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 12, 2009 GA SB 169 In Vitro Embryo Creation Limitations Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 22)
March 12, 2009 TN HB 254 Eliminating Thumbprint Requirement for Gun Purchases Bill Passed - House (82 - 11)
March 12, 2009 WA SB 2252 Shifting Local Tax Revenue Bill Passed - House (54 - 42)
March 12, 2009 GA HB 23 Age-Specific Ban on Wireless Communication While Driving Bill Passed - House (138 - 34)
March 12, 2009 GA HB 23 Age-Specific Ban on Wireless Communication While Driving Bill Passed - House (138 - 34)
March 11, 2009 NH SB 115 Expanding Subsidized Health Care Program Eligibility Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 4)
March 11, 2009 OK HJR 1042 English as Official State Language Joint Resolution Passed - House (66 - 32)
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 OR HB 2509 Sexual Education Bill Passed - House (41 - 19)
March 11, 2009 OR HB 2509 Sexual Education Bill Passed - House (41 - 19)
March 11, 2009 OK HB 1037 Voter Identification Bill Passed - House (59 - 39)
March 11, 2009 National S 22 Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 Bill Failed - House (282 - 144)
March 11, 2009 MI HB 4455 Mortgage Payment Modifications Bill Passed - House (74 - 34)
March 11, 2009 AZ HB 2400 Specifying Partial-Birth/Late-Term Abortion Penalty Bill Passed - House (37 - 19)
March 11, 2009 AZ HB 2400 Specifying Partial-Birth/Late-Term Abortion Penalty Bill Passed - House (37 - 19)
March 11, 2009 AZ HB 2564 Abortion Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (36 - 19)
March 10, 2009 WA SB 5688 Expanding Domestic Partnership Rights Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 18)
March 10, 2009 WA SB 5688 Expanding Domestic Partnership Rights Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 18)
March 10, 2009 OK SB 4 Voter Identification Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 21)
March 9, 2009 SD HB 1240 Smoking Ban Concurrence Vote Passed - House (46 - 23)
March 9, 2009 UT SB 225 Extending CHIP and Medicaid Coverage to Children of Documented Immigrants Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 14)
March 9, 2009 UT HB 171 Extending CHIP and Medicaid Coverage to Children of Documented Immigrants Bill Passed - House (50 - 23)
March 9, 2009 UT HB 171 Extending CHIP and Medicaid Coverage to Children of Documented Immigrants Bill Passed - House (50 - 23)
March 9, 2009 UT SB 225 Extending CHIP and Medicaid Coverage to Children of Documented Immigrants Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 14)
March 9, 2009 AR HB 1700 Expanding Eligibility for Children's Health Insurance Program Bill Passed - House (82 - 14)
March 6, 2009 UT HB 100 Prison Education and Medical Financing Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 7)
March 4, 2009 SD HB 1240 Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
March 4, 2009 OK HB 1332 Increased Regulation of Pet Breeders Bill Passed - House (74 - 26)
March 4, 2009 WA HB 1329 Child Care Center Unionization Bill Passed - House (65 - 31)
March 4, 2009 UT SB 61 Allowing Home-Schooled Students to Participate in Extracurricular Activities Bill Failed - Senate (13 - 16)
March 4, 2009 MI HB 4132 School Attendance Amendments Bill Passed - House (71 - 37)
March 4, 2009 GA SB 235 Ban on Required Human Microchip Implantation
March 3, 2009 ND HB 1182 Point Reduction for Seat Belt Use Bill Failed - Senate (18 - 25)
March 3, 2009 ND HB 1182 Point Reduction for Seat Belt Use Bill Failed - Senate (18 - 25)
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 OH SB 9 Transferable Tax Credit for Film Production Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 10)
March 2, 2009 CA SR 7 Statement of Opposition to Proposition 8 Resolution Passed - Senate (18 - 14)
March 2, 2009 KY SB 79 Pre-Abortion Ultrasound Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 4)
March 2, 2009 CA HR 5 Statement of Opposition to Proposition 8 Resolution Passed - House (45 - 27)
Feb. 27, 2009 NE LB 5 Trapping In Rights-of-Way Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 18)
Feb. 27, 2009 NE LB 5 Trapping In Rights-of-Way Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 18)
Feb. 26, 2009 NM SB 12 Establishing Domestic Partnerships Bill Failed - Senate (17 - 25)
Feb. 26, 2009 NM SB 12 Establishing Domestic Partnerships Bill Failed - Senate (17 - 25)
Feb. 26, 2009 SC H 3245 24-Hour Waiting Period for Abortions Bill Passed - House (87 - 24)
Feb. 26, 2009 National S 160 Washington DC Voting Act Bill Passed - Senate (61 - 37)
Feb. 26, 2009 National HR 1105 2009 Budget Bill Bill Passed - House (245 - 178)
