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 11, 2010 IA SF 2357 Prohibiting Firearm Possession by Domestic Violence Perpetrators Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (36 - 12)
March 11, 2010 CA SBx8 32 Tax Law Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 15)
March 11, 2010 VA SB 737 Requiring Department of Education Review of Charter School Applications Bill Passed - House (62 - 34)
March 11, 2010 UT SB 251 Requiring Businesses Utilize Federal E-Verify Program Bill Passed - House (46 - 24)
March 10, 2010 SD HB 1231 Prescription Drug Registry Concurrence Vote Passed - House (56 - 9)
March 10, 2010 IA SF 2357 Prohibiting Firearm Possession by Domestic Violence Perpetrators Bill Passed - House (73 - 25)
March 10, 2010 IA Amdt 8381 Free Self Defense Courses for Domestic Violence Victims Amendment Rejected - House (44 - 53)
March 10, 2010 NH HB 1653 Marijuana Decriminalization Bill Passed - House (214 - 137)
March 9, 2010 SD HB 1231 Prescription Drug Registry Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 5)
March 9, 2010 ID H 391 Opposing Federal Individual Health Insurance Mandate Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 10)
March 9, 2010 VA SB 737 Requiring Department of Education Review of Charter School Applications Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 12)
March 8, 2010 CA SBx8 32 Tax Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (47 - 29)
March 8, 2010 IA HF 788 Prohibiting Liquor Licensees from Permitting Criminal Activity Adjacent to Their Premises Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 17)
March 8, 2010 SD HB 1240 Need-Based Education Grant Fund Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11)
March 8, 2010 UT SB 44 Extending CHIP and Medicaid Coverage to Children of Documented Immigrants Bill Failed - Senate (13 - 14)
March 8, 2010 UT SB 44 Extending CHIP and Medicaid Coverage to Children of Documented Immigrants Bill Failed - Senate (13 - 14)
March 8, 2010 UT HB 286 Prohibiting Retirement System Investment in Iranian Petroleum Bill Passed - House (39 - 34)
March 3, 2010 WY SF 61 Establishing Health Care Demonstration Project Bill Passed - House (42 - 16)
March 3, 2010 WY SF 64 Increasing Seat Belt Violation Fine Bill Failed - House (17 - 41)
March 3, 2010 NM HB 3 Cigarette Tax Increase Bill Passed - House (41 - 26)
March 3, 2010 ID H 528 Increasing Health Insurance Regulations Bill Failed - House (31 - 39)
March 3, 2010 IL HB 4685 Eliminating General Assembly Scholarship Program Bill Passed - House (80 - 36)
March 3, 2010 IL HB 2360 Homeowner's Emergency Assistance Plan Bill Passed - House (73 - 38)
March 2, 2010 UT HB 196 Cigarette Tax Increase Bill Passed - House (39 - 35)
March 1, 2010 SD HCR 1009 Urges Changes to the Public School Environmental Curriculum Concurrence Vote Passed - House (37 - 33)
March 1, 2010 CO HB 1201 Requiring Police to Inform Citizens of Right to Refuse Searches Bill Passed - House (37 - 28)
March 1, 2010 SD SB 63 Pilot Charter School Bill Passed - House (49 - 20)
Feb. 26, 2010 ID S 1353 Authorizing Health Care Professionals to Refuse Specific Health Care Services Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13)
Feb. 25, 2010 KS HB 2221 Ban on Smoking in Certain Public Places Concurrence Vote Passed - House (68 - 54)
Feb. 25, 2010 WI AB 35 Complaint Process for Race-Based Names, Logos and Mascots of Schools Bill Passed - House (51 - 42)
Feb. 24, 2010 SD HCR 1009 Urges Changes to the Public School Environmental Curriculum Resolution Passed - Senate (18 - 17)
Feb. 24, 2010 SC S 191 Authorizing Warrantless Searches and Seizures of Probationers and Parolees Motion Agreed - House (81 - 26)
Feb. 24, 2010 UT SB 55 Authorizing Higher Education Institutions to Authorize Charter Schools Bill Passed - House (43 - 27)
Feb. 24, 2010 UT HB 227 Lawful Presence Documentation Requirement for Business Licensing Bill Passed - House (38 - 36)
Feb. 24, 2010 WV HB 4292 Changes in Required Magistrate Qualifications Bill Passed - House (61 - 37)
Feb. 23, 2010 IN HB 1367 Education Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 19)
Feb. 23, 2010 AL HJR 54 Referendum on Constitutional Convention Motion Agreed - House (58 - 32)
