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 2, 2016 CO SB 74 Authorizes Voters to Opt Out of Mail Ballots Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17)
March 1, 2016 MS HB 738 Amends Attorney General Hiring and Filing Oversight Processes Bill Passed - House (61 - 60)
Feb. 29, 2016 VA HB 587 Prohibits Removal of War Monuments Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 17)
Feb. 29, 2016 GA SR 675 Establishes English as the Official Language of the State of Georgia Resolution Passed - Senate (39 - 14)
Feb. 29, 2016 AZ HB 2403 Limits Property Deed Recording Fee to $500 Bill Passed - House (31 - 28)
Feb. 29, 2016 MS HB 782 Prohibits Enforcement of Certain Law Relating to Firearms Bill Passed - House (75 - 46)
Feb. 26, 2016 VA HB 1371 Prohibits Cities from Increasing Minimum Wage or Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
Feb. 25, 2016 AL HB 174 Prohibits Local Governments from Establishing Wage or Employee Benefits Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 11)
Feb. 24, 2016 UT SJR 2 Urges Congress to Repeal the 17th Amendment Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 6)
Feb. 24, 2016 UT SJR 2 Urges Congress to Repeal the 17th Amendment Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 6)
Feb. 24, 2016 UT SJR 2 Urges Congress to Repeal the 17th Amendment Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 6)
Feb. 24, 2016 CO SB 112 Requires Certain Number of Polling Centers Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17)
Feb. 24, 2016 MS HB 868 Amends State Supreme Court District Boundaries Bill Passed - House (71 - 50)
Feb. 22, 2016 TN SJR 467 Urges Attorney General to File Lawsuit in Relation to Refugee Resettlement Program Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (27 - 5)
Feb. 22, 2016 KS HCR 5010 Establishes State Commitment to a Proposed Constitutional Convention Bill Failed - House (77 - 47)
Feb. 19, 2016 NC SB 2 Amends Congressional Districts Bill Passed - House (65 - 43)
Feb. 19, 2016 ID H 463 Prohibits Local Governments from Increasing Minimum Wage Bill Passed - House (55 - 14)
Feb. 19, 2016 WV HB 4013 Requires Certain Identification to Vote Bill Passed - House (64 - 34)
Feb. 18, 2016 WI SB 707 Prohibits a Legislator from Holding Office as County Executive Bill Passed - House (53 - 40)
Feb. 18, 2016 NC SB 2 Amends Congressional Districts Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 15)
Feb. 17, 2016 NM HB 138 Authorizes Certain Minors to Vote Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 16)
Feb. 16, 2016 AL HB 174 Prohibits Local Governments from Establishing Wage or Employee Benefits Requirements Bill Passed - House (71 - 31)
Feb. 16, 2016 WI SB 707 Prohibits a Legislator from Holding Office as County Executive Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 13)
Feb. 15, 2016 WA HB 2682 Establishes Automatic Voter Registration Bill Passed - House (55 - 42)
Feb. 11, 2016 AL HB 37 Prohibits Requiring Employees to Join or Pay Unions Bill Failed - House (60 - 24)
Feb. 10, 2016 MO SCR 46 Prohibits a Wage Range Increase for Personal Care Attendants Joint Resolution Passed - House (125 - 34)
Feb. 10, 2016 VA HB 1371 Prohibits Cities from Increasing Minimum Wage or Benefits Bill Passed - House (65 - 34)
Feb. 10, 2016 AZ HB 2567 Repeals State Presidential Primary Election Process Bill Passed - House (37 - 22)
Feb. 10, 2016 AZ HB 2131 Prohibits Local Governments from Taxing Disposable Bags Bill Passed - House (35 - 24)
Feb. 9, 2016 MD HB 980 Authorizes Felons to Vote While on Parole Veto Override Passed - Senate (29 - 18)
Feb. 9, 2016 VA SB 270 Requires Cities to Enforce Federal Immigration Laws Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
Feb. 9, 2016 WI SB 295 Authorizes Voters to Register Online Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 13)
Feb. 9, 2016 WI AB 582 Amends Shoreline Zoning and Property Regulations Bill Passed - House (56 - 39)
Feb. 9, 2016 VA SB 705 Requires Sanctuary Cities to be Liable for Damages Caused by Undocumented Immigrant Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
Feb. 4, 2016 WA HB 1745 Amends Certain Election Procedures Bill Passed - House (50 - 47)
Feb. 4, 2016 TN SJR 67 Requests that the U.S. Congress call a Constitutional Convention Bill Passed - House (59 - 31)
Feb. 4, 2016 MO SJR 19 Amends Membership Composition of the Conservation Commission Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (22 - 10)
Feb. 4, 2016 MO SJR 19 Amends Membership Composition of the Conservation Commission Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (22 - 10)
