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
May 10, 2010 LA HB 1033 Evaluation and Assessment Programs Bill Passed - House (68 - 26)
May 6, 2010 IL SB 3658 Temporary Sales Tax Holiday Bill Passed - House (65 - 51)
May 5, 2010 CT HJ 106 Nomination of Laura Flynn Baldini to Judge of the Superior Court Nomination Confirmed - House (110 - 40)
May 4, 2010 LA HCR 144 Response to the Deepwater Horizon Oil Rig Motion Agreed - House (60 - 32)
May 4, 2010 CT HB 5423 Classroom Experiments and Dissections on Animals Bill Passed - House (81 - 67)
April 30, 2010 CO HB 1408 Criteria for Judicial Determinations of Congressional Districts Bill Passed - House (35 - 28)
April 29, 2010 MO HB 2011 2010-2011 Department of Social Services Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (93 - 63)
April 29, 2010 HI HB 444 Legalizing Same-Sex Civil Unions Concurrence Vote Passed - House (31 - 20)
April 29, 2010 IL SJR 121 Redistricting Process Modifications Bill Failed - House (69 - 47)
April 28, 2010 MO HB 2010 2010-2011 Department of Mental Health and Department of Health and Senior Serices Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (85 - 70)
April 28, 2010 HI HB 2377 Board of Education Selection Advisory Council Conference Report Adopted - House (40 - 11)
April 28, 2010 MA Sánchez Amdt Sending Public Benefits Amendment to Study Amendment Adopted - House (83 - 75)
April 28, 2010 MA Sánchez Amdt Sending Public Benefits Amendment to Study Amendment Adopted - House (83 - 75)
April 28, 2010 LA HB 617 Expanding Drug Testing Requirements for Welfare Recipients Bill Passed - House (61 - 27)
April 28, 2010 LA HB 1259 Prohibiting "Cyber-Bullying" Bill Passed - House (78 - 16)
April 27, 2010 National HR 5146 Prohibiting 2010- 2011 Congressional Cost-of-Living Pay Increase Bill Passed - House (402 - 15)
April 27, 2010 HI HB 2376 Requiring Board of Education Members be Appointed Conference Report Adopted - House (44 - 7)
April 27, 2010 IL SB 615 Local Food, Farms and Jobs Act Bill Passed - House (73 - 41)
April 27, 2010 LA HB 251 Superintendent of Education Qualifications Bill Passed - House (75 - 16)
April 27, 2010 CT HB 5246 Domestic Violence Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (125 - 19)
April 22, 2010 CA Maldonado Nomination Abel Maldonado, Lieutenant Governor (53 - 21)
April 22, 2010 WI SB 437 Education Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (50 - 47)
April 21, 2010 AZ SCR 1013 Replacing Secretary of State with Lieutenant Governor Bill Passed - House (51 - 9)
April 21, 2010 VA Amdt 28 Reducing Funding for Comprehensive Services for At Risk Youth and Families Amendment Rejected - House (25 - 69)
April 21, 2010 VA Amdt 28 Reducing Funding for Comprehensive Services for At Risk Youth and Families Amendment Rejected - House (25 - 69)
April 20, 2010 WI SB 484 BadgerCare Plus Basic Health Plan Bill Passed - House (50 - 47)
April 20, 2010 WI Amdt 1 Expelling Representative Jeffery Wood Amendment Tabled - House (49 - 48)
April 20, 2010 WI Amdt 6 Censuring Representative Jeffery Wood Amendment Adopted - House (73 - 24)
April 19, 2010 FL HB 7223 HMO Plans for Medicaid Coverage Bill Passed - House (80 - 34)
April 19, 2010 LA HB 224 Withholding Pension Benefits from Incarcerated Public Employees Bill Failed - House (42 - 56)
April 17, 2010 AK SJR 21 State Legislature Expansion Bill Passed - House (31 - 8)
April 15, 2010 National HR 4851 Unemployment Benefits Extension Concurrence Vote Passed - House (289 - 112)
April 15, 2010 WI AB 106 Authorizing Sale of Alcohol to 18-20 Year-Olds Under Parental or Spousal Supervision Bill Passed - House (56 - 41)
April 14, 2010 GA HB 1055 Tax Law Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - House (107 - 63)
April 14, 2010 LA HB 292 Open Primaries for Congressional Elections Bill Passed - House (71 - 27)
