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
April 26, 2017 NC H 239 Reduces Court of Appeals Caseload Veto Override Passed - Senate (34 - 15)
April 26, 2017 NC H 239 Reduces Court of Appeals Caseload Veto Override Passed - House (73 - 44)
April 26, 2017 NC H 239 Reduces Court of Appeals Caseload Veto Override Passed - House (73 - 44)
April 26, 2017 National PN 88 Nomination of Alexander Acosta to be Secretary of Labor Cloture Invoked - Senate (61 - 39)
April 26, 2017 PA HB 671 Authorizes Lawsuits Against Local Governments with Gun Ordinances Bill Passed - House (134 - 53)
April 25, 2017 MT SB 366 Establishes Real-ID Compliance Bill Passed - House (83 - 17)
April 25, 2017 NY S 1229 Establishes Term Limits for Legislative Leadership Positions Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 9)
April 25, 2017 NY S 1229 Establishes Term Limits for Legislative Leadership Positions Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 9)
April 24, 2017 NE LB 75 Restores Voting Rights Upon Completion of a Felony Sentence Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 13)
April 21, 2017 MT SB 368 Increases the Individual Limit for Campaign Contributions Bill Passed - House (54 - 46)
April 20, 2017 MN HF 600 Prohibits Local Laws Regarding Minimum Wage or Paid Sick Leave Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 31)
April 20, 2017 IA SF 516 Establishes Budget for Fiscal Year 2018-2019 Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 20)
April 13, 2017 AZ SB 1236 Establishes Regulations for Statewide Initiatives and Referendum Petitions Bill Passed - House (35 - 23)
April 11, 2017 ME LD 306 Authorizes Issuance of REAL ID Compliant Licenses "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Adopted - House (115 - 30)
April 11, 2017 NC H 239 Reduces Court of Appeals Caseload Concurrence Vote Passed - House (69 - 43)
April 11, 2017 NC H 239 Reduces Court of Appeals Caseload Concurrence Vote Passed - House (69 - 43)
April 11, 2017 AL SB 193 Authorizes Briarwood Presbyterian Church to Form a Police Force Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 4)
April 9, 2017 WV HB 2018 Reduces State Spending Concurrence Vote Passed - House (63 - 37)
April 9, 2017 NY A 3009 Establishes State Fiscal Plan (53 - 4)
April 7, 2017 National PN 55 Nomination of Neil M. Gorsuch to be an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States (54 - 45)
April 6, 2017 ME LD 306 Authorizes Issuance of REAL ID Compliant Licenses Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 4)
April 6, 2017 KS HB 2052 Establishes State Budget for FY 2017 to FY 2021 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (30 - 10)
April 6, 2017 CA SB 1 Increases Gas and Vehicle Taxes to Pay for Road and Bridge Repairs Bill Passed - House (54 - 26)
April 6, 2017 National PN 55 Nomination of Neil M. Gorsuch to be an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States Cloture Invoked - Senate (55 - 45)
April 6, 2017 WI AB 109 Authorizes Towns to Withdraw from County Zoning Bill Passed - House (60 - 37)
April 6, 2017 CA SB 1 Increases Gas and Vehicle Taxes to Pay for Road and Bridge Repairs Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 11)
April 6, 2017 IL HB 109 Establishes Stopgap Budget Bill Passed - House (64 - 45)
April 6, 2017 IL HB 109 Establishes Stopgap Budget Bill Passed - House (64 - 45)
April 5, 2017 DE SB 27 Establishes Bipartisan Commission for Drawing Legislative Districts Bill Passed - Senate (12 - 7)
April 5, 2017 DE SB 27 Establishes Bipartisan Commission for Drawing Legislative Districts Bill Passed - Senate (12 - 7)
April 5, 2017 DE SB 27 Establishes Bipartisan Commission for Drawing Legislative Districts Bill Passed - Senate (12 - 7)
April 5, 2017 DE SB 27 Establishes Bipartisan Commission for Drawing Legislative Districts Bill Passed - Senate (12 - 7)
April 4, 2017 IA HF 517 Authorizes Use of Deadly Force when Deemed Necessary Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 17)
April 4, 2017 IN HB 1384 Expands Indiana's Voucher Program Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 12)
April 4, 2017 AL SB 16 Prohibits Judicial Override of Sentencing Decisions Bill Passed - House (78 - 19)
April 4, 2017 PA HB 218 Establishes a Budget for the Fiscal Year 2017-2018 Bill Passed - House (144 - 84)
