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. 10, 2020 VA HB 5148 Establishes a 4-Level Earned Sentence Credit Classification System Bill Passed - House (54 - 41)
Sept. 10, 2020 MI HB 4488 Limits the Use of Criminal Background Checks to Prohibit Occupational Licensure Bill Passed - House (106 - 0)
Sept. 9, 2020 VA HB 5146 Establishes a Process for Automatic Expungement of Criminal Records for Certain Convictions Bill Passed - House (59 - 37)
Sept. 8, 2020 VA HB 5013 Repeals Qualified Immunity for Law Enforcement Officers Bill Passed - House (49 - 45)
Sept. 8, 2020 VA HB 5013 Repeals Qualified Immunity for Law Enforcement Officers Bill Passed - House (49 - 45)
Sept. 8, 2020 VA HB 5013 Repeals Qualified Immunity for Law Enforcement Officers Bill Passed - House (49 - 45)
Sept. 4, 2020 VA HB 5013 Repeals Qualified Immunity for Law Enforcement Officers Bill Failed - House (47 - 48)
Sept. 4, 2020 VA HB 5013 Repeals Qualified Immunity for Law Enforcement Officers Bill Failed - House (47 - 48)
Sept. 4, 2020 VA HB 5013 Repeals Qualified Immunity for Law Enforcement Officers Bill Failed - House (47 - 48)
Sept. 4, 2020 VA HB 5099 Prohibits No-Knock Search Warrants Bill Passed - House (56 - 41)
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 5104 Increases Employment Assessment and Review Requirements for Law Enforcement Hiring Bill Passed - House (54 - 42)
Sept. 4, 2020 VA HB 5069 Prohibits Use of Chokeholds by Law Enforcement Officers Bill Passed - House (55 - 43)
Sept. 1, 2020 OH HB 272 Prohibits State Officials From Changing the Time and Place of an Election Concurrence Vote Passed - House (59 - 35)
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 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 2542 Prohibits Racial Discrimination in Criminal Courts Concurrence Vote Passed - House (49 - 16)
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 AB 331 Establishes One Credit of Ethnic and Racial Studies as a High School Graduation Requirement Concurrence Vote Passed - House (62 - 12)
Aug. 31, 2020 CA AB 1869 Repeals Certain Judicial Fees Concurrence Vote Passed - House (59 - 17)
Aug. 31, 2020 CA SB 823 Establishes the Office of Youth and Community Restoration Bill Passed - House (54 - 16)
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. 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 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 979 Requires Corporations to Have Directors From Under-Represented Groups Concurrence Vote Passed - House (56 - 8)
Aug. 30, 2020 CA AB 2425 Prohibits the Release of Certain Juvenile Police Records Concurrence Vote Passed - House (53 - 16)
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 SB 629 Establishes Legal Protection for Journalists Attending Protest Demonstrations Bill Passed - House (49 - 7)
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 SB 592 Expands Appropriate Juror Selection Source Lists to Include Resident State Tax Filers Bill Passed - House (59 - 12)
Aug. 30, 2020 CA SB 1102 Requires Employers to Provide H-2A Employees with a Written Notice of their Rights Bill Passed - House (52 - 18)
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 4320 Expands Ballot Receipt and Election Deadlines Bill Passed - House (51 - 27)
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. 25, 2020 MO HB 16 Classifies Knowingly Transferring a Firearm to a Minor for the Purpose of Avoiding an Arrest or Investigation as a Felony Bill Passed - House (99 - 49)
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. 25, 2020 MO HB 11 Classifies the Crime of Child Endangerment as a First-Degree Felony Bill Passed - House (111 - 39)
Aug. 24, 2020 CA AB 3234 Authorizes Judges to Offer Misdemeanor Diversion Programs to Certain Defendants Bill Passed - House (43 - 26)
Aug. 24, 2020 CA AB 3234 Authorizes Judges to Offer Misdemeanor Diversion Programs to Certain Defendants Bill Passed - House (43 - 26)
