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
March 14, 2019 NJ S 477 Increases Statutes of Limitation for Sexual Abuse Victims Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 1)
March 14, 2019 NH HB 446 Authorizes Trans and Non Gender Conforming Individuals to Change the Name and Gender on Their Birth Certificates Bill Passed - House (224 - 125)
March 14, 2019 National H Con Res 24 Expressing the sense of Congress that the report of Special Counsel Mueller should be made available to the public and to Congress. Bill Passed - House (420 - 0)
March 14, 2019 CO SB 19-139 Authorizes Drivers Licenses for Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 10)
March 13, 2019 MS HB 1352 Amends Criminal Justice Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 2)
March 13, 2019 MD SB 196 Authorizes Designation for Unspecified Gender on Licenses and ID Cards Bill Passed - House (89 - 49)
March 13, 2019 IL HB 246 Requires Public Schools to Teach about Prominent LGBTQ Figures Bill Passed - House (60 - 42)
March 13, 2019 MA H 140 Prohibits Sexual Orientation Conversion Therapy for Minors Bill Passed - House (148 - 8)
March 13, 2019 OH SB 23 Prohibits Abortion After a Fetal Heartbeat is Detected Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 13)
March 13, 2019 OK HB 2336 Authorizes Handguns on the Premises of Schools Bill Passed - House (72 - 25)
March 12, 2019 SD HB 1087 Requires Protections for All Forms of Free Speech at Public Universities Concurrence Vote Passed - House (51 - 12)
March 12, 2019 UT SB 103 Expands Penalty Enhancements for Hate Crimes Bill Passed - House (64 - 9)
March 12, 2019 NM HB 564 Amends Probation and Parole Procedures Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 6)
March 12, 2019 UT SB 103 Expands Penalty Enhancements for Hate Crimes Bill Passed - House (64 - 9)
March 12, 2019 UT HB 57 Requires Search Warrants for Electronic Information Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 0)
March 12, 2019 UT HB 57 Requires Search Warrants for Electronic Information Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 0)
March 12, 2019 IA SF 519 Establishes Trespass Charges for Undercover Investigators at Certain Agricultural Facilities Bill Passed - House (65 - 32)
March 12, 2019 KY HB 254 Requires Public Universities to Adopt Policies that Protect Freedom of Speech and Expression Bill Passed - House (64 - 33)
March 12, 2019 IA SF 519 Establishes Trespass Charges for Undercover Investigators at Certain Agricultural Facilities Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 8)
March 11, 2019 MO HB 487 Increases Access to Birth Control Bill Passed - House (105 - 45)
March 11, 2019 IA SF 274 Amends Free Speech Regulations on College Campuses Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 11)
March 11, 2019 WA SB 5434 Establishes Restrictions for Firearms in Daycare and Child Care Facilities Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 21)
March 8, 2019 WV HB 2010 Amends State Foster Care System Concurrence Vote Passed - House (66 - 31)
March 8, 2019 CO HB 19-1148 Reduces Maximum Criminal Penalty for Certain Crimes to 364 Days Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11)
March 8, 2019 CO HB 19-1148 Reduces Maximum Criminal Penalty for Certain Crimes to 364 Days Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11)
March 7, 2019 UT HB 114 Expands "Stand Your Ground" Laws Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 8)
March 7, 2019 National H Res 183 Condemning anti-Semitism as hateful expressions of intolerance that are contradictory to the values and aspirations that define the people of the United States and condemning anti-Muslim discrimination and bigotry against minorities as hateful expressions of intolerance that are contrary to the values and aspirations of the United States Bill Passed - House (407 - 23)
March 7, 2019 TN HB 77 Prohibits Abortion After a Fetal Heartbeat is Detected Bill Passed - House (54 - 21)
March 7, 2019 RI H 5125 Establishes Abortion Procedures as Protected State Law Bill Passed - House (44 - 30)
March 7, 2019 SD SB 189 Establishes "Riot Boosting" as a Civil Offense Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 4)
March 7, 2019 SD SB 189 Establishes "Riot Boosting" as a Civil Offense Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 4)
