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 5, 2012 ID HCR 40 2 Percent Pay Raise for State Employees Resolution Passed - House (54 - 14)
March 5, 2012 AZ SCR 1008 Declaration of State of Emergency Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 8)
March 5, 2012 AZ HCR 2043 Amends Requirements for Ballot Measures for Future Tax Increases Resolution Passed - House (32 - 26)
March 5, 2012 AZ SB 1449 Establishes a Recall Primary Election for a Recall Election Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 11)
March 2, 2012 FL HB 1205 Authorizes Random Drug Tests of State Employees Bill Passed - House (79 - 37)
March 1, 2012 FL HB 1209 Prohibits Courts from Basing Decisions on Foreign Laws Bill Passed - House (92 - 24)
March 1, 2012 AZ SB 1083 Establishes the Arizona Special Missions Unit Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 10)
March 1, 2012 AZ SB 1507 Prohibits Implementation of the United Nations Rio Declaration Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 9)
Feb. 29, 2012 CO HB 1301 Authorizes Legislative Appropriations Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13)
Feb. 29, 2012 FL HB 609 Prohibits Unpaid Wage Collection Ordinances Bill Passed - House (77 - 38)
Feb. 29, 2012 IA HJR 2009 Prohibiting Mandatory Licensing and Registration of Guns Amendment Adopted - House (61 - 37)
Feb. 28, 2012 SD HB 1253 Prohibits State Enforcement of Religious Codes Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 4)
Feb. 28, 2012 SD HB 1253 Prohibits State Enforcement of Religious Codes Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 4)
Feb. 28, 2012 AZ SCR 1021 Repeals Public Campaign Financing Resolution Passed - Senate (21 - 9)
Feb. 28, 2012 AZ SCR 1021 Repeals Public Campaign Financing Resolution Passed - Senate (21 - 9)
Feb. 28, 2012 WY HJR 7 Requests the President to Repeal the Rule Requiring Coverage of Contraception Joint Resolution Passed - House (40 - 17)
Feb. 28, 2012 WY HB 85 Establishes a Task Force for Government Continuity Bill Failed - House (27 - 30)
Feb. 28, 2012 WY HB 85 Establishes a Task Force for Government Continuity Bill Failed - House (27 - 30)
Feb. 28, 2012 CO HB 1115 Authorizes Businesses to Comment on Fiscal Impact of Proposed Legislation Bill Passed - House (41 - 22)
Feb. 27, 2012 VA HB 9 Voter Identification Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 20)
Feb. 27, 2012 UT HB 511 Authorizing Eminent Domain over Federal Land Bill Passed - House (57 - 14)
Feb. 24, 2012 GA SB 447 Reduces Unemployment Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 13)
Feb. 24, 2012 UT HB 104 Prohibits Local Ordinances Against Idling Vehicles Bill Passed - House (42 - 28)
Feb. 24, 2012 UT HB 198 Prohibits Regulation of Family Food Bill Passed - House (53 - 16)
Feb. 24, 2012 FL HB 971 Amends Process of Judiciary Appointment Bill Passed - House (77 - 35)
Feb. 24, 2012 FL HB 971 Amends Process of Judiciary Appointment Bill Passed - House (77 - 35)
Feb. 24, 2012 GA SB 447 Reduces Unemployment Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 13)
Feb. 23, 2012 KS SB 83 Amends Judicial Appointment Process Concurrence Vote Failed - Senate (17 - 22)
Feb. 23, 2012 KS HCR 5007 Authorizes Kansas to Determine Its Health Care Policies Bill Failed - Senate (26 - 14)
Feb. 23, 2012 ID HB 391 Repeals the Presidential Primary Election Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 16)
Feb. 23, 2012 ID HJM 10 Urges Congress to Pass Rights of Conscience Act Joint Resolution Passed - House (53 - 15)
Feb. 23, 2012 KS HB 2437 Amends Voting Registration Requirements Bill Passed - House (81 - 43)
Feb. 23, 2012 CO SB 147 Prohibits False Information Regarding Election Procedures and Voter Eligibility Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 16)
Feb. 22, 2012 NH HR 29 Urges Repeal of Rule Requiring Health Insurance Coverage of Contraceptives Resolution Passed - House (227 - 121)
Feb. 21, 2012 WI SJR 21 Prohibits mandated health insurance Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (17 - 16)
Feb. 21, 2012 UT HB 49 Authorizing the Concealed or Open Possession of Firearms Bill Passed - House (50 - 21)
Feb. 21, 2012 WI SB 386 Removes Voter Registration at High Schools Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 16)
Feb. 21, 2012 WI SJR 21 Prohibits mandated health insurance Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (17 - 16)
Feb. 17, 2012 WY HB 32 State House and Senate Redistricting Bill Passed - House (49 - 9)
Feb. 17, 2012 WY HB 32 State House and Senate Redistricting Bill Passed - House (49 - 9)
Feb. 16, 2012 AZ SB 1484 Prohibits Certain Deductions from Public Employee Paychecks Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 11)
Feb. 16, 2012 KY HB 70 Authorizes People Convicted of Certain Felonies to Vote Bill Passed - House (78 - 18)
Feb. 16, 2012 AL HB 159 Authorizes Economic Development Incentive Program Bill Passed - House (65 - 22)
Feb. 16, 2012 UT HB 90 Prohibiting Government Meetings on Caucus Nights Bill Passed - House (38 - 34)
Feb. 16, 2012 UT HB 90 Prohibiting Government Meetings on Caucus Nights Bill Passed - House (38 - 34)
Feb. 15, 2012 NH CACR 6 Requires a Supermajority for Budget Increases Resolution Passed - Senate (17 - 7)
Feb. 15, 2012 NH CACR 6 Requires a Supermajority for Budget Increases Resolution Passed - Senate (17 - 7)
