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 10, 2019 IL SB 2090 Expands Access to Voting in Jails Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 17)
April 10, 2019 NC SB 250 Amends Voting Rolls to Correlate with Jury Selection Excusals Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 19)
April 10, 2019 IL HB 2040 Prohibits Private Prisons and Civil Detention Centers Bill Passed - House (85 - 26)
April 10, 2019 IL SB 2090 Expands Access to Voting in Jails Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 17)
April 10, 2019 CO HB 19-1266 Authorizes Voting Rights to Paroled Felons Bill Passed - House (45 - 19)
April 9, 2019 DE SB 34 Establishes a Per-Pill Tax on Prescription Opioid Painkillers Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 4)
April 9, 2019 NC SB 154 Authorizes Sports Gambling on Tribal Lands Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 7)
April 8, 2019 AR HJR 1008 Establishes Stricter Requirements for Ballot Initiatives Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 10)
April 8, 2019 TN HB 1151 Prohibits Indecent Exposure to Include Restrooms, Locker Rooms, Dressing Rooms, and Showers Bill Passed - House (69 - 25)
April 8, 2019 TN HB 1151 Prohibits Indecent Exposure to Include Restrooms, Locker Rooms, Dressing Rooms, and Showers Bill Passed - House (69 - 25)
April 8, 2019 MO HB 575 Authorizes Concealed Carry on College Campuses Bill Passed - House (98 - 52)
April 8, 2019 CA AB 12 Authorizes Gun Violence Restraining Orders Bill Passed - House (53 - 13)
April 8, 2019 MD SB 737 Amends Long Gun License Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 14)
April 5, 2019 MD HB 298 Establishes Oyster Sanctuaries Veto Override Passed - House (96 - 43)
April 5, 2019 KS SB 78 Authorizes Victims of Domestic Violence to Opt Out of Lease Agreements Conference Report Adopted - House (100 - 23)
April 5, 2019 AR HB 1684 Authorizes In-State Tuition for DACA Students Concurrence Vote Passed - House (62 - 19)
April 5, 2019 AR SB 411 Prohibits Local Government from Adopting "Sanctuary Policies" Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 5)
April 5, 2019 VT H 107 Establishes a Paid Statewide Family and Medical Leave Program Bill Passed - House (92 - 52)
April 4, 2019 HI SB 600 Prohibits Individuals Younger than 21 from Bringing Firearms into the State Bill Passed - House (37 - 12)
April 4, 2019 IL HB 1653 Increases Penalties for Employers Who Commit Wage Theft Bill Passed - House (69 - 43)
April 4, 2019 NH HB 564 Authorizes Law Enforcement Officers to Carry Firearms on School Property Bill Passed - House (213 - 159)
April 4, 2019 MO HB 352 Authorizes Opportunities for Parole for Inmates Aged 65 and Older Bill Passed - House (90 - 60)
April 3, 2019 AR HB 1684 Authorizes In-State Tuition for DACA Students Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 7)
April 3, 2019 NC HB 370 Requires Sheriffs to Cooperate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement Officers Bill Passed - House (63 - 51)
April 3, 2019 TX SB 406 Amends Conceal Carry Regulations for Local School Marshals Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 3)
April 3, 2019 TX SB 17 Authorizes Protections for Lawyers that Deny Clients Based on Religious Exemptions Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 12)
April 3, 2019 TX SB 17 Authorizes Protections for Lawyers that Deny Clients Based on Religious Exemptions Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 12)
April 3, 2019 TX SB 17 Authorizes Protections for Lawyers that Deny Clients Based on Religious Exemptions Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 12)
April 3, 2019 NC HB 370 Requires Sheriffs to Cooperate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement Officers Bill Passed - House (63 - 51)
April 2, 2019 GA HB 470 Requires DNA Collection From Those Charged with a Felony as a First Offender Concurrence Vote Passed - House (126 - 29)
April 2, 2019 ND HB 1332 Authorizes Schools to Develop a Plan for an Armed First Responder Concurrence Vote Passed - House (75 - 15)
April 2, 2019 IN SB 198 Amends Criminal Sentencing Regulations Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (34 - 14)
April 2, 2019 GA SB 15 Requires Schools to Perform Certain Threat Assessments Bill Passed - House (110 - 56)
April 2, 2019 IN SB 373 Authorizes Academic Credit for Religious Education Courses Bill Passed - House (67 - 26)
April 2, 2019 IN HB 1211 Prohibits Dilation and Evacuation Abortions Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 10)
