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
Aug. 25, 2011 GA HB 20EX Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - House (110 - 60)
Aug. 24, 2011 MI HB 4005 School Board Election Dates Bill Passed - House (72 - 36)
Aug. 23, 2011 GA HB 1EX House Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 16)
Aug. 23, 2011 GA HB 1EX House Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 16)
Aug. 23, 2011 GA SB 1EX State Senate Redistricting Bill Passed - House (104 - 56)
Aug. 23, 2011 GA SB 1EX State Senate Redistricting Bill Passed - House (104 - 56)
Aug. 21, 2011 WV HB 201 State House Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 14)
Aug. 21, 2011 WV HB 201 State House Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 14)
Aug. 20, 2011 WV HB 201 State House Redistricting Bill Passed - House (56 - 39)
Aug. 20, 2011 WV HB 201 State House Redistricting Bill Passed - House (56 - 39)
Aug. 18, 2011 GA HB 1EX House Redistricting Bill Passed - House (108 - 64)
Aug. 18, 2011 GA HB 1EX House Redistricting Bill Passed - House (108 - 64)
Aug. 18, 2011 GA SB 1EX State Senate Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 18)
Aug. 18, 2011 GA SB 1EX State Senate Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 18)
Aug. 5, 2011 WV SB 1008 Congressional Redistricting Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 1)
Aug. 5, 2011 WV SB 1008 Congressional Redistricting Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 1)
Aug. 5, 2011 WV SB 1008 Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - House (90 - 5)
Aug. 5, 2011 WV SB 1008 Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - House (90 - 5)
Aug. 5, 2011 WV SB 1006 Redistricing State Senate Bill Passed - House (82 - 13)
Aug. 5, 2011 WV SB 1006 Redistricing State Senate Bill Passed - House (82 - 13)
Aug. 3, 2011 WV SB 1006 Redistricing State Senate Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 4)
Aug. 3, 2011 WV SB 1006 Redistricing State Senate Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 4)
Aug. 2, 2011 National S 365 Budget Control Act of 2011 Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (74 - 26)
Aug. 1, 2011 National S 365 Budget Control Act of 2011 Bill Passed - House (269 - 161)
July 31, 2011 National S 627 Increasing the Debt Ceiling (Reid Bill) Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (50 - 49)
July 29, 2011 National S 627 Increasing the Debt Ceiling (Boehner Bill) Bill Tabled - Senate (59 - 41)
July 29, 2011 National S 627 Increasing the Debt Ceiling (Boehner Bill) Bill Passed - House (218 - 210)
July 27, 2011 NC SB 453 Congressional Redistricting Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 17)
July 27, 2011 NC SB 453 Congressional Redistricting Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 17)
July 27, 2011 NC HB 937 State House Redistricting Concurrence Vote Passed - House (66 - 53)
July 27, 2011 NC HB 937 State House Redistricting Concurrence Vote Passed - House (66 - 53)
July 27, 2011 NC HB 937 State House Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 19)
July 27, 2011 NC HB 937 State House Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 19)
July 27, 2011 NC SB 453 Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - House (68 - 51)
July 27, 2011 NC SB 453 Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - House (68 - 51)
July 27, 2011 NC SB 455 State Senate Redistricting Bill Passed - House (67 - 52)
July 27, 2011 NC SB 455 State Senate Redistricting Bill Passed - House (67 - 52)
July 25, 2011 NC SB 455 State Senate Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 18)
July 25, 2011 NC SB 455 State Senate Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 18)
July 22, 2011 National HR 2560 Cut, Cap and Balance Act of 2011 Bill Tabled - Senate (51 - 46)
July 20, 2011 WI SB 148 Legislative Redistricting Bill Passed - House (57 - 40)
July 20, 2011 WI SB 149 Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - House (59 - 38)
July 20, 2011 WI SB 148 Legislative Redistricting Bill Passed - House (57 - 40)
July 20, 2011 WI SB 149 Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - House (59 - 38)
July 19, 2011 WI SB 148 Legislative Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 14)
July 19, 2011 National HR 2560 Cut, Cap and Balance Act of 2011 Bill Passed - House (234 - 190)
July 19, 2011 WI SB 149 Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 14)
July 19, 2011 WI SB 149 Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 14)
July 19, 2011 WI SB 148 Legislative Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 14)
July 14, 2011 CA AB 459 National Popular Vote Interstate Compact Concurrence Vote Passed - House (52 - 15)
