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 18, 2018 ME LD 912 Prohibits Conversion Therapy on Minors Concurrence Vote Failed - House (72 - 76)
April 18, 2018 VT H 333 Requires Gender-Neutral Bathrooms Bill Passed - Senate
April 18, 2018 ME LD 912 Prohibits Conversion Therapy on Minors Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17)
April 18, 2018 PA SB 961 Increases OWI Penalties Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 4)
April 18, 2018 National S J Res 57 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection relating to "Indirect Auto Lending and Compliance with the Equal Credit Opportunity Act" Bill Passed - Senate (51 - 47)
April 18, 2018 PA SB 961 Increases OWI Penalties Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 4)
April 18, 2018 CO HB 18-1391 Establishes Requirements for Sexual Misconduct Policies Bill Passed - House (34 - 28)
April 17, 2018 TN SB 2133 Prohibits Criminal Sentencing Based on Sterilization Bill Passed - House (70 - 23)
April 15, 2018 AK HB 316 Amends Rules Concerning Release of Marijuana Conviction Records Bill Passed - House (30 - 10)
April 13, 2018 KY HB 169 Amends Criminal Laws Related to Gang Violence Concurrence Vote Passed - House (59 - 30)
April 12, 2018 TN HB 849 Authorizes GPS Monitoring for Domestic Abuse Defendants Concurrence Vote Passed - House (85 - 5)
April 12, 2018 NJ A 1827 Requires Employers to Provide Paid Sick Leave Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 12)
April 12, 2018 NJ A 3686 Increases State Protections for Labor Unions Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 9)
April 12, 2018 NJ A 764 Requires Panic Alarms in Public Schools Bill Passed - House (66 - 6)
April 12, 2018 MI HB 4891 Authorizes Parents to Monitor Child's Communications Bill Passed - House (105 - 3)
April 12, 2018 NJ A 3686 Increases State Protections for Labor Unions Bill Passed - House (50 - 22)
April 12, 2018 RI H 7075 Prohibits Bump Stocks Bill Passed - House (65 - 3)
April 12, 2018 ME LD 912 Prohibits Conversion Therapy on Minors Bill Passed - House (76 - 68)
April 12, 2018 RI H 7688 Authorizes Extreme Risk Protection Orders Bill Passed - House (60 - 8)
April 12, 2018 RI H 7688 Authorizes Extreme Risk Protection Orders Bill Passed - House (60 - 8)
April 12, 2018 RI H 7452 Prohibits Sharing Explicit Images without Consent Bill Passed - House (66 - 0)
April 11, 2018 OH SB 231 Establishes Database of Violent Offenders Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 2)
April 11, 2018 PA HB 1419 Authorizes Limited Access to Certain Criminal Records Bill Passed - House (188 - 2)
April 5, 2018 MD HB 819 Amends Handgun Permit Rules and Regulations Concurrence Vote Passed - House (98 - 31)
April 4, 2018 MA S 2371 Amends Criminal Justice Law Conference Report Adopted - House (148 - 5)
April 4, 2018 MA S 2372 Establishes the Garden of Peace Trust Fund Conference Report Adopted - House (152 - 0)
April 4, 2018 MA S 2371 Amends Criminal Justice Law Conference Report Adopted - Senate (37 - 0)
April 3, 2018 MD SB 101 Amends Certain Definitions and Regulations for Crimes of Violence Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (38 - 7)
April 3, 2018 MD HB 1302 Authorizes Extreme Risk Protective Order Concurrence Vote Passed - House (93 - 46)
April 3, 2018 MD SB 101 Amends Certain Definitions and Regulations for Crimes of Violence Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (38 - 7)
April 3, 2018 MD HB 447 Establishes Pretrial Services Program Grant Fund Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 11)
April 2, 2018 TN SB 1796 Establishes Process to Remove Domestic Abusers from Cell Phone Plans Bill Passed - House (94 - 0)
March 30, 2018 NY S 8121 Prohibits Individuals Convicted of Domestic Abuse from Purchasing Firearms Bill Passed - House (94 - 34)
March 30, 2018 VT S 55 Amends Various State Gun Laws Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 13)
March 30, 2018 NY S 8121 Prohibits Individuals Convicted of Domestic Abuse from Purchasing Firearms Bill Passed - House (94 - 34)
