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, 2020 VA HB 5146 Establishes a Process for Automatic Expungement of Criminal Records for Certain Convictions Bill Passed - House (59 - 37)
Sept. 9, 2020 VA SB 5012 Requires Individual Votes of Virginia Parole Board Members to be Public Records Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 10)
Sept. 8, 2020 VA HB 5013 Repeals Qualified Immunity for Law Enforcement Officers Bill Passed - House (49 - 45)
Sept. 4, 2020 VA HB 5099 Prohibits No-Knock Search Warrants Bill Passed - House (56 - 41)
Sept. 4, 2020 VA HB 5098 Increases Penalty for Filing a False Police Report Bill Passed - House (55 - 43)
Sept. 4, 2020 VA HB 5069 Prohibits Use of Chokeholds by Law Enforcement Officers Bill Passed - House (55 - 43)
Sept. 4, 2020 VA HB 5013 Repeals Qualified Immunity for Law Enforcement Officers Bill Failed - House (47 - 48)
Sept. 4, 2020 VA HB 5104 Increases Employment Assessment and Review Requirements for Law Enforcement Hiring Bill Passed - House (54 - 42)
Sept. 2, 2020 NC HB 1105 Appropriates COVID Relief Checks to Parents Bill Passed - Senate (44 - 5)
Sept. 2, 2020 MO HB 2 Amends the Admissibility of Certain Witness Statements Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 8)
Aug. 31, 2020 CA SB 629 Establishes Legal Protection for Journalists Attending Protest Demonstrations Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 2)
Aug. 31, 2020 CA SB 1079 Prohibits Bundling Foreclosed Properties for the Purpose of Sale Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 9)
Aug. 31, 2020 CA AB 3070 Prohibits the Use of Peremptory Challenge to Remove a Prospective Juror on the Basis of Race, Ethnicity, Gender, Sexual Orientation, or Religious Affiliation Concurrence Vote Passed - House (49 - 17)
Aug. 31, 2020 CA AB 1867 Requires Employers with 500 Employees to Provide 2 Weeks of Supplemental Paid Sick Leave for Full Time Workers Concurrence Vote Passed - House (59 - 15)
Aug. 31, 2020 CA SB 132 Authorizes Incarcerated Transgendered Individuals to be Housed by Gender Identity Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 10)
Aug. 31, 2020 CA SB 823 Establishes the Office of Youth and Community Restoration Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 13)
Aug. 31, 2020 CA AB 2542 Prohibits Racial Discrimination in Criminal Courts Concurrence Vote Passed - House (49 - 16)
Aug. 31, 2020 CA AB 1185 Authorizes Counties to Establish a Sheriff Oversight Board Concurrence Vote Passed - House (47 - 21)
Aug. 31, 2020 CA SB 145 Exempts Certain Persons Convicted of Certain Offenses Involving Minors from Mandatory Sex Offender Registration Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 10)
Aug. 31, 2020 CA AB 3088 Establishes the Tenant, Homeowner, and Small Landlord Relief and Stabilization Act of 2020 Concurrence Vote Passed - House (61 - 8)
Aug. 31, 2020 CA SB 275 Establishes Personal Protective Equipment Stockpile Standards Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 8)
Aug. 31, 2020 CA AB 1869 Repeals Certain Judicial Fees Concurrence Vote Passed - House (59 - 17)
Aug. 31, 2020 CA SB 852 Establishes the California Affordable Drug Manufacturing Act of 2020 Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 8)
Aug. 31, 2020 CA SB 852 Establishes the California Affordable Drug Manufacturing Act of 2020 Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 8)
Aug. 31, 2020 CA AB 685 Requires Employers to Report COVID-19 Infections Concurrence Vote Passed - House (52 - 17)
Aug. 31, 2020 CA SB 493 Requires State-Funded Colleges to Clarify Sexual Assault Allegation Procedures Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 8)
Aug. 31, 2020 CA SB 852 Establishes the California Affordable Drug Manufacturing Act of 2020 Bill Passed - House (66 - 7)
Aug. 31, 2020 CA SB 852 Establishes the California Affordable Drug Manufacturing Act of 2020 Bill Passed - House (66 - 7)
Aug. 31, 2020 CA AB 1869 Repeals Certain Judicial Fees Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 7)
Aug. 31, 2020 CA SB 823 Establishes the Office of Youth and Community Restoration Bill Passed - House (54 - 16)