July 14, 2011 CA AB 459 National Popular Vote Interstate Compact Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15)
July 14, 2011 CA SB 168 Prohibits Paid Signature-Gatherers Bill Passed - House (48 - 28)
July 13, 2011 National HR 2018 Amending Clean Water Laws Bill Passed - House (239 - 184)
June 30, 2011 RI S 400 Voter Identification Requirements Bill Passed - House (51 - 22)
June 29, 2011 MI SB 498 Legislative Redistricting Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 9)
June 29, 2011 MI SB 498 Legislative Redistricting Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 9)
June 29, 2011 TX SB 29 Restricts Certain Types of Touching During Searches by Government Officials Motion Rejected - House (96 - 26)
June 29, 2011 MI HB 4780 Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 13)
June 29, 2011 MI HB 4780 Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 13)
June 28, 2011 MI SB 498 Legislative Redistricting Bill Passed - House (65 - 42)
June 28, 2011 MI SB 498 Legislative Redistricting Bill Passed - House (65 - 42)
June 27, 2011 TX SB 29 Restricts Certain Types of Touching During Searches by Government Officials Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 11)
June 23, 2011 NJ S 2937 Pension and Health Care Benefits for Public Employees Bill Passed - House (46 - 32)
June 23, 2011 National S Amdt 499 Prohibits the Appointment of Presidential "Czars" Without Senate Approval Amendment Rejected - Senate (47 - 51)
June 23, 2011 National S Amdt 499 Prohibits the Appointment of Presidential "Czars" Without Senate Approval Amendment Rejected - Senate (47 - 51)
June 23, 2011 PA HB 934 Amends Voter Identification Laws Bill Passed - House (108 - 88)
June 22, 2011 SC H 3700 2011-2012 Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (57 - 54)
June 22, 2011 OH SJR 1 Constitutional Amendment Concerning Health Care Joint Resolution Passed - House (59 - 39)
June 22, 2011 OH SJR 1 Constitutional Amendment Concerning Health Care Joint Resolution Passed - House (59 - 39)
June 22, 2011 TX SB 22 Establishing the Texas Congressional Redistricting Commission Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 13)
June 22, 2011 MI HB 4780 Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - House (63 - 47)
June 22, 2011 MI HB 4780 Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - House (63 - 47)
June 22, 2011 TX SB 22 Establishing the Texas Congressional Redistricting Commission Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 13)
June 21, 2011 OR SB 552 Establishes the Governor as the Superintendent of Public Instruction Bill Passed - House (38 - 22)
June 20, 2011 TX SB 4 Congressional Redistricting Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (19 - 12)
June 20, 2011 TX SB 4 Congressional Redistricting Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (19 - 12)
June 20, 2011 NJ S 2937 Pension and Health Care Benefits for Public Employees Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 15)
June 17, 2011 OR SB 270 Campaign Finance Reporting Bill Failed - House (5 - 54)
June 16, 2011 LA HB 591 Permanent Cigarette Tax Veto Override Failed - House (58 - 44)
June 16, 2011 TX HB 5 Interstate Health Care Compact Bill Passed - House (92 - 43)
June 15, 2011 TX SB 4 Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - House (93 - 47)
June 15, 2011 TX SB 4 Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - House (93 - 47)
June 15, 2011 OH SJR 1 Constitutional Amendment Concerning Health Care Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (24 - 9)
June 15, 2011 TX SB 9 Enforcement of Federal and State Immigration Laws Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 12)
June 15, 2011 OH SJR 1 Constitutional Amendment Concerning Health Care Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (24 - 9)
June 14, 2011 SC H 3992 Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - House (83 - 25)
June 10, 2011 ME LD 1376 Repeal Same-Day Voter Registration Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 14)
June 10, 2011 OR SB 989 State Redistricting Bill Passed - House (47 - 10)
June 10, 2011 OR SB 989 State Redistricting Bill Passed - House (47 - 10)
June 10, 2011 OR SB 989 State Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 3)
June 10, 2011 OR SB 989 State Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 3)
June 9, 2011 AL HB 60 Prohibiting Mandatory Participation in any Health Care System Amendment Adopted - Senate (24 - 9)
June 9, 2011 AL HB 60 Prohibiting Mandatory Participation in any Health Care System Amendment Adopted - Senate (24 - 9)
June 9, 2011 ME LD 1376 Repeals Same-Day Voter Registration Bill Passed - House (72 - 65)