Feb. 23, 2010 SD HB 1240 Need-Based Education Grant Fund Bill Passed - House (64 - 4)
Feb. 18, 2010 WY SF 64 Increasing Seat Belt Violation Fine Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 9)
Feb. 18, 2010 NM SB 254 Eliminating Criminal Conviction Disclosure on State Employment Applications Bill Passed - House (54 - 14)
Feb. 18, 2010 UT HB 12 Abortion and Homicide Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 4)
Feb. 17, 2010 TN SB 3498 Requiring Legal Challenge to Federal Health Insurance Mandates Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 1)
Feb. 17, 2010 SD HCR 1009 Urges Changes to the Public School Environmental Curriculum Resolution Passed - House (36 - 30)
Feb. 17, 2010 NM HB 150 Hispanic Education Act Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 13)
Feb. 17, 2010 NM HB 12 Health Insurer Service Reimbursement Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 16)
Feb. 17, 2010 NM SB 148 Excluding Gender for Health Insurance Deliberation Bill Passed - House (50 - 17)
Feb. 17, 2010 NM SB 26 Establishing the Domestic Violence Commission Bill Passed - House (33 - 22)
Feb. 17, 2010 NH HB 1644 Expanding Homicide to Include "Unborn Child" "Inexpedient to Legislate" Vote Failed - House (219 - 122)
Feb. 16, 2010 NM SB 216 Repeal "Guilty but Mentally Ill" Plea Bill Passed - House (40 - 21)
Feb. 16, 2010 NM HB 231 Authorizing Education Retirement Board Pension Disclosure Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 18)
Feb. 16, 2010 NM HB 178 Substance Abuse and Crime Prevention Act Bill Passed - House (34 - 31)
Feb. 16, 2010 VA SB 464 Requiring Insurance Coverage of Autism Disorder Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 13)
Feb. 16, 2010 CO HB 1188 Navigation Rights for River Outfitters Bill Passed - House (40 - 25)
Feb. 16, 2010 UT HCR 8 Statement of Opposition to Federal Health Care Proposal Resolution Passed - House (57 - 15)
Feb. 15, 2010 AZ SB 1070 Expanding Undocumented Immigration Enforcement Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 13)
Feb. 15, 2010 WA SB 6562 Expanding State University Tuition Authority Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 19)
Feb. 12, 2010 VA SB 283 Prohibiting Federal Individual Health Insurance Mandate Bill Passed - House (67 - 29)
Feb. 12, 2010 NM HB 178 Substance Abuse and Crime Prevention Act Bill Failed - House (33 - 37)
Feb. 12, 2010 NM SB 254 Eliminating Criminal Conviction Disclosure on State Employment Applications Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 4)
Feb. 11, 2010 SD Jerstad Amdt Per Student Funding Increase Amendment Rejected - Senate (17 - 18)
Feb. 11, 2010 MN SF 2168 General Assistance Medical Care Program Modifications Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 20)
Feb. 11, 2010 NM SB 216 Repeal "Guilty but Mentally Ill" Plea Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 19)
Feb. 11, 2010 NM HB 12 Health Insurer Service Reimbursement Bill Passed - House (46 - 21)
Feb. 10, 2010 SC H 3272 Property Tax Law Amendments Bill Failed - Senate (28 - 13)
Feb. 10, 2010 KY HB 70 Voting Rights For Certain Felons Bill Passed - House (83 - 16)
Feb. 10, 2010 NM SB 148 Excluding Gender for Health Insurance Deliberation Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15)
Feb. 10, 2010 NM HB 150 Hispanic Education Act Bill Passed - House (44 - 25)
Feb. 9, 2010 VA HB 629 Asbestos Lawsuit Restrictions Bill Passed - House (49 - 48)
Feb. 9, 2010 ID H 391 Opposing Federal Individual Health Insurance Mandate Bill Passed - House (52 - 18)
Feb. 9, 2010 NM HB 53 Financial Literacy as School Math Requirement Bill Passed - House (46 - 22)
Feb. 8, 2010 TN SB 1092 Banning Non-Elected Boards from Requiring Nutrition Information on Menus Veto Override Passed - House (65 - 31)
Feb. 8, 2010 NM HB 17 Prohibiting Domestic Violence Offenders from Being Peace Officers Bill Passed - House (48 - 19)
Feb. 4, 2010 NM SB 26 Establishing the Domestic Violence Commission Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 8)
Feb. 3, 2010 VA HB 502 Expanding Death Penalty Eligibility to Accomplices Bill Passed - House (74 - 24)