April 4, 2017 AL SB 129 Establishes Education Budget Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 2)
April 3, 2017 CA SB 54 Establishes a Statewide Sanctuary Policy Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 12)
April 3, 2017 NE LB 46 Requires the Department of Motor Vehicles to Create a "Choose Life" Specialty License Plate Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 5)
April 3, 2017 TN SB 38 Amends Provisions for Campaign Fundraising Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 2)
March 31, 2017 MT HB 595 Amends State Constitution to Define "Person" Amendment Adopted - House (58 - 41)
March 31, 2017 CO HB 1242 Increases State Sales Tax Bill Passed - House (41 - 24)
March 30, 2017 MO HB 174 Prohibits Local Governments from Enacting Ordinances that Oppose State Law Bill Passed - House (118 - 36)
March 30, 2017 ME LD 156 Authorizes National Popular Vote Interstate Compact Bill Failed - House (66 - 73)
March 29, 2017 OH HB 26 Establishes Budget for Fiscal Year 2017-2018 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (28 - 5)
March 28, 2017 NH SB 3 Establishes New Voter Eligibility Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 9)
March 27, 2017 IA HF 295 Prohibits Localities from Increasing Minimum Wage Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 21)
March 27, 2017 TN HB 173 Prohibits Local Government from Enacting Drug-Related Sanctions Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 5)
March 23, 2017 IA HF 516 Requires Identification to Vote Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 21)
March 23, 2017 WA SB 5048 Establishes 2017-2019 Fiscal Biennium Operating Appropriations Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 24)
March 23, 2017 FL HB 7007 Authorizes Health Insurance and Retirement Benefits Bill Passed - House (77 - 37)
March 23, 2017 NJ A 4243 Requires "Whistleblower" Settlements to be Public Record Bill Passed - House (73 - 0)
March 20, 2017 CA AB 18 Authorizes a Ballot Measure to Appropriate $3 Billion to State Parks Bill Passed - House (59 - 19)
March 16, 2017 NJ S 3048 Requires Presidential Candidates to Disclose Tax Returns Bill Passed - House (49 - 25)
March 15, 2017 VT S 79 Prohibits the Disclosure of Personally Identifying Information Bill Passed - House (110 - 24)
March 15, 2017 HI HB 100 Establishes the Budget for 2017-2018 Bill Passed - House (50 - 0)
March 15, 2017 FL SB 128 Authorizes Immunity for Self-Defense Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15)
March 13, 2017 NJ S 3048 Requires Presidential Candidates to Disclose Tax Returns Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11)
March 13, 2017 OK SB 170 Repeals Automatic Income Tax Cut Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 6)
March 10, 2017 SC H 3643 Requires Public Universities to Adopt Antisemitism Policy Bill Passed - House (103 - 3)
March 9, 2017 IA HF 516 Requires Identification to Vote Bill Passed - House (59 - 40)
March 9, 2017 IA HF 295 Prohibits Localities from Increasing Minimum Wage Bill Passed - House (56 - 41)
March 8, 2017 NC H 100 Restores Partisan Court Elections Concurrence Vote Passed - House (74 - 43)
March 8, 2017 NC H 100 Restores Partisan Court Elections Concurrence Vote Passed - House (74 - 43)
March 8, 2017 AR HB 1047 Requires Voters to Provide Identification When Voting Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 8)
March 7, 2017 IA HF 517 Authorizes Use of Deadly Force when Deemed Necessary Bill Passed - House (58 - 39)
March 2, 2017 WA SB 5223 Prohibits Localities from Permitting Heroin Injection Sites Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 23)
March 1, 2017 National HR 998 Searching for and Cutting Regulations that are Unnecessarily Burdensome Act Bill Passed - House (240 - 185)
March 1, 2017 National HR 998 Searching for and Cutting Regulations that are Unnecessarily Burdensome Act Bill Passed - House (240 - 185)
Feb. 28, 2017 IN SB 423 Prohibits Sanctuary Policies on College Campuses Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 15)
Feb. 24, 2017 VT S 79 Prohibits the Disclosure of Personally Identifying Information Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 0)