June 8, 2011 WI SB 116 Relating to Overseas Absentee Voting Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 13)
June 7, 2011 OR SB 99 Establishes the Oregon Health Insurance Exchange Bill Passed - House (48 - 12)
June 6, 2011 TX SB 4 Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 12)
June 6, 2011 TX SB 4 Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 12)
June 3, 2011 National H Con Res 51 Removing Armed Forces from Libya Joint Resolution Failed - House (148 - 265)
June 3, 2011 National H Res 292 Ground Forces in Libya Resolution Passed - House (268 - 145)
Date No. Title Outcome
8/25 HB 20EX Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - House (110 - 60)
8/24 HB 4005 School Board Election Dates Bill Passed - House (72 - 36)
8/23 HB 1EX House Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 16)
8/23 HB 1EX House Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 16)
8/23 SB 1EX State Senate Redistricting Bill Passed - House (104 - 56)
8/23 SB 1EX State Senate Redistricting Bill Passed - House (104 - 56)
8/21 HB 201 State House Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 14)
8/21 HB 201 State House Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 14)
8/20 HB 201 State House Redistricting Bill Passed - House (56 - 39)
8/20 HB 201 State House Redistricting Bill Passed - House (56 - 39)
8/18 HB 1EX House Redistricting Bill Passed - House (108 - 64)
8/18 HB 1EX House Redistricting Bill Passed - House (108 - 64)
8/18 SB 1EX State Senate Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 18)
8/18 SB 1EX State Senate Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 18)
8/05 SB 1008 Congressional Redistricting Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 1)
8/05 SB 1008 Congressional Redistricting Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 1)
8/05 SB 1008 Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - House (90 - 5)
8/05 SB 1008 Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - House (90 - 5)
8/05 SB 1006 Redistricing State Senate Bill Passed - House (82 - 13)
8/05 SB 1006 Redistricing State Senate Bill Passed - House (82 - 13)
8/03 SB 1006 Redistricing State Senate Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 4)
8/03 SB 1006 Redistricing State Senate Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 4)
8/02 S 365 Budget Control Act of 2011 Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (74 - 26)
8/01 S 365 Budget Control Act of 2011 Bill Passed - House (269 - 161)
7/31 S 627 Increasing the Debt Ceiling (Reid Bill) Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (50 - 49)
7/29 S 627 Increasing the Debt Ceiling (Boehner Bill) Bill Tabled - Senate (59 - 41)
7/29 S 627 Increasing the Debt Ceiling (Boehner Bill) Bill Passed - House (218 - 210)
7/27 SB 453 Congressional Redistricting Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 17)
7/27 SB 453 Congressional Redistricting Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 17)
7/27 HB 937 State House Redistricting Concurrence Vote Passed - House (66 - 53)
7/27 HB 937 State House Redistricting Concurrence Vote Passed - House (66 - 53)
7/27 HB 937 State House Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 19)
7/27 HB 937 State House Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 19)
7/27 SB 453 Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - House (68 - 51)
7/27 SB 453 Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - House (68 - 51)
7/27 SB 455 State Senate Redistricting Bill Passed - House (67 - 52)
7/27 SB 455 State Senate Redistricting Bill Passed - House (67 - 52)
7/25 SB 455 State Senate Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 18)
7/25 SB 455 State Senate Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 18)
7/22 HR 2560 Cut, Cap and Balance Act of 2011 Bill Tabled - Senate (51 - 46)
7/20 SB 148 Legislative Redistricting Bill Passed - House (57 - 40)
7/20 SB 149 Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - House (59 - 38)
7/20 SB 148 Legislative Redistricting Bill Passed - House (57 - 40)
7/20 SB 149 Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - House (59 - 38)
7/19 SB 148 Legislative Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 14)
7/19 HR 2560 Cut, Cap and Balance Act of 2011 Bill Passed - House (234 - 190)
7/19 SB 149 Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 14)
7/19 SB 149 Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 14)
7/19 SB 148 Legislative Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 14)
7/14 AB 459 National Popular Vote Interstate Compact Concurrence Vote Passed - House (52 - 15)