Aug. 31, 2020 CA AB 1876 Authorizes Undocumented Immigrant Workers to Qualify for State Tax Returns Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 10)
Aug. 31, 2020 CA AB 1299 Requires Law Enforcement Agencies to Report the Termination of Officers Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 0)
Aug. 31, 2020 CA AB 2542 Prohibits Racial Discrimination in Criminal Courts Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 10)
Aug. 31, 2020 CA AB 1867 Requires Employers with 500 Employees to Provide 2 Weeks of Supplemental Paid Sick Leave for Full Time Workers Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 9)
Aug. 31, 2020 CA SB 145 Exempts Certain Persons Convicted of Certain Offenses Involving Minors from Mandatory Sex Offender Registration Bill Passed - House (41 - 25)
Aug. 31, 2020 CA AB 3234 Authorizes Judges to Offer Misdemeanor Diversion Programs to Certain Defendants Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 10)
Aug. 31, 2020 CA AB 3070 Prohibits the Use of Peremptory Challenge to Remove a Prospective Juror on the Basis of Race, Ethnicity, Gender, Sexual Orientation, or Religious Affiliation Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 16)
Aug. 31, 2020 CA SB 1120 Authorizes Duplex Construction in Single-Family Homes Bill Passed - House (44 - 18)
Aug. 30, 2020 CA AB 646 Authorizes Individuals on Parole for a Felony Conviction to Vote Concurrence Vote Passed - House (51 - 16)
Aug. 30, 2020 CA AB 2147 Authorizes Certain Defendants that Participate in the California Conversation Camp Program to File Petitions for Relief Concurrence Vote Passed - House (51 - 12)
Aug. 30, 2020 CA AB 2425 Prohibits the Release of Certain Juvenile Police Records Concurrence Vote Passed - House (53 - 16)
Aug. 30, 2020 CA SB 629 Establishes Legal Protection for Journalists Attending Protest Demonstrations Bill Passed - House (49 - 7)
Aug. 30, 2020 CA SB 132 Authorizes Incarcerated Transgendered Individuals to be Housed by Gender Identity Bill Passed - House (52 - 15)
Aug. 30, 2020 CA AB 2537 Requires Hospitals Maintain 3-Month Supply of PPE Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 7)
Aug. 30, 2020 CA AB 685 Requires Employers to Report COVID-19 Infections Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 9)
Aug. 30, 2020 CA SB 1079 Prohibits Bundling Foreclosed Properties for the Purpose of Sale Bill Passed - House (49 - 17)
Aug. 30, 2020 CA AB 1506 Requires a State Prosecutor to Investigate Certain Officer-Involved Shootings Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 1)
Aug. 30, 2020 CA AB 1196 Prohibits Law Enforcement Agencies from Authorizing the Use of Carotid Restraints or Choke Holds Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 1)
Aug. 29, 2020 CA AB 2992 Prohibits Employer Punishment for Employee Leave Time Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 3)
Aug. 29, 2020 CA AB 2405 Establishes a Right to Affordable Housing Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 8)
Aug. 29, 2020 CA AB 2425 Prohibits the Release of Certain Juvenile Police Records Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 10)
Aug. 28, 2020 CA AB 646 Authorizes Individuals on Parole for a Felony Conviction to Vote Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 10)
Aug. 28, 2020 CA AB 1185 Authorizes Counties to Establish a Sheriff Oversight Board Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 11)
Aug. 28, 2020 CA AB 2762 Prohibits Certain Toxic Chemicals in Cosmetics Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 0)
Aug. 28, 2020 VA SB 5029 Prohibits Search and Seizure Based Solely on the Odor of Marijuana Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 14)
Aug. 28, 2020 VA HB 5029 Establishes a Felony Charge for Officers that Fail to Intervene When Witnessing Unlawful Deadly Force Bill Passed - House (55 - 42)
Aug. 27, 2020 NJ A 4369 Repeals Mandatory Minimum Prison Terms For Certain Offenses Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 15)
Aug. 27, 2020 NJ A 2370 Establishes Compassionate Release System for Inmates with Terminal Illnesses Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 7)
