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
June 23, 2020 GA HB 838 Increases Penalties for Crimes Against Police, Firefighters, and Paramedics Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 20)
June 23, 2020 GA HB 426 Increase Penalties for Bias-Motivated Crime Bill Passed - Senate (47 - 6)
June 22, 2020 NM SB 8 Requires Law Enforcement to Use Body-Worn Cameras Bill Passed - House (44 - 26)
June 22, 2020 NM SB 8 Requires Law Enforcement to Use Body-Worn Cameras Bill Passed - House (44 - 26)
June 20, 2020 NM HB 5 Establishes the New Mexico Civil Rights Commission Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 9)
June 20, 2020 NM HB 5 Establishes the New Mexico Civil Rights Commission Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 9)
June 19, 2020 NM HB 5 Establishes the New Mexico Civil Rights Commission Bill Passed - House (53 - 17)
June 19, 2020 NM HB 5 Establishes the New Mexico Civil Rights Commission Bill Passed - House (53 - 17)
June 19, 2020 VT HR 21 Alleges Donald Trump's Tweets are "Racist" and Recognizes Juneteenth Bill Passed - House (128 - 17)
June 19, 2020 NM SB 7 Requires State Agencies to Implement Policies to Reduce Institutional Racism Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 11)
June 19, 2020 VT H 966 Appropriates Funds for Broadband Connectivity, Housing, and Economic Relief During the COVID-19 Emergency Bill Passed - House (143 - 1)
June 19, 2020 NM SB 8 Requires Law Enforcement to Use Body-Worn Cameras Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 11)
June 19, 2020 NM SB 8 Requires Law Enforcement to Use Body-Worn Cameras Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 11)
June 18, 2020 CA AB 1460 Requires Ethnic Studies Course Completion in State Universities Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 5)
June 18, 2020 GA HB 545 Reduces Statute of Limitations for Certain Nuisance Lawsuits Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 21)
June 18, 2020 NJ A 1897 Reduces Criminal Penalty for Marijuana Possession Bill Passed - House (63 - 10)
June 18, 2020 NJ A 2394 Establishes Minority Recruitment Program for Police Departments Bill Passed - House (70 - 3)
June 18, 2020 NJ A 2394 Establishes Minority Recruitment Program for Police Departments Bill Passed - House (70 - 3)
June 18, 2020 DE HB 346 Authorizes Voting by Mail for 2020 Elections Bill Passed - House (25 - 13)
June 18, 2020 UT HB 5007 Prohibits Using Knee-Holds and Teaching Chokeholds in Police Academies Bill Passed - House (69 - 5)
June 17, 2020 RI S 2004 Prohibits Non-Metallic Firearms and "Ghost Guns" Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (34 - 4)
June 17, 2020 RI S 2004 Prohibits Non-Metallic Firearms and "Ghost Guns" Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (34 - 4)
June 17, 2020 MS HB 1295 Prohibits Abortions for Reasons of Race, Sex, or Genetic Abnormality Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 11)
June 17, 2020 MS HB 1087 Rescinds the Prohibition on Alcohol Possession Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 11)
June 16, 2020 NH HB 1246 Authorizes Pharmacists to Administer COVID-19 Vaccine "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Adopted - Senate (14 - 10)
June 16, 2020 NH HB 1166 Extends Emergency Benefit Enhancements Regarding the COVID-19 Pandemic "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Adopted - Senate (14 - 10)
June 16, 2020 NH HB 705 Repeals Statute of Limitation Requirements for Sexual Assault Lawsuits "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Adopted - Senate (19 - 5)
June 16, 2020 NH HB 1672 Authorizes Voting by Mail in Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 10)
June 16, 2020 MS SB 2112 Prohibits Public Employers from Requiring Applicants to Disclose Felony Convictions on Application Bill Passed - House (97 - 21)
June 16, 2020 NH HB 1582 Establishes the Veterans Bill of Rights Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 0)
June 16, 2020 NC HB 511 Authorizes Shorter Sentences for Nonviolent Drug Offenders Conference Report Adopted - Senate (48 - 0)