March 7, 2019 National H Res 183 Condemning anti-Semitism as hateful expressions of intolerance that are contradictory to the values and aspirations that define the people of the United States and condemning anti-Muslim discrimination and bigotry against minorities as hateful expressions of intolerance that are contrary to the values and aspirations of the United States Bill Passed - House (407 - 23)
March 7, 2019 MN HF 13 Authorizes a 2020 Ballot Measure to Include an Equal Rights Amendment to the State's Constitution Bill Passed - House (72 - 55)
March 7, 2019 GA HB 481 Prohibits Abortion After a Fetal Heartbeat is Detected Bill Passed - House (93 - 73)
March 7, 2019 GA HB 426 Establishes Penalties for Hate Crimes Bill Passed - House (96 - 64)
March 7, 2019 GA HB 426 Establishes Penalties for Hate Crimes Bill Passed - House (96 - 64)
March 7, 2019 NH HB 105 Repeals State Photo Identification Voter ID Laws Bill Passed - House (209 - 155)
March 6, 2019 MS HB 761 Prohibits Contracts with Businesses That Boycott Israel Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 8)
March 6, 2019 UT SB 43 Repeals the Misdemeanor Crime of Fornication Outside of Marriage Bill Passed - House (41 - 32)
March 6, 2019 UT SB 43 Repeals the Misdemeanor Crime of Fornication Outside of Marriage Bill Passed - House (41 - 32)
March 6, 2019 OH HB 86 Amends Regulations for Firearm Length Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 9)
March 6, 2019 ID H 209 Authorizes Warrant-less Arrests for Individuals Responsible for School Threats Bill Passed - House (47 - 22)
March 6, 2019 IL SB 1610 Amends Immigrant Deportation Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (44 - 14)
March 6, 2019 IL SB 1610 Amends Immigrant Deportation Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (44 - 14)
March 5, 2019 HI HB 285 Requires Law Enforcement Transparency Bill Passed - House (45 - 6)
March 5, 2019 HI SB 557 Establishes Hawaii as a Sanctuary State Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 4)
March 5, 2019 HI HB 808 Prohibits Hunting of Sharks and Rays Bill Passed - House (51 - 0)
March 5, 2019 NM SB 323 Reduces Criminal Penalties for Marijuana Possession Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 8)
March 5, 2019 HI SB 1466 Establishes Extreme Risk Protection Orders Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 2)
March 4, 2019 NY S 2450 Increases Penalties for Improper Gun Storages Bill Passed - House (91 - 52)
Date No. Title Outcome
3/14 S 477 Increases Statutes of Limitation for Sexual Abuse Victims Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 1)
3/14 HB 446 Authorizes Trans and Non Gender Conforming Individuals to Change the Name and Gender on Their Birth Certificates Bill Passed - House (224 - 125)
3/14 H Con Res 24 Expressing the sense of Congress that the report of Special Counsel Mueller should be made available to the public and to Congress. Bill Passed - House (420 - 0)
3/14 SB 19-139 Authorizes Drivers Licenses for Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 10)
3/13 HB 1352 Amends Criminal Justice Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 2)
3/13 SB 196 Authorizes Designation for Unspecified Gender on Licenses and ID Cards Bill Passed - House (89 - 49)
3/13 HB 246 Requires Public Schools to Teach about Prominent LGBTQ Figures Bill Passed - House (60 - 42)
3/13 H 140 Prohibits Sexual Orientation Conversion Therapy for Minors Bill Passed - House (148 - 8)
3/13 SB 23 Prohibits Abortion After a Fetal Heartbeat is Detected Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 13)
3/13 HB 2336 Authorizes Handguns on the Premises of Schools Bill Passed - House (72 - 25)
3/12 HB 1087 Requires Protections for All Forms of Free Speech at Public Universities Concurrence Vote Passed - House (51 - 12)
3/12 SB 103 Expands Penalty Enhancements for Hate Crimes Bill Passed - House (64 - 9)
3/12 HB 564 Amends Probation and Parole Procedures Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 6)
3/12 SB 103 Expands Penalty Enhancements for Hate Crimes Bill Passed - House (64 - 9)
3/12 HB 57 Requires Search Warrants for Electronic Information Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 0)
3/12 HB 57 Requires Search Warrants for Electronic Information Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 0)