Feb. 2, 2010 IN SB 150 School Year Beginning and Ending Limitations Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 19)
Feb. 2, 2010 IN HB 1131 Statewide Indoor Smoking Ban Bill Passed - House (73 - 26)
Feb. 2, 2010 IN HB 1367 Education Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (51 - 48)
Feb. 1, 2010 VA SB 283 Prohibiting Federal Individual Health Insurance Mandate Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 17)
Jan. 29, 2010 UT HB 12 Abortion and Homicide Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (59 - 12)
Jan. 28, 2010 TN SB 1092 Prohibiting Non-Elected Boards from Requiring Nutrition Information on Menus Veto Override Passed - Senate (24 - 7)
Jan. 28, 2010 WI AB 458 Sex Education Curriculum Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 15)
Jan. 28, 2010 WI AB 458 Sex Education Curriculum Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 15)
Jan. 28, 2010 WI SB 415 Carbon Monoxide Detector Requirements Bill Passed - House (69 - 27)
Jan. 28, 2010 CA SB 810 Statewide Single Payer Health Care System Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 14)
Jan. 28, 2010 WI SB 263 Expanding Access to Public Defenders Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12)
Jan. 28, 2010 MA H 4441 School Nutrition Standards Bill Passed - House (152 - 4)
Jan. 28, 2010 MA H 4441 School Nutrition Standards Bill Passed - House (152 - 4)
Jan. 27, 2010 VA SB 9 Enforcing Seat Belt Violations as Primary Offenses Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 16)
Jan. 27, 2010 VT H 485 Property Tax and Land Use Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (104 - 34)
Jan. 25, 2010 KY SB 3 Omnibus Constitutional Amendment Bill Failed - Senate (21 - 0)
Jan. 19, 2010 IA HF 2030 School District Budget Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 16)
Jan. 19, 2010 IA HF 2030 School District Budget Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 16)
Jan. 19, 2010 MO HCR 18 Statement of Opposition to Federal Health Care Proposal Joint Resolution Passed - House (111 - 46)
Jan. 14, 2010 MA S 2247 Education Law Amendments Conference Report Adopted - House (98 - 47)
Jan. 14, 2010 MA S 2247 Education Law Amendments Conference Report Adopted - Senate (23 - 12)
Jan. 13, 2010 IL SB 315 Teacher Evaluation Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (48 - 4)
Jan. 13, 2010 IA SF 2033 Education Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 17)
Jan. 12, 2010 CA SB 880 Requiring Snow Sport Helmets for Minors
Jan. 12, 2010 IL SB 315 Teacher Evaluation Amendments Bill Passed - House (74 - 37)
Jan. 12, 2010 IN SJR 1 Constitutional Property Tax Cap Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (35 - 15)
Date No. Title Outcome
3/11 SF 2357 Prohibiting Firearm Possession by Domestic Violence Perpetrators Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (36 - 12)
3/11 SBx8 32 Tax Law Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 15)
3/11 SB 737 Requiring Department of Education Review of Charter School Applications Bill Passed - House (62 - 34)
3/11 SB 251 Requiring Businesses Utilize Federal E-Verify Program Bill Passed - House (46 - 24)
3/10 HB 1231 Prescription Drug Registry Concurrence Vote Passed - House (56 - 9)
3/10 SF 2357 Prohibiting Firearm Possession by Domestic Violence Perpetrators Bill Passed - House (73 - 25)
3/10 Amdt 8381 Free Self Defense Courses for Domestic Violence Victims Amendment Rejected - House (44 - 53)
3/10 HB 1653 Marijuana Decriminalization Bill Passed - House (214 - 137)
3/09 HB 1231 Prescription Drug Registry Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 5)
3/09 H 391 Opposing Federal Individual Health Insurance Mandate Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 10)
3/09 SB 737 Requiring Department of Education Review of Charter School Applications Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 12)
3/08 SBx8 32 Tax Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (47 - 29)
3/08 HF 788 Prohibiting Liquor Licensees from Permitting Criminal Activity Adjacent to Their Premises Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 17)
3/08 HB 1240 Need-Based Education Grant Fund Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11)
