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:
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.
| Date | State | Bill No. | Title | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| March 17, 2011 | AZ | SB 1309 | Defines Arizona Citizenship | Bill Failed - Senate (11 - 19) |
| March 17, 2011 | AZ | SB 1308 | Separate Birth Certificates for Non-Citizens | Bill Failed - Senate (12 - 18) |
| March 17, 2011 | AZ | SB 1308 | Separate Birth Certificates for Non-Citizens | Bill Failed - Senate (12 - 18) |
| March 17, 2011 | AZ | SB 1405 | Hospital Admissions and Restrictions | Bill Failed - Senate (12 - 18) |
| March 17, 2011 | AZ | SB 1611 | Requires Verification of Citizenship for Certain Benefits | Bill Failed - Senate (11 - 19) |
| March 16, 2011 | WA | SB 5407 | Prohibits Drivers Licenses for Undocumented Immigrants | Motion Rejected - Senate (23 - 25) |
| March 15, 2011 | MI | HB 4214 | Fiscal Accountability for Local Governments and School Districts | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 12) |
| March 15, 2011 | AZ | SCR 1035 | English as the Official Language | Resolution Passed - Senate (21 - 9) |
| March 14, 2011 | OK | SB 91 | Proof of Presidential Candidates' Citizenship | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 10) |
| March 14, 2011 | NY | S 3331 | Non-Partisan Redistricting Commission | Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 24) |
| March 14, 2011 | GA | SB 40 | Immigration Status Verification of Private Business Workers | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 21) |
| March 11, 2011 | ND | HB 1263 | Athletic Nickname and Logo of the University of North Dakota | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 15) |
| March 10, 2011 | GA | SB 162 | DUIs a Felony for Undocumented Immigrants | Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 18) |
| March 10, 2011 | GA | SB 162 | DUIs a Felony for Undocumented Immigrants | Bill Not Tabled - Senate (20 - 34) |
| March 10, 2011 | SC | S 20 | Immigration Enforcement | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 9) |
| March 10, 2011 | TN | SB 1528 | Amends Requirements for Teacher Tenure | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12) |
| March 9, 2011 | WI | AB 11 | Collective Bargaining Rights for Public Employees | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (18 - 1) |
| March 9, 2011 | MI | HB 4216 | Local Governments Fiscal Accountability | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 12) |
| March 9, 2011 | NM | HB 78 | Driver License and ID Card Restrictions for Undocumented Immigrants | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 16) |
| March 8, 2011 | UT | HB 183 | School District Leave Policies | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (20 - 7) |
| March 8, 2011 | AZ | SB 1188 | Preference for Married Couples in Adoption | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 10) |
| March 8, 2011 | AZ | SB 1188 | Preference for Married Couples in Adoption | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 10) |
| March 8, 2011 | AZ | SB 1363 | Labor Organization Requirements | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 9) |
| March 4, 2011 | UT | HB 497 | Immigration Enforcement Act | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 5) |
| March 3, 2011 | NJ | S 1216 | Loans for Women and Minority-Owned Businesses | Veto Override Failed - Senate (23 - 16) |
| March 2, 2011 | KY | HB 305 | 2010-2012 Biennium Budget Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 12) |
| March 2, 2011 | WY | HB 74 | Prohibiting Recognition of Out-of-State Same-Sex Marriages | Conference Report Rejected - Senate (14 - 16) |
| March 2, 2011 | OH | SB 5 | Collective Bargaining Rights for Public Employees | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 16) |
| March 1, 2011 | SC | S 434 | Prohibiting DHHS From Reducing Provider Rates | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (24 - 8) |
| Feb. 28, 2011 | NM | SB 319 | Eliminating Corporal Punishment | Bill Failed - Senate (18 - 18) |
| Feb. 28, 2011 | AZ | SB 1406 | Interstate Compact to Build a Border Fence | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 9) |
| Feb. 24, 2011 | ID | S 1108 | Education Provisions and Teacher Entitlements | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15) |
| Feb. 23, 2011 | UT | SJR 9 | Supervision of Public Education | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (22 - 6) |
