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 10, 2020 PA HB 2502 Requires Department of State to Publish Presidential Primary Report Bill Passed - Senate (50 - 0)
June 10, 2020 PA HB 2502 Requires Department of State to Publish Presidential Primary Report Bill Passed - Senate (50 - 0)
June 10, 2020 NY S 2574 Establishes an Office of Special Investigation Under the Attorney General Bill Passed - House (97 - 47)
June 10, 2020 PA SB 1125 Authorizes School Districts to Extend Time Needed to Pay Taxes Bill Passed - Senate (50 - 0)
June 10, 2020 NY S 2574 Establishes an Office of Special Investigation Under the Attorney General Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 17)
June 10, 2020 CA ACA 5 Establishes Constitutional Amendment Repealing Prohibition on Affirmative Action Policies Amendment Adopted - House (60 - 14)
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 - House (101 - 43)
June 9, 2020 NY S 8496 Authorizes Disclosure of Law Enforcement Disciplinary Records Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 22)
June 8, 2020 NY A 10608 Requires Law Enforcement Officers to Report Weapon Discharges to their Superior Bill Passed - House (105 - 39)
June 5, 2020 CO SB 20-181 Amends Incompetent-to-Proceed Process for Mentally Ill Defendants Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 7)
June 4, 2020 OH HB 680 Establishes Absentee Voting Requirements Bill Passed - House (61 - 35)
June 3, 2020 IA HF 2502 Amends Gun Policies Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 17)
June 3, 2020 IA SF 2348 Requires Restitution Payment from Felons for Restoration of Voting Rights Bill Passed - House (51 - 45)
June 2, 2020 VT S 348 Authorizes Mail-In Absentee Voting for the 2020 General Election Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 7)
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 317 Authorizes Autism Symbol on Driver's Licenses Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 0)
May 28, 2020 PA HR 836 Establishes a Resolution to Terminate the Governor's Emergency Declaration Bill Passed - House (117 - 85)
May 27, 2020 OH HB 242 Prohibits Local Government from Enacting Fees on Plastic Bags in Stores Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 9)
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 8192 Extends Eviction Protections for Tenants During Emergency Shutdowns Bill Passed - House (94 - 50)
May 27, 2020 NY S 8411 Repeals Certain Provisions of the CARES Act Bill Passed - House (104 - 40)
May 27, 2020 NY S 8411 Repeals Certain Provisions of the CARES Act Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 23)
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 23, 2020 IL SB 2135 Establishes the "Government Emergency Administration Act" Bill Passed - House (66 - 44)
May 22, 2020 IL SB 1863 Expands Absentee Voting for the Upcoming General Election Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (37 - 19)
May 21, 2020 KS HB 2054 Limits Governor Powers During an Emergency and Increases Legislative Oversight Conference Report Adopted - Senate (27 - 11)
May 21, 2020 KS HB 2054 Limits Governor Powers During an Emergency and Increases Legislative Oversight Conference Report Adopted - Senate (27 - 11)
May 21, 2020 KS HB 2054 Limits Governor Powers During an Emergency and Increases Legislative Oversight Conference Report Adopted - House (76 - 34)
May 21, 2020 KS HB 2054 Limits Governor Powers During an Emergency and Increases Legislative Oversight Conference Report Adopted - House (76 - 34)
May 21, 2020 National PN 1615 Nomination of John Ratcliffe as Director of National Intelligence Nomination Confirmed - Senate (49 - 44)
May 21, 2020 IL SB 1863 Expands Absentee Voting for the Upcoming General Election Bill Passed - House (72 - 43)
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 MO SB 631 Authorizes Mail-In Voting During COVID-19 Pandemic Conference Report Adopted - House (121 - 24)
May 15, 2020 OK SB 1081 Prohibits Localities from Enacting "Red Flag" Firearm Ordinances Bill Passed - House (77 - 14)
May 15, 2020 OK HB 3967 Prohibits State Contracts with Companies that Boycott Israel Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 7)
May 15, 2020 National HR 6800 Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions (HEROES) Act Bill Passed - House (208 - 199)
May 15, 2020 National H Res 965 Authorizing remote voting by proxy in the House of Representatives and providing for official remote committee proceedings during a public health emergency due to a novel coronavirus, and for other purposes Bill Passed - House (217 - 189)
May 15, 2020 National H Res 965 Authorizing remote voting by proxy in the House of Representatives and providing for official remote committee proceedings during a public health emergency due to a novel coronavirus, and for other purposes Bill Passed - House (217 - 189)
