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
Sept. 9, 2019 CA SB 310 Authorizes Felons to Serve on Juries Bill Passed - House (47 - 26)
Sept. 9, 2019 CA SB 310 Authorizes Felons to Serve on Juries Bill Passed - House (47 - 26)
Sept. 9, 2019 CA AB 521 Authorizes Healthcare Professions be Trained to Reduce Firearm-Related Injuries Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 6)
Sept. 9, 2019 CA AB 12 Authorizes Gun Violence Restraining Orders Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 8)
Sept. 9, 2019 CA AB 1669 Increases Firearm Purchasing Fees Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 11)
Sept. 5, 2019 CA AB 1282 Prohibits Prisons from Working with ICE Contractors Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 10)
Sept. 5, 2019 CA AB 1076 Requires Criminal Record Expungement for Individuals Never Convicted Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 12)
Sept. 5, 2019 CA AB 51 Prohibits Forced Employment Arbitration Agreements Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 11)
Sept. 4, 2019 CA AB 61 Amends Restraining Order Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 10)
Sept. 4, 2019 CA AB 61 Amends Restraining Order Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 10)
Aug. 19, 2019 CA AB 467 Requires Competitions Held on Public Lands to Offer Equal Prize Compensation Regardless of Gender Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 0)
Aug. 15, 2019 CA SB 192 Repeals Law Requiring Citizens Help Police (63 - 5)
Aug. 12, 2019 CA AJR 5 Urges the Federal Government to Pass Universal Firearm Safety Regulation Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 9)
July 31, 2019 NC SB 199 Extends Statute of Limitations for Child Sexual Abuse Bill Passed - House (92 - 15)
July 23, 2019 National HR 1327 Never Forget the Heroes: Permanent Authorization of the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund Act Bill Passed - Senate (97 - 2)
July 23, 2019 National H Res 246 Opposing Efforts to Delegitimize the State of Israel and The Global Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions Movement Targeting Israel Bill Passed - House (398 - 17)
July 16, 2019 National H Res 489 Condemning President Trump's Racist Comments Directed at Members of Congress Bill Passed - House (240 - 187)
July 12, 2019 National HR 1327 Never Forget the Heroes: Permanent Authorization of the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund Act Bill Passed - House (402 - 12)
July 8, 2019 CA SB 233 Authorizes Immunity from Arrest to Sex Workers Reporting Certain Crimes Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 9)
July 8, 2019 CA AB 1054 Establishes Wildfire Victim Compensation Fund Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 7)
July 8, 2019 CA AB 392 Increases Public Oversight and Police Accountability when Deadly Use of Force is Used Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 3)
July 1, 2019 CA SB 233 Authorizes Immunity from Arrest to Sex Workers Reporting Certain Crimes Bill Passed - House (54 - 13)
June 30, 2019 DE SB 45 Establishes Marijuana Usage by a Juvenile as a Civil Violation Bill Passed - House (34 - 7)
June 27, 2019 NH HB 315 Repeals Participation in Interstate Voter Registration Crosscheck Program Conference Report Adopted - House (203 - 142)
June 27, 2019 NH HB 315 Repeals Participation in Interstate Voter Registration Crosscheck Program Conference Report Adopted - Senate (14 - 10)
June 27, 2019 National HR 3401 Emergency Supplemental Appropriations for Humanitarian Assistance and Security at the Southern Border Act, 2019 Concurrence Vote Passed - House (305 - 102)
June 27, 2019 DE SB 44 Reduces the Punishment for Possession or Consumption of Alcohol by a Person Under 21 to a Civil Offense Bill Passed - House (34 - 6)
June 27, 2019 PA SB 621 Authorizes Schools to Arm Security Guards Bill Passed - House (116 - 83)
June 27, 2019 National HR 2722 Securing America's Federal Elections (SAFE) Act Bill Passed - House (225 - 184)
June 26, 2019 National HR 3401 Emergency Supplemental Appropriations for Humanitarian Assistance and Security at the Southern Border Act, 2019 Bill Passed - Senate (84 - 8)
June 26, 2019 DE SB 47 Repeals Certain Sentencing Enhancements Based Upon Where Crimes were Committed Bill Passed - House (28 - 12)