Aug. 27, 2020 NJ A 2370 Establishes Compassionate Release System for Inmates with Terminal Illnesses Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 7)
Aug. 27, 2020 NJ A 4476 Establishes a Long-Term Care Emergency Operations Center for Infectious Disease Preparedness Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 0)
Aug. 27, 2020 NJ A 4006 Authorizes a Postponement of NJQSAC for Certain School Districts Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 0)
Aug. 27, 2020 NJ S 2519 Authorizes Public Health Emergency Credits for Certain Inmates Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 16)
Aug. 27, 2020 NJ A 4482 Establishes Minimum Wage Requirements for Certain Long-Term Care Facility Staff Bill Passed - House (49 - 16)
Aug. 27, 2020 NJ S 2519 Authorizes Public Health Emergency Credits for Certain Inmates Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 16)
Aug. 26, 2020 CA SB 1257 Establishes Employment Safety Standards for Domestic Service Employees Bill Passed - House (58 - 12)
Aug. 26, 2020 ID H 6 Establishes Liability Protections for Businesses, Schools, and Cities during COVID-19 Pandemic Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 7)
Aug. 26, 2020 ID H 6 Establishes Liability Protections for Businesses, Schools, and Cities during COVID-19 Pandemic Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 7)
Aug. 26, 2020 ID H 6 Establishes Liability Protections for Businesses, Schools, and Cities during COVID-19 Pandemic Bill Passed - House (54 - 15)
Aug. 26, 2020 ID H 6 Establishes Liability Protections for Businesses, Schools, and Cities during COVID-19 Pandemic Bill Passed - House (54 - 15)
Aug. 26, 2020 VA SB 5032 Repeals the 6-Month Mandatory Minimum Requirement for Assaulting Law Enforcement Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 15)
Aug. 25, 2020 MO HB 46 Repeals Residency Requirement for Law Enforcement in St. Louis Bill Passed - House (113 - 38)
Aug. 25, 2020 MO HB 11 Classifies the Crime of Child Endangerment as a First-Degree Felony Bill Passed - House (111 - 39)
Aug. 25, 2020 MO HB 46 Repeals Residency Requirement for Law Enforcement in St. Louis Bill Passed - House (113 - 38)
Aug. 25, 2020 MO HB 66 Establishes a Pre-Trial Witness Protection Services Fund Bill Passed - House (118 - 31)
Aug. 24, 2020 CA AB 901 Limits a School District's Ability to Refer Students to Probation Officers Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 7)
Date No. Title Outcome
9/09 HB 5146 Establishes a Process for Automatic Expungement of Criminal Records for Certain Convictions Bill Passed - House (59 - 37)
9/09 SB 5012 Requires Individual Votes of Virginia Parole Board Members to be Public Records Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 10)
9/08 HB 5013 Repeals Qualified Immunity for Law Enforcement Officers Bill Passed - House (49 - 45)
9/04 HB 5099 Prohibits No-Knock Search Warrants Bill Passed - House (56 - 41)
9/04 HB 5098 Increases Penalty for Filing a False Police Report Bill Passed - House (55 - 43)
9/04 HB 5069 Prohibits Use of Chokeholds by Law Enforcement Officers Bill Passed - House (55 - 43)
9/04 HB 5013 Repeals Qualified Immunity for Law Enforcement Officers Bill Failed - House (47 - 48)
9/04 HB 5104 Increases Employment Assessment and Review Requirements for Law Enforcement Hiring Bill Passed - House (54 - 42)
9/02 HB 1105 Appropriates COVID Relief Checks to Parents Bill Passed - Senate (44 - 5)
9/02 HB 2 Amends the Admissibility of Certain Witness Statements Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 8)
8/31 SB 629 Establishes Legal Protection for Journalists Attending Protest Demonstrations Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 2)
8/31 SB 1079 Prohibits Bundling Foreclosed Properties for the Purpose of Sale Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 9)
8/31 AB 3070 Prohibits the Use of Peremptory Challenge to Remove a Prospective Juror on the Basis of Race, Ethnicity, Gender, Sexual Orientation, or Religious Affiliation Concurrence Vote Passed - House (49 - 17)
