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 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 DE SB 243 Authorizes Certain Task Forces, Commissions, and Groups to Hold Their Meetings Virtually Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 5)
June 16, 2020 MN SF 3 Amends Law Enforcement Use of Force Reporting Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 31)
June 16, 2020 NC SB 562 Repeals Dismissed Charges and Nonviolent Misdemeanors & Convictions Bill Passed - Senate (47 - 0)
June 16, 2020 NC SB 562 Repeals Dismissed Charges and Nonviolent Misdemeanors & Convictions Bill Passed - Senate (47 - 0)
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 MN SC 1 Repeals the Governor's Peacetime Emergency Declaration Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 29)
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 CO HB 20-1065 Authorizes Pharmacists to Sell Nonprescription Syringes Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
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 IA HF 2647 Amends Law Enforcement Policies and Training Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 0)
June 10, 2020 IA SF 2338 Establishes Legal Protection to Businesses and Healthcare Providers during COVID-19 Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 18)
June 10, 2020 OH HB 61 Authorizes Oral, Written, Electronic, or Telephonic Consent for Contact Tracing of Infectious Diseases Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 11)
June 10, 2020 IA HF 684 Establishes Medical Amnesty for Under-Aged Individuals in Alcohol-Related Emergencies Bill Passed - Senate (47 - 2)
June 10, 2020 CO HB 20-1143 Increases Maximum Fines for Air and Water Quality Violations Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 14)
June 10, 2020 NY S 8539 Establishes the Law Enforcement Misconduct Investigative Office Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 20)
June 10, 2020 NY S 8539 Establishes the Law Enforcement Misconduct Investigative Office Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 20)
June 10, 2020 NY S 2574 Establishes an Office of Special Investigation Under the Attorney General Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 17)
June 9, 2020 PA HR 836 Establishes a Resolution to Terminate the Governor's Emergency Declaration Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 19)
June 9, 2020 NY S 8496 Authorizes Disclosure of Law Enforcement Disciplinary Records Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 22)
June 8, 2020 NY A 1531 Prohibits Reporting a Non-Emergency Incident Involving a Member of a Protected Class Bill Passed - Senate (56 - 6)
June 8, 2020 NY A 1531 Prohibits Reporting a Non-Emergency Incident Involving a Member of a Protected Class Bill Passed - Senate (56 - 6)
June 8, 2020 NY A 6144 Establishes the Eric Garner Anti-Chokehold Act Bill Passed - Senate (62 - 0)
June 5, 2020 CO SB 20-181 Amends Incompetent-to-Proceed Process for Mentally Ill Defendants Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 7)
June 5, 2020 IA SF 2413 Increases Penalties for Trespassing on Animal Food Operations Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 11)
June 4, 2020 MI SB 945 Requires Implicit Bias and De-Escalation Training for Law Enforcement Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 0)
June 4, 2020 MI SB 945 Requires Implicit Bias and De-Escalation Training for Law Enforcement Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 0)
June 3, 2020 IA HF 2502 Amends Gun Policies Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 17)
June 3, 2020 OH SB 308 Establishes Legal Protection to Small Businesses and Healthcare Providers during COVID-19 Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 9)
June 2, 2020 VT S 348 Authorizes Mail-In Absentee Voting for the 2020 General Election Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 7)
June 1, 2020 LA HB 826 Establishes Legal Immunity for COVID-19 Claims to Businesses and Government Agencies Conference Report Adopted - Senate (36 - 0)
May 31, 2020 LA SB 508 Limits Liability of Restaurants During the COVID-19 Epidemic Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 0)
May 29, 2020 LA HB 846 Establishes Tax Rebates for COVID-19 Impacted Businesses Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 6)
May 29, 2020 LA HB 140 Prohibits Localities from Establishing Restrictions to Prohibit Firearm Possession Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 3)
May 29, 2020 LA HB 241 Amends Certain Requirements of the Records Expungement Process Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 3)
May 27, 2020 OH HB 272 Prohibits State Officials From Changing the Time and Place of an Election Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 8)
May 27, 2020 NY S 8415 Repeals Anti-Mask Law Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 27)
May 27, 2020 NY S 8192 Extends Eviction Protections for Tenants During Emergency Shutdowns Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 23)
May 23, 2020 IL SB 2135 Establishes the "Government Emergency Administration Act" Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (36 - 19)
May 21, 2020 HI SB 75 Appropriates Funds to the Departments of Health, Transportation, and Defense to Help Combat the COVID-19 Pandemic Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (22 - 2)
May 21, 2020 National PN 1615 Nomination of John Ratcliffe as Director of National Intelligence Nomination Confirmed - Senate (49 - 44)
May 21, 2020 IL HB 2455 Authorizes Worker Compensation for Essential and Frontline Workers During the COVID-19 Pandemic Bill Passed - Senate (50 - 4)
May 21, 2020 LA HB 420 Establishes Minimum Training Requirements for Peace Officers Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 0)
May 20, 2020 LA SB 440 Limits Environmental Lawsuits Against Oil and Gas Companies Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
May 18, 2020 AL SB 161 Appropriates CARES Act Funds to the State Government for the COVID-19 Pandemic Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 1)
May 15, 2020 OK HB 2587 Prohibits Denying Healthcare or Adjusting Coverage or Cost Based on Age or Quality of Life Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 6)
May 14, 2020 NJ S 2332 Establishes the 2020 New Jersey Emergency Rental Assistance Program Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (39 - 0)