Feb. 25, 2009 VA SB 1035 Allowing Guns in Alcohol-Serving Establishments Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (22 - 16)
Feb. 25, 2009 NM SB 141 Allowing Increase of Penalties for Convicted Public Officials Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 12)
Feb. 25, 2009 MT HB 418 Amendments Regarding Horse Slaughterhouses Bill Passed - House (66 - 33)
Feb. 25, 2009 NM SB 44 Prohibiting Smoking in Cars with Children Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 12)
Feb. 25, 2009 NM SB 44 Prohibiting Smoking in Cars with Children Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 12)
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 AR SB 78 Seat Belt Violation as Primary Offense Bill Passed - House (60 - 31)
Feb. 25, 2009 AR SB 78 Seat Belt Violation as Primary Offense Bill Passed - House (60 - 31)
Feb. 25, 2009 GA SB 23 Admissibility of Seat Belt Evidence in Court Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 12)
Feb. 25, 2009 NM HB 28 Increasing Penalties for Intimidation of Judges Bill Passed - House (43 - 21)
Feb. 24, 2009 SC Amdt 2 Exempting Cases of Rape from Abortion Waiting Period Amendment Tabled - House (69 - 45)
Feb. 24, 2009 SC Amdt 5 Prohibiting Employment Termination Due to Abortion Waiting Period Amendment Rejected - House (54 - 60)
Feb. 24, 2009 VA SB 1035 Allowing Guns in Alcohol-Serving Establishments Bill Passed - House (66 - 33)
Feb. 24, 2009 VA HB 1826 Driver's License Suspension for Unexcused School Absences Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 3)
Feb. 24, 2009 NV SB 116 Seat Belt Violation as a Primary Offense Bill Passed - Senate (12 - 9)
Feb. 24, 2009 VA HB 1826 Driver's License Suspension for Unexcused School Absences Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 3)
Feb. 24, 2009 MT SB 326 Medical Marijuana Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 22)
Feb. 24, 2009 MT HB 531 Red Light Camera Prohibition Bill Passed - House (65 - 35)
Feb. 24, 2009 IN HB 1215 Increasing Traffic Fines to Fund Trauma Centers Bill Passed - House (53 - 42)
Feb. 24, 2009 CO SB 88 Extending State Employee Health Benefits to Domestic Partners Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 11)
Feb. 24, 2009 CO HB 1260 Designated Beneficiary Agreements Between Unmarried Adults Bill Passed - House (41 - 24)
Feb. 23, 2009 MT HB 394 Prohibits the Use of Individual Prescription Information for Marketing Motion Rejected - House (50 - 50)
Feb. 23, 2009 SD SB 195 Stem Cell Research Amendments Bill Failed - Senate (14 - 20)
Feb. 23, 2009 SD HB 1240 Smoking Ban Bill Passed - House (43 - 27)
Feb. 23, 2009 NJ S 119 Legalizing Medical Marijuana Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 16)
Date No. Title Outcome
3/12 SB 169 In Vitro Embryo Creation Limitations Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 22)
3/12 HB 254 Eliminating Thumbprint Requirement for Gun Purchases Bill Passed - House (82 - 11)
3/12 SB 2252 Shifting Local Tax Revenue Bill Passed - House (54 - 42)
3/12 HB 23 Age-Specific Ban on Wireless Communication While Driving Bill Passed - House (138 - 34)
3/12 HB 23 Age-Specific Ban on Wireless Communication While Driving Bill Passed - House (138 - 34)
3/11 SB 115 Expanding Subsidized Health Care Program Eligibility Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 4)
3/11 HJR 1042 English as Official State Language Joint Resolution Passed - House (66 - 32)
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 2509 Sexual Education Bill Passed - House (41 - 19)
3/11 HB 2509 Sexual Education Bill Passed - House (41 - 19)
3/11 HB 1037 Voter Identification Bill Passed - House (59 - 39)
3/11 S 22 Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 Bill Failed - House (282 - 144)
3/11 HB 4455 Mortgage Payment Modifications Bill Passed - House (74 - 34)
3/11 HB 2400 Specifying Partial-Birth/Late-Term Abortion Penalty Bill Passed - House (37 - 19)
3/11 HB 2400 Specifying Partial-Birth/Late-Term Abortion Penalty Bill Passed - House (37 - 19)
3/11 HB 2564 Abortion Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (36 - 19)
3/10 SB 5688 Expanding Domestic Partnership Rights Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 18)
3/10 SB 5688 Expanding Domestic Partnership Rights Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 18)
3/10 SB 4 Voter Identification Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 21)
3/09 HB 1240 Smoking Ban Concurrence Vote Passed - House (46 - 23)
3/09 SB 225 Extending CHIP and Medicaid Coverage to Children of Documented Immigrants Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 14)