Feb. 15, 2012 CO HB 1301 Authorizes Legislative Appropriations Bill Passed - House (34 - 28)
Feb. 15, 2012 MS HB 211 Amends the Rules Regarding Hiring Outside Counsel Bill Passed - House (59 - 56)
Feb. 15, 2012 NH HB 1666 Limits State Contribution to Public Employee Benefits Bill Passed - House (232 - 119)
Date No. Title Outcome
3/05 HCR 40 2 Percent Pay Raise for State Employees Resolution Passed - House (54 - 14)
3/05 SCR 1008 Declaration of State of Emergency Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 8)
3/05 HCR 2043 Amends Requirements for Ballot Measures for Future Tax Increases Resolution Passed - House (32 - 26)
3/05 SB 1449 Establishes a Recall Primary Election for a Recall Election Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 11)
3/02 HB 1205 Authorizes Random Drug Tests of State Employees Bill Passed - House (79 - 37)
3/01 HB 1209 Prohibits Courts from Basing Decisions on Foreign Laws Bill Passed - House (92 - 24)
3/01 SB 1083 Establishes the Arizona Special Missions Unit Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 10)
3/01 SB 1507 Prohibits Implementation of the United Nations Rio Declaration Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 9)
2/29 HB 1301 Authorizes Legislative Appropriations Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13)
2/29 HB 609 Prohibits Unpaid Wage Collection Ordinances Bill Passed - House (77 - 38)
2/29 HJR 2009 Prohibiting Mandatory Licensing and Registration of Guns Amendment Adopted - House (61 - 37)
2/28 HB 1253 Prohibits State Enforcement of Religious Codes Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 4)
2/28 HB 1253 Prohibits State Enforcement of Religious Codes Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 4)
2/28 SCR 1021 Repeals Public Campaign Financing Resolution Passed - Senate (21 - 9)
2/28 SCR 1021 Repeals Public Campaign Financing Resolution Passed - Senate (21 - 9)
2/28 HJR 7 Requests the President to Repeal the Rule Requiring Coverage of Contraception Joint Resolution Passed - House (40 - 17)
2/28 HB 85 Establishes a Task Force for Government Continuity Bill Failed - House (27 - 30)
2/28 HB 85 Establishes a Task Force for Government Continuity Bill Failed - House (27 - 30)
2/28 HB 1115 Authorizes Businesses to Comment on Fiscal Impact of Proposed Legislation Bill Passed - House (41 - 22)
2/27 HB 9 Voter Identification Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 20)
2/27 HB 511 Authorizing Eminent Domain over Federal Land Bill Passed - House (57 - 14)
2/24 SB 447 Reduces Unemployment Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 13)
2/24 HB 104 Prohibits Local Ordinances Against Idling Vehicles Bill Passed - House (42 - 28)
2/24 HB 198 Prohibits Regulation of Family Food Bill Passed - House (53 - 16)
2/24 HB 971 Amends Process of Judiciary Appointment Bill Passed - House (77 - 35)
2/24 HB 971 Amends Process of Judiciary Appointment Bill Passed - House (77 - 35)
2/24 SB 447 Reduces Unemployment Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 13)
2/23 SB 83 Amends Judicial Appointment Process Concurrence Vote Failed - Senate (17 - 22)
2/23 HCR 5007 Authorizes Kansas to Determine Its Health Care Policies Bill Failed - Senate (26 - 14)
2/23 HB 391 Repeals the Presidential Primary Election Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 16)
2/23 HJM 10 Urges Congress to Pass Rights of Conscience Act Joint Resolution Passed - House (53 - 15)
2/23 HB 2437 Amends Voting Registration Requirements Bill Passed - House (81 - 43)
2/23 SB 147 Prohibits False Information Regarding Election Procedures and Voter Eligibility Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 16)
2/22 HR 29 Urges Repeal of Rule Requiring Health Insurance Coverage of Contraceptives Resolution Passed - House (227 - 121)
2/21 SJR 21 Prohibits mandated health insurance Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (17 - 16)
2/21 HB 49 Authorizing the Concealed or Open Possession of Firearms Bill Passed - House (50 - 21)
2/21 SB 386 Removes Voter Registration at High Schools Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 16)
2/21 SJR 21 Prohibits mandated health insurance Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (17 - 16)
2/17 HB 32 State House and Senate Redistricting Bill Passed - House (49 - 9)
2/17 HB 32 State House and Senate Redistricting Bill Passed - House (49 - 9)
2/16 SB 1484 Prohibits Certain Deductions from Public Employee Paychecks Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 11)
2/16 HB 70 Authorizes People Convicted of Certain Felonies to Vote Bill Passed - House (78 - 18)
2/16 HB 159 Authorizes Economic Development Incentive Program Bill Passed - House (65 - 22)
2/16 HB 90 Prohibiting Government Meetings on Caucus Nights Bill Passed - House (38 - 34)
2/16 HB 90 Prohibiting Government Meetings on Caucus Nights Bill Passed - House (38 - 34)
2/15 CACR 6 Requires a Supermajority for Budget Increases Resolution Passed - Senate (17 - 7)
2/15 CACR 6 Requires a Supermajority for Budget Increases Resolution Passed - Senate (17 - 7)
2/15 HB 1301 Authorizes Legislative Appropriations Bill Passed - House (34 - 28)
2/15 HB 211 Amends the Rules Regarding Hiring Outside Counsel Bill Passed - House (59 - 56)
2/15 HB 1666 Limits State Contribution to Public Employee Benefits Bill Passed - House (232 - 119)

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