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
March 22, 2012 ID HJR 1 Requires a 2/3 Vote for Tax Increases Motion Rejected - House (37 - 33)
March 22, 2012 FL SJR 2B State Senate Redistricting Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (31 - 6)
March 22, 2012 FL SJR 2B State Senate Redistricting Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (31 - 6)
March 22, 2012 CA AJR 22 Requests a Constitutional Amendment to Overturn Citizens United Joint Resolution Passed - House (48 - 22)
March 22, 2012 CA AJR 22 Requests a Constitutional Amendment to Overturn Citizens United Joint Resolution Passed - House (48 - 22)
March 21, 2012 KS HB 2117 Reduces Income Tax Rate Bill Failed - Senate (20 - 20)
March 21, 2012 MN HF 2337 Amends Property Taxes Bill Passed - House (72 - 62)
March 21, 2012 AZ HB 2862 Appropriates Funds for Independent Redistricting Commission Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 9)
March 21, 2012 IL HB 3944 Authorizing the Recording of Police Bill Failed - House (45 - 59)
March 21, 2012 NH SB 318 Requires In-State Residency to Vote Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 5)
March 20, 2012 MN HF 2738 Requires Photo Identification to Vote Bill Passed - House (72 - 62)
March 20, 2012 MN HF 2738 Requires Photo Identification to Vote Bill Passed - House (72 - 62)
March 20, 2012 AZ HB 2862 Appropriates Funds for Independent Redistricting Commission Bill Passed - House (36 - 20)
March 20, 2012 CO HB 1111 Voter Identification Amendments Bill Passed - House (33 - 31)
March 19, 2012 SD SB 157 Prohibits Cities From Limiting Outdoor Digital Billboards Veto Override Failed - House (43 - 24)
March 19, 2012 SD SB 157 Prohibits Cities From Limiting Outdoor Digital Billboards Veto Override Passed - Senate (26 - 7)
March 19, 2012 MN HF 545 Requires State Budget to Include Federal Insolvency Contingency Plan Bill Passed - Senate (52 - 12)
March 15, 2012 ID H 619 Prohibits Speed Limit Regulation by Local Authorities Bill Passed - House (56 - 10)
March 15, 2012 KY SB 18 Amends Redistricting Requirements Amendment Adopted - Senate (27 - 11)
March 15, 2012 KY SB 18 Amends Redistricting Requirements Amendment Adopted - Senate (27 - 11)
March 15, 2012 KY SB 18 Amends Redistricting Requirements Amendment Adopted - Senate (27 - 11)
March 15, 2012 NH HB 1405 Authorizes Moratoriums on Refugee Resettlements Bill Passed - House (190 - 109)
March 15, 2012 KY SB 18 Amends Redistricting Requirements Amendment Adopted - Senate (27 - 11)
March 15, 2012 ID S 1358 Amends Bullying Laws Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 8)
March 14, 2012 PA HB 934 Amends Voter Identification Laws Concurrence Vote Passed - House (104 - 88)
March 14, 2012 NY A 9525 State Legislative Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 0)
March 14, 2012 NY A 9556 Authorizes Casino Gambling Amendment Adopted - Senate (36 - 0)
March 14, 2012 NY A 9525 State Legislative Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 0)
March 14, 2012 NY A 9556 Authorizes Casino Gambling Amendment Adopted - House (96 - 45)
March 14, 2012 NY A 9525 State Legislative Redistricting Bill Passed - House (98 - 44)
March 14, 2012 NY A 9525 State Legislative Redistricting Bill Passed - House (98 - 44)
March 9, 2012 FL HB 1205 Authorizes Random Drug Tests of State Employees Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 14)
March 8, 2012 WY SF 27 Public Meetings Conference Report Adopted - House (54 - 3)
March 8, 2012 UT SB 208 Interstate Health Care Compact Conference Report Adopted - Senate (17 - 7)
March 8, 2012 WY SF 25 Amends Public Records Laws Conference Report Adopted - House (49 - 8)
March 8, 2012 WY SF 25 Amends Public Records Laws Conference Report Adopted - Senate (22 - 8)
March 8, 2012 UT SB 208 Interstate Health Care Compact Conference Report Adopted - House (45 - 27)
March 8, 2012 National S Amdt 1537 Approving the Keystone XL Pipeline Project Amendment Rejected - Senate (56 - 42)
March 8, 2012 VA SB 1 Requires Photo Identification to Vote Bill Passed - House (66 - 31)
March 7, 2012 UT HB 148 Authorizes the Transfer of Federal Lands to the State Concurrence Vote Passed - House (59 - 14)
March 7, 2012 FL HB 971 Amends Process of Judiciary Appointment Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 14)
March 7, 2012 UT HB 148 Authorizes the Transfer of Federal Lands to the State Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 6)
March 7, 2012 FL HB 971 Amends Process of Judiciary Appointment Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 14)
March 7, 2012 PA HB 934 Amends Voter Identification Laws Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 23)
March 7, 2012 NH SB 289 Requires Photo Identification to Vote Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 5)
March 7, 2012 GA SB 438 Prohibits State Employee Insurance Coverage of Abortions Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 18)
March 6, 2012 VA HB 1228 Increases Salary for State Legislators Bill Failed - Senate (9 - 31)