8/31 AB 1867 Requires Employers with 500 Employees to Provide 2 Weeks of Supplemental Paid Sick Leave for Full Time Workers Concurrence Vote Passed - House (59 - 15)
8/31 SB 132 Authorizes Incarcerated Transgendered Individuals to be Housed by Gender Identity Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 10)
8/31 SB 823 Establishes the Office of Youth and Community Restoration Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 13)
8/31 AB 2542 Prohibits Racial Discrimination in Criminal Courts Concurrence Vote Passed - House (49 - 16)
8/31 AB 1185 Authorizes Counties to Establish a Sheriff Oversight Board Concurrence Vote Passed - House (47 - 21)
8/31 SB 145 Exempts Certain Persons Convicted of Certain Offenses Involving Minors from Mandatory Sex Offender Registration Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 10)
8/31 AB 3088 Establishes the Tenant, Homeowner, and Small Landlord Relief and Stabilization Act of 2020 Concurrence Vote Passed - House (61 - 8)
8/31 SB 275 Establishes Personal Protective Equipment Stockpile Standards Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 8)
8/31 AB 1869 Repeals Certain Judicial Fees Concurrence Vote Passed - House (59 - 17)
8/31 SB 852 Establishes the California Affordable Drug Manufacturing Act of 2020 Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 8)
8/31 SB 852 Establishes the California Affordable Drug Manufacturing Act of 2020 Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 8)
8/31 AB 685 Requires Employers to Report COVID-19 Infections Concurrence Vote Passed - House (52 - 17)
8/31 SB 493 Requires State-Funded Colleges to Clarify Sexual Assault Allegation Procedures Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 8)
8/31 SB 852 Establishes the California Affordable Drug Manufacturing Act of 2020 Bill Passed - House (66 - 7)
8/31 SB 852 Establishes the California Affordable Drug Manufacturing Act of 2020 Bill Passed - House (66 - 7)
8/31 AB 1869 Repeals Certain Judicial Fees Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 7)
8/31 SB 823 Establishes the Office of Youth and Community Restoration Bill Passed - House (54 - 16)
8/31 AB 1876 Authorizes Undocumented Immigrant Workers to Qualify for State Tax Returns Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 10)
8/31 AB 1299 Requires Law Enforcement Agencies to Report the Termination of Officers Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 0)
8/31 AB 2542 Prohibits Racial Discrimination in Criminal Courts Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 10)
8/31 AB 1867 Requires Employers with 500 Employees to Provide 2 Weeks of Supplemental Paid Sick Leave for Full Time Workers Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 9)
8/31 SB 145 Exempts Certain Persons Convicted of Certain Offenses Involving Minors from Mandatory Sex Offender Registration Bill Passed - House (41 - 25)
8/31 AB 3234 Authorizes Judges to Offer Misdemeanor Diversion Programs to Certain Defendants Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 10)
8/31 AB 3070 Prohibits the Use of Peremptory Challenge to Remove a Prospective Juror on the Basis of Race, Ethnicity, Gender, Sexual Orientation, or Religious Affiliation Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 16)
8/31 SB 1120 Authorizes Duplex Construction in Single-Family Homes Bill Passed - House (44 - 18)
8/30 AB 646 Authorizes Individuals on Parole for a Felony Conviction to Vote Concurrence Vote Passed - House (51 - 16)
8/30 AB 2147 Authorizes Certain Defendants that Participate in the California Conversation Camp Program to File Petitions for Relief Concurrence Vote Passed - House (51 - 12)
8/30 AB 2425 Prohibits the Release of Certain Juvenile Police Records Concurrence Vote Passed - House (53 - 16)
8/30 SB 629 Establishes Legal Protection for Journalists Attending Protest Demonstrations Bill Passed - House (49 - 7)
8/30 SB 132 Authorizes Incarcerated Transgendered Individuals to be Housed by Gender Identity Bill Passed - House (52 - 15)
8/30 AB 2537 Requires Hospitals Maintain 3-Month Supply of PPE Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 7)
