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 11, 2020 IA HF 2486 Requires the Secretary of State to Receive Legislative Consent Prior to Sending Absentee Ballot Requests Concurrence Vote Passed - House (95 - 2)
June 10, 2020 NY S 2574 Establishes an Office of Special Investigation Under the Attorney General Bill Passed - House (97 - 47)
June 10, 2020 NY S 3595 Establishes the Law Enforcement Misconduct Investigative Office Bill Passed - House (100 - 44)
June 10, 2020 CA ACA 5 Establishes Constitutional Amendment Repealing Prohibition on Affirmative Action Policies Amendment Adopted - House (60 - 14)
June 9, 2020 NY S 8496 Authorizes Disclosure of Law Enforcement Disciplinary Records Bill Passed - House (101 - 43)
June 8, 2020 NY A 10608 Requires Law Enforcement Officers to Report Weapon Discharges to their Superior Bill Passed - House (105 - 39)
June 4, 2020 OH HB 680 Establishes Absentee Voting Requirements Bill Passed - House (61 - 35)
June 3, 2020 IA SF 2348 Requires Restitution Payment from Felons for Restoration of Voting Rights Bill Passed - House (51 - 45)
May 28, 2020 PA HR 836 Establishes a Resolution to Terminate the Governor's Emergency Declaration Bill Passed - House (117 - 85)
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 23, 2020 IL SB 2135 Establishes the "Government Emergency Administration Act" Bill Passed - House (66 - 44)
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 IL SB 1863 Expands Absentee Voting for the Upcoming General Election Bill Passed - House (72 - 43)
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 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 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 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 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 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)
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 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 - House (56 - 35)
April 22, 2020 VA HB 207 Establishes Permanent Absentee Voter List Concurrence Vote Passed - House (52 - 43)
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 15, 2020 KY HB 351 Increases Taxes on Tobacco Products and Authorizes the Expansion of Absentee Voting Veto Override Passed - House (57 - 32)
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 - House (55 - 34)
April 14, 2020 KY HB 195 Authorizes Local Governments to Advertise Online in Lieu of Newspaper Publications Veto Override Passed - House (55 - 32)
April 14, 2020 PA SB 613 Requires the Governor's Office to Follow Federal Guidelines to Reopen Businesses During COVID-19 Bill Passed - House (107 - 95)
April 14, 2020 PA HB 2376 Authorizes Certain Retail Operations and Construction Sites to Reopen Bill Passed - House (112 - 90)
April 1, 2020 KY HB 351 Increases Taxes on Tobacco Products and Authorizes the Expansion of Absentee Voting Concurrence Vote Passed - House (68 - 22)
March 30, 2020 SD SB 191 Authorizes Emergency Powers for Counties During a Public Health Crisis in Order to Declare an Emergency Bill Failed - House (37 - 29)
March 25, 2020 OH HB 197 Establishes Relief Provisions in Response to the COVID-19 Emergency Concurrence Vote Passed - House (92 - 0)
March 23, 2020 AK HB 232 Authorizes Local Governments to Create Property Tax Credits to Increase Efficiency and Local Air Quality Bill Passed - House (31 - 4)
March 18, 2020 MD SB 1028 Establishes Constitutional Amendment to Authorize Legislature More Power Over State Budget Bill Passed - House (95 - 39)
March 18, 2020 ID S 1385 Prohibits Abortion if Roe v Wade is Overturned by the Supreme Court Bill Passed - House (49 - 18)
March 12, 2020 UT HB 70 Repeals Single Mark Straight-Ticket Voting Concurrence Vote Passed - House (44 - 27)
March 12, 2020 WY HB 44 Requires the Observation of Mountain Daylight Time Concurrence Vote Passed - House (45 - 13)
March 12, 2020 ME LD 2077 Establishes a Legislative Review for Performance Evaluation and Professional Growth Bill Passed - House (91 - 47)
March 11, 2020 IN SB 148 Prohibits Regulating Relationship between Renters and Landlords Conference Report Adopted - House (64 - 32)
March 11, 2020 WY SF 134 Authorizes Liquor Licenses for Events Conducted at Rodeo Arenas Bill Passed - House (34 - 25)
March 11, 2020 FL SB 664 Requires Government Agencies Use E-Verify Immigration Check for Employment Bill Passed - House (73 - 45)
March 11, 2020 FL SB 1794 Increases Signature Threshold for Initiative Petitions Bill Passed - House (73 - 45)
March 11, 2020 FL SB 1794 Increases Signature Threshold for Initiative Petitions Bill Passed - House (73 - 45)
March 11, 2020 KY HB 432 Reduces the Governor's Role Over the State Investment Commission Bill Passed - House (74 - 23)