June 16, 2020 NC HB 511 Authorizes Shorter Sentences for Nonviolent Drug Offenders Conference Report Adopted - Senate (48 - 0)
June 16, 2020 NC HB 511 Authorizes Shorter Sentences for Nonviolent Drug Offenders Conference Report Adopted - Senate (48 - 0)
June 16, 2020 NC SB 562 Repeals Dismissed Charges and Nonviolent Misdemeanors & Convictions Bill Passed - Senate (47 - 0)
June 16, 2020 MN SF 3 Amends Law Enforcement Use of Force Reporting Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 31)
June 16, 2020 DE SB 243 Authorizes Certain Task Forces, Commissions, and Groups to Hold Their Meetings Virtually Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 5)
June 16, 2020 NC SB 562 Repeals Dismissed Charges and Nonviolent Misdemeanors & Convictions Bill Passed - Senate (47 - 0)
June 15, 2020 CA AB 1950 Limits Length of Probation Terms Bill Passed - House (48 - 22)
June 13, 2020 CO SB 20-007 Requires Insurance Carriers Provide Coverage for Treatment of Substance Use Disorders Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
June 12, 2020 CO SB 20-217 Amends Various Police Accountability and Reform Laws Bill Passed - House (52 - 13)
June 12, 2020 CO SB 20-007 Requires Insurance Carriers Provide Coverage for Treatment of Substance Use Disorders Bill Passed - House (48 - 17)
June 12, 2020 CO SB 20-217 Amends Various Police Accountability and Reform Laws Bill Passed - House (52 - 13)
June 12, 2020 CO SB 20-181 Amends Incompetent-to-Proceed Process for Mentally Ill Defendants Bill Passed - House (41 - 24)
June 12, 2020 CO SB 20-221 Prohibits the "Gay Panic" Murder Defense Bill Passed - House (63 - 1)
June 12, 2020 VT S 348 Authorizes Mail-In Absentee Voting for the 2020 General Election Bill Passed - House (115 - 29)
June 12, 2020 MN SC 1 Repeals the Governor's Peacetime Emergency Declaration Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 29)
June 12, 2020 CO HB 20-1425 Amends Hospital Patient Visitation Rights During COVID-19 Pandemic Bill Passed - House (47 - 17)
June 11, 2020 CO HB 20-1017 Expands Substance Use Disorder Treatment in the Criminal Justice System Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 11)
June 11, 2020 CA AB 2847 Requires Microstamping Within Handguns Bill Passed - House (52 - 20)
June 11, 2020 CO HB 20-1017 Expands Substance Use Disorder Treatment in the Criminal Justice System Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 11)
Date No. Title Outcome
6/23 HB 838 Increases Penalties for Crimes Against Police, Firefighters, and Paramedics Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 20)
6/23 HB 426 Increase Penalties for Bias-Motivated Crime Bill Passed - Senate (47 - 6)
6/22 SB 8 Requires Law Enforcement to Use Body-Worn Cameras Bill Passed - House (44 - 26)
6/22 SB 8 Requires Law Enforcement to Use Body-Worn Cameras Bill Passed - House (44 - 26)
6/20 HB 5 Establishes the New Mexico Civil Rights Commission Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 9)
6/20 HB 5 Establishes the New Mexico Civil Rights Commission Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 9)
6/19 HB 5 Establishes the New Mexico Civil Rights Commission Bill Passed - House (53 - 17)
6/19 HB 5 Establishes the New Mexico Civil Rights Commission Bill Passed - House (53 - 17)
6/19 HR 21 Alleges Donald Trump's Tweets are "Racist" and Recognizes Juneteenth Bill Passed - House (128 - 17)
6/19 SB 7 Requires State Agencies to Implement Policies to Reduce Institutional Racism Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 11)
6/19 H 966 Appropriates Funds for Broadband Connectivity, Housing, and Economic Relief During the COVID-19 Emergency Bill Passed - House (143 - 1)
6/19 SB 8 Requires Law Enforcement to Use Body-Worn Cameras Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 11)
6/19 SB 8 Requires Law Enforcement to Use Body-Worn Cameras Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 11)
6/18 AB 1460 Requires Ethnic Studies Course Completion in State Universities Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 5)
6/18 HB 545 Reduces Statute of Limitations for Certain Nuisance Lawsuits Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 21)