March 30, 2018 NY S 8121 Prohibits Individuals Convicted of Domestic Abuse from Purchasing Firearms Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 19)
March 30, 2018 NY S 8121 Prohibits Individuals Convicted of Domestic Abuse from Purchasing Firearms Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 19)
March 29, 2018 DE HB 399 Amends State Constitution to Provide Equal Rights Bill Passed - House (34 - 5)
March 27, 2018 VT S 55 Amends Various State Gun Laws Bill Passed - House (89 - 54)
March 26, 2018 NJ A 2758 Requires Justifiable Need to Carry a Handgun Bill Passed - House (48 - 26)
March 26, 2018 NJ A 1217 Authorizes Extreme Risk Protective Orders Bill Passed - House (59 - 12)
March 26, 2018 NJ A 1181 Amends Various Firearm Confiscation Measures Bill Passed - House (62 - 7)
March 26, 2018 NJ S 1036 Requires Attorney General to Appoint an Independent Prosecutor Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 11)
March 26, 2018 NJ S 1036 Requires Attorney General to Appoint an Independent Prosecutor Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 11)
March 26, 2018 NJ A 2761 Prohibits Firearm Magazines with More than 10 Rounds Bill Passed - House (48 - 25)
March 26, 2018 NJ A 1827 Requires Employers to Provide Paid Sick Leave Bill Passed - House (50 - 24)
March 26, 2018 NJ A 2757 Requires Background Checks for Private Gun Sales Bill Passed - House (62 - 10)
March 22, 2018 KY HB 198 Limits Fees for Attorneys Contracting with State Agencies Concurrence Vote Passed - House (57 - 36)
March 22, 2018 MD HB 532 Establishes Election Day Voter Registration and Same-Day Voting Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 14)
March 21, 2018 ID H 658 Amends Trespassing Laws Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 6)
March 21, 2018 National HR 1865 Allow States and Victims to Fight Online Sex Trafficking Act of 2017 Bill Passed - Senate (97 - 2)
March 21, 2018 National HR 1865 Allow States and Victims to Fight Online Sex Trafficking Act of 2017 Bill Passed - Senate (97 - 2)
March 21, 2018 OH HB 410 Establishes Monetary Penalties for Red Light Camera Tickets Going to Trial Bill Passed - House (71 - 24)
March 21, 2018 National HR 5247 Trickett Wendler, Frank Mongiello, Jordan McLinn, and Matthew Bellina Right to Try Act of 2018 Bill Passed - House (259 - 140)
March 20, 2018 DE HB 330 Increases Minimum Purchase Age for Firearms Bill Passed - House (24 - 16)
March 19, 2018 KY HB 198 Limits Fees for Attorneys Contracting with State Agencies Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 12)
March 18, 2018 IL HB 1465 Establishes Age Limit for Purchase of Assault-Style Weapons Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 22)
March 16, 2018 ID H 649 Amends Drug Use Laws Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 1)
March 16, 2018 ID H 649 Amends Drug Use Laws Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 1)
March 16, 2018 ID H 665 Increases Penalties for Threats Against Schools Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 1)
March 16, 2018 ID H 665 Increases Penalties for Threats Against Schools Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 1)
March 15, 2018 KS HB 2042 Authorizes Individuals Aged 18-20 to Obtain a Concealed Carry Permit Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 15)
March 15, 2018 NH SB 593 Repeals Death Penalty "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (14 - 10)
March 15, 2018 NH SB 593 Repeals Death Penalty "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (14 - 10)
March 15, 2018 MO HB 1578 Limits Circumstances Under Which Lawsuits May Be Joined Bill Passed - House (104 - 47)
March 15, 2018 AL HB 225 Amends State Juvenile Justice Laws Bill Passed - House (69 - 20)
March 15, 2018 MD HB 888 Prohibits Certain Firearms Accessories Bill Passed - House (128 - 7)
March 14, 2018 National HR 4909 STOP School Violence Act of 2018 Bill Passed - House (407 - 10)
March 14, 2018 National HR 4909 STOP School Violence Act of 2018 Bill Passed - House (407 - 10)
March 14, 2018 National HR 4909 STOP School Violence Act of 2018 Bill Passed - House (407 - 10)