June 26, 2019 PA SB 147 Establishes Hunting Regulations on Sundays Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 14)
June 25, 2019 National HR 3401 Emergency Supplemental Appropriations for Humanitarian Assistance and Security at the Southern Border Act, 2019 Bill Passed - House (230 - 195)
June 25, 2019 DE HB 77 Amends Burglary and Home Invasion Code Bill Passed - House (23 - 16)
June 25, 2019 NJ S 761 Establishes Inmate Re-Entry Plans Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 11)
June 24, 2019 NC HB 370 Requires Sheriffs to Cooperate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement Officers Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 18)
June 20, 2019 NJ S 101 Requires Firearm Retailers to Sell Personalized Handguns Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 12)
June 20, 2019 NJ S 824 Requires Ignition interlock Devices for Sentenced Drunk Drivers Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 5)
June 20, 2019 NJ S 101 Requires Firearm Retailers to Sell Personalized Handguns Bill Passed - House (49 - 23)
June 20, 2019 NJ S 3897 Prohibits Persons Convicted of Certain Crimes from Purchasing Guns Bill Passed - House (58 - 10)
June 20, 2019 NJ A 4135 Establishes Procedures for Digital Parking Meters and a Fund for Encouraging Designated Drivers Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
June 20, 2019 NJ A 314 Amends Solitary Confinement Procedures Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 4)
June 20, 2019 NY S 5248 Prohibits Class-Based Wage Differentials Bill Passed - House (138 - 9)
June 20, 2019 DE SB 45 Establishes Marijuana Usage by a Juvenile as a Civil Violation Bill Passed - Senate (13 - 6)
June 20, 2019 NJ A 5452 Amends Firearm Identification and Training Requirements Bill Passed - House (45 - 24)
June 20, 2019 NJ A 5455 Amends Ammunition Sale Regulations Bill Passed - House (51 - 18)
June 20, 2019 NJ A 3696 Amends Firearms Storage Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (54 - 18)
June 20, 2019 NJ A 5453 Increases Penalties for Illegal Firearm Transfers Bill Passed - House (59 - 10)
June 20, 2019 NJ A 314 Amends Solitary Confinement Procedures Bill Passed - House (49 - 24)
June 19, 2019 ME LD 1811 Requires Judicial Hearings and Evaluations for Individuals in Protective Custody Regarding Risk of Harm and Restricting Access to Dangerous Weapons "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (135 - 9)
Date No. Title Outcome
9/09 SB 310 Authorizes Felons to Serve on Juries Bill Passed - House (47 - 26)
9/09 SB 310 Authorizes Felons to Serve on Juries Bill Passed - House (47 - 26)
9/09 AB 521 Authorizes Healthcare Professions be Trained to Reduce Firearm-Related Injuries Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 6)
9/09 AB 12 Authorizes Gun Violence Restraining Orders Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 8)
9/09 AB 1669 Increases Firearm Purchasing Fees Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 11)
9/05 AB 1282 Prohibits Prisons from Working with ICE Contractors Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 10)
9/05 AB 1076 Requires Criminal Record Expungement for Individuals Never Convicted Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 12)
9/05 AB 51 Prohibits Forced Employment Arbitration Agreements Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 11)
9/04 AB 61 Amends Restraining Order Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 10)
9/04 AB 61 Amends Restraining Order Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 10)
8/19 AB 467 Requires Competitions Held on Public Lands to Offer Equal Prize Compensation Regardless of Gender Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 0)
8/15 SB 192 Repeals Law Requiring Citizens Help Police (63 - 5)
8/12 AJR 5 Urges the Federal Government to Pass Universal Firearm Safety Regulation Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 9)
7/31 SB 199 Extends Statute of Limitations for Child Sexual Abuse Bill Passed - House (92 - 15)
7/23 HR 1327 Never Forget the Heroes: Permanent Authorization of the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund Act Bill Passed - Senate (97 - 2)
7/23 H Res 246 Opposing Efforts to Delegitimize the State of Israel and The Global Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions Movement Targeting Israel Bill Passed - House (398 - 17)