Feb. 3, 2016 FL HB 675 Requires Local Governments to Enforce Federal Immigration Regulations Bill Passed - House (80 - 38)
Feb. 3, 2016 ID H 372 Prohibits Local Limitation on Use of Plastic Bags Bill Passed - House (52 - 17)
Feb. 1, 2016 VA SB 106 Authorizes No-Excuse In-Person Absentee Voting Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
Jan. 29, 2016 ID H 425 Expands Tax Law to Include Marriages Authorized by the Supreme Court Bill Passed - House (54 - 16)
Jan. 26, 2016 VA SJ 1 Authorizes Ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
Jan. 25, 2016 MO SCR 46 Prohibits a Wage Range Increase for Personal Care Attendants Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (27 - 4)
Jan. 21, 2016 National S J Res 22 A Joint Resolution Providing for Congressional Disapproval Under Chapter 8 of Title 5, United States Code, of the Rule Submitted by the Corps of Engineers and the Environmental Protection Agency Relating to the Definition of "Waters of the United States" Under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (52 - 40)
Jan. 21, 2016 MO HJR 53 Requires Individuals to Show Identification in Order to Vote Joint Resolution Passed - House (116 - 40)
Jan. 21, 2016 MO HJR 53 Requires Individuals to Show Identification in Order to Vote Joint Resolution Passed - House (116 - 40)
Jan. 21, 2016 MO HB 1631 Requires Individuals to Present Certain Identification to Vote Bill Passed - House (114 - 39)
Jan. 21, 2016 NH SB 4 Requires an Individual to Live in the State for 30 Days to be Eligible to Vote Bill Passed - Senate (12 - 11)
Jan. 21, 2016 NM HB 99 Requires Driver's Licenses to Comply with Federal Standards Bill Passed - House (39 - 30)
Jan. 20, 2016 MD HB 980 Authorizes Felons to Vote While on Parole Veto Override Passed - House (85 - 56)
Jan. 19, 2016 National PN 367 Nomination of Wilhelmina Wright to Be U.S. District Judge Nomination Confirmed - Senate (58 - 36)
Jan. 19, 2016 KY SB 10 Requires Gubernatorial Elections to be Held on Even-Numbered Years Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 9)
Jan. 19, 2016 KS HB 2151 Establishes Regulations Regarding Grand Juries Bill Passed - House (101 - 20)
Jan. 13, 2016 National S J Res 22 A Joint Resolution Providing for Congressional Disapproval Under Chapter 8 of Title 5, United States Code, of the Rule Submitted by the Corps of Engineers and the Environmental Protection Agency Relating to the Definition of "Waters of the United States" Under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act Joint Resolution Passed - House (253 - 166)
Jan. 12, 2016 National S 2232 Federal Reserve Transparency Act of 2015 Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (53 - 44)
Date No. Title Outcome
3/02 SB 74 Authorizes Voters to Opt Out of Mail Ballots Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17)
3/01 HB 738 Amends Attorney General Hiring and Filing Oversight Processes Bill Passed - House (61 - 60)
2/29 HB 587 Prohibits Removal of War Monuments Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 17)
2/29 SR 675 Establishes English as the Official Language of the State of Georgia Resolution Passed - Senate (39 - 14)
2/29 HB 2403 Limits Property Deed Recording Fee to $500 Bill Passed - House (31 - 28)
2/29 HB 782 Prohibits Enforcement of Certain Law Relating to Firearms Bill Passed - House (75 - 46)
2/26 HB 1371 Prohibits Cities from Increasing Minimum Wage or Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
2/25 HB 174 Prohibits Local Governments from Establishing Wage or Employee Benefits Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 11)
2/24 SJR 2 Urges Congress to Repeal the 17th Amendment Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 6)
2/24 SJR 2 Urges Congress to Repeal the 17th Amendment Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 6)
2/24 SJR 2 Urges Congress to Repeal the 17th Amendment Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 6)
2/24 SB 112 Requires Certain Number of Polling Centers Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17)
2/24 HB 868 Amends State Supreme Court District Boundaries Bill Passed - House (71 - 50)
2/22 SJR 467 Urges Attorney General to File Lawsuit in Relation to Refugee Resettlement Program Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (27 - 5)
2/22 HCR 5010 Establishes State Commitment to a Proposed Constitutional Convention Bill Failed - House (77 - 47)
2/19 SB 2 Amends Congressional Districts Bill Passed - House (65 - 43)
2/19 H 463 Prohibits Local Governments from Increasing Minimum Wage Bill Passed - House (55 - 14)
2/19 HB 4013 Requires Certain Identification to Vote Bill Passed - House (64 - 34)