March 13, 2018 ID S 1313 Authorizes "Stand Your Ground" Policy Bill Passed - House (57 - 12)
March 12, 2018 IN SB 12 Specifies Rules of Sex Offender Residency Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 20)
March 12, 2018 MD SB 122 Amends Criminal Law Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 8)
March 12, 2018 ID H 658 Amends Trespassing Laws Bill Passed - House (45 - 22)
March 12, 2018 MD SB 122 Amends Criminal Law Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 8)
Date No. Title Outcome
4/18 LD 912 Prohibits Conversion Therapy on Minors Concurrence Vote Failed - House (72 - 76)
4/18 H 333 Requires Gender-Neutral Bathrooms Bill Passed - Senate
4/18 LD 912 Prohibits Conversion Therapy on Minors Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17)
4/18 SB 961 Increases OWI Penalties Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 4)
4/18 S J Res 57 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection relating to "Indirect Auto Lending and Compliance with the Equal Credit Opportunity Act" Bill Passed - Senate (51 - 47)
4/18 SB 961 Increases OWI Penalties Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 4)
4/18 HB 18-1391 Establishes Requirements for Sexual Misconduct Policies Bill Passed - House (34 - 28)
4/17 SB 2133 Prohibits Criminal Sentencing Based on Sterilization Bill Passed - House (70 - 23)
4/15 HB 316 Amends Rules Concerning Release of Marijuana Conviction Records Bill Passed - House (30 - 10)
4/13 HB 169 Amends Criminal Laws Related to Gang Violence Concurrence Vote Passed - House (59 - 30)
4/12 HB 849 Authorizes GPS Monitoring for Domestic Abuse Defendants Concurrence Vote Passed - House (85 - 5)
4/12 A 1827 Requires Employers to Provide Paid Sick Leave Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 12)
4/12 A 3686 Increases State Protections for Labor Unions Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 9)
4/12 A 764 Requires Panic Alarms in Public Schools Bill Passed - House (66 - 6)
4/12 HB 4891 Authorizes Parents to Monitor Child's Communications Bill Passed - House (105 - 3)
4/12 A 3686 Increases State Protections for Labor Unions Bill Passed - House (50 - 22)
4/12 H 7075 Prohibits Bump Stocks Bill Passed - House (65 - 3)
4/12 LD 912 Prohibits Conversion Therapy on Minors Bill Passed - House (76 - 68)
4/12 H 7688 Authorizes Extreme Risk Protection Orders Bill Passed - House (60 - 8)
4/12 H 7688 Authorizes Extreme Risk Protection Orders Bill Passed - House (60 - 8)
4/12 H 7452 Prohibits Sharing Explicit Images without Consent Bill Passed - House (66 - 0)
4/11 SB 231 Establishes Database of Violent Offenders Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 2)
4/11 HB 1419 Authorizes Limited Access to Certain Criminal Records Bill Passed - House (188 - 2)
4/05 HB 819 Amends Handgun Permit Rules and Regulations Concurrence Vote Passed - House (98 - 31)
4/04 S 2371 Amends Criminal Justice Law Conference Report Adopted - House (148 - 5)
4/04 S 2372 Establishes the Garden of Peace Trust Fund Conference Report Adopted - House (152 - 0)
4/04 S 2371 Amends Criminal Justice Law Conference Report Adopted - Senate (37 - 0)
4/03 SB 101 Amends Certain Definitions and Regulations for Crimes of Violence Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (38 - 7)
4/03 HB 1302 Authorizes Extreme Risk Protective Order Concurrence Vote Passed - House (93 - 46)
4/03 SB 101 Amends Certain Definitions and Regulations for Crimes of Violence Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (38 - 7)
4/03 HB 447 Establishes Pretrial Services Program Grant Fund Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 11)
4/02 SB 1796 Establishes Process to Remove Domestic Abusers from Cell Phone Plans Bill Passed - House (94 - 0)
3/30 S 8121 Prohibits Individuals Convicted of Domestic Abuse from Purchasing Firearms Bill Passed - House (94 - 34)
3/30 S 55 Amends Various State Gun Laws Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 13)
3/30 S 8121 Prohibits Individuals Convicted of Domestic Abuse from Purchasing Firearms Bill Passed - House (94 - 34)