May 14, 2020 OK SB 1102 Amends the "Catastrophic Health Emergency Powers Act" Bill Passed - House (53 - 44)
May 14, 2020 MO SB 739 Prohibits State Contracts with Businesses that Boycott Israel Bill Passed - House (95 - 40)
May 13, 2020 OK HB 2877 Increases the Role of Victim Impact Panels to Prevent Future OWI Offenses Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 13)
May 13, 2020 MO SJR 38 Amends Provisions Regulating the Legislature to Limit the Influence of Partisan Interests Joint Resolution Passed - House (98 - 56)
May 13, 2020 MO SJR 38 Amends Provisions Regulating the Legislature to Limit the Influence of Partisan Interests Joint Resolution Passed - House (98 - 56)
May 12, 2020 SC S 635 Expands Access to Absentee Voting Conference Report Adopted - House (108 - 0)
May 9, 2020 MN HF 3429 Appropriates Funds and Establishes Procedures for Safe State Primaries and General Elections Concurrence Vote Passed - House (122 - 10)
May 8, 2020 MO HB 2007 Appropriates Funds to the Departments of Economic Development, Commerce & Insurance and Labor & Industrial Relations Conference Report Adopted - House (128 - 21)
May 8, 2020 MO HB 2011 Appropriates Funds for the Department of Social Services Conference Report Adopted - House (105 - 44)
May 7, 2020 MN HF 3429 Appropriates Funds and Establishes Procedures for Safe State Primaries and General Elections Bill Passed - Senate (66 - 1)
May 7, 2020 LA HB 132 Establishes Daylight Savings Time as the Standard Time Year-Round Bill Passed - House (89 - 0)
May 7, 2020 MO HB 1403 Establishes an Alternative Highway Commission Bill Passed - House (114 - 33)
May 6, 2020 OH SB 1 Requires Issues Ordered After April 29 by the State Department of Health Last No Longer Than 14 Days Bill Passed - House (58 - 37)
May 5, 2020 MO HB 2011 Appropriates Funds for the Department of Social Services Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 6)
April 30, 2020 MI SB 858 Establishes Deadlines for Governor's Stay At Home Orders Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (22 - 15)
April 30, 2020 MI SB 858 Establishes Deadlines for Governor's Stay At Home Orders Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (22 - 15)
April 30, 2020 MI SB 858 Establishes Deadlines for Governor's Stay At Home Orders Bill Passed - House (59 - 41)
April 30, 2020 MI SB 858 Establishes Deadlines for Governor's Stay At Home Orders Bill Passed - House (59 - 41)
April 24, 2020 MI SB 857 Limits Governor's Power for Declaring a State of Emergency Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 15)
April 23, 2020 National H Res 938 Establishing a Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis as a select investigative subcommittee of the Committee on Oversight and Reform Bill Passed - House (212 - 182)
April 22, 2020 VA SB 588 Authorizes Counties to Levy Certain Taxes Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 12)
April 22, 2020 VA HB 1255 Establishes a Constitutional Amendment to Create an Independent Redistricting Commission Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
April 22, 2020 VA HB 1255 Establishes a Constitutional Amendment to Create an Independent Redistricting Commission Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
April 22, 2020 VA HB 1255 Establishes a Constitutional Amendment to Create an Independent Redistricting Commission Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
April 22, 2020 VA SB 588 Authorizes Counties to Levy Certain Taxes Concurrence Vote Passed - House (56 - 35)
April 22, 2020 VA HB 207 Establishes Permanent Absentee Voter List Concurrence Vote Passed - House (52 - 43)
April 22, 2020 VA HB 207 Establishes Permanent Absentee Voter List Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
April 17, 2020 UT SB 3004 Establishes Public Health and Economic Emergency Commission and Requires COVID-19 Response Plan Bill Passed - House (59 - 15)
April 16, 2020 UT HB 3006 Amends the Election Code to Provide for 2020 Primary Election Exclusively by Mail Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 0)
April 16, 2020 UT SB 3004 Establishes Public Health and Economic Emergency Commission and Requires COVID-19 Response Plan Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 6)
April 15, 2020 KY HB 351 Increases Taxes on Tobacco Products and Authorizes the Expansion of Absentee Voting Veto Override Passed - Senate (24 - 9)
April 15, 2020 KY HB 351 Increases Taxes on Tobacco Products and Authorizes the Expansion of Absentee Voting Veto Override Passed - House (57 - 32)
April 15, 2020 PA SB 613 Requires the Governor's Office to Follow Federal Guidelines to Reopen Businesses During COVID-19 Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 21)