Feb. 23, 2017 VA HB 2000 Prohibits Establishment of Sanctuary Cities Concurrence Vote Passed - House (65 - 34)
Feb. 22, 2017 VA HB 2000 Prohibits Establishment of Sanctuary Cities Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
Feb. 22, 2017 NV IP 1 Requires Automatic Voter Registration when Applying for Driver's License Bill Passed - House (27 - 15)
Feb. 21, 2017 UT HB 11 Removes Political Party Affiliation Requirements for Certain State Commissions Concurrence Vote Passed - House (44 - 31)
Date No. Title Outcome
4/26 H 239 Reduces Court of Appeals Caseload Veto Override Passed - Senate (34 - 15)
4/26 H 239 Reduces Court of Appeals Caseload Veto Override Passed - House (73 - 44)
4/26 H 239 Reduces Court of Appeals Caseload Veto Override Passed - House (73 - 44)
4/26 PN 88 Nomination of Alexander Acosta to be Secretary of Labor Cloture Invoked - Senate (61 - 39)
4/26 HB 671 Authorizes Lawsuits Against Local Governments with Gun Ordinances Bill Passed - House (134 - 53)
4/25 SB 366 Establishes Real-ID Compliance Bill Passed - House (83 - 17)
4/25 S 1229 Establishes Term Limits for Legislative Leadership Positions Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 9)
4/25 S 1229 Establishes Term Limits for Legislative Leadership Positions Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 9)
4/24 LB 75 Restores Voting Rights Upon Completion of a Felony Sentence Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 13)
4/21 SB 368 Increases the Individual Limit for Campaign Contributions Bill Passed - House (54 - 46)
4/20 HF 600 Prohibits Local Laws Regarding Minimum Wage or Paid Sick Leave Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 31)
4/20 SF 516 Establishes Budget for Fiscal Year 2018-2019 Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 20)
4/13 SB 1236 Establishes Regulations for Statewide Initiatives and Referendum Petitions Bill Passed - House (35 - 23)
4/11 LD 306 Authorizes Issuance of REAL ID Compliant Licenses "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Adopted - House (115 - 30)
4/11 H 239 Reduces Court of Appeals Caseload Concurrence Vote Passed - House (69 - 43)
4/11 H 239 Reduces Court of Appeals Caseload Concurrence Vote Passed - House (69 - 43)
4/11 SB 193 Authorizes Briarwood Presbyterian Church to Form a Police Force Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 4)
4/09 HB 2018 Reduces State Spending Concurrence Vote Passed - House (63 - 37)
4/09 A 3009 Establishes State Fiscal Plan (53 - 4)
4/07 PN 55 Nomination of Neil M. Gorsuch to be an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States (54 - 45)
4/06 LD 306 Authorizes Issuance of REAL ID Compliant Licenses Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 4)
4/06 HB 2052 Establishes State Budget for FY 2017 to FY 2021 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (30 - 10)
4/06 SB 1 Increases Gas and Vehicle Taxes to Pay for Road and Bridge Repairs Bill Passed - House (54 - 26)
4/06 PN 55 Nomination of Neil M. Gorsuch to be an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States Cloture Invoked - Senate (55 - 45)
4/06 AB 109 Authorizes Towns to Withdraw from County Zoning Bill Passed - House (60 - 37)
4/06 SB 1 Increases Gas and Vehicle Taxes to Pay for Road and Bridge Repairs Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 11)
4/06 HB 109 Establishes Stopgap Budget Bill Passed - House (64 - 45)
4/06 HB 109 Establishes Stopgap Budget Bill Passed - House (64 - 45)
4/05 SB 27 Establishes Bipartisan Commission for Drawing Legislative Districts Bill Passed - Senate (12 - 7)
4/05 SB 27 Establishes Bipartisan Commission for Drawing Legislative Districts Bill Passed - Senate (12 - 7)
4/05 SB 27 Establishes Bipartisan Commission for Drawing Legislative Districts Bill Passed - Senate (12 - 7)
4/05 SB 27 Establishes Bipartisan Commission for Drawing Legislative Districts Bill Passed - Senate (12 - 7)
4/04 HF 517 Authorizes Use of Deadly Force when Deemed Necessary Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 17)
4/04 HB 1384 Expands Indiana's Voucher Program Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 12)
4/04 SB 16 Prohibits Judicial Override of Sentencing Decisions Bill Passed - House (78 - 19)
4/04 HB 218 Establishes a Budget for the Fiscal Year 2017-2018 Bill Passed - House (144 - 84)