3/30 S 8121 Prohibits Individuals Convicted of Domestic Abuse from Purchasing Firearms Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 19)
3/30 S 8121 Prohibits Individuals Convicted of Domestic Abuse from Purchasing Firearms Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 19)
3/29 HB 399 Amends State Constitution to Provide Equal Rights Bill Passed - House (34 - 5)
3/27 S 55 Amends Various State Gun Laws Bill Passed - House (89 - 54)
3/26 A 2758 Requires Justifiable Need to Carry a Handgun Bill Passed - House (48 - 26)
3/26 A 1217 Authorizes Extreme Risk Protective Orders Bill Passed - House (59 - 12)
3/26 A 1181 Amends Various Firearm Confiscation Measures Bill Passed - House (62 - 7)
3/26 S 1036 Requires Attorney General to Appoint an Independent Prosecutor Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 11)
3/26 S 1036 Requires Attorney General to Appoint an Independent Prosecutor Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 11)
3/26 A 2761 Prohibits Firearm Magazines with More than 10 Rounds Bill Passed - House (48 - 25)
3/26 A 1827 Requires Employers to Provide Paid Sick Leave Bill Passed - House (50 - 24)
3/26 A 2757 Requires Background Checks for Private Gun Sales Bill Passed - House (62 - 10)
3/22 HB 198 Limits Fees for Attorneys Contracting with State Agencies Concurrence Vote Passed - House (57 - 36)
3/22 HB 532 Establishes Election Day Voter Registration and Same-Day Voting Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 14)
3/21 H 658 Amends Trespassing Laws Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 6)
3/21 HR 1865 Allow States and Victims to Fight Online Sex Trafficking Act of 2017 Bill Passed - Senate (97 - 2)
3/21 HR 1865 Allow States and Victims to Fight Online Sex Trafficking Act of 2017 Bill Passed - Senate (97 - 2)
3/21 HB 410 Establishes Monetary Penalties for Red Light Camera Tickets Going to Trial Bill Passed - House (71 - 24)
3/21 HR 5247 Trickett Wendler, Frank Mongiello, Jordan McLinn, and Matthew Bellina Right to Try Act of 2018 Bill Passed - House (259 - 140)
3/20 HB 330 Increases Minimum Purchase Age for Firearms Bill Passed - House (24 - 16)
3/19 HB 198 Limits Fees for Attorneys Contracting with State Agencies Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 12)
3/18 HB 1465 Establishes Age Limit for Purchase of Assault-Style Weapons Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 22)
3/16 H 649 Amends Drug Use Laws Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 1)
3/16 H 649 Amends Drug Use Laws Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 1)
3/16 H 665 Increases Penalties for Threats Against Schools Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 1)
3/16 H 665 Increases Penalties for Threats Against Schools Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 1)
3/15 HB 2042 Authorizes Individuals Aged 18-20 to Obtain a Concealed Carry Permit Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 15)
3/15 SB 593 Repeals Death Penalty "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (14 - 10)
3/15 SB 593 Repeals Death Penalty "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (14 - 10)
3/15 HB 1578 Limits Circumstances Under Which Lawsuits May Be Joined Bill Passed - House (104 - 47)
3/15 HB 225 Amends State Juvenile Justice Laws Bill Passed - House (69 - 20)
3/15 HB 888 Prohibits Certain Firearms Accessories Bill Passed - House (128 - 7)
3/14 HR 4909 STOP School Violence Act of 2018 Bill Passed - House (407 - 10)
3/14 HR 4909 STOP School Violence Act of 2018 Bill Passed - House (407 - 10)
3/14 HR 4909 STOP School Violence Act of 2018 Bill Passed - House (407 - 10)
3/13 S 1313 Authorizes "Stand Your Ground" Policy Bill Passed - House (57 - 12)
3/12 SB 12 Specifies Rules of Sex Offender Residency Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 20)
3/12 SB 122 Amends Criminal Law Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 8)
3/12 H 658 Amends Trespassing Laws Bill Passed - House (45 - 22)
3/12 SB 122 Amends Criminal Law Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 8)

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