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
Dec. 2, 2019 National PN 1268 Nomination of Dan Brouillette as the Secretary of Energy Nomination Confirmed - Senate (70 - 15)
Nov. 21, 2019 National PN 1268 Nomination of Dan Brouillette as the Secretary of Energy Cloture Invoked - Senate (74 - 18)
Nov. 13, 2019 National PN 410 Nomination of Chad Wolf to be Under Secretary for Strategy, Policy, and Plans for the Department of Homeland Security (54 - 41)
Nov. 12, 2019 National PN 410 Nomination of Chad Wolf to be Under Secretary for Strategy, Policy, and Plans for the Department of Homeland Security Cloture Invoked - Senate (54 - 40)
Nov. 12, 2019 IL SB 533 Establishes Permanent Daylight Savings Time Bill Passed - Senate (44 - 2)
Nov. 5, 2019 WI SJR 59 Prohibits the Governor from Using Partial Veto to Increase State Expenditures Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 14)
Oct. 29, 2019 NC SB 522 Amends the Innovative School District (ISD) Program Conference Report Adopted - Senate (33 - 16)
Oct. 29, 2019 PA SB 421 Establishes Mail-In Voting Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (35 - 14)
Oct. 22, 2019 National PN 110 Nomination of Andrew Bremberg to be the Representative of the United States of America to the Office of the United Nations (50 - 44)
Oct. 22, 2019 National PN 110 Nomination of Andrew Bremberg to be the Representative of the United States of America to the Office of the United Nations Cloture Invoked - Senate (50 - 43)
Sept. 26, 2019 National PN 1099 Nomination of Eugene Scalia as the Secretary of Labor (53 - 44)
Sept. 26, 2019 National SJ Res 54 Rescinds a National Emergency Declared by the President on February 15, 2019 Bill Passed - Senate (54 - 41)
Sept. 26, 2019 National SJ Res 54 Rescinds a National Emergency Declared by the President on February 15, 2019 Bill Passed - Senate (54 - 41)
Sept. 25, 2019 National PN 1099 Nomination of Eugene Scalia as the Secretary of Labor Cloture Invoked - Senate (52 - 42)
Sept. 11, 2019 CA AB 545 Authorizes the Review of Activities of the Bureau of Cannabis Control Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 0)
Sept. 10, 2019 CA AB 681 Requires Voter Party Affiliation Notification Prior To Primary Elections Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 11)
Aug. 26, 2019 NJ S 4069 Amends Absentee Ballot Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 10)
Aug. 12, 2019 CA AJR 5 Urges the Federal Government to Pass Universal Firearm Safety Regulation Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 9)
July 23, 2019 National PN 934 Nomination of Mark Esper as the Secretary of Defense (90 - 8)
July 22, 2019 National PN 934 Nomination of Mark Esper as the Secretary of Defense Cloture Invoked - Senate (85 - 6)
July 1, 2019 DE HB 73 Amends the Delaware Constitution to Authorize the General Assembly to Pass Laws On Absentee Voting Bill Failed - Senate (11 - 8)
July 1, 2019 DE HB 73 Amends the Delaware Constitution to Authorize the General Assembly to Pass Laws On Absentee Voting Bill Failed - Senate (11 - 8)
July 1, 2019 DE HB 73 Amends the Delaware Constitution to Authorize the General Assembly to Pass Laws On Absentee Voting Bill Failed - Senate (11 - 8)
June 30, 2019 OR HB 2983 Requires Disclosure of Organizations Giving Certain Monetary Donations to Campaigns Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 7)
June 29, 2019 OR SB 861 Requires State to Pay for Ballot Return Envelopes Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 9)
June 29, 2019 OR SJR 18 Establishes a Constitutional Amendment Referral for Allowing Campaign Contribution and Expenditure Limits Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 5)
June 27, 2019 NH HB 315 Repeals Participation in Interstate Voter Registration Crosscheck Program Conference Report Adopted - Senate (14 - 10)
June 27, 2019 NH HB 315 Repeals Participation in Interstate Voter Registration Crosscheck Program Conference Report Adopted - Senate (14 - 10)
June 27, 2019 PA SB 48 Amends State Election Laws Regarding Straight Party Voting Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 19)
June 24, 2019 NC HB 370 Requires Sheriffs to Cooperate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement Officers Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 18)
June 19, 2019 National PN 233 Nomination of Matthew Kacsmaryk to be U.S. District Judge for the Northern District of Texas (52 - 46)
