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.


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Date State Bill No. Title Outcome
March 9, 2012 FL HB 1205 Authorizes Random Drug Tests of State Employees Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 14)
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 - Senate (22 - 8)
March 8, 2012 National S Amdt 1537 Approving the Keystone XL Pipeline Project Amendment Rejected - Senate (56 - 42)
March 7, 2012 PA HB 934 Amends Voter Identification Laws Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 23)
March 7, 2012 FL HB 971 Amends Process of Judiciary Appointment Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 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 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 5, 2012 AZ SB 1449 Establishes a Recall Primary Election for a Recall Election Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 11)
March 5, 2012 AZ SCR 1008 Declaration of State of Emergency Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 8)
March 1, 2012 AZ SB 1507 Prohibits Implementation of the United Nations Rio Declaration Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 9)
March 1, 2012 AZ SB 1083 Establishes the Arizona Special Missions Unit Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 10)
Feb. 29, 2012 CO HB 1301 Authorizes Legislative Appropriations Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13)
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. 27, 2012 VA HB 9 Voter Identification Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 20)
Feb. 24, 2012 GA SB 447 Reduces Unemployment Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 13)
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 CO SB 147 Prohibits False Information Regarding Election Procedures and Voter Eligibility Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 16)
Feb. 21, 2012 WI SJR 21 Prohibits mandated health insurance Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (17 - 16)
Feb. 21, 2012 WI SJR 21 Prohibits mandated health insurance Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (17 - 16)
Feb. 21, 2012 WI SB 386 Removes Voter Registration at High Schools Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 16)
Feb. 16, 2012 AZ SB 1484 Prohibits Certain Deductions from Public Employee Paychecks Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 11)
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. 14, 2012 MI SB 751 Photo Identification Requirements for Absentee Voters Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 12)
Feb. 14, 2012 MI SB 754 Requires Photo Identification for Voter Registration Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 12)
Feb. 9, 2012 AZ SB 1061 Authorizes Schools to Opt-Out of the National School Lunch Program Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 10)
Feb. 6, 2012 VA SB 1 Requires Photo Identification to Vote Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 20)
Feb. 2, 2012 National S Amdt 1491 Requires Disclosure of Financial Transactions by Executive Branch Employees Amendment Adopted - Senate (58 - 41)
Feb. 2, 2012 National S Amdt 1472 Prohibits Consideration of Bills Containing Earmarks Amendment Rejected - Senate (40 - 59)
Feb. 2, 2012 National S 2038 Prohibits Insider Trading by Government Officials Bill Passed - Senate (96 - 3)
Feb. 2, 2012 National S 2038 Prohibits Insider Trading by Government Officials Bill Passed - Senate (96 - 3)
Feb. 2, 2012 National S 2038 Prohibits Insider Trading by Government Officials Bill Passed - Senate (96 - 3)
Feb. 1, 2012 WA EHCR 4409 Congressional and State Legislative Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (44 - 4)
Feb. 1, 2012 WA EHCR 4409 Congressional and State Legislative Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (44 - 4)
Feb. 1, 2012 RI S 2178 State Senate, State House, and Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 2)
Feb. 1, 2012 RI S 2178 State Senate, State House, and Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 2)
Jan. 27, 2012 UT HB 286 State House Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 0)
Jan. 27, 2012 UT HB 286 State House Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 0)
Jan. 26, 2012 National H J Res 98 Disapproval of President's Authority to Raise the Debt Limit Motion Rejected - Senate (44 - 54)
Jan. 26, 2012 National H J Res 98 Disapproval of President's Authority to Raise the Debt Limit Motion Rejected - Senate (44 - 54)
Jan. 23, 2012 IN SB 170 Nepotism and Conflicts of Interest in Local Government Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 11)
Jan. 20, 2012 VA HB 251 Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 19)
Jan. 20, 2012 VA HB 251 Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 19)
Jan. 19, 2012 TN SB 1514 State Senate Redistricting Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (22 - 10)
Jan. 19, 2012 TN SB 1514 State Senate Redistricting Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (22 - 10)
Jan. 18, 2012 KY HB 1 State Senate, House, and Judicial Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 14)
Jan. 18, 2012 KY HB 1 State Senate, House, and Judicial Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 14)
Jan. 13, 2012 TN HB 1555 State House Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 10)