April 13, 2010 AZ SB 1070 Expanding Undocumented Immigration Enforcement Bill Passed - House (35 - 21)
April 12, 2010 MD HB 465 Establishes Collective Bargaining Procedures for Certain Child Care Providers Conference Report Adopted - House (100 - 39)
April 12, 2010 MD SB 789 Requires Shift Breaks for Certain Employees Bill Passed - House (94 - 45)
April 10, 2010 MD SB 778 Prohibits Public Schools from Sending Vocational Test Scores to Military Recruiters Bill Passed - House (95 - 42)
April 9, 2010 MD SB 279 Prohibits False Claims Against State Health Plans and Programs Bill Passed - House (105 - 33)
April 9, 2010 MD SB 590 Establishes a Public School Labor Relations Board Bill Passed - House (103 - 35)
April 9, 2010 FL SB 6 Education Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (64 - 55)
April 2, 2010 WA SB 6503 State Employee Furlough Plan Bill Passed - House (50 - 38)
March 30, 2010 KS HB 2115 Late-Term/Partial Birth Abortion Reporting Requirements Conference Report Adopted - House (83 - 36)
March 30, 2010 AZ HCR 2038 Limiting Governor's Line Item Veto Authority Joint Resolution Passed - House (34 - 24)
March 29, 2010 IA SF 2389 Iowa Jobs II Program and Budget Amendments Bill Passed - House (52 - 47)
March 27, 2010 MS SB 2293 Allowing "Under-Performing" Schools to Become Charter Schools Conference Report Adopted - House (85 - 31)
March 26, 2010 ME LD 1552 Repealing Maine Tree Growth Program Eligibility for Use of "Bonded Laborers" Concurrence Vote Passed - House (70 - 68)
March 26, 2010 IL HB 5109 Prohibiting Public Funding of Portraits of Governors Removed From Office Bill Passed - House (85 - 23)
March 26, 2010 GA HB 236 Review Process for the Operations of State Entities Bill Failed - House (77 - 81)
March 25, 2010 KY SB 178 Closed-Session School Superintendent Evaluations Bill Passed - House (67 - 29)
March 22, 2010 WA HB 2782 Limiting Disability Benefits Concurrence Vote Passed - House (57 - 40)
March 22, 2010 IL HB 4886 Authorizing 4-Day School Week Bill Passed - House (81 - 21)
March 18, 2010 IL HB 5428 Limiting Adoption Records Disclosure Restrictions for Adoptees Bill Passed - House (74 - 39)
March 17, 2010 IA HF 2518 Retirement Contribution Rate Amendments Bill Passed - House (53 - 43)
March 17, 2010 GA HB 982 Amending Wage Garnishment Procedures for Late Taxpayers Bill Passed - House (95 - 68)
March 16, 2010 NY A 7575 Prohibiting Domestic Violence Offenders from Possessing Firearms Bill Passed - House (89 - 53)
March 11, 2010 MN HF 2700 Omnibus Bonding and Budget Amendments Conference Report Adopted - House (89 - 44)
March 11, 2010 UT SB 251 Requiring Businesses Utilize Federal E-Verify Program Bill Passed - House (46 - 24)
March 11, 2010 AZ HCR 2001 Repealing Early Childhood Development and Health Program Joint Resolution Passed - House (31 - 28)
March 10, 2010 SC H 3305 Requiring Secret Ballot Elections Concurrence Vote Passed - House (106 - 12)
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 9, 2010 VA SB 66 Prohibiting Sexual Orientation Discrimination in State Government Employment Motion Agreed - House (55 - 42)
March 9, 2010 VA SB 66 Prohibiting Sexual Orientation Discrimination in State Government Employment Motion Agreed - House (55 - 42)
March 8, 2010 SD SB 18 Restrictions on Retirement for Rehired Public Employees Bill Passed - House (55 - 13)
March 3, 2010 WY SF 61 Establishing Health Care Demonstration Project Bill Passed - House (42 - 16)
March 3, 2010 WY SF 61 Establishing Health Care Demonstration Project Bill Passed - House (42 - 16)
March 3, 2010 CO HB 1147 Requiring Bicycle Helmets for Minors Bill Passed - House (33 - 32)
March 3, 2010 IL HB 4685 Eliminating General Assembly Scholarship Program Bill Passed - House (80 - 36)
March 2, 2010 NY A 5710 Prohibiting Gender Identity Discrimination Bill Passed - House (100 - 43)