June 19, 2019 NY S 6532 Extends Voter Registration Cutoff Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 22)
June 18, 2019 ME LD 1083 Increases the Use of Ranked Choice Voting "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Adopted - Senate (20 - 14)
June 18, 2019 ME LD 1083 Increases the Use of Ranked Choice Voting "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Adopted - Senate (20 - 14)
June 13, 2019 NY S 3822 Authorizes Certain Individuals to Vote in Primary at 17 Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 22)
June 12, 2019 DE SB 73 Repeals Daylight Savings Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 4)
June 12, 2019 NC SB 377 Establishes Restrictions on State Wind Energy Projects Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 19)
June 11, 2019 PA HB 800 Increases Amount of Tax Credits Available for Students to Attend the School of Their Choice Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 21)
June 10, 2019 ME LD 1463 Establishes Automatic Voter Registration Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 14)
June 5, 2019 ME LD 795 Amends State Constitution to Include a Right to Food Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
June 5, 2019 WI SB 239 Limits Local Regulations of 5G Technology Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 5)
June 3, 2019 ME LD 1626 Establishes a Presidential Primary System in Maine "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (19 - 13)
June 3, 2019 ME LD 1626 Establishes a Presidential Primary System in Maine "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (19 - 13)
May 30, 2019 NH HB 651 Authorizes the Use of Campaign Funds for Child Care Expenses "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Adopted - Senate (15 - 9)
May 30, 2019 NH HB 611 Increases Access to Absentee Voting "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (13 - 11)
May 30, 2019 NH HB 105 Repeals State Photo Identification Voter ID Laws Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 10)
May 30, 2019 IL HB 1637 Establishes the Keep Illinois Families Together Act Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 19)
May 29, 2019 CA SB 5 Establishes the Affordable Housing and Community Development Investment Program Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 4)
May 29, 2019 CA SB 1 Rescinds Federal Freeze of Environmental Deregulations Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 10)
May 27, 2019 AZ HB 2756 Amends Minimum Wage Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 13)
Date No. Title Outcome
12/02 PN 1268 Nomination of Dan Brouillette as the Secretary of Energy Nomination Confirmed - Senate (70 - 15)
11/21 PN 1268 Nomination of Dan Brouillette as the Secretary of Energy Cloture Invoked - Senate (74 - 18)
11/13 PN 410 Nomination of Chad Wolf to be Under Secretary for Strategy, Policy, and Plans for the Department of Homeland Security (54 - 41)
11/12 PN 410 Nomination of Chad Wolf to be Under Secretary for Strategy, Policy, and Plans for the Department of Homeland Security Cloture Invoked - Senate (54 - 40)
11/12 SB 533 Establishes Permanent Daylight Savings Time Bill Passed - Senate (44 - 2)
11/05 SJR 59 Prohibits the Governor from Using Partial Veto to Increase State Expenditures Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 14)
10/29 SB 522 Amends the Innovative School District (ISD) Program Conference Report Adopted - Senate (33 - 16)
10/29 SB 421 Establishes Mail-In Voting Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (35 - 14)
10/22 PN 110 Nomination of Andrew Bremberg to be the Representative of the United States of America to the Office of the United Nations (50 - 44)
10/22 PN 110 Nomination of Andrew Bremberg to be the Representative of the United States of America to the Office of the United Nations Cloture Invoked - Senate (50 - 43)
9/26 PN 1099 Nomination of Eugene Scalia as the Secretary of Labor (53 - 44)
9/26 SJ Res 54 Rescinds a National Emergency Declared by the President on February 15, 2019 Bill Passed - Senate (54 - 41)
9/26 SJ Res 54 Rescinds a National Emergency Declared by the President on February 15, 2019 Bill Passed - Senate (54 - 41)
9/25 PN 1099 Nomination of Eugene Scalia as the Secretary of Labor Cloture Invoked - Senate (52 - 42)
9/11 AB 545 Authorizes the Review of Activities of the Bureau of Cannabis Control Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 0)