Jan. 13, 2012 TN HB 1555 State House Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 10)
Jan. 13, 2012 TN HB 1558 Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 9)
Jan. 13, 2012 TN HB 1558 Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 9)
Date No. Title Outcome
3/09 HB 1205 Authorizes Random Drug Tests of State Employees Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 14)
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 - Senate (22 - 8)
3/08 S Amdt 1537 Approving the Keystone XL Pipeline Project Amendment Rejected - Senate (56 - 42)
3/07 HB 934 Amends Voter Identification Laws Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 23)
3/07 HB 971 Amends Process of Judiciary Appointment Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 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 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)
3/05 SB 1449 Establishes a Recall Primary Election for a Recall Election Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 11)
3/05 SCR 1008 Declaration of State of Emergency Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 8)
3/01 SB 1507 Prohibits Implementation of the United Nations Rio Declaration Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 9)
3/01 SB 1083 Establishes the Arizona Special Missions Unit Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 10)
2/29 HB 1301 Authorizes Legislative Appropriations Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13)
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)
2/27 HB 9 Voter Identification Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 20)
2/24 SB 447 Reduces Unemployment Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 13)
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 SB 147 Prohibits False Information Regarding Election Procedures and Voter Eligibility Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 16)
2/21 SJR 21 Prohibits mandated health insurance Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (17 - 16)
2/21 SJR 21 Prohibits mandated health insurance Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (17 - 16)
2/21 SB 386 Removes Voter Registration at High Schools Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 16)
2/16 SB 1484 Prohibits Certain Deductions from Public Employee Paychecks Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 11)
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)
2/14 SB 751 Photo Identification Requirements for Absentee Voters Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 12)
2/14 SB 754 Requires Photo Identification for Voter Registration Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 12)
2/09 SB 1061 Authorizes Schools to Opt-Out of the National School Lunch Program Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 10)
2/06 SB 1 Requires Photo Identification to Vote Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 20)
2/02 S Amdt 1491 Requires Disclosure of Financial Transactions by Executive Branch Employees Amendment Adopted - Senate (58 - 41)
2/02 S Amdt 1472 Prohibits Consideration of Bills Containing Earmarks Amendment Rejected - Senate (40 - 59)
2/02 S 2038 Prohibits Insider Trading by Government Officials Bill Passed - Senate (96 - 3)
2/02 S 2038 Prohibits Insider Trading by Government Officials Bill Passed - Senate (96 - 3)
2/02 S 2038 Prohibits Insider Trading by Government Officials Bill Passed - Senate (96 - 3)
2/01 EHCR 4409 Congressional and State Legislative Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (44 - 4)
2/01 EHCR 4409 Congressional and State Legislative Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (44 - 4)
2/01 S 2178 State Senate, State House, and Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 2)
2/01 S 2178 State Senate, State House, and Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 2)
1/27 HB 286 State House Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 0)
1/27 HB 286 State House Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 0)
1/26 H J Res 98 Disapproval of President's Authority to Raise the Debt Limit Motion Rejected - Senate (44 - 54)
1/26 H J Res 98 Disapproval of President's Authority to Raise the Debt Limit Motion Rejected - Senate (44 - 54)
1/23 SB 170 Nepotism and Conflicts of Interest in Local Government Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 11)
1/20 HB 251 Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 19)
1/20 HB 251 Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 19)
1/19 SB 1514 State Senate Redistricting Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (22 - 10)
1/19 SB 1514 State Senate Redistricting Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (22 - 10)
1/18 HB 1 State Senate, House, and Judicial Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 14)
1/18 HB 1 State Senate, House, and Judicial Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 14)
1/13 HB 1555 State House Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 10)
1/13 HB 1555 State House Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 10)
1/13 HB 1558 Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 9)
1/13 HB 1558 Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 9)

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