| Feb. 23, 2011 | SD | SB 156 | Prohibits Employment of Undocumented Immigrants | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12) |
| Feb. 23, 2011 | MD | SB 116 | Civil Marriage Protection Act | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 22) |
| Feb. 22, 2011 | VT | S 31 | Electing the President by Popular Vote | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 10) |
| Feb. 22, 2011 | UT | SB 96 | Alimony Amendments | Bill Failed - Senate (11 - 17) |
| Feb. 18, 2011 | WY | HB 74 | Prohibiting the Recognition of Same-Sex Marriage | Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 14) |
| Feb. 18, 2011 | MT | SB 268 | Election of Supreme Court Justices by District | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 20) |
| Feb. 18, 2011 | MT | SB 97 | Parental Notice of Abortion | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 21) |
| Feb. 17, 2011 | AZ | SB 1187 | Extends Waiting Period for Divorce | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 11) |
| Feb. 17, 2011 | IN | SB 575 | Collective Bargaining for School Employees | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 19) |
| Feb. 16, 2011 | HI | SB 232 | Civil Unions for All Couples | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (18 - 5) |
| Feb. 15, 2011 | National | S Amdt 14 | Prohibiting Transportation Security Administration Employees from Collective Bargaining | Amendment Rejected - Senate (47 - 51) |
| Feb. 10, 2011 | MA | S 9 | Establishing a Redistricting Commission | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 4) |
| Feb. 10, 2011 | AZ | SB 1086 | Tobacco Prohibitions | Bill Failed - Senate (13 - 16) |
| Feb. 4, 2011 | ID | S 1007 | Labor Organizations | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 8) |
| Feb. 2, 2011 | VA | SB 747 | Prohibits Discrimination in State Employment Based on Sexual Orientation | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 18) |
| Feb. 1, 2011 | ID | S 1006 | Right to Work Law Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 7) |
| Jan. 28, 2011 | HI | SB 232 | Civil Unions for All Couples | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 6) |
| Jan. 28, 2011 | WY | HB 244 | Unemployment Insurance Amendments | |
| Jan. 27, 2011 | WY | SJ 5 | Definition of Marriage | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (20 - 10) |
| Jan. 19, 2011 | NH | SB 1 | Repeal of Automatic Continuation Requirement for Public Employee Collective Bargaining Agreements | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 5) |
| Jan. 18, 2011 | WI | SB 1 | Tort Law Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 14) |
| Jan. 18, 2011 | MS | SB 2179 | Restrictions on Employers of Undocumented Immigrants | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 15) |
| Date | No. | Title | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3/17 | SB 1309 | Defines Arizona Citizenship | Bill Failed - Senate (11 - 19) |
| 3/17 | SB 1308 | Separate Birth Certificates for Non-Citizens | Bill Failed - Senate (12 - 18) |
| 3/17 | SB 1308 | Separate Birth Certificates for Non-Citizens | Bill Failed - Senate (12 - 18) |
| 3/17 | SB 1405 | Hospital Admissions and Restrictions | Bill Failed - Senate (12 - 18) |
| 3/17 | SB 1611 | Requires Verification of Citizenship for Certain Benefits | Bill Failed - Senate (11 - 19) |
| 3/16 | SB 5407 | Prohibits Drivers Licenses for Undocumented Immigrants | Motion Rejected - Senate (23 - 25) |
| 3/15 | HB 4214 | Fiscal Accountability for Local Governments and School Districts | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 12) |
| 3/15 | SCR 1035 | English as the Official Language | Resolution Passed - Senate (21 - 9) |
| 3/14 | SB 91 | Proof of Presidential Candidates' Citizenship | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 10) |
| 3/14 | S 3331 | Non-Partisan Redistricting Commission | Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 24) |
| 3/14 | SB 40 | Immigration Status Verification of Private Business Workers | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 21) |
| 3/11 | HB 1263 | Athletic Nickname and Logo of the University of North Dakota | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 15) |
| 3/10 | SB 162 | DUIs a Felony for Undocumented Immigrants | Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 18) |
| 3/10 | SB 162 | DUIs a Felony for Undocumented Immigrants | Bill Not Tabled - Senate (20 - 34) |
| 3/10 | S 20 | Immigration Enforcement | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 9) |
| 3/10 | SB 1528 | Amends Requirements for Teacher Tenure | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12) |