2/18 SB 707 Prohibits a Legislator from Holding Office as County Executive Bill Passed - House (53 - 40)
2/18 SB 2 Amends Congressional Districts Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 15)
2/17 HB 138 Authorizes Certain Minors to Vote Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 16)
2/16 HB 174 Prohibits Local Governments from Establishing Wage or Employee Benefits Requirements Bill Passed - House (71 - 31)
2/16 SB 707 Prohibits a Legislator from Holding Office as County Executive Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 13)
2/15 HB 2682 Establishes Automatic Voter Registration Bill Passed - House (55 - 42)
2/11 HB 37 Prohibits Requiring Employees to Join or Pay Unions Bill Failed - House (60 - 24)
2/10 SCR 46 Prohibits a Wage Range Increase for Personal Care Attendants Joint Resolution Passed - House (125 - 34)
2/10 HB 1371 Prohibits Cities from Increasing Minimum Wage or Benefits Bill Passed - House (65 - 34)
2/10 HB 2567 Repeals State Presidential Primary Election Process Bill Passed - House (37 - 22)
2/10 HB 2131 Prohibits Local Governments from Taxing Disposable Bags Bill Passed - House (35 - 24)
2/09 HB 980 Authorizes Felons to Vote While on Parole Veto Override Passed - Senate (29 - 18)
2/09 SB 270 Requires Cities to Enforce Federal Immigration Laws Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
2/09 SB 295 Authorizes Voters to Register Online Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 13)
2/09 AB 582 Amends Shoreline Zoning and Property Regulations Bill Passed - House (56 - 39)
2/09 SB 705 Requires Sanctuary Cities to be Liable for Damages Caused by Undocumented Immigrant Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
2/04 HB 1745 Amends Certain Election Procedures Bill Passed - House (50 - 47)
2/04 SJR 67 Requests that the U.S. Congress call a Constitutional Convention Bill Passed - House (59 - 31)
2/04 SJR 19 Amends Membership Composition of the Conservation Commission Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (22 - 10)
2/04 SJR 19 Amends Membership Composition of the Conservation Commission Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (22 - 10)
2/03 HB 675 Requires Local Governments to Enforce Federal Immigration Regulations Bill Passed - House (80 - 38)
2/03 H 372 Prohibits Local Limitation on Use of Plastic Bags Bill Passed - House (52 - 17)
2/01 SB 106 Authorizes No-Excuse In-Person Absentee Voting Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
1/29 H 425 Expands Tax Law to Include Marriages Authorized by the Supreme Court Bill Passed - House (54 - 16)
1/26 SJ 1 Authorizes Ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
1/25 SCR 46 Prohibits a Wage Range Increase for Personal Care Attendants Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (27 - 4)
1/21 S J Res 22 A Joint Resolution Providing for Congressional Disapproval Under Chapter 8 of Title 5, United States Code, of the Rule Submitted by the Corps of Engineers and the Environmental Protection Agency Relating to the Definition of "Waters of the United States" Under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (52 - 40)
1/21 HJR 53 Requires Individuals to Show Identification in Order to Vote Joint Resolution Passed - House (116 - 40)
1/21 HJR 53 Requires Individuals to Show Identification in Order to Vote Joint Resolution Passed - House (116 - 40)
1/21 HB 1631 Requires Individuals to Present Certain Identification to Vote Bill Passed - House (114 - 39)
1/21 SB 4 Requires an Individual to Live in the State for 30 Days to be Eligible to Vote Bill Passed - Senate (12 - 11)
1/21 HB 99 Requires Driver's Licenses to Comply with Federal Standards Bill Passed - House (39 - 30)
1/20 HB 980 Authorizes Felons to Vote While on Parole Veto Override Passed - House (85 - 56)
1/19 PN 367 Nomination of Wilhelmina Wright to Be U.S. District Judge Nomination Confirmed - Senate (58 - 36)
1/19 SB 10 Requires Gubernatorial Elections to be Held on Even-Numbered Years Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 9)
1/19 HB 2151 Establishes Regulations Regarding Grand Juries Bill Passed - House (101 - 20)
1/13 S J Res 22 A Joint Resolution Providing for Congressional Disapproval Under Chapter 8 of Title 5, United States Code, of the Rule Submitted by the Corps of Engineers and the Environmental Protection Agency Relating to the Definition of "Waters of the United States" Under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act Joint Resolution Passed - House (253 - 166)
1/12 S 2232 Federal Reserve Transparency Act of 2015 Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (53 - 44)

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