March 1, 2010 MN SF 2168 General Assistance Medical Care Program Modifications Veto Override Failed - House (86 - 47)
March 1, 2010 SD SB 63 Pilot Charter School Bill Passed - House (49 - 20)
Feb. 26, 2010 UT SB 43 Retirement System Amendments Bill Passed - House (55 - 20)
Feb. 26, 2010 UT SB 43 Retirement System Amendments Bill Passed - House (55 - 20)
Feb. 26, 2010 UT SB 63 Retirement System Amendments Bill Passed - House (46 - 26)
Feb. 26, 2010 UT SB 63 Retirement System Amendments Bill Passed - House (46 - 26)
Feb. 26, 2010 WY SF 72 Increasing State Employee Contribution to State Retirement System Bill Passed - House (37 - 21)
Feb. 26, 2010 WY SF 72 Increasing State Employee Contribution to State Retirement System Bill Passed - House (37 - 21)
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 IN SB 23 Unemployment Tax Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (82 - 17)
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 IL HB 4654 Limiting Free Mass Transit for Seniors Bill Passed - House (83 - 27)
Feb. 24, 2010 IL HB 4654 Limiting Free Mass Transit for Seniors Bill Passed - House (83 - 27)
Feb. 24, 2010 WV HB 4292 Changes in Required Magistrate Qualifications Bill Passed - House (61 - 37)
Feb. 22, 2010 WY HB 93 Increasing Penalties for Workplace Safety Violations Bill Passed - House (54 - 3)
Feb. 18, 2010 NM SB 112 Authorizing Severance Tax Bonds and Allocating Proceeds Bill Passed - House (37 - 31)
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 CACR 28 Constitutional Amendment to Define Marriage "Inexpedient to Legislate" Vote Passed - House (201 - 135)
Feb. 17, 2010 NH HB 1590 Repealing Same-Sex Marriage "Inexpedient to Legislate" Vote Passed - House (210 - 109)
Feb. 17, 2010 UT HB 113 Child Safety Seat Law Amendments Bill Failed - House (24 - 47)
Feb. 16, 2010 NM SB 216 Repeal "Guilty but Mentally Ill" Plea Bill Passed - House (40 - 21)
Feb. 16, 2010 CO SB 1 Public Employee Retirement Association Amendments Bill Passed - House (36 - 29)
Feb. 16, 2010 CO SB 1 Public Employee Retirement Association Amendments Bill Passed - House (36 - 29)
Feb. 16, 2010 CO SB 1 Public Employee Retirement Association Amendments Bill Passed - House (36 - 29)
Feb. 15, 2010 WA HB 2793 Legalizing Paid Surrogacy Bill Passed - House (59 - 39)
Feb. 15, 2010 WA HB 2793 Legalizing Paid Surrogacy Bill Passed - House (59 - 39)
Feb. 11, 2010 CA Maldonado Nomination Abel Maldonado, Lieutenant Governor (37 - 36)
Date No. Title Outcome
5/10 HB 1033 Evaluation and Assessment Programs Bill Passed - House (68 - 26)
5/06 SB 3658 Temporary Sales Tax Holiday Bill Passed - House (65 - 51)
5/05 HJ 106 Nomination of Laura Flynn Baldini to Judge of the Superior Court Nomination Confirmed - House (110 - 40)
5/04 HCR 144 Response to the Deepwater Horizon Oil Rig Motion Agreed - House (60 - 32)
5/04 HB 5423 Classroom Experiments and Dissections on Animals Bill Passed - House (81 - 67)
4/30 HB 1408 Criteria for Judicial Determinations of Congressional Districts Bill Passed - House (35 - 28)
4/29 HB 2011 2010-2011 Department of Social Services Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (93 - 63)
4/29 HB 444 Legalizing Same-Sex Civil Unions Concurrence Vote Passed - House (31 - 20)
4/29 SJR 121 Redistricting Process Modifications Bill Failed - House (69 - 47)
4/28 HB 2010 2010-2011 Department of Mental Health and Department of Health and Senior Serices Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (85 - 70)
4/28 HB 2377 Board of Education Selection Advisory Council Conference Report Adopted - House (40 - 11)
4/28 Sánchez Amdt Sending Public Benefits Amendment to Study Amendment Adopted - House (83 - 75)
4/28 Sánchez Amdt Sending Public Benefits Amendment to Study Amendment Adopted - House (83 - 75)
4/28 HB 617 Expanding Drug Testing Requirements for Welfare Recipients Bill Passed - House (61 - 27)
