Formalizing Palimony Agreements Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
3/16 S 21 Local Government PERS/PFRS Contribution Deferral Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 17)
3/16 S 21 Local Government PERS/PFRS Contribution Deferral Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 17)
3/13 HB 1300 2009-2010 Budget Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 10)
3/13 HB 374 Gasoline Tax Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 7)
3/12 HB 1197 Tax Changes Relating to Single Family Dwellings Under Construction Veto Override Passed - Senate (26 - 8)
3/12 SB 208 Posting Public Notices Online Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (16 - 10)
3/12 SB 5599 National Popular Vote Act Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 21)
3/12 SB 69 Alternative Business Tax Eligibility Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 14)
3/12 SB 83 "Living" Wage Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 13)
3/12 SB 201 Vehicle Sales Tax Modification Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 7)
3/11 HB 2 2009-2010 Education Budget Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 9)
3/11 HB 345 Regulating Former Lawmakers in Lobbying Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 13)
3/11 HB 345 Regulating Former Lawmakers in Lobbying Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 13)
3/11 SB 362 Requiring Proof of Identification to Vote Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 12)
3/10 IP 1 Lodging Tax Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 5)
3/10 SB 834 Increased Local School Board Control Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 21)
3/10 SB 4 Voter Identification Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 21)
3/10 SB 53 Prohibiting the Awarding of Legal Fees to Plaintiffs in Public Interest Lawsuits Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 6)
3/10 SB 53 Prohibiting the Awarding of Legal Fees to Plaintiffs in Public Interest Lawsuits Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 6)
3/09 SB 241 Instructional Spending Requirements for School Districts Bill Failed - Senate (12 - 17)
3/09 SB 241 Instructional Spending Requirements for School Districts Bill Failed - Senate (12 - 17)
3/06 HB 100 Prison Education and Medical Financing Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 7)
3/05 SB 279 Capital Punishment Restrictions Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 13)
3/05 SB 200 Reorganization of State Transportation Authorities Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 25)
3/05 SB 200 Reorganization of State Transportation Authorities Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 25)
3/05 SB 200 Reorganization of State Transportation Authorities Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 25)
3/04 SB 318 Repeal of the Grocery Sales Tax Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 8)
3/04 SB 748 Independent Performance Audit of State Department of Education Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 20)
3/03 SB 581 2007-2008, 2008-2009, and 2009-2010 Budget Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 8)
3/03 SB 29 Authorizing Corporate Water Systems to Refuse Fluoridation Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 11)
3/03 SB 9 Transferable Tax Credit for Film Production Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 10)
3/03 SB 315 Top Marginal Income Tax Rate Reduction Postponement Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 20)
3/03 SB 279 Funding for Road Construction Bill Failed - Senate (19 - 11)
3/03 SB 5552 2007-2009 Biennium Budget Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 8)

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