April 14, 2020 KY SB 2 Amends Voter Identification Requirements Veto Override Passed - House (60 - 29)
April 14, 2020 KY HB 336 Amends the Time Frame That Gubernatorial Candidates Can Announce Running Mates Veto Override Passed - Senate (24 - 10)
Date No. Title Outcome
6/10 HB 2502 Requires Department of State to Publish Presidential Primary Report Bill Passed - Senate (50 - 0)
6/10 HB 2502 Requires Department of State to Publish Presidential Primary Report Bill Passed - Senate (50 - 0)
6/10 S 2574 Establishes an Office of Special Investigation Under the Attorney General Bill Passed - House (97 - 47)
6/10 SB 1125 Authorizes School Districts to Extend Time Needed to Pay Taxes Bill Passed - Senate (50 - 0)
6/10 S 2574 Establishes an Office of Special Investigation Under the Attorney General Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 17)
6/10 ACA 5 Establishes Constitutional Amendment Repealing Prohibition on Affirmative Action Policies Amendment Adopted - House (60 - 14)
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 - House (101 - 43)
6/09 S 8496 Authorizes Disclosure of Law Enforcement Disciplinary Records Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 22)
6/08 A 10608 Requires Law Enforcement Officers to Report Weapon Discharges to their Superior Bill Passed - House (105 - 39)
6/05 SB 20-181 Amends Incompetent-to-Proceed Process for Mentally Ill Defendants Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 7)
6/04 HB 680 Establishes Absentee Voting Requirements Bill Passed - House (61 - 35)
6/03 HF 2502 Amends Gun Policies Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 17)
6/03 SF 2348 Requires Restitution Payment from Felons for Restoration of Voting Rights Bill Passed - House (51 - 45)
6/02 S 348 Authorizes Mail-In Absentee Voting for the 2020 General Election Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 7)
5/29 HB 140 Prohibits Localities from Establishing Restrictions to Prohibit Firearm Possession Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 3)
5/29 HB 317 Authorizes Autism Symbol on Driver's Licenses Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 0)
5/28 HR 836 Establishes a Resolution to Terminate the Governor's Emergency Declaration Bill Passed - House (117 - 85)
5/27 HB 242 Prohibits Local Government from Enacting Fees on Plastic Bags in Stores Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 9)
5/27 HB 272 Prohibits State Officials From Changing the Time and Place of an Election Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 8)
5/27 S 8192 Extends Eviction Protections for Tenants During Emergency Shutdowns Bill Passed - House (94 - 50)
5/27 S 8411 Repeals Certain Provisions of the CARES Act Bill Passed - House (104 - 40)
5/27 S 8411 Repeals Certain Provisions of the CARES Act Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 23)
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)
5/23 SB 2135 Establishes the "Government Emergency Administration Act" Bill Passed - House (66 - 44)
5/22 SB 1863 Expands Absentee Voting for the Upcoming General Election Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (37 - 19)
5/21 HB 2054 Limits Governor Powers During an Emergency and Increases Legislative Oversight Conference Report Adopted - Senate (27 - 11)
5/21 HB 2054 Limits Governor Powers During an Emergency and Increases Legislative Oversight Conference Report Adopted - Senate (27 - 11)
5/21 HB 2054 Limits Governor Powers During an Emergency and Increases Legislative Oversight Conference Report Adopted - House (76 - 34)
5/21 HB 2054 Limits Governor Powers During an Emergency and Increases Legislative Oversight Conference Report Adopted - House (76 - 34)
5/21 PN 1615 Nomination of John Ratcliffe as Director of National Intelligence Nomination Confirmed - Senate (49 - 44)
5/21 SB 1863 Expands Absentee Voting for the Upcoming General Election Bill Passed - House (72 - 43)
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 SB 631 Authorizes Mail-In Voting During COVID-19 Pandemic Conference Report Adopted - House (121 - 24)
5/15 SB 1081 Prohibits Localities from Enacting "Red Flag" Firearm Ordinances Bill Passed - House (77 - 14)
5/15 HB 3967 Prohibits State Contracts with Companies that Boycott Israel Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 7)
5/15 HR 6800 Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions (HEROES) Act Bill Passed - House (208 - 199)
5/15 H Res 965 Authorizing remote voting by proxy in the House of Representatives and providing for official remote committee proceedings during a public health emergency due to a novel coronavirus, and for other purposes Bill Passed - House (217 - 189)