April 2, 2019 IA SF 516 Requires Employers to Verify Employee Immigration Status Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 14)
April 1, 2019 IN SB 201 Authorizes Health Providers to Abstain from Participating in Abortion Procedures Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (38 - 8)
April 1, 2019 TN HB 836 Authorizes Adoption Agencies to Deny Potential Parents Based on Religious Exemption Bill Passed - House (67 - 22)
April 1, 2019 TN HB 836 Authorizes Adoption Agencies to Deny Potential Parents Based on Religious Exemption Bill Passed - House (67 - 22)
April 1, 2019 TN HB 836 Authorizes Adoption Agencies to Deny Potential Parents Based on Religious Exemption Bill Passed - House (67 - 22)
March 31, 2019 MD HB 994 Prohibits Employment Discrimination Based On an Applicants Criminal History Conference Report Adopted - Senate (30 - 14)
March 31, 2019 MD HB 994 Prohibits Employment Discrimination Based On an Applicants Criminal History Conference Report Adopted - House (97 - 40)
March 31, 2019 NY S 1505 Amends Criminal Justice Regulations Bill Passed - House (92 - 56)
March 31, 2019 NY A 2006 Establishes an Education, Labor, Housing and Family Assistance Budget for FY 2019-2020 Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 22)
March 31, 2019 NY S 1505 Amends Criminal Justice Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 22)
March 30, 2019 MT HB 763 Amends Corrections Law and Establishes Requirements for Solitary Confinement Bill Passed - House (86 - 12)
March 29, 2019 GA HB 481 Prohibits Abortion After a Fetal Heartbeat is Detected Concurrence Vote Passed - House (92 - 78)
March 29, 2019 GA HB 345 Establishes Rights for Pregnant Inmates Bill Passed - Senate (52 - 1)
March 29, 2019 GA HB 345 Establishes Rights for Pregnant Inmates Bill Passed - Senate (52 - 1)
March 29, 2019 ND HB 1381 Prohibits Government Funded Gun Buyback Programs Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 12)
March 29, 2019 ND HB 1332 Authorizes Schools to Develop a Plan for an Armed First Responder Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 14)
March 29, 2019 IL HB 3394 Requires Women and African Americans on Corporate Boards Bill Passed - House (61 - 27)
March 29, 2019 MT HB 500 Prohibits Abortions After 20th Week of Pregnancy Bill Passed - House (59 - 39)
March 28, 2019 CO HB 19-1177 Establishes Extreme Risk Protection Orders Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17)
March 28, 2019 MD SB 793 Establishes a University Police Department at Johns Hopkins University Bill Passed - House (94 - 42)
March 28, 2019 MA H 3638 Appropriates Funding to Family Planning and Women Reproductive Health Clinics Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 5)
March 28, 2019 IL HB 1553 Authorizes Certain Kinds of Visas for Undocumented Children that are Victims of Abuse, Neglect, or Abandonment Bill Passed - House (87 - 18)
March 28, 2019 IL SB 1786 Prohibits License Suspension for Unpaid Parking Tickets Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 10)
March 28, 2019 MT SB 65 Amends DUI Laws Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 10)
March 28, 2019 National H Res 124 Expressing opposition to banning service in the Armed Forces by openly transgender individuals Bill Passed - House (238 - 185)
March 28, 2019 IL HB 836 Authorizes Temporary Guardians for Children Whose Parents Have Been Detained or Deported by ICE Bill Passed - House (89 - 19)
March 27, 2019 CO HB 19-1119 Requires Law Enforcement Internal Investigations to Become Public Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 16)
March 27, 2019 IA SF 513 Authorizes Women to Buy Birth Control Without Prescriptions Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 6)
March 27, 2019 KS HB 2326 Reduces Concealed Carry Age Bill Passed - House (83 - 41)
March 26, 2019 IN SB 198 Amends Criminal Sentencing Regulations Bill Passed - House (57 - 39)
March 26, 2019 MD HB 298 Establishes Oyster Sanctuaries Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 14)
March 26, 2019 GA SB 83 Authorizes Biblical Classes be Taught in High Schools Bill Passed - House (122 - 44)
March 26, 2019 SC H 4243 Authorizes Tax Incentives for Carolina Panthers Training Facilities Bill Passed - House (90 - 25)
March 26, 2019 NY A 6188 Prohibits Harassment of Rent Regulated Tenants Bill Passed - House (108 - 39)
March 26, 2019 DE HB 63 Amends Firearms Storage Regulations Bill Passed - House (22 - 19)
March 26, 2019 IA SF 523 Expands Penalties for Fetal Homicide Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 18)