Aug. 12, 2020 TN SB 8005 Increases Criminal Penalties for Protesting on Public Property Bill Passed - House (71 - 20)
Aug. 5, 2020 NV SB 4 Establishes Liability Protections for Businesses during COVID-19 Pandemic Bill Passed - House (31 - 10)
Aug. 5, 2020 NV SB 4 Establishes Liability Protections for Businesses during COVID-19 Pandemic Bill Passed - House (31 - 10)
Aug. 4, 2020 NV SB 2 Repeals Existing Law Protecting Peace Officers From Investigations Bill Passed - House (25 - 17)
Aug. 3, 2020 CA AR 100 Authorizes Proxy Voting During the COVID-19 State of Emergency Bill Passed - House (54 - 15)
Aug. 1, 2020 NV AB 3 Establishes Police Reforms for Nevada Law Enforcement Bill Passed - House (38 - 4)
July 30, 2020 NJ A 4170 Limits the Use of Data Collected for Purposes of COVID-19 Contact Tracing Bill Passed - House (55 - 18)
July 30, 2020 NJ A 4369 Repeals Mandatory Minimum Prison Terms For Certain Offenses Bill Passed - House (52 - 19)
July 30, 2020 NJ A 4370 Repeals Mandatory Minimum Terms of Parole Ineligibility for Nonviolent Drug Crimes Bill Passed - House (51 - 21)
July 30, 2020 NJ A 4370 Repeals Mandatory Minimum Terms of Parole Ineligibility for Nonviolent Drug Crimes Bill Passed - House (51 - 21)
July 30, 2020 NJ A 1254 Establishes Parole for Nonviolent Offenders Age 65 and Older Bill Passed - House (60 - 12)
July 30, 2020 NJ A 4372 Authorizes Resentencing of Certain Inmates Bill Passed - House (47 - 24)
July 29, 2020 National HR 7327 Child Care for Economic Recovery Act Bill Passed - House (250 - 161)
July 27, 2020 National S 2163 Commission on the Social Status of Black Men and Boys Act Bill Passed - House (368 - 1)
July 24, 2020 CT HB 6004 Establishes Independent Inspector General to Investigate Police Shootings and Illegal Uses of Force Bill Passed - House (86 - 58)
July 24, 2020 CT HB 6004 Establishes Independent Inspector General to Investigate Police Shootings and Illegal Uses of Force Bill Passed - House (86 - 58)
July 23, 2020 NY S 8617 Requires Public Employers Prepare Public Health Emergency Plans Bill Passed - House (141 - 0)
July 22, 2020 MI SB 899 Extends Certain Immunities and Liabilities to Healthcare Providers and Facilities Bill Passed - House (56 - 51)
July 22, 2020 National HR 7573 To direct the Joint Committee on the Library to replace the bust of Roger Brooke Taney in the Old Supreme Court Chamber of the United States Capitol with a bust of Thurgood Marshall to be obtained by the Joint Committee on the Library and to remove certain statues from areas of the United States Capitol which are accessible to the public, to remove all statues of individuals who voluntarily served the Confederate States of America from display in the United States Capitol, and for other purposes Bill Passed - House (305 - 113)
July 21, 2020 NY A 5630 Amends Various Power of Attorney Laws Concurrence Vote Passed - House (95 - 47)
July 21, 2020 NY A 5630 Amends Various Power of Attorney Laws Concurrence Vote Passed - House (95 - 47)
July 21, 2020 NY A 5991 Amends Civil Rights Law in Relation to "Frivolous" Lawsuits Bill Passed - House (116 - 26)
July 21, 2020 NY A 5991 Amends Civil Rights Law in Relation to "Frivolous" Lawsuits Bill Passed - House (116 - 26)
July 20, 2020 MN HF 1 Establishes and Amends Various Provisions Relating to Public Safety and Law Enforcement Bill Passed - House (102 - 29)
July 20, 2020 MN HF 1 Establishes and Amends Various Provisions Relating to Public Safety and Law Enforcement Bill Passed - House (102 - 29)
July 20, 2020 NY A 5045 Amends Criminal Procedure Laws to Waive Certain Surcharges and Fees for Defendants Under the Age of 21 Bill Passed - House (97 - 44)
July 20, 2020 NY A 2176 Prohibits Civil Arrest of Individuals Attending Court Proceedings Bill Passed - House (97 - 44)
July 20, 2020 MN HR 1 Classifies Racism as a Public Health Crisis Bill Passed - House (82 - 40)
July 14, 2020 PA SB 1166 Limits the Governor's Emergency Powers Bill Passed - House (115 - 86)