3/08 SB 44 Extending CHIP and Medicaid Coverage to Children of Documented Immigrants Bill Failed - Senate (13 - 14)
3/08 SB 44 Extending CHIP and Medicaid Coverage to Children of Documented Immigrants Bill Failed - Senate (13 - 14)
3/08 HB 286 Prohibiting Retirement System Investment in Iranian Petroleum Bill Passed - House (39 - 34)
3/03 SF 61 Establishing Health Care Demonstration Project Bill Passed - House (42 - 16)
3/03 SF 64 Increasing Seat Belt Violation Fine Bill Failed - House (17 - 41)
3/03 HB 3 Cigarette Tax Increase Bill Passed - House (41 - 26)
3/03 H 528 Increasing Health Insurance Regulations Bill Failed - House (31 - 39)
3/03 HB 4685 Eliminating General Assembly Scholarship Program Bill Passed - House (80 - 36)
3/03 HB 2360 Homeowner's Emergency Assistance Plan Bill Passed - House (73 - 38)
3/02 HB 196 Cigarette Tax Increase Bill Passed - House (39 - 35)
3/01 HCR 1009 Urges Changes to the Public School Environmental Curriculum Concurrence Vote Passed - House (37 - 33)
3/01 HB 1201 Requiring Police to Inform Citizens of Right to Refuse Searches Bill Passed - House (37 - 28)
3/01 SB 63 Pilot Charter School Bill Passed - House (49 - 20)
2/26 S 1353 Authorizing Health Care Professionals to Refuse Specific Health Care Services Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13)
2/25 HB 2221 Ban on Smoking in Certain Public Places Concurrence Vote Passed - House (68 - 54)
2/25 AB 35 Complaint Process for Race-Based Names, Logos and Mascots of Schools Bill Passed - House (51 - 42)
2/24 HCR 1009 Urges Changes to the Public School Environmental Curriculum Resolution Passed - Senate (18 - 17)
2/24 S 191 Authorizing Warrantless Searches and Seizures of Probationers and Parolees Motion Agreed - House (81 - 26)
2/24 SB 55 Authorizing Higher Education Institutions to Authorize Charter Schools Bill Passed - House (43 - 27)
2/24 HB 227 Lawful Presence Documentation Requirement for Business Licensing Bill Passed - House (38 - 36)
2/24 HB 4292 Changes in Required Magistrate Qualifications Bill Passed - House (61 - 37)
2/23 HB 1367 Education Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 19)
2/23 HJR 54 Referendum on Constitutional Convention Motion Agreed - House (58 - 32)
2/23 HB 1240 Need-Based Education Grant Fund Bill Passed - House (64 - 4)
2/18 SF 64 Increasing Seat Belt Violation Fine Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 9)
2/18 SB 254 Eliminating Criminal Conviction Disclosure on State Employment Applications Bill Passed - House (54 - 14)
2/18 HB 12 Abortion and Homicide Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 4)
2/17 SB 3498 Requiring Legal Challenge to Federal Health Insurance Mandates Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 1)
2/17 HCR 1009 Urges Changes to the Public School Environmental Curriculum Resolution Passed - House (36 - 30)
2/17 HB 150 Hispanic Education Act Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 13)
2/17 HB 12 Health Insurer Service Reimbursement Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 16)
2/17 SB 148 Excluding Gender for Health Insurance Deliberation Bill Passed - House (50 - 17)
2/17 SB 26 Establishing the Domestic Violence Commission Bill Passed - House (33 - 22)
2/17 HB 1644 Expanding Homicide to Include "Unborn Child" "Inexpedient to Legislate" Vote Failed - House (219 - 122)
2/16 SB 216 Repeal "Guilty but Mentally Ill" Plea Bill Passed - House (40 - 21)
2/16 HB 231 Authorizing Education Retirement Board Pension Disclosure Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 18)
2/16 HB 178 Substance Abuse and Crime Prevention Act Bill Passed - House (34 - 31)
2/16 SB 464 Requiring Insurance Coverage of Autism Disorder Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 13)
2/16 HB 1188 Navigation Rights for River Outfitters Bill Passed - House (40 - 25)
2/16 HCR 8 Statement of Opposition to Federal Health Care Proposal Resolution Passed - House (57 - 15)
2/15 SB 1070 Expanding Undocumented Immigration Enforcement Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 13)
2/15 SB 6562 Expanding State University Tuition Authority Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 19)
