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
July 19, 2011 National HR 2560 Cut, Cap and Balance Act of 2011 Bill Passed - House (234 - 190)
July 14, 2011 CA AB 459 National Popular Vote Interstate Compact Concurrence Vote Passed - House (52 - 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 TX SB 29 Restricts Certain Types of Touching During Searches by Government Officials Motion Rejected - House (96 - 26)
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 23, 2011 NJ S 2937 Pension and Health Care Benefits for Public Employees Bill Passed - House (46 - 32)
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 MI HB 4780 Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - House (63 - 47)
June 22, 2011 MI HB 4780 Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - House (63 - 47)
June 21, 2011 OR SB 552 Establishes the Governor as the Superintendent of Public Instruction Bill Passed - House (38 - 22)
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 14, 2011 SC H 3992 Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - House (83 - 25)
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 9, 2011 ME LD 1376 Repeals Same-Day Voter Registration Bill Passed - House (72 - 65)
June 7, 2011 OR SB 99 Establishes the Oregon Health Insurance Exchange Bill Passed - House (48 - 12)
June 3, 2011 National H Res 292 Ground Forces in Libya Resolution Passed - House (268 - 145)
June 3, 2011 National H Con Res 51 Removing Armed Forces from Libya Joint Resolution Failed - House (148 - 265)
June 2, 2011 AL SB 484 2011 Congressional Redistricting Conference Report Adopted - House (57 - 45)
June 2, 2011 AL SB 484 2011 Congressional Redistricting Conference Report Adopted - House (57 - 45)
June 1, 2011 CA AB 131 In-State College Tuition for Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - House (50 - 27)
May 31, 2011 ME LD 804 Proposal to Create a Unicameral State Legislature "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Adopted - House (78 - 66)
May 25, 2011 TX H Amdt 1 Interstate Health Care Compact Amendment Adopted - House (99 - 43)
May 24, 2011 LA HB 591 Permanent Cigarette Tax Bill Passed - House (70 - 30)
May 21, 2011 MN SF 1308 Prohibiting Same-Sex Marriage Amendment Adopted - House (70 - 62)
May 19, 2011 CA AB 1236 Prohibits Requirement of Electronic Employment Verification Bill Passed - House (55 - 22)
May 18, 2011 TN HB 600 Equal Access to Interstate Commerce Act Concurrence Vote Passed - House (70 - 26)
May 18, 2011 CT HB 6342 Attorney General Candidate Qualifications Bill Passed - House (91 - 51)
May 18, 2011 NV AB 566 Legislative Redistricting Bill Passed - House (26 - 16)
May 18, 2011 NV AB 566 Legislative Redistricting Bill Passed - House (26 - 16)
May 18, 2011 NC HB 658 Amending Early Voting Period Bill Passed - House (60 - 58)
May 16, 2011 TX SB 14 Voter Identification Requirements Conference Report Adopted - House (98 - 46)
May 13, 2011 MN HF 1426 Congressional Redistricting Plan Bill Passed - House (71 - 61)
May 13, 2011 MN HF 1426 Congressional Redistricting Plan Bill Passed - House (71 - 61)
May 12, 2011 MI HB 4479 Interstate Compact and Business Tax Concurrence Vote Passed - House (56 - 52)
May 11, 2011 WI AB 7 Voter Identification Requirements Bill Passed - House (60 - 35)
May 10, 2011 NV SB 497 Congressional and Legislative Redistricting Bill Passed - House (25 - 17)
May 10, 2011 NV SB 497 Congressional and Legislative Redistricting Bill Passed - House (25 - 17)
May 10, 2011 CO HB 1319 Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - House (33 - 32)
May 10, 2011 TX HB 12 Enforcement Of State And Federal Laws Governing Immigration Bill Passed - House (100 - 47)
May 10, 2011 CO HB 1319 Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - House (33 - 32)
May 9, 2011 NJ S 2756 Authorizes Registered Voters to Receive Mail-In Ballots Automatically Bill Passed - House (44 - 32)
May 6, 2011 MN HF 1425 Legislative Redistricting Plan Bill Passed - House (69 - 58)