7/16 H Res 489 Condemning President Trump's Racist Comments Directed at Members of Congress Bill Passed - House (240 - 187)
7/12 HR 1327 Never Forget the Heroes: Permanent Authorization of the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund Act Bill Passed - House (402 - 12)
7/08 SB 233 Authorizes Immunity from Arrest to Sex Workers Reporting Certain Crimes Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 9)
7/08 AB 1054 Establishes Wildfire Victim Compensation Fund Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 7)
7/08 AB 392 Increases Public Oversight and Police Accountability when Deadly Use of Force is Used Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 3)
7/01 SB 233 Authorizes Immunity from Arrest to Sex Workers Reporting Certain Crimes Bill Passed - House (54 - 13)
6/30 SB 45 Establishes Marijuana Usage by a Juvenile as a Civil Violation Bill Passed - House (34 - 7)
6/27 HB 315 Repeals Participation in Interstate Voter Registration Crosscheck Program Conference Report Adopted - House (203 - 142)
6/27 HB 315 Repeals Participation in Interstate Voter Registration Crosscheck Program Conference Report Adopted - Senate (14 - 10)
6/27 HR 3401 Emergency Supplemental Appropriations for Humanitarian Assistance and Security at the Southern Border Act, 2019 Concurrence Vote Passed - House (305 - 102)
6/27 SB 44 Reduces the Punishment for Possession or Consumption of Alcohol by a Person Under 21 to a Civil Offense Bill Passed - House (34 - 6)
6/27 SB 621 Authorizes Schools to Arm Security Guards Bill Passed - House (116 - 83)
6/27 HR 2722 Securing America's Federal Elections (SAFE) Act Bill Passed - House (225 - 184)
6/26 HR 3401 Emergency Supplemental Appropriations for Humanitarian Assistance and Security at the Southern Border Act, 2019 Bill Passed - Senate (84 - 8)
6/26 SB 47 Repeals Certain Sentencing Enhancements Based Upon Where Crimes were Committed Bill Passed - House (28 - 12)
6/26 SB 147 Establishes Hunting Regulations on Sundays Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 14)
6/25 HR 3401 Emergency Supplemental Appropriations for Humanitarian Assistance and Security at the Southern Border Act, 2019 Bill Passed - House (230 - 195)
6/25 HB 77 Amends Burglary and Home Invasion Code Bill Passed - House (23 - 16)
6/25 S 761 Establishes Inmate Re-Entry Plans Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 11)
6/24 HB 370 Requires Sheriffs to Cooperate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement Officers Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 18)
6/20 S 101 Requires Firearm Retailers to Sell Personalized Handguns Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 12)
6/20 S 824 Requires Ignition interlock Devices for Sentenced Drunk Drivers Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 5)
6/20 S 101 Requires Firearm Retailers to Sell Personalized Handguns Bill Passed - House (49 - 23)
6/20 S 3897 Prohibits Persons Convicted of Certain Crimes from Purchasing Guns Bill Passed - House (58 - 10)
6/20 A 4135 Establishes Procedures for Digital Parking Meters and a Fund for Encouraging Designated Drivers Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
6/20 A 314 Amends Solitary Confinement Procedures Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 4)
6/20 S 5248 Prohibits Class-Based Wage Differentials Bill Passed - House (138 - 9)
6/20 SB 45 Establishes Marijuana Usage by a Juvenile as a Civil Violation Bill Passed - Senate (13 - 6)
6/20 A 5452 Amends Firearm Identification and Training Requirements Bill Passed - House (45 - 24)
6/20 A 5455 Amends Ammunition Sale Regulations Bill Passed - House (51 - 18)
6/20 A 3696 Amends Firearms Storage Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (54 - 18)
6/20 A 5453 Increases Penalties for Illegal Firearm Transfers Bill Passed - House (59 - 10)
6/20 A 314 Amends Solitary Confinement Procedures Bill Passed - House (49 - 24)
6/19 LD 1811 Requires Judicial Hearings and Evaluations for Individuals in Protective Custody Regarding Risk of Harm and Restricting Access to Dangerous Weapons "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (135 - 9)

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