March 25, 2019 ND SB 2044 Increases Penalties for Pipeline Protesting Bill Passed - House (76 - 14)
March 25, 2019 CO HB 19-1129 Prohibits Conversion Therapy Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13)
March 25, 2019 NJ S 1080 Establishes Conditions for Restricted Usage of Suspended or Revoked Driver's Licenses Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 10)
March 25, 2019 MO HB 267 Authorizes Public Schools to Offer Bible Courses Bill Passed - House (95 - 52)
Date No. Title Outcome
4/10 SB 2090 Expands Access to Voting in Jails Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 17)
4/10 SB 250 Amends Voting Rolls to Correlate with Jury Selection Excusals Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 19)
4/10 HB 2040 Prohibits Private Prisons and Civil Detention Centers Bill Passed - House (85 - 26)
4/10 SB 2090 Expands Access to Voting in Jails Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 17)
4/10 HB 19-1266 Authorizes Voting Rights to Paroled Felons Bill Passed - House (45 - 19)
4/09 SB 34 Establishes a Per-Pill Tax on Prescription Opioid Painkillers Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 4)
4/09 SB 154 Authorizes Sports Gambling on Tribal Lands Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 7)
4/08 HJR 1008 Establishes Stricter Requirements for Ballot Initiatives Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 10)
4/08 HB 1151 Prohibits Indecent Exposure to Include Restrooms, Locker Rooms, Dressing Rooms, and Showers Bill Passed - House (69 - 25)
4/08 HB 1151 Prohibits Indecent Exposure to Include Restrooms, Locker Rooms, Dressing Rooms, and Showers Bill Passed - House (69 - 25)
4/08 HB 575 Authorizes Concealed Carry on College Campuses Bill Passed - House (98 - 52)
4/08 AB 12 Authorizes Gun Violence Restraining Orders Bill Passed - House (53 - 13)
4/08 SB 737 Amends Long Gun License Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 14)
4/05 HB 298 Establishes Oyster Sanctuaries Veto Override Passed - House (96 - 43)
4/05 SB 78 Authorizes Victims of Domestic Violence to Opt Out of Lease Agreements Conference Report Adopted - House (100 - 23)
4/05 HB 1684 Authorizes In-State Tuition for DACA Students Concurrence Vote Passed - House (62 - 19)
4/05 SB 411 Prohibits Local Government from Adopting "Sanctuary Policies" Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 5)
4/05 H 107 Establishes a Paid Statewide Family and Medical Leave Program Bill Passed - House (92 - 52)
4/04 SB 600 Prohibits Individuals Younger than 21 from Bringing Firearms into the State Bill Passed - House (37 - 12)
4/04 HB 1653 Increases Penalties for Employers Who Commit Wage Theft Bill Passed - House (69 - 43)
4/04 HB 564 Authorizes Law Enforcement Officers to Carry Firearms on School Property Bill Passed - House (213 - 159)
4/04 HB 352 Authorizes Opportunities for Parole for Inmates Aged 65 and Older Bill Passed - House (90 - 60)
4/03 HB 1684 Authorizes In-State Tuition for DACA Students Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 7)
4/03 HB 370 Requires Sheriffs to Cooperate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement Officers Bill Passed - House (63 - 51)
4/03 SB 406 Amends Conceal Carry Regulations for Local School Marshals Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 3)
4/03 SB 17 Authorizes Protections for Lawyers that Deny Clients Based on Religious Exemptions Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 12)
4/03 SB 17 Authorizes Protections for Lawyers that Deny Clients Based on Religious Exemptions Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 12)
4/03 SB 17 Authorizes Protections for Lawyers that Deny Clients Based on Religious Exemptions Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 12)
4/03 HB 370 Requires Sheriffs to Cooperate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement Officers Bill Passed - House (63 - 51)
4/02 HB 470 Requires DNA Collection From Those Charged with a Felony as a First Offender Concurrence Vote Passed - House (126 - 29)
4/02 HB 1332 Authorizes Schools to Develop a Plan for an Armed First Responder Concurrence Vote Passed - House (75 - 15)
4/02 SB 198 Amends Criminal Sentencing Regulations Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (34 - 14)
4/02 SB 15 Requires Schools to Perform Certain Threat Assessments Bill Passed - House (110 - 56)
4/02 SB 373 Authorizes Academic Credit for Religious Education Courses Bill Passed - House (67 - 26)
4/02 HB 1211 Prohibits Dilation and Evacuation Abortions Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 10)