4/04 SB 129 Establishes Education Budget Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 2)
4/03 SB 54 Establishes a Statewide Sanctuary Policy Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 12)
4/03 LB 46 Requires the Department of Motor Vehicles to Create a "Choose Life" Specialty License Plate Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 5)
4/03 SB 38 Amends Provisions for Campaign Fundraising Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 2)
3/31 HB 595 Amends State Constitution to Define "Person" Amendment Adopted - House (58 - 41)
3/31 HB 1242 Increases State Sales Tax Bill Passed - House (41 - 24)
3/30 HB 174 Prohibits Local Governments from Enacting Ordinances that Oppose State Law Bill Passed - House (118 - 36)
3/30 LD 156 Authorizes National Popular Vote Interstate Compact Bill Failed - House (66 - 73)
3/29 HB 26 Establishes Budget for Fiscal Year 2017-2018 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (28 - 5)
3/28 SB 3 Establishes New Voter Eligibility Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 9)
3/27 HF 295 Prohibits Localities from Increasing Minimum Wage Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 21)
3/27 HB 173 Prohibits Local Government from Enacting Drug-Related Sanctions Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 5)
3/23 HF 516 Requires Identification to Vote Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 21)
3/23 SB 5048 Establishes 2017-2019 Fiscal Biennium Operating Appropriations Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 24)
3/23 HB 7007 Authorizes Health Insurance and Retirement Benefits Bill Passed - House (77 - 37)
3/23 A 4243 Requires "Whistleblower" Settlements to be Public Record Bill Passed - House (73 - 0)
3/20 AB 18 Authorizes a Ballot Measure to Appropriate $3 Billion to State Parks Bill Passed - House (59 - 19)
3/16 S 3048 Requires Presidential Candidates to Disclose Tax Returns Bill Passed - House (49 - 25)
3/15 S 79 Prohibits the Disclosure of Personally Identifying Information Bill Passed - House (110 - 24)
3/15 HB 100 Establishes the Budget for 2017-2018 Bill Passed - House (50 - 0)
3/15 SB 128 Authorizes Immunity for Self-Defense Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15)
3/13 S 3048 Requires Presidential Candidates to Disclose Tax Returns Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11)
3/13 SB 170 Repeals Automatic Income Tax Cut Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 6)
3/10 H 3643 Requires Public Universities to Adopt Antisemitism Policy Bill Passed - House (103 - 3)
3/09 HF 516 Requires Identification to Vote Bill Passed - House (59 - 40)
3/09 HF 295 Prohibits Localities from Increasing Minimum Wage Bill Passed - House (56 - 41)
3/08 H 100 Restores Partisan Court Elections Concurrence Vote Passed - House (74 - 43)
3/08 H 100 Restores Partisan Court Elections Concurrence Vote Passed - House (74 - 43)
3/08 HB 1047 Requires Voters to Provide Identification When Voting Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 8)
3/07 HF 517 Authorizes Use of Deadly Force when Deemed Necessary Bill Passed - House (58 - 39)
3/02 SB 5223 Prohibits Localities from Permitting Heroin Injection Sites Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 23)
3/01 HR 998 Searching for and Cutting Regulations that are Unnecessarily Burdensome Act Bill Passed - House (240 - 185)
3/01 HR 998 Searching for and Cutting Regulations that are Unnecessarily Burdensome Act Bill Passed - House (240 - 185)
2/28 SB 423 Prohibits Sanctuary Policies on College Campuses Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 15)
2/24 S 79 Prohibits the Disclosure of Personally Identifying Information Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 0)
2/23 HB 2000 Prohibits Establishment of Sanctuary Cities Concurrence Vote Passed - House (65 - 34)
2/22 HB 2000 Prohibits Establishment of Sanctuary Cities Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
2/22 IP 1 Requires Automatic Voter Registration when Applying for Driver's License Bill Passed - House (27 - 15)
2/21 HB 11 Removes Political Party Affiliation Requirements for Certain State Commissions Concurrence Vote Passed - House (44 - 31)

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