4/28 HB 1259 Prohibiting "Cyber-Bullying" Bill Passed - House (78 - 16)
4/27 HR 5146 Prohibiting 2010- 2011 Congressional Cost-of-Living Pay Increase Bill Passed - House (402 - 15)
4/27 HB 2376 Requiring Board of Education Members be Appointed Conference Report Adopted - House (44 - 7)
4/27 SB 615 Local Food, Farms and Jobs Act Bill Passed - House (73 - 41)
4/27 HB 251 Superintendent of Education Qualifications Bill Passed - House (75 - 16)
4/27 HB 5246 Domestic Violence Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (125 - 19)
4/22 Maldonado Nomination Abel Maldonado, Lieutenant Governor (53 - 21)
4/22 SB 437 Education Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (50 - 47)
4/21 SCR 1013 Replacing Secretary of State with Lieutenant Governor Bill Passed - House (51 - 9)
4/21 Amdt 28 Reducing Funding for Comprehensive Services for At Risk Youth and Families Amendment Rejected - House (25 - 69)
4/21 Amdt 28 Reducing Funding for Comprehensive Services for At Risk Youth and Families Amendment Rejected - House (25 - 69)
4/20 SB 484 BadgerCare Plus Basic Health Plan Bill Passed - House (50 - 47)
4/20 Amdt 1 Expelling Representative Jeffery Wood Amendment Tabled - House (49 - 48)
4/20 Amdt 6 Censuring Representative Jeffery Wood Amendment Adopted - House (73 - 24)
4/19 HB 7223 HMO Plans for Medicaid Coverage Bill Passed - House (80 - 34)
4/19 HB 224 Withholding Pension Benefits from Incarcerated Public Employees Bill Failed - House (42 - 56)
4/17 SJR 21 State Legislature Expansion Bill Passed - House (31 - 8)
4/15 HR 4851 Unemployment Benefits Extension Concurrence Vote Passed - House (289 - 112)
4/15 AB 106 Authorizing Sale of Alcohol to 18-20 Year-Olds Under Parental or Spousal Supervision Bill Passed - House (56 - 41)
4/14 HB 1055 Tax Law Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - House (107 - 63)
4/14 HB 292 Open Primaries for Congressional Elections Bill Passed - House (71 - 27)
4/13 SB 1070 Expanding Undocumented Immigration Enforcement Bill Passed - House (35 - 21)
4/12 HB 465 Establishes Collective Bargaining Procedures for Certain Child Care Providers Conference Report Adopted - House (100 - 39)
4/12 SB 789 Requires Shift Breaks for Certain Employees Bill Passed - House (94 - 45)
4/10 SB 778 Prohibits Public Schools from Sending Vocational Test Scores to Military Recruiters Bill Passed - House (95 - 42)
4/09 SB 279 Prohibits False Claims Against State Health Plans and Programs Bill Passed - House (105 - 33)
4/09 SB 590 Establishes a Public School Labor Relations Board Bill Passed - House (103 - 35)
4/09 SB 6 Education Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (64 - 55)
4/02 SB 6503 State Employee Furlough Plan Bill Passed - House (50 - 38)
3/30 HB 2115 Late-Term/Partial Birth Abortion Reporting Requirements Conference Report Adopted - House (83 - 36)
3/30 HCR 2038 Limiting Governor's Line Item Veto Authority Joint Resolution Passed - House (34 - 24)
3/29 SF 2389 Iowa Jobs II Program and Budget Amendments Bill Passed - House (52 - 47)
3/27 SB 2293 Allowing "Under-Performing" Schools to Become Charter Schools Conference Report Adopted - House (85 - 31)
3/26 LD 1552 Repealing Maine Tree Growth Program Eligibility for Use of "Bonded Laborers" Concurrence Vote Passed - House (70 - 68)
3/26 HB 5109 Prohibiting Public Funding of Portraits of Governors Removed From Office Bill Passed - House (85 - 23)
3/26 HB 236 Review Process for the Operations of State Entities Bill Failed - House (77 - 81)
3/25 SB 178 Closed-Session School Superintendent Evaluations Bill Passed - House (67 - 29)
3/22 HB 2782 Limiting Disability Benefits Concurrence Vote Passed - House (57 - 40)
3/22 HB 4886 Authorizing 4-Day School Week Bill Passed - House (81 - 21)
3/18 HB 5428 Limiting Adoption Records Disclosure Restrictions for Adoptees Bill Passed - House (74 - 39)