5/15 H Res 965 Authorizing remote voting by proxy in the House of Representatives and providing for official remote committee proceedings during a public health emergency due to a novel coronavirus, and for other purposes Bill Passed - House (217 - 189)
5/14 SB 1102 Amends the "Catastrophic Health Emergency Powers Act" Bill Passed - House (53 - 44)
5/14 SB 739 Prohibits State Contracts with Businesses that Boycott Israel Bill Passed - House (95 - 40)
5/13 HB 2877 Increases the Role of Victim Impact Panels to Prevent Future OWI Offenses Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 13)
5/13 SJR 38 Amends Provisions Regulating the Legislature to Limit the Influence of Partisan Interests Joint Resolution Passed - House (98 - 56)
5/13 SJR 38 Amends Provisions Regulating the Legislature to Limit the Influence of Partisan Interests Joint Resolution Passed - House (98 - 56)
5/12 S 635 Expands Access to Absentee Voting Conference Report Adopted - House (108 - 0)
5/09 HF 3429 Appropriates Funds and Establishes Procedures for Safe State Primaries and General Elections Concurrence Vote Passed - House (122 - 10)
5/08 HB 2007 Appropriates Funds to the Departments of Economic Development, Commerce & Insurance and Labor & Industrial Relations Conference Report Adopted - House (128 - 21)
5/08 HB 2011 Appropriates Funds for the Department of Social Services Conference Report Adopted - House (105 - 44)
5/07 HF 3429 Appropriates Funds and Establishes Procedures for Safe State Primaries and General Elections Bill Passed - Senate (66 - 1)
5/07 HB 132 Establishes Daylight Savings Time as the Standard Time Year-Round Bill Passed - House (89 - 0)
5/07 HB 1403 Establishes an Alternative Highway Commission Bill Passed - House (114 - 33)
5/06 SB 1 Requires Issues Ordered After April 29 by the State Department of Health Last No Longer Than 14 Days Bill Passed - House (58 - 37)
5/05 HB 2011 Appropriates Funds for the Department of Social Services Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 6)
4/30 SB 858 Establishes Deadlines for Governor's Stay At Home Orders Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (22 - 15)
4/30 SB 858 Establishes Deadlines for Governor's Stay At Home Orders Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (22 - 15)
4/30 SB 858 Establishes Deadlines for Governor's Stay At Home Orders Bill Passed - House (59 - 41)
4/30 SB 858 Establishes Deadlines for Governor's Stay At Home Orders Bill Passed - House (59 - 41)
4/24 SB 857 Limits Governor's Power for Declaring a State of Emergency Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 15)
4/23 H Res 938 Establishing a Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis as a select investigative subcommittee of the Committee on Oversight and Reform Bill Passed - House (212 - 182)
4/22 SB 588 Authorizes Counties to Levy Certain Taxes Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 12)
4/22 HB 1255 Establishes a Constitutional Amendment to Create an Independent Redistricting Commission Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
4/22 HB 1255 Establishes a Constitutional Amendment to Create an Independent Redistricting Commission Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
4/22 HB 1255 Establishes a Constitutional Amendment to Create an Independent Redistricting Commission Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
4/22 SB 588 Authorizes Counties to Levy Certain Taxes Concurrence Vote Passed - House (56 - 35)
4/22 HB 207 Establishes Permanent Absentee Voter List Concurrence Vote Passed - House (52 - 43)
4/22 HB 207 Establishes Permanent Absentee Voter List Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
4/17 SB 3004 Establishes Public Health and Economic Emergency Commission and Requires COVID-19 Response Plan Bill Passed - House (59 - 15)
4/16 HB 3006 Amends the Election Code to Provide for 2020 Primary Election Exclusively by Mail Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 0)
4/16 SB 3004 Establishes Public Health and Economic Emergency Commission and Requires COVID-19 Response Plan Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 6)
4/15 HB 351 Increases Taxes on Tobacco Products and Authorizes the Expansion of Absentee Voting Veto Override Passed - Senate (24 - 9)
4/15 HB 351 Increases Taxes on Tobacco Products and Authorizes the Expansion of Absentee Voting Veto Override Passed - House (57 - 32)
4/15 SB 613 Requires the Governor's Office to Follow Federal Guidelines to Reopen Businesses During COVID-19 Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 21)
4/14 SB 2 Amends Voter Identification Requirements Veto Override Passed - House (60 - 29)
4/14 HB 336 Amends the Time Frame That Gubernatorial Candidates Can Announce Running Mates Veto Override Passed - Senate (24 - 10)

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