May 14, 2020 MO HB 1682 Authorizes Free COVID-19 Testing Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 5)
Date No. Title Outcome
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 243 Authorizes Certain Task Forces, Commissions, and Groups to Hold Their Meetings Virtually Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 5)
6/16 SF 3 Amends Law Enforcement Use of Force Reporting Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 31)
6/16 SB 562 Repeals Dismissed Charges and Nonviolent Misdemeanors & Convictions Bill Passed - Senate (47 - 0)
6/16 SB 562 Repeals Dismissed Charges and Nonviolent Misdemeanors & Convictions Bill Passed - Senate (47 - 0)
6/13 SB 20-007 Requires Insurance Carriers Provide Coverage for Treatment of Substance Use Disorders Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
6/12 SC 1 Repeals the Governor's Peacetime Emergency Declaration Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 29)
6/11 HB 20-1017 Expands Substance Use Disorder Treatment in the Criminal Justice System Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 11)
6/11 HB 20-1065 Authorizes Pharmacists to Sell Nonprescription Syringes Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
6/11 HB 20-1017 Expands Substance Use Disorder Treatment in the Criminal Justice System Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 11)
6/11 HF 2647 Amends Law Enforcement Policies and Training Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 0)
6/10 SF 2338 Establishes Legal Protection to Businesses and Healthcare Providers during COVID-19 Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 18)
6/10 HB 61 Authorizes Oral, Written, Electronic, or Telephonic Consent for Contact Tracing of Infectious Diseases Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 11)
6/10 HF 684 Establishes Medical Amnesty for Under-Aged Individuals in Alcohol-Related Emergencies Bill Passed - Senate (47 - 2)
6/10 HB 20-1143 Increases Maximum Fines for Air and Water Quality Violations Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 14)
6/10 S 8539 Establishes the Law Enforcement Misconduct Investigative Office Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 20)
6/10 S 8539 Establishes the Law Enforcement Misconduct Investigative Office Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 20)
6/10 S 2574 Establishes an Office of Special Investigation Under the Attorney General Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 17)
6/09 HR 836 Establishes a Resolution to Terminate the Governor's Emergency Declaration Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 19)
6/09 S 8496 Authorizes Disclosure of Law Enforcement Disciplinary Records Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 22)
6/08 A 1531 Prohibits Reporting a Non-Emergency Incident Involving a Member of a Protected Class Bill Passed - Senate (56 - 6)
6/08 A 1531 Prohibits Reporting a Non-Emergency Incident Involving a Member of a Protected Class Bill Passed - Senate (56 - 6)
6/08 A 6144 Establishes the Eric Garner Anti-Chokehold Act Bill Passed - Senate (62 - 0)
6/05 SB 20-181 Amends Incompetent-to-Proceed Process for Mentally Ill Defendants Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 7)
6/05 SF 2413 Increases Penalties for Trespassing on Animal Food Operations Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 11)
6/04 SB 945 Requires Implicit Bias and De-Escalation Training for Law Enforcement Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 0)
6/04 SB 945 Requires Implicit Bias and De-Escalation Training for Law Enforcement Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 0)
6/03 HF 2502 Amends Gun Policies Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 17)
6/03 SB 308 Establishes Legal Protection to Small Businesses and Healthcare Providers during COVID-19 Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 9)
6/02 S 348 Authorizes Mail-In Absentee Voting for the 2020 General Election Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 7)
6/01 HB 826 Establishes Legal Immunity for COVID-19 Claims to Businesses and Government Agencies Conference Report Adopted - Senate (36 - 0)
5/31 SB 508 Limits Liability of Restaurants During the COVID-19 Epidemic Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 0)
5/29 HB 846 Establishes Tax Rebates for COVID-19 Impacted Businesses Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 6)
5/29 HB 140 Prohibits Localities from Establishing Restrictions to Prohibit Firearm Possession Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 3)
5/29 HB 241 Amends Certain Requirements of the Records Expungement Process Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 3)
5/27 HB 272 Prohibits State Officials From Changing the Time and Place of an Election Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 8)
5/27 S 8415 Repeals Anti-Mask Law Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 27)
5/27 S 8192 Extends Eviction Protections for Tenants During Emergency Shutdowns Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 23)
5/23 SB 2135 Establishes the "Government Emergency Administration Act" Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (36 - 19)
5/21 SB 75 Appropriates Funds to the Departments of Health, Transportation, and Defense to Help Combat the COVID-19 Pandemic Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (22 - 2)
5/21 PN 1615 Nomination of John Ratcliffe as Director of National Intelligence Nomination Confirmed - Senate (49 - 44)
5/21 HB 2455 Authorizes Worker Compensation for Essential and Frontline Workers During the COVID-19 Pandemic Bill Passed - Senate (50 - 4)
5/21 HB 420 Establishes Minimum Training Requirements for Peace Officers Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 0)
5/20 SB 440 Limits Environmental Lawsuits Against Oil and Gas Companies Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
5/18 SB 161 Appropriates CARES Act Funds to the State Government for the COVID-19 Pandemic Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 1)
5/15 HB 2587 Prohibits Denying Healthcare or Adjusting Coverage or Cost Based on Age or Quality of Life Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 6)
5/14 S 2332 Establishes the 2020 New Jersey Emergency Rental Assistance Program Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (39 - 0)
5/14 HB 1682 Authorizes Free COVID-19 Testing Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 5)

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