8/30 AB 685 Requires Employers to Report COVID-19 Infections Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 9)
8/30 SB 1079 Prohibits Bundling Foreclosed Properties for the Purpose of Sale Bill Passed - House (49 - 17)
8/30 AB 1506 Requires a State Prosecutor to Investigate Certain Officer-Involved Shootings Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 1)
8/30 AB 1196 Prohibits Law Enforcement Agencies from Authorizing the Use of Carotid Restraints or Choke Holds Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 1)
8/29 AB 2992 Prohibits Employer Punishment for Employee Leave Time Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 3)
8/29 AB 2405 Establishes a Right to Affordable Housing Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 8)
8/29 AB 2425 Prohibits the Release of Certain Juvenile Police Records Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 10)
8/28 AB 646 Authorizes Individuals on Parole for a Felony Conviction to Vote Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 10)
8/28 AB 1185 Authorizes Counties to Establish a Sheriff Oversight Board Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 11)
8/28 AB 2762 Prohibits Certain Toxic Chemicals in Cosmetics Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 0)
8/28 SB 5029 Prohibits Search and Seizure Based Solely on the Odor of Marijuana Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 14)
8/28 HB 5029 Establishes a Felony Charge for Officers that Fail to Intervene When Witnessing Unlawful Deadly Force Bill Passed - House (55 - 42)
8/27 A 4369 Repeals Mandatory Minimum Prison Terms For Certain Offenses Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 15)
8/27 A 2370 Establishes Compassionate Release System for Inmates with Terminal Illnesses Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 7)
8/27 A 2370 Establishes Compassionate Release System for Inmates with Terminal Illnesses Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 7)
8/27 A 4476 Establishes a Long-Term Care Emergency Operations Center for Infectious Disease Preparedness Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 0)
8/27 A 4006 Authorizes a Postponement of NJQSAC for Certain School Districts Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 0)
8/27 S 2519 Authorizes Public Health Emergency Credits for Certain Inmates Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 16)
8/27 A 4482 Establishes Minimum Wage Requirements for Certain Long-Term Care Facility Staff Bill Passed - House (49 - 16)
8/27 S 2519 Authorizes Public Health Emergency Credits for Certain Inmates Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 16)
8/26 SB 1257 Establishes Employment Safety Standards for Domestic Service Employees Bill Passed - House (58 - 12)
8/26 H 6 Establishes Liability Protections for Businesses, Schools, and Cities during COVID-19 Pandemic Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 7)
8/26 H 6 Establishes Liability Protections for Businesses, Schools, and Cities during COVID-19 Pandemic Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 7)
8/26 H 6 Establishes Liability Protections for Businesses, Schools, and Cities during COVID-19 Pandemic Bill Passed - House (54 - 15)
8/26 H 6 Establishes Liability Protections for Businesses, Schools, and Cities during COVID-19 Pandemic Bill Passed - House (54 - 15)
8/26 SB 5032 Repeals the 6-Month Mandatory Minimum Requirement for Assaulting Law Enforcement Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 15)
8/25 HB 46 Repeals Residency Requirement for Law Enforcement in St. Louis Bill Passed - House (113 - 38)
8/25 HB 11 Classifies the Crime of Child Endangerment as a First-Degree Felony Bill Passed - House (111 - 39)
8/25 HB 46 Repeals Residency Requirement for Law Enforcement in St. Louis Bill Passed - House (113 - 38)
8/25 HB 66 Establishes a Pre-Trial Witness Protection Services Fund Bill Passed - House (118 - 31)
8/24 AB 901 Limits a School District's Ability to Refer Students to Probation Officers Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 7)

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