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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sept. 21, 2011 | NM | SB 33 | State Senate Redistricting | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 15) |
| Sept. 19, 2011 | NM | SB 22 | Congressional Redistricting | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 14) |
| Sept. 19, 2011 | NM | SB 22 | Congressional Redistricting | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 14) |
| Sept. 15, 2011 | OH | HB 319 | Congressional Redistricting | Bill Passed - House (56 - 36) |
| Sept. 15, 2011 | OH | HB 319 | Congressional Redistricting | Bill Passed - House (56 - 36) |
| Sept. 14, 2011 | National | H J Res 77 | Disapproval of the President's Authority to Raise the Debt Limit | Joint Resolution Passed - House (232 - 186) |
| Sept. 13, 2011 | NC | SB 514 | Constitutional Amendment to Define Marriage | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 16) |
| Sept. 13, 2011 | WI | SB 115 | Presidential Primary Date | Bill Passed - House (65 - 32) |
| Sept. 12, 2011 | NC | SB 514 | Constitutional Amendment to Define Marriage | Bill Passed - House (75 - 42) |
| Sept. 10, 2011 | CA | SB 202 | Limiting Ballot Initiatives to the General Election | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 15) |
| Sept. 9, 2011 | CA | SB 922 | Project Labor Agreements | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 14) |
| Sept. 9, 2011 | CA | SB 292 | Authorizes Governor to Expedite Environmental Review | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 7) |
| Sept. 9, 2011 | CA | SB 51 | Compliance with Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 16) |
| Sept. 9, 2011 | CA | SB 202 | Limiting Ballot Initiatives to the General Election | Bill Passed - House (45 - 30) |
| Sept. 9, 2011 | CA | SB 51 | Compliance with Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act | Bill Passed - House (53 - 26) |
| Sept. 9, 2011 | CA | SB 922 | Project Labor Agreements | Bill Passed - House (52 - 27) |
| Sept. 9, 2011 | MO | HB 1 | Authority Over the Saint Louis Police Department | Bill Passed - House (123 - 27) |
| Sept. 7, 2011 | NH | SB 129 | Requiring Photo Identification to Vote | Veto Override Failed - Senate (7 - 17) |
| Sept. 7, 2011 | NH | SB 154 | Withdrawing from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative | Veto Override Failed - Senate (15 - 9) |
| Sept. 7, 2011 | CA | SB 292 | Authorizes Governor to Expedite Environmental Review | Bill Passed - House (63 - 13) |
| Sept. 6, 2011 | CA | AB 1236 | Prohibits Requirement of Electronic Employment Verification | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 14) |
| Aug. 31, 2011 | GA | HB 20EX | Congressional Redistricting | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 21) |
| Aug. 31, 2011 | GA | HB 20EX | Congressional Redistricting | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 21) |
| Aug. 29, 2011 | CA | AB 46 | Small City Disincorporation | Bill Failed - Senate (13 - 17) |
| Aug. 25, 2011 | GA | HB 20EX | Congressional Redistricting | Bill Passed - House (110 - 60) |
| 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) |
| Date | No. | Title | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9/21 | SB 33 | State Senate Redistricting | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 15) |
| 9/19 | SB 22 | Congressional Redistricting | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 14) |
| 9/19 | SB 22 | Congressional Redistricting | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 14) |
| 9/15 | HB 319 | Congressional Redistricting | Bill Passed - House (56 - 36) |
| 9/15 | HB 319 | Congressional Redistricting | Bill Passed - House (56 - 36) |
| 9/14 | H J Res 77 | Disapproval of the President's Authority to Raise the Debt Limit | Joint Resolution Passed - House (232 - 186) |
| 9/13 | SB 514 | Constitutional Amendment to Define Marriage | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 16) |
| 9/13 | SB 115 | Presidential Primary Date | Bill Passed - House (65 - 32) |
| 9/12 | SB 514 | Constitutional Amendment to Define Marriage | Bill Passed - House (75 - 42) |
| 9/10 | SB 202 | Limiting Ballot Initiatives to the General Election | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 15) |
| 9/09 | SB 922 | Project Labor Agreements | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 14) |
| 9/09 | SB 292 | Authorizes Governor to Expedite Environmental Review | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 7) |
| 9/09 | SB 51 | Compliance with Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 16) |
| 9/09 | SB 202 | Limiting Ballot Initiatives to the General Election | Bill Passed - House (45 - 30) |
| 9/09 | SB 51 | Compliance with Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act | Bill Passed - House (53 - 26) |
| 9/09 | SB 922 | Project Labor Agreements | Bill Passed - House (52 - 27) |
| 9/09 | HB 1 | Authority Over the Saint Louis Police Department | Bill Passed - House (123 - 27) |
| 9/07 | SB 129 | Requiring Photo Identification to Vote | Veto Override Failed - Senate (7 - 17) |
| 9/07 | SB 154 | Withdrawing from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative | Veto Override Failed - Senate (15 - 9) |
| 9/07 | SB 292 | Authorizes Governor to Expedite Environmental Review | Bill Passed - House (63 - 13) |
| 9/06 | AB 1236 | Prohibits Requirement of Electronic Employment Verification | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 14) |
| 8/31 | HB 20EX | Congressional Redistricting | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 21) |
| 8/31 | HB 20EX | Congressional Redistricting | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 21) |
| 8/29 | AB 46 | Small City Disincorporation | Bill Failed - Senate (13 - 17) |
| 8/25 | HB 20EX | Congressional Redistricting | Bill Passed - House (110 - 60) |
| 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) |