March 6, 2012 AZ HCR 2056 Matches State Minimum Wage to Federal Minimum Resolution Passed - House (39 - 18)
March 6, 2012 WI AJR 63 Limits Recalls of Elected Officials Amendment Adopted - House (60 - 37)
March 6, 2012 WI AJR 63 Limits Recalls of Elected Officials Amendment Adopted - House (60 - 37)
Date No. Title Outcome
3/22 HJR 1 Requires a 2/3 Vote for Tax Increases Motion Rejected - House (37 - 33)
3/22 SJR 2B State Senate Redistricting Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (31 - 6)
3/22 SJR 2B State Senate Redistricting Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (31 - 6)
3/22 AJR 22 Requests a Constitutional Amendment to Overturn Citizens United Joint Resolution Passed - House (48 - 22)
3/22 AJR 22 Requests a Constitutional Amendment to Overturn Citizens United Joint Resolution Passed - House (48 - 22)
3/21 HB 2117 Reduces Income Tax Rate Bill Failed - Senate (20 - 20)
3/21 HF 2337 Amends Property Taxes Bill Passed - House (72 - 62)
3/21 HB 2862 Appropriates Funds for Independent Redistricting Commission Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 9)
3/21 HB 3944 Authorizing the Recording of Police Bill Failed - House (45 - 59)
3/21 SB 318 Requires In-State Residency to Vote Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 5)
3/20 HF 2738 Requires Photo Identification to Vote Bill Passed - House (72 - 62)
3/20 HF 2738 Requires Photo Identification to Vote Bill Passed - House (72 - 62)
3/20 HB 2862 Appropriates Funds for Independent Redistricting Commission Bill Passed - House (36 - 20)
3/20 HB 1111 Voter Identification Amendments Bill Passed - House (33 - 31)
3/19 SB 157 Prohibits Cities From Limiting Outdoor Digital Billboards Veto Override Failed - House (43 - 24)
3/19 SB 157 Prohibits Cities From Limiting Outdoor Digital Billboards Veto Override Passed - Senate (26 - 7)
3/19 HF 545 Requires State Budget to Include Federal Insolvency Contingency Plan Bill Passed - Senate (52 - 12)
3/15 H 619 Prohibits Speed Limit Regulation by Local Authorities Bill Passed - House (56 - 10)
3/15 SB 18 Amends Redistricting Requirements Amendment Adopted - Senate (27 - 11)
3/15 SB 18 Amends Redistricting Requirements Amendment Adopted - Senate (27 - 11)
3/15 SB 18 Amends Redistricting Requirements Amendment Adopted - Senate (27 - 11)
3/15 HB 1405 Authorizes Moratoriums on Refugee Resettlements Bill Passed - House (190 - 109)
3/15 SB 18 Amends Redistricting Requirements Amendment Adopted - Senate (27 - 11)
3/15 S 1358 Amends Bullying Laws Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 8)
3/14 HB 934 Amends Voter Identification Laws Concurrence Vote Passed - House (104 - 88)
3/14 A 9525 State Legislative Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 0)
3/14 A 9556 Authorizes Casino Gambling Amendment Adopted - Senate (36 - 0)
3/14 A 9525 State Legislative Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 0)
3/14 A 9556 Authorizes Casino Gambling Amendment Adopted - House (96 - 45)
3/14 A 9525 State Legislative Redistricting Bill Passed - House (98 - 44)
3/14 A 9525 State Legislative Redistricting Bill Passed - House (98 - 44)
3/09 HB 1205 Authorizes Random Drug Tests of State Employees Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 14)
3/08 SF 27 Public Meetings Conference Report Adopted - House (54 - 3)
3/08 SB 208 Interstate Health Care Compact Conference Report Adopted - Senate (17 - 7)
3/08 SF 25 Amends Public Records Laws Conference Report Adopted - House (49 - 8)
3/08 SF 25 Amends Public Records Laws Conference Report Adopted - Senate (22 - 8)
3/08 SB 208 Interstate Health Care Compact Conference Report Adopted - House (45 - 27)
3/08 S Amdt 1537 Approving the Keystone XL Pipeline Project Amendment Rejected - Senate (56 - 42)
3/08 SB 1 Requires Photo Identification to Vote Bill Passed - House (66 - 31)
3/07 HB 148 Authorizes the Transfer of Federal Lands to the State Concurrence Vote Passed - House (59 - 14)
3/07 HB 971 Amends Process of Judiciary Appointment Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 14)
3/07 HB 148 Authorizes the Transfer of Federal Lands to the State Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 6)
3/07 HB 971 Amends Process of Judiciary Appointment Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 14)
3/07 HB 934 Amends Voter Identification Laws Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 23)
3/07 SB 289 Requires Photo Identification to Vote Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 5)
3/07 SB 438 Prohibits State Employee Insurance Coverage of Abortions Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 18)
3/06 HB 1228 Increases Salary for State Legislators Bill Failed - Senate (9 - 31)
3/06 HCR 2056 Matches State Minimum Wage to Federal Minimum Resolution Passed - House (39 - 18)
3/06 AJR 63 Limits Recalls of Elected Officials Amendment Adopted - House (60 - 37)
3/06 AJR 63 Limits Recalls of Elected Officials Amendment Adopted - House (60 - 37)

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