9/10 AB 681 Requires Voter Party Affiliation Notification Prior To Primary Elections Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 11)
8/26 S 4069 Amends Absentee Ballot Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 10)
8/12 AJR 5 Urges the Federal Government to Pass Universal Firearm Safety Regulation Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 9)
7/23 PN 934 Nomination of Mark Esper as the Secretary of Defense (90 - 8)
7/22 PN 934 Nomination of Mark Esper as the Secretary of Defense Cloture Invoked - Senate (85 - 6)
7/01 HB 73 Amends the Delaware Constitution to Authorize the General Assembly to Pass Laws On Absentee Voting Bill Failed - Senate (11 - 8)
7/01 HB 73 Amends the Delaware Constitution to Authorize the General Assembly to Pass Laws On Absentee Voting Bill Failed - Senate (11 - 8)
7/01 HB 73 Amends the Delaware Constitution to Authorize the General Assembly to Pass Laws On Absentee Voting Bill Failed - Senate (11 - 8)
6/30 HB 2983 Requires Disclosure of Organizations Giving Certain Monetary Donations to Campaigns Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 7)
6/29 SB 861 Requires State to Pay for Ballot Return Envelopes Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 9)
6/29 SJR 18 Establishes a Constitutional Amendment Referral for Allowing Campaign Contribution and Expenditure Limits Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 5)
6/27 HB 315 Repeals Participation in Interstate Voter Registration Crosscheck Program Conference Report Adopted - Senate (14 - 10)
6/27 HB 315 Repeals Participation in Interstate Voter Registration Crosscheck Program Conference Report Adopted - Senate (14 - 10)
6/27 SB 48 Amends State Election Laws Regarding Straight Party Voting Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 19)
6/24 HB 370 Requires Sheriffs to Cooperate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement Officers Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 18)
6/19 PN 233 Nomination of Matthew Kacsmaryk to be U.S. District Judge for the Northern District of Texas (52 - 46)
6/19 S 6532 Extends Voter Registration Cutoff Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 22)
6/18 LD 1083 Increases the Use of Ranked Choice Voting "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Adopted - Senate (20 - 14)
6/18 LD 1083 Increases the Use of Ranked Choice Voting "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Adopted - Senate (20 - 14)
6/13 S 3822 Authorizes Certain Individuals to Vote in Primary at 17 Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 22)
6/12 SB 73 Repeals Daylight Savings Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 4)
6/12 SB 377 Establishes Restrictions on State Wind Energy Projects Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 19)
6/11 HB 800 Increases Amount of Tax Credits Available for Students to Attend the School of Their Choice Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 21)
6/10 LD 1463 Establishes Automatic Voter Registration Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 14)
6/05 LD 795 Amends State Constitution to Include a Right to Food Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
6/05 SB 239 Limits Local Regulations of 5G Technology Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 5)
6/03 LD 1626 Establishes a Presidential Primary System in Maine "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (19 - 13)
6/03 LD 1626 Establishes a Presidential Primary System in Maine "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (19 - 13)
5/30 HB 651 Authorizes the Use of Campaign Funds for Child Care Expenses "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Adopted - Senate (15 - 9)
5/30 HB 611 Increases Access to Absentee Voting "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (13 - 11)
5/30 HB 105 Repeals State Photo Identification Voter ID Laws Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 10)
5/30 HB 1637 Establishes the Keep Illinois Families Together Act Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 19)
5/29 SB 5 Establishes the Affordable Housing and Community Development Investment Program Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 4)
5/29 SB 1 Rescinds Federal Freeze of Environmental Deregulations Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 10)
5/27 HB 2756 Amends Minimum Wage Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 13)

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