6/18 A 1897 Reduces Criminal Penalty for Marijuana Possession Bill Passed - House (63 - 10)
6/18 A 2394 Establishes Minority Recruitment Program for Police Departments Bill Passed - House (70 - 3)
6/18 A 2394 Establishes Minority Recruitment Program for Police Departments Bill Passed - House (70 - 3)
6/18 HB 346 Authorizes Voting by Mail for 2020 Elections Bill Passed - House (25 - 13)
6/18 HB 5007 Prohibits Using Knee-Holds and Teaching Chokeholds in Police Academies Bill Passed - House (69 - 5)
6/17 S 2004 Prohibits Non-Metallic Firearms and "Ghost Guns" Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (34 - 4)
6/17 S 2004 Prohibits Non-Metallic Firearms and "Ghost Guns" Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (34 - 4)
6/17 HB 1295 Prohibits Abortions for Reasons of Race, Sex, or Genetic Abnormality Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 11)
6/17 HB 1087 Rescinds the Prohibition on Alcohol Possession Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 11)
6/16 HB 1246 Authorizes Pharmacists to Administer COVID-19 Vaccine "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Adopted - Senate (14 - 10)
6/16 HB 1166 Extends Emergency Benefit Enhancements Regarding the COVID-19 Pandemic "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Adopted - Senate (14 - 10)
6/16 HB 705 Repeals Statute of Limitation Requirements for Sexual Assault Lawsuits "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Adopted - Senate (19 - 5)
6/16 HB 1672 Authorizes Voting by Mail in Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 10)
6/16 SB 2112 Prohibits Public Employers from Requiring Applicants to Disclose Felony Convictions on Application Bill Passed - House (97 - 21)
6/16 HB 1582 Establishes the Veterans Bill of Rights Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 0)
6/16 HB 511 Authorizes Shorter Sentences for Nonviolent Drug Offenders Conference Report Adopted - Senate (48 - 0)
6/16 HB 511 Authorizes Shorter Sentences for Nonviolent Drug Offenders Conference Report Adopted - Senate (48 - 0)
6/16 HB 511 Authorizes Shorter Sentences for Nonviolent Drug Offenders Conference Report Adopted - Senate (48 - 0)
6/16 SB 562 Repeals Dismissed Charges and Nonviolent Misdemeanors & Convictions Bill Passed - Senate (47 - 0)
6/16 SF 3 Amends Law Enforcement Use of Force Reporting Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 31)
6/16 SB 243 Authorizes Certain Task Forces, Commissions, and Groups to Hold Their Meetings Virtually Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 5)
6/16 SB 562 Repeals Dismissed Charges and Nonviolent Misdemeanors & Convictions Bill Passed - Senate (47 - 0)
6/15 AB 1950 Limits Length of Probation Terms Bill Passed - House (48 - 22)
6/13 SB 20-007 Requires Insurance Carriers Provide Coverage for Treatment of Substance Use Disorders Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
6/12 SB 20-217 Amends Various Police Accountability and Reform Laws Bill Passed - House (52 - 13)
6/12 SB 20-007 Requires Insurance Carriers Provide Coverage for Treatment of Substance Use Disorders Bill Passed - House (48 - 17)
6/12 SB 20-217 Amends Various Police Accountability and Reform Laws Bill Passed - House (52 - 13)
6/12 SB 20-181 Amends Incompetent-to-Proceed Process for Mentally Ill Defendants Bill Passed - House (41 - 24)
6/12 SB 20-221 Prohibits the "Gay Panic" Murder Defense Bill Passed - House (63 - 1)
6/12 S 348 Authorizes Mail-In Absentee Voting for the 2020 General Election Bill Passed - House (115 - 29)
6/12 SC 1 Repeals the Governor's Peacetime Emergency Declaration Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 29)
6/12 HB 20-1425 Amends Hospital Patient Visitation Rights During COVID-19 Pandemic Bill Passed - House (47 - 17)
6/11 HB 20-1017 Expands Substance Use Disorder Treatment in the Criminal Justice System Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 11)
6/11 AB 2847 Requires Microstamping Within Handguns Bill Passed - House (52 - 20)
6/11 HB 20-1017 Expands Substance Use Disorder Treatment in the Criminal Justice System Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 11)

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