4/02 SF 516 Requires Employers to Verify Employee Immigration Status Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 14)
4/01 SB 201 Authorizes Health Providers to Abstain from Participating in Abortion Procedures Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (38 - 8)
4/01 HB 836 Authorizes Adoption Agencies to Deny Potential Parents Based on Religious Exemption Bill Passed - House (67 - 22)
4/01 HB 836 Authorizes Adoption Agencies to Deny Potential Parents Based on Religious Exemption Bill Passed - House (67 - 22)
4/01 HB 836 Authorizes Adoption Agencies to Deny Potential Parents Based on Religious Exemption Bill Passed - House (67 - 22)
3/31 HB 994 Prohibits Employment Discrimination Based On an Applicants Criminal History Conference Report Adopted - Senate (30 - 14)
3/31 HB 994 Prohibits Employment Discrimination Based On an Applicants Criminal History Conference Report Adopted - House (97 - 40)
3/31 S 1505 Amends Criminal Justice Regulations Bill Passed - House (92 - 56)
3/31 A 2006 Establishes an Education, Labor, Housing and Family Assistance Budget for FY 2019-2020 Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 22)
3/31 S 1505 Amends Criminal Justice Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 22)
3/30 HB 763 Amends Corrections Law and Establishes Requirements for Solitary Confinement Bill Passed - House (86 - 12)
3/29 HB 481 Prohibits Abortion After a Fetal Heartbeat is Detected Concurrence Vote Passed - House (92 - 78)
3/29 HB 345 Establishes Rights for Pregnant Inmates Bill Passed - Senate (52 - 1)
3/29 HB 345 Establishes Rights for Pregnant Inmates Bill Passed - Senate (52 - 1)
3/29 HB 1381 Prohibits Government Funded Gun Buyback Programs Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 12)
3/29 HB 1332 Authorizes Schools to Develop a Plan for an Armed First Responder Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 14)
3/29 HB 3394 Requires Women and African Americans on Corporate Boards Bill Passed - House (61 - 27)
3/29 HB 500 Prohibits Abortions After 20th Week of Pregnancy Bill Passed - House (59 - 39)
3/28 HB 19-1177 Establishes Extreme Risk Protection Orders Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17)
3/28 SB 793 Establishes a University Police Department at Johns Hopkins University Bill Passed - House (94 - 42)
3/28 H 3638 Appropriates Funding to Family Planning and Women Reproductive Health Clinics Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 5)
3/28 HB 1553 Authorizes Certain Kinds of Visas for Undocumented Children that are Victims of Abuse, Neglect, or Abandonment Bill Passed - House (87 - 18)
3/28 SB 1786 Prohibits License Suspension for Unpaid Parking Tickets Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 10)
3/28 SB 65 Amends DUI Laws Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 10)
3/28 H Res 124 Expressing opposition to banning service in the Armed Forces by openly transgender individuals Bill Passed - House (238 - 185)
3/28 HB 836 Authorizes Temporary Guardians for Children Whose Parents Have Been Detained or Deported by ICE Bill Passed - House (89 - 19)
3/27 HB 19-1119 Requires Law Enforcement Internal Investigations to Become Public Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 16)
3/27 SF 513 Authorizes Women to Buy Birth Control Without Prescriptions Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 6)
3/27 HB 2326 Reduces Concealed Carry Age Bill Passed - House (83 - 41)
3/26 SB 198 Amends Criminal Sentencing Regulations Bill Passed - House (57 - 39)
3/26 HB 298 Establishes Oyster Sanctuaries Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 14)
3/26 SB 83 Authorizes Biblical Classes be Taught in High Schools Bill Passed - House (122 - 44)
3/26 H 4243 Authorizes Tax Incentives for Carolina Panthers Training Facilities Bill Passed - House (90 - 25)
3/26 A 6188 Prohibits Harassment of Rent Regulated Tenants Bill Passed - House (108 - 39)
3/26 HB 63 Amends Firearms Storage Regulations Bill Passed - House (22 - 19)
3/26 SF 523 Expands Penalties for Fetal Homicide Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 18)
3/25 SB 2044 Increases Penalties for Pipeline Protesting Bill Passed - House (76 - 14)
3/25 HB 19-1129 Prohibits Conversion Therapy Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13)
3/25 S 1080 Establishes Conditions for Restricted Usage of Suspended or Revoked Driver's Licenses Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 10)
3/25 HB 267 Authorizes Public Schools to Offer Bible Courses Bill Passed - House (95 - 52)

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