2/12 SB 283 Prohibiting Federal Individual Health Insurance Mandate Bill Passed - House (67 - 29)
2/12 HB 178 Substance Abuse and Crime Prevention Act Bill Failed - House (33 - 37)
2/12 SB 254 Eliminating Criminal Conviction Disclosure on State Employment Applications Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 4)
2/11 Jerstad Amdt Per Student Funding Increase Amendment Rejected - Senate (17 - 18)
2/11 SF 2168 General Assistance Medical Care Program Modifications Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 20)
2/11 SB 216 Repeal "Guilty but Mentally Ill" Plea Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 19)
2/11 HB 12 Health Insurer Service Reimbursement Bill Passed - House (46 - 21)
2/10 H 3272 Property Tax Law Amendments Bill Failed - Senate (28 - 13)
2/10 HB 70 Voting Rights For Certain Felons Bill Passed - House (83 - 16)
2/10 SB 148 Excluding Gender for Health Insurance Deliberation Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15)
2/10 HB 150 Hispanic Education Act Bill Passed - House (44 - 25)
2/09 HB 629 Asbestos Lawsuit Restrictions Bill Passed - House (49 - 48)
2/09 H 391 Opposing Federal Individual Health Insurance Mandate Bill Passed - House (52 - 18)
2/09 HB 53 Financial Literacy as School Math Requirement Bill Passed - House (46 - 22)
2/08 SB 1092 Banning Non-Elected Boards from Requiring Nutrition Information on Menus Veto Override Passed - House (65 - 31)
2/08 HB 17 Prohibiting Domestic Violence Offenders from Being Peace Officers Bill Passed - House (48 - 19)
2/04 SB 26 Establishing the Domestic Violence Commission Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 8)
2/03 HB 502 Expanding Death Penalty Eligibility to Accomplices Bill Passed - House (74 - 24)
2/02 SB 150 School Year Beginning and Ending Limitations Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 19)
2/02 HB 1131 Statewide Indoor Smoking Ban Bill Passed - House (73 - 26)
2/02 HB 1367 Education Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (51 - 48)
2/01 SB 283 Prohibiting Federal Individual Health Insurance Mandate Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 17)
1/29 HB 12 Abortion and Homicide Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (59 - 12)
1/28 SB 1092 Prohibiting Non-Elected Boards from Requiring Nutrition Information on Menus Veto Override Passed - Senate (24 - 7)
1/28 AB 458 Sex Education Curriculum Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 15)
1/28 AB 458 Sex Education Curriculum Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 15)
1/28 SB 415 Carbon Monoxide Detector Requirements Bill Passed - House (69 - 27)
1/28 SB 810 Statewide Single Payer Health Care System Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 14)
1/28 SB 263 Expanding Access to Public Defenders Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12)
1/28 H 4441 School Nutrition Standards Bill Passed - House (152 - 4)
1/28 H 4441 School Nutrition Standards Bill Passed - House (152 - 4)
1/27 SB 9 Enforcing Seat Belt Violations as Primary Offenses Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 16)
1/27 H 485 Property Tax and Land Use Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (104 - 34)
1/25 SB 3 Omnibus Constitutional Amendment Bill Failed - Senate (21 - 0)
1/19 HF 2030 School District Budget Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 16)
1/19 HF 2030 School District Budget Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 16)
1/19 HCR 18 Statement of Opposition to Federal Health Care Proposal Joint Resolution Passed - House (111 - 46)
1/14 S 2247 Education Law Amendments Conference Report Adopted - House (98 - 47)
1/14 S 2247 Education Law Amendments Conference Report Adopted - Senate (23 - 12)
1/13 SB 315 Teacher Evaluation Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (48 - 4)
1/13 SF 2033 Education Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 17)
1/12 SB 880 Requiring Snow Sport Helmets for Minors
1/12 SB 315 Teacher Evaluation Amendments Bill Passed - House (74 - 37)
1/12 SJR 1 Constitutional Property Tax Cap Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (35 - 15)

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