3/17 HF 2518 Retirement Contribution Rate Amendments Bill Passed - House (53 - 43)
3/17 HB 982 Amending Wage Garnishment Procedures for Late Taxpayers Bill Passed - House (95 - 68)
3/16 A 7575 Prohibiting Domestic Violence Offenders from Possessing Firearms Bill Passed - House (89 - 53)
3/11 HF 2700 Omnibus Bonding and Budget Amendments Conference Report Adopted - House (89 - 44)
3/11 SB 251 Requiring Businesses Utilize Federal E-Verify Program Bill Passed - House (46 - 24)
3/11 HCR 2001 Repealing Early Childhood Development and Health Program Joint Resolution Passed - House (31 - 28)
3/10 H 3305 Requiring Secret Ballot Elections Concurrence Vote Passed - House (106 - 12)
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)
3/09 SB 66 Prohibiting Sexual Orientation Discrimination in State Government Employment Motion Agreed - House (55 - 42)
3/09 SB 66 Prohibiting Sexual Orientation Discrimination in State Government Employment Motion Agreed - House (55 - 42)
3/08 SB 18 Restrictions on Retirement for Rehired Public Employees Bill Passed - House (55 - 13)
3/03 SF 61 Establishing Health Care Demonstration Project Bill Passed - House (42 - 16)
3/03 SF 61 Establishing Health Care Demonstration Project Bill Passed - House (42 - 16)
3/03 HB 1147 Requiring Bicycle Helmets for Minors Bill Passed - House (33 - 32)
3/03 HB 4685 Eliminating General Assembly Scholarship Program Bill Passed - House (80 - 36)
3/02 A 5710 Prohibiting Gender Identity Discrimination Bill Passed - House (100 - 43)
3/01 SF 2168 General Assistance Medical Care Program Modifications Veto Override Failed - House (86 - 47)
3/01 SB 63 Pilot Charter School Bill Passed - House (49 - 20)
2/26 SB 43 Retirement System Amendments Bill Passed - House (55 - 20)
2/26 SB 43 Retirement System Amendments Bill Passed - House (55 - 20)
2/26 SB 63 Retirement System Amendments Bill Passed - House (46 - 26)
2/26 SB 63 Retirement System Amendments Bill Passed - House (46 - 26)
2/26 SF 72 Increasing State Employee Contribution to State Retirement System Bill Passed - House (37 - 21)
2/26 SF 72 Increasing State Employee Contribution to State Retirement System Bill Passed - House (37 - 21)
2/25 AB 35 Complaint Process for Race-Based Names, Logos and Mascots of Schools Bill Passed - House (51 - 42)
2/24 SB 23 Unemployment Tax Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (82 - 17)
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 4654 Limiting Free Mass Transit for Seniors Bill Passed - House (83 - 27)
2/24 HB 4654 Limiting Free Mass Transit for Seniors Bill Passed - House (83 - 27)
2/24 HB 4292 Changes in Required Magistrate Qualifications Bill Passed - House (61 - 37)
2/22 HB 93 Increasing Penalties for Workplace Safety Violations Bill Passed - House (54 - 3)
2/18 SB 112 Authorizing Severance Tax Bonds and Allocating Proceeds Bill Passed - House (37 - 31)
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 CACR 28 Constitutional Amendment to Define Marriage "Inexpedient to Legislate" Vote Passed - House (201 - 135)
2/17 HB 1590 Repealing Same-Sex Marriage "Inexpedient to Legislate" Vote Passed - House (210 - 109)
2/17 HB 113 Child Safety Seat Law Amendments Bill Failed - House (24 - 47)
2/16 SB 216 Repeal "Guilty but Mentally Ill" Plea Bill Passed - House (40 - 21)
2/16 SB 1 Public Employee Retirement Association Amendments Bill Passed - House (36 - 29)
2/16 SB 1 Public Employee Retirement Association Amendments Bill Passed - House (36 - 29)
2/16 SB 1 Public Employee Retirement Association Amendments Bill Passed - House (36 - 29)
2/15 HB 2793 Legalizing Paid Surrogacy Bill Passed - House (59 - 39)
2/15 HB 2793 Legalizing Paid Surrogacy Bill Passed - House (59 - 39)
2/11 Maldonado Nomination Abel Maldonado, Lieutenant Governor (37 - 36)

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