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
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)

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