July 7, 2020 PA HB 256 Amends State Law to make Assaulting a Correctional Officer a Felony Concurrence Vote Passed - House (173 - 28)
July 6, 2020 HI HB 285 Requires Law Enforcement Transparency Conference Report Adopted - House (37 - 14)
Date No. Title Outcome
9/10 HB 5148 Establishes a 4-Level Earned Sentence Credit Classification System Bill Passed - House (54 - 41)
9/10 HB 4488 Limits the Use of Criminal Background Checks to Prohibit Occupational Licensure Bill Passed - House (106 - 0)
9/09 HB 5146 Establishes a Process for Automatic Expungement of Criminal Records for Certain Convictions Bill Passed - House (59 - 37)
9/08 HB 5013 Repeals Qualified Immunity for Law Enforcement Officers Bill Passed - House (49 - 45)
9/08 HB 5013 Repeals Qualified Immunity for Law Enforcement Officers Bill Passed - House (49 - 45)
9/08 HB 5013 Repeals Qualified Immunity for Law Enforcement Officers Bill Passed - House (49 - 45)
9/04 HB 5013 Repeals Qualified Immunity for Law Enforcement Officers Bill Failed - House (47 - 48)
9/04 HB 5013 Repeals Qualified Immunity for Law Enforcement Officers Bill Failed - House (47 - 48)
9/04 HB 5013 Repeals Qualified Immunity for Law Enforcement Officers Bill Failed - House (47 - 48)
9/04 HB 5099 Prohibits No-Knock Search Warrants Bill Passed - House (56 - 41)
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 5104 Increases Employment Assessment and Review Requirements for Law Enforcement Hiring Bill Passed - House (54 - 42)
9/04 HB 5069 Prohibits Use of Chokeholds by Law Enforcement Officers Bill Passed - House (55 - 43)
9/01 HB 272 Prohibits State Officials From Changing the Time and Place of an Election Concurrence Vote Passed - House (59 - 35)
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 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 2542 Prohibits Racial Discrimination in Criminal Courts Concurrence Vote Passed - House (49 - 16)
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 AB 331 Establishes One Credit of Ethnic and Racial Studies as a High School Graduation Requirement Concurrence Vote Passed - House (62 - 12)
8/31 AB 1869 Repeals Certain Judicial Fees Concurrence Vote Passed - House (59 - 17)
8/31 SB 823 Establishes the Office of Youth and Community Restoration Bill Passed - House (54 - 16)
8/31 SB 145 Exempts Certain Persons Convicted of Certain Offenses Involving Minors from Mandatory Sex Offender Registration Bill Passed - House (41 - 25)
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 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 979 Requires Corporations to Have Directors From Under-Represented Groups Concurrence Vote Passed - House (56 - 8)
8/30 AB 2425 Prohibits the Release of Certain Juvenile Police Records Concurrence Vote Passed - House (53 - 16)
8/30 AB 646 Authorizes Individuals on Parole for a Felony Conviction to Vote Concurrence Vote Passed - House (51 - 16)
8/30 SB 629 Establishes Legal Protection for Journalists Attending Protest Demonstrations Bill Passed - House (49 - 7)
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 SB 592 Expands Appropriate Juror Selection Source Lists to Include Resident State Tax Filers Bill Passed - House (59 - 12)
8/30 SB 1102 Requires Employers to Provide H-2A Employees with a Written Notice of their Rights Bill Passed - House (52 - 18)
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 4320 Expands Ballot Receipt and Election Deadlines Bill Passed - House (51 - 27)
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)
8/25 HB 16 Classifies Knowingly Transferring a Firearm to a Minor for the Purpose of Avoiding an Arrest or Investigation as a Felony Bill Passed - House (99 - 49)
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)
8/25 HB 11 Classifies the Crime of Child Endangerment as a First-Degree Felony Bill Passed - House (111 - 39)
8/24 AB 3234 Authorizes Judges to Offer Misdemeanor Diversion Programs to Certain Defendants Bill Passed - House (43 - 26)