3/12 SF 519 Establishes Trespass Charges for Undercover Investigators at Certain Agricultural Facilities Bill Passed - House (65 - 32)
3/12 HB 254 Requires Public Universities to Adopt Policies that Protect Freedom of Speech and Expression Bill Passed - House (64 - 33)
3/12 SF 519 Establishes Trespass Charges for Undercover Investigators at Certain Agricultural Facilities Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 8)
3/11 HB 487 Increases Access to Birth Control Bill Passed - House (105 - 45)
3/11 SF 274 Amends Free Speech Regulations on College Campuses Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 11)
3/11 SB 5434 Establishes Restrictions for Firearms in Daycare and Child Care Facilities Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 21)
3/08 HB 2010 Amends State Foster Care System Concurrence Vote Passed - House (66 - 31)
3/08 HB 19-1148 Reduces Maximum Criminal Penalty for Certain Crimes to 364 Days Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11)
3/08 HB 19-1148 Reduces Maximum Criminal Penalty for Certain Crimes to 364 Days Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11)
3/07 HB 114 Expands "Stand Your Ground" Laws Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 8)
3/07 H Res 183 Condemning anti-Semitism as hateful expressions of intolerance that are contradictory to the values and aspirations that define the people of the United States and condemning anti-Muslim discrimination and bigotry against minorities as hateful expressions of intolerance that are contrary to the values and aspirations of the United States Bill Passed - House (407 - 23)
3/07 HB 77 Prohibits Abortion After a Fetal Heartbeat is Detected Bill Passed - House (54 - 21)
3/07 H 5125 Establishes Abortion Procedures as Protected State Law Bill Passed - House (44 - 30)
3/07 SB 189 Establishes "Riot Boosting" as a Civil Offense Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 4)
3/07 SB 189 Establishes "Riot Boosting" as a Civil Offense Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 4)
3/07 H Res 183 Condemning anti-Semitism as hateful expressions of intolerance that are contradictory to the values and aspirations that define the people of the United States and condemning anti-Muslim discrimination and bigotry against minorities as hateful expressions of intolerance that are contrary to the values and aspirations of the United States Bill Passed - House (407 - 23)
3/07 HF 13 Authorizes a 2020 Ballot Measure to Include an Equal Rights Amendment to the State's Constitution Bill Passed - House (72 - 55)
3/07 HB 481 Prohibits Abortion After a Fetal Heartbeat is Detected Bill Passed - House (93 - 73)
3/07 HB 426 Establishes Penalties for Hate Crimes Bill Passed - House (96 - 64)
3/07 HB 426 Establishes Penalties for Hate Crimes Bill Passed - House (96 - 64)
3/07 HB 105 Repeals State Photo Identification Voter ID Laws Bill Passed - House (209 - 155)
3/06 HB 761 Prohibits Contracts with Businesses That Boycott Israel Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 8)
3/06 SB 43 Repeals the Misdemeanor Crime of Fornication Outside of Marriage Bill Passed - House (41 - 32)
3/06 SB 43 Repeals the Misdemeanor Crime of Fornication Outside of Marriage Bill Passed - House (41 - 32)
3/06 HB 86 Amends Regulations for Firearm Length Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 9)
3/06 H 209 Authorizes Warrant-less Arrests for Individuals Responsible for School Threats Bill Passed - House (47 - 22)
3/06 SB 1610 Amends Immigrant Deportation Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (44 - 14)
3/06 SB 1610 Amends Immigrant Deportation Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (44 - 14)
3/05 HB 285 Requires Law Enforcement Transparency Bill Passed - House (45 - 6)
3/05 SB 557 Establishes Hawaii as a Sanctuary State Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 4)
3/05 HB 808 Prohibits Hunting of Sharks and Rays Bill Passed - House (51 - 0)
3/05 SB 323 Reduces Criminal Penalties for Marijuana Possession Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 8)
3/05 SB 1466 Establishes Extreme Risk Protection Orders Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 2)
3/04 S 2450 Increases Penalties for Improper Gun Storages Bill Passed - House (91 - 52)

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