3/09 HB 171 Extending CHIP and Medicaid Coverage to Children of Documented Immigrants Bill Passed - House (50 - 23)
3/09 HB 171 Extending CHIP and Medicaid Coverage to Children of Documented Immigrants Bill Passed - House (50 - 23)
3/09 SB 225 Extending CHIP and Medicaid Coverage to Children of Documented Immigrants Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 14)
3/09 HB 1700 Expanding Eligibility for Children's Health Insurance Program Bill Passed - House (82 - 14)
3/06 HB 100 Prison Education and Medical Financing Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 7)
3/04 HB 1240 Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
3/04 HB 1332 Increased Regulation of Pet Breeders Bill Passed - House (74 - 26)
3/04 HB 1329 Child Care Center Unionization Bill Passed - House (65 - 31)
3/04 SB 61 Allowing Home-Schooled Students to Participate in Extracurricular Activities Bill Failed - Senate (13 - 16)
3/04 HB 4132 School Attendance Amendments Bill Passed - House (71 - 37)
3/04 SB 235 Ban on Required Human Microchip Implantation
3/03 HB 1182 Point Reduction for Seat Belt Use Bill Failed - Senate (18 - 25)
3/03 HB 1182 Point Reduction for Seat Belt Use Bill Failed - Senate (18 - 25)
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 SB 9 Transferable Tax Credit for Film Production Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 10)
3/02 SR 7 Statement of Opposition to Proposition 8 Resolution Passed - Senate (18 - 14)
3/02 SB 79 Pre-Abortion Ultrasound Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 4)
3/02 HR 5 Statement of Opposition to Proposition 8 Resolution Passed - House (45 - 27)
2/27 LB 5 Trapping In Rights-of-Way Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 18)
2/27 LB 5 Trapping In Rights-of-Way Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 18)
2/26 SB 12 Establishing Domestic Partnerships Bill Failed - Senate (17 - 25)
2/26 SB 12 Establishing Domestic Partnerships Bill Failed - Senate (17 - 25)
2/26 H 3245 24-Hour Waiting Period for Abortions Bill Passed - House (87 - 24)
2/26 S 160 Washington DC Voting Act Bill Passed - Senate (61 - 37)
2/26 HR 1105 2009 Budget Bill Bill Passed - House (245 - 178)
2/25 SB 1035 Allowing Guns in Alcohol-Serving Establishments Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (22 - 16)
2/25 SB 141 Allowing Increase of Penalties for Convicted Public Officials Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 12)
2/25 HB 418 Amendments Regarding Horse Slaughterhouses Bill Passed - House (66 - 33)
2/25 SB 44 Prohibiting Smoking in Cars with Children Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 12)
2/25 SB 44 Prohibiting Smoking in Cars with Children Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 12)
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 SB 78 Seat Belt Violation as Primary Offense Bill Passed - House (60 - 31)
2/25 SB 78 Seat Belt Violation as Primary Offense Bill Passed - House (60 - 31)
2/25 SB 23 Admissibility of Seat Belt Evidence in Court Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 12)
2/25 HB 28 Increasing Penalties for Intimidation of Judges Bill Passed - House (43 - 21)
2/24 Amdt 2 Exempting Cases of Rape from Abortion Waiting Period Amendment Tabled - House (69 - 45)
2/24 Amdt 5 Prohibiting Employment Termination Due to Abortion Waiting Period Amendment Rejected - House (54 - 60)
2/24 SB 1035 Allowing Guns in Alcohol-Serving Establishments Bill Passed - House (66 - 33)
2/24 HB 1826 Driver's License Suspension for Unexcused School Absences Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 3)
2/24 SB 116 Seat Belt Violation as a Primary Offense Bill Passed - Senate (12 - 9)
2/24 HB 1826 Driver's License Suspension for Unexcused School Absences Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 3)
2/24 SB 326 Medical Marijuana Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 22)
2/24 HB 531 Red Light Camera Prohibition Bill Passed - House (65 - 35)
2/24 HB 1215 Increasing Traffic Fines to Fund Trauma Centers Bill Passed - House (53 - 42)
2/24 SB 88 Extending State Employee Health Benefits to Domestic Partners Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 11)
2/24 HB 1260 Designated Beneficiary Agreements Between Unmarried Adults Bill Passed - House (41 - 24)
2/23 HB 394 Prohibits the Use of Individual Prescription Information for Marketing Motion Rejected - House (50 - 50)
2/23 SB 195 Stem Cell Research Amendments Bill Failed - Senate (14 - 20)
2/23 HB 1240 Smoking Ban Bill Passed - House (43 - 27)
2/23 S 119 Legalizing Medical Marijuana Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 16)

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