May 6, 2011 UT HB 328 State Government Work Week Veto Override Passed - House (50 - 18)
May 5, 2011 VT H 202 Single-Payer and Unified Health System Conference Report Adopted - House (94 - 49)
May 5, 2011 NC HB 129 Regulates Competition Between Local Government and Private Business Concurrence Vote Passed - House (84 - 32)
May 4, 2011 MO HB 193 Congressional Redistricting Plan Veto Override Passed - House (109 - 44)
May 4, 2011 MO HB 193 Congressional Redistricting Plan Veto Override Passed - House (109 - 44)
May 4, 2011 FL HJR 1179 Prohibits Public Funding of Abortions Concurrence Vote Passed - House (79 - 34)
May 4, 2011 CO SB 200 Establishing a Health Benefit Exchange Bill Passed - House (44 - 21)
May 4, 2011 FL SJR 2 Authorizes Exemptions from the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act Amendment Adopted - House (80 - 37)
May 4, 2011 CO HB 1273 State Health Care Enactment Bill Passed - House (34 - 31)
May 3, 2011 National HR 1213 Repealing Funding for State Health Benefit Exchanges Bill Passed - House (238 - 183)
April 28, 2011 IN HB 1602 Congressional Redistricting Concurrence Vote Passed - House (62 - 32)
April 28, 2011 VA HB 5005 Redistricting for State Senate and House Concurrence Vote Passed - House (63 - 7)
April 28, 2011 VA HB 5005 Redistricting for State Senate and House Concurrence Vote Passed - House (63 - 7)
April 28, 2011 IN HB 1602 Congressional Redistricting Concurrence Vote Passed - House (62 - 32)
April 28, 2011 TX HB 150 2011-2012 Redistricting Bill Passed - House (92 - 54)
April 28, 2011 MI HB 4484 State Tax on Retirement Distributions for Judges and State Officials Bill Passed - House (57 - 52)
April 28, 2011 TX HB 150 2011-2012 Redistricting Bill Passed - House (92 - 54)
April 27, 2011 FL HJR 1179 Prohibits Public Funding of Abortions Joint Resolution Passed - House (82 - 35)
April 26, 2011 SC H 3003 Voter ID Conference Report Adopted - House (71 - 36)
April 26, 2011 MT SB 125 Prohibits State from Requiring Individuals to Purchase Health Insurance Nonconcurrence Vote Passed - House (68 - 32)
April 26, 2011 FL HB 45 Regulation of Firearms and Ammunition Bill Passed - House (85 - 33)
April 18, 2011 AZ SB 1495 Establishment of an Arizona State Guard Bill Passed - House (39 - 20)
Date No. Title Outcome
7/19 HR 2560 Cut, Cap and Balance Act of 2011 Bill Passed - House (234 - 190)
7/14 AB 459 National Popular Vote Interstate Compact Concurrence Vote Passed - House (52 - 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 29 Restricts Certain Types of Touching During Searches by Government Officials Motion Rejected - House (96 - 26)
6/28 SB 498 Legislative Redistricting Bill Passed - House (65 - 42)
6/28 SB 498 Legislative Redistricting Bill Passed - House (65 - 42)
6/23 S 2937 Pension and Health Care Benefits for Public Employees Bill Passed - House (46 - 32)
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 HB 4780 Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - House (63 - 47)
6/22 HB 4780 Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - House (63 - 47)
6/21 SB 552 Establishes the Governor as the Superintendent of Public Instruction Bill Passed - House (38 - 22)
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)
6/14 H 3992 Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - House (83 - 25)
6/10 SB 989 State Redistricting Bill Passed - House (47 - 10)
6/10 SB 989 State Redistricting Bill Passed - House (47 - 10)
6/09 LD 1376 Repeals Same-Day Voter Registration Bill Passed - House (72 - 65)
6/07 SB 99 Establishes the Oregon Health Insurance Exchange Bill Passed - House (48 - 12)
6/03 H Res 292 Ground Forces in Libya Resolution Passed - House (268 - 145)
6/03 H Con Res 51 Removing Armed Forces from Libya Joint Resolution Failed - House (148 - 265)
6/02 SB 484 2011 Congressional Redistricting Conference Report Adopted - House (57 - 45)
6/02 SB 484 2011 Congressional Redistricting Conference Report Adopted - House (57 - 45)