7/14 AB 459 National Popular Vote Interstate Compact Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15)
7/14 SB 168 Prohibits Paid Signature-Gatherers Bill Passed - House (48 - 28)
7/13 HR 2018 Amending Clean Water Laws Bill Passed - House (239 - 184)
6/30 S 400 Voter Identification Requirements Bill Passed - House (51 - 22)
6/29 SB 498 Legislative Redistricting Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 9)
6/29 SB 498 Legislative Redistricting Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 9)
6/29 SB 29 Restricts Certain Types of Touching During Searches by Government Officials Motion Rejected - House (96 - 26)
6/29 HB 4780 Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 13)
6/29 HB 4780 Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 13)
6/28 SB 498 Legislative Redistricting Bill Passed - House (65 - 42)
6/28 SB 498 Legislative Redistricting Bill Passed - House (65 - 42)
6/27 SB 29 Restricts Certain Types of Touching During Searches by Government Officials Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 11)
6/23 S 2937 Pension and Health Care Benefits for Public Employees Bill Passed - House (46 - 32)
6/23 S Amdt 499 Prohibits the Appointment of Presidential "Czars" Without Senate Approval Amendment Rejected - Senate (47 - 51)
6/23 S Amdt 499 Prohibits the Appointment of Presidential "Czars" Without Senate Approval Amendment Rejected - Senate (47 - 51)
6/23 HB 934 Amends Voter Identification Laws Bill Passed - House (108 - 88)
6/22 H 3700 2011-2012 Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (57 - 54)
6/22 SJR 1 Constitutional Amendment Concerning Health Care Joint Resolution Passed - House (59 - 39)
6/22 SJR 1 Constitutional Amendment Concerning Health Care Joint Resolution Passed - House (59 - 39)
6/22 SB 22 Establishing the Texas Congressional Redistricting Commission Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 13)
6/22 HB 4780 Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - House (63 - 47)
6/22 HB 4780 Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - House (63 - 47)
6/22 SB 22 Establishing the Texas Congressional Redistricting Commission Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 13)
6/21 SB 552 Establishes the Governor as the Superintendent of Public Instruction Bill Passed - House (38 - 22)
6/20 SB 4 Congressional Redistricting Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (19 - 12)
6/20 SB 4 Congressional Redistricting Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (19 - 12)
6/20 S 2937 Pension and Health Care Benefits for Public Employees Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 15)
6/17 SB 270 Campaign Finance Reporting Bill Failed - House (5 - 54)
6/16 HB 591 Permanent Cigarette Tax Veto Override Failed - House (58 - 44)
6/16 HB 5 Interstate Health Care Compact Bill Passed - House (92 - 43)
6/15 SB 4 Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - House (93 - 47)
6/15 SB 4 Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - House (93 - 47)
6/15 SJR 1 Constitutional Amendment Concerning Health Care Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (24 - 9)
6/15 SB 9 Enforcement of Federal and State Immigration Laws Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 12)
6/15 SJR 1 Constitutional Amendment Concerning Health Care Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (24 - 9)
6/14 H 3992 Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - House (83 - 25)
6/10 LD 1376 Repeal Same-Day Voter Registration Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 14)
6/10 SB 989 State Redistricting Bill Passed - House (47 - 10)
6/10 SB 989 State Redistricting Bill Passed - House (47 - 10)
6/10 SB 989 State Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 3)
6/10 SB 989 State Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 3)
6/09 HB 60 Prohibiting Mandatory Participation in any Health Care System Amendment Adopted - Senate (24 - 9)
6/09 HB 60 Prohibiting Mandatory Participation in any Health Care System Amendment Adopted - Senate (24 - 9)
6/09 LD 1376 Repeals Same-Day Voter Registration Bill Passed - House (72 - 65)
6/08 SB 116 Relating to Overseas Absentee Voting Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 13)
6/07 SB 99 Establishes the Oregon Health Insurance Exchange Bill Passed - House (48 - 12)
6/06 SB 4 Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 12)
6/06 SB 4 Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 12)
6/03 H Con Res 51 Removing Armed Forces from Libya Joint Resolution Failed - House (148 - 265)
6/03 H Res 292 Ground Forces in Libya Resolution Passed - House (268 - 145)

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