8/24 AB 3234 Authorizes Judges to Offer Misdemeanor Diversion Programs to Certain Defendants Bill Passed - House (43 - 26)
8/12 SB 8005 Increases Criminal Penalties for Protesting on Public Property Bill Passed - House (71 - 20)
8/05 SB 4 Establishes Liability Protections for Businesses during COVID-19 Pandemic Bill Passed - House (31 - 10)
8/05 SB 4 Establishes Liability Protections for Businesses during COVID-19 Pandemic Bill Passed - House (31 - 10)
8/04 SB 2 Repeals Existing Law Protecting Peace Officers From Investigations Bill Passed - House (25 - 17)
8/03 AR 100 Authorizes Proxy Voting During the COVID-19 State of Emergency Bill Passed - House (54 - 15)
8/01 AB 3 Establishes Police Reforms for Nevada Law Enforcement Bill Passed - House (38 - 4)
7/30 A 4170 Limits the Use of Data Collected for Purposes of COVID-19 Contact Tracing Bill Passed - House (55 - 18)
7/30 A 4369 Repeals Mandatory Minimum Prison Terms For Certain Offenses Bill Passed - House (52 - 19)
7/30 A 4370 Repeals Mandatory Minimum Terms of Parole Ineligibility for Nonviolent Drug Crimes Bill Passed - House (51 - 21)
7/30 A 4370 Repeals Mandatory Minimum Terms of Parole Ineligibility for Nonviolent Drug Crimes Bill Passed - House (51 - 21)
7/30 A 1254 Establishes Parole for Nonviolent Offenders Age 65 and Older Bill Passed - House (60 - 12)
7/30 A 4372 Authorizes Resentencing of Certain Inmates Bill Passed - House (47 - 24)
7/29 HR 7327 Child Care for Economic Recovery Act Bill Passed - House (250 - 161)
7/27 S 2163 Commission on the Social Status of Black Men and Boys Act Bill Passed - House (368 - 1)
7/24 HB 6004 Establishes Independent Inspector General to Investigate Police Shootings and Illegal Uses of Force Bill Passed - House (86 - 58)
7/24 HB 6004 Establishes Independent Inspector General to Investigate Police Shootings and Illegal Uses of Force Bill Passed - House (86 - 58)
7/23 S 8617 Requires Public Employers Prepare Public Health Emergency Plans Bill Passed - House (141 - 0)
7/22 SB 899 Extends Certain Immunities and Liabilities to Healthcare Providers and Facilities Bill Passed - House (56 - 51)
7/22 HR 7573 To direct the Joint Committee on the Library to replace the bust of Roger Brooke Taney in the Old Supreme Court Chamber of the United States Capitol with a bust of Thurgood Marshall to be obtained by the Joint Committee on the Library and to remove certain statues from areas of the United States Capitol which are accessible to the public, to remove all statues of individuals who voluntarily served the Confederate States of America from display in the United States Capitol, and for other purposes Bill Passed - House (305 - 113)
7/21 A 5630 Amends Various Power of Attorney Laws Concurrence Vote Passed - House (95 - 47)
7/21 A 5630 Amends Various Power of Attorney Laws Concurrence Vote Passed - House (95 - 47)
7/21 A 5991 Amends Civil Rights Law in Relation to "Frivolous" Lawsuits Bill Passed - House (116 - 26)
7/21 A 5991 Amends Civil Rights Law in Relation to "Frivolous" Lawsuits Bill Passed - House (116 - 26)
7/20 HF 1 Establishes and Amends Various Provisions Relating to Public Safety and Law Enforcement Bill Passed - House (102 - 29)
7/20 HF 1 Establishes and Amends Various Provisions Relating to Public Safety and Law Enforcement Bill Passed - House (102 - 29)
7/20 A 5045 Amends Criminal Procedure Laws to Waive Certain Surcharges and Fees for Defendants Under the Age of 21 Bill Passed - House (97 - 44)
7/20 A 2176 Prohibits Civil Arrest of Individuals Attending Court Proceedings Bill Passed - House (97 - 44)
7/20 HR 1 Classifies Racism as a Public Health Crisis Bill Passed - House (82 - 40)
7/14 SB 1166 Limits the Governor's Emergency Powers Bill Passed - House (115 - 86)
7/07 HB 256 Amends State Law to make Assaulting a Correctional Officer a Felony Concurrence Vote Passed - House (173 - 28)
7/06 HB 285 Requires Law Enforcement Transparency Conference Report Adopted - House (37 - 14)

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