6/01 AB 131 In-State College Tuition for Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - House (50 - 27)
5/31 LD 804 Proposal to Create a Unicameral State Legislature "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Adopted - House (78 - 66)
5/25 H Amdt 1 Interstate Health Care Compact Amendment Adopted - House (99 - 43)
5/24 HB 591 Permanent Cigarette Tax Bill Passed - House (70 - 30)
5/21 SF 1308 Prohibiting Same-Sex Marriage Amendment Adopted - House (70 - 62)
5/19 AB 1236 Prohibits Requirement of Electronic Employment Verification Bill Passed - House (55 - 22)
5/18 HB 600 Equal Access to Interstate Commerce Act Concurrence Vote Passed - House (70 - 26)
5/18 HB 6342 Attorney General Candidate Qualifications Bill Passed - House (91 - 51)
5/18 AB 566 Legislative Redistricting Bill Passed - House (26 - 16)
5/18 AB 566 Legislative Redistricting Bill Passed - House (26 - 16)
5/18 HB 658 Amending Early Voting Period Bill Passed - House (60 - 58)
5/16 SB 14 Voter Identification Requirements Conference Report Adopted - House (98 - 46)
5/13 HF 1426 Congressional Redistricting Plan Bill Passed - House (71 - 61)
5/13 HF 1426 Congressional Redistricting Plan Bill Passed - House (71 - 61)
5/12 HB 4479 Interstate Compact and Business Tax Concurrence Vote Passed - House (56 - 52)
5/11 AB 7 Voter Identification Requirements Bill Passed - House (60 - 35)
5/10 SB 497 Congressional and Legislative Redistricting Bill Passed - House (25 - 17)
5/10 SB 497 Congressional and Legislative Redistricting Bill Passed - House (25 - 17)
5/10 HB 1319 Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - House (33 - 32)
5/10 HB 12 Enforcement Of State And Federal Laws Governing Immigration Bill Passed - House (100 - 47)
5/10 HB 1319 Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - House (33 - 32)
5/09 S 2756 Authorizes Registered Voters to Receive Mail-In Ballots Automatically Bill Passed - House (44 - 32)
5/06 HF 1425 Legislative Redistricting Plan Bill Passed - House (69 - 58)
5/06 HB 328 State Government Work Week Veto Override Passed - House (50 - 18)
5/05 H 202 Single-Payer and Unified Health System Conference Report Adopted - House (94 - 49)
5/05 HB 129 Regulates Competition Between Local Government and Private Business Concurrence Vote Passed - House (84 - 32)
5/04 HB 193 Congressional Redistricting Plan Veto Override Passed - House (109 - 44)
5/04 HB 193 Congressional Redistricting Plan Veto Override Passed - House (109 - 44)
5/04 HJR 1179 Prohibits Public Funding of Abortions Concurrence Vote Passed - House (79 - 34)
5/04 SB 200 Establishing a Health Benefit Exchange Bill Passed - House (44 - 21)
5/04 SJR 2 Authorizes Exemptions from the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act Amendment Adopted - House (80 - 37)
5/04 HB 1273 State Health Care Enactment Bill Passed - House (34 - 31)
5/03 HR 1213 Repealing Funding for State Health Benefit Exchanges Bill Passed - House (238 - 183)
4/28 HB 1602 Congressional Redistricting Concurrence Vote Passed - House (62 - 32)
4/28 HB 5005 Redistricting for State Senate and House Concurrence Vote Passed - House (63 - 7)
4/28 HB 5005 Redistricting for State Senate and House Concurrence Vote Passed - House (63 - 7)
4/28 HB 1602 Congressional Redistricting Concurrence Vote Passed - House (62 - 32)
4/28 HB 150 2011-2012 Redistricting Bill Passed - House (92 - 54)
4/28 HB 4484 State Tax on Retirement Distributions for Judges and State Officials Bill Passed - House (57 - 52)
4/28 HB 150 2011-2012 Redistricting Bill Passed - House (92 - 54)
4/27 HJR 1179 Prohibits Public Funding of Abortions Joint Resolution Passed - House (82 - 35)
4/26 H 3003 Voter ID Conference Report Adopted - House (71 - 36)
4/26 SB 125 Prohibits State from Requiring Individuals to Purchase Health Insurance Nonconcurrence Vote Passed - House (68 - 32)
4/26 HB 45 Regulation of Firearms and Ammunition Bill Passed - House (85 - 33)
4/18 SB 1495 Establishment of an Arizona State Guard Bill Passed - House (39 - 20)

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