| 3/09 | AB 11 | Collective Bargaining Rights for Public Employees | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (18 - 1) |
| 3/09 | HB 4216 | Local Governments Fiscal Accountability | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 12) |
| 3/09 | HB 78 | Driver License and ID Card Restrictions for Undocumented Immigrants | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 16) |
| 3/08 | HB 183 | School District Leave Policies | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (20 - 7) |
| 3/08 | SB 1188 | Preference for Married Couples in Adoption | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 10) |
| 3/08 | SB 1188 | Preference for Married Couples in Adoption | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 10) |
| 3/08 | SB 1363 | Labor Organization Requirements | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 9) |
| 3/04 | HB 497 | Immigration Enforcement Act | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 5) |
| 3/03 | S 1216 | Loans for Women and Minority-Owned Businesses | Veto Override Failed - Senate (23 - 16) |
| 3/02 | HB 305 | 2010-2012 Biennium Budget Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 12) |
| 3/02 | HB 74 | Prohibiting Recognition of Out-of-State Same-Sex Marriages | Conference Report Rejected - Senate (14 - 16) |
| 3/02 | SB 5 | Collective Bargaining Rights for Public Employees | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 16) |
| 3/01 | S 434 | Prohibiting DHHS From Reducing Provider Rates | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (24 - 8) |
| 2/28 | SB 319 | Eliminating Corporal Punishment | Bill Failed - Senate (18 - 18) |
| 2/28 | SB 1406 | Interstate Compact to Build a Border Fence | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 9) |
| 2/24 | S 1108 | Education Provisions and Teacher Entitlements | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15) |
| 2/23 | SJR 9 | Supervision of Public Education | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (22 - 6) |
| 2/23 | SB 156 | Prohibits Employment of Undocumented Immigrants | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12) |
| 2/23 | SB 116 | Civil Marriage Protection Act | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 22) |
| 2/22 | S 31 | Electing the President by Popular Vote | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 10) |
| 2/22 | SB 96 | Alimony Amendments | Bill Failed - Senate (11 - 17) |
| 2/18 | HB 74 | Prohibiting the Recognition of Same-Sex Marriage | Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 14) |
| 2/18 | SB 268 | Election of Supreme Court Justices by District | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 20) |
| 2/18 | SB 97 | Parental Notice of Abortion | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 21) |
| 2/17 | SB 1187 | Extends Waiting Period for Divorce | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 11) |
| 2/17 | SB 575 | Collective Bargaining for School Employees | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 19) |
| 2/16 | SB 232 | Civil Unions for All Couples | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (18 - 5) |
| 2/15 | S Amdt 14 | Prohibiting Transportation Security Administration Employees from Collective Bargaining | Amendment Rejected - Senate (47 - 51) |
| 2/10 | S 9 | Establishing a Redistricting Commission | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 4) |
| 2/10 | SB 1086 | Tobacco Prohibitions | Bill Failed - Senate (13 - 16) |
| 2/04 | S 1007 | Labor Organizations | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 8) |
| 2/02 | SB 747 | Prohibits Discrimination in State Employment Based on Sexual Orientation | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 18) |
| 2/01 | S 1006 | Right to Work Law Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 7) |
| 1/28 | SB 232 | Civil Unions for All Couples | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 6) |
| 1/28 | HB 244 | Unemployment Insurance Amendments | |
| 1/27 | SJ 5 | Definition of Marriage | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (20 - 10) |
| 1/19 | SB 1 | Repeal of Automatic Continuation Requirement for Public Employee Collective Bargaining Agreements | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 5) |
| 1/18 | SB 1 | Tort Law Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 14) |
| 1/18 | SB 2179 | Restrictions on Employers of Undocumented Immigrants | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 15) |