March 10, 2020 FL SB 172 Prohibits Local Governments from Prohibiting Certain Drugs and Cosmetics Bill Passed - House (68 - 47)
March 9, 2020 WA HB 1590 Authorizes Local Affordable Housing Tax to be Imposed by a Councilmanic Authority Concurrence Vote Passed - House (52 - 44)
March 9, 2020 UT HB 209 Authorizes Health Data Committee to Disclose Identifiable Health Data Concurrence Vote Passed - House (48 - 20)
March 9, 2020 SD SB 70 Authorizes Use of Spanish for Driver License Testing Bill Passed - House (42 - 24)
March 9, 2020 MO HJR 103 Amends the State Constitution to Create a State Department of Defense Joint Resolution Passed - House (117 - 30)
March 9, 2020 TN HB 2363 Amends Voter Registration Penalties Bill Passed - House (74 - 20)
March 8, 2020 VA SB 183 Authorizes Localities to Remove, Relocate, or Alter Monuments Conference Report Adopted - House (52 - 44)
March 7, 2020 WV HB 2419 Authorizes Release of Certain Individuals Without Bail Requirements Concurrence Vote Passed - House (79 - 21)
March 7, 2020 WV HB 4176 Establishes the West Virginia Intelligence/Fusion Center Act Concurrence Vote Passed - House (88 - 11)
March 7, 2020 WV HB 4176 Establishes the West Virginia Intelligence/Fusion Center Act Concurrence Vote Passed - House (88 - 11)
March 6, 2020 WV SB 275 Establishes an Intermediate Court of Appeals Bill Failed - House (44 - 56)
March 6, 2020 WV SB 275 Establishes an Intermediate Court of Appeals Bill Failed - House (44 - 56)
March 5, 2020 VA HB 19 Repeals Photo Identification Requirement for Voting Conference Report Adopted - House (54 - 45)
March 5, 2020 VA HB 201 Authorizes Same-Day Voter Registration Conference Report Adopted - House (52 - 44)
March 5, 2020 VA HB 235 Establishes and Authorizes a Process for Automatic Voter Registration Conference Report Adopted - House (53 - 46)
March 5, 2020 VA HB 1255 Establishes a Constitutional Amendment to Create an Independent Redistricting Commission Concurrence Vote Passed - House (54 - 45)
March 5, 2020 VA HB 1255 Establishes a Constitutional Amendment to Create an Independent Redistricting Commission Concurrence Vote Passed - House (54 - 45)
Date No. Title Outcome
6/11 HF 2486 Requires the Secretary of State to Receive Legislative Consent Prior to Sending Absentee Ballot Requests Concurrence Vote Passed - House (95 - 2)
6/10 S 2574 Establishes an Office of Special Investigation Under the Attorney General Bill Passed - House (97 - 47)
6/10 S 3595 Establishes the Law Enforcement Misconduct Investigative Office Bill Passed - House (100 - 44)
6/10 ACA 5 Establishes Constitutional Amendment Repealing Prohibition on Affirmative Action Policies Amendment Adopted - House (60 - 14)
6/09 S 8496 Authorizes Disclosure of Law Enforcement Disciplinary Records Bill Passed - House (101 - 43)
6/08 A 10608 Requires Law Enforcement Officers to Report Weapon Discharges to their Superior Bill Passed - House (105 - 39)
6/04 HB 680 Establishes Absentee Voting Requirements Bill Passed - House (61 - 35)
6/03 SF 2348 Requires Restitution Payment from Felons for Restoration of Voting Rights Bill Passed - House (51 - 45)
5/28 HR 836 Establishes a Resolution to Terminate the Governor's Emergency Declaration Bill Passed - House (117 - 85)
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)
5/23 SB 2135 Establishes the "Government Emergency Administration Act" Bill Passed - House (66 - 44)
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 SB 1863 Expands Absentee Voting for the Upcoming General Election Bill Passed - House (72 - 43)
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 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 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)
5/14 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 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 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)
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)
4/23 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 - House (56 - 35)
4/22 HB 207 Establishes Permanent Absentee Voter List Concurrence Vote Passed - House (52 - 43)
4/17 SB 3004 Establishes Public Health and Economic Emergency Commission and Requires COVID-19 Response Plan Bill Passed - House (59 - 15)
4/15 HB 351 Increases Taxes on Tobacco Products and Authorizes the Expansion of Absentee Voting Veto Override Passed - House (57 - 32)
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 - House (55 - 34)
4/14 HB 195 Authorizes Local Governments to Advertise Online in Lieu of Newspaper Publications Veto Override Passed - House (55 - 32)
4/14 SB 613 Requires the Governor's Office to Follow Federal Guidelines to Reopen Businesses During COVID-19 Bill Passed - House (107 - 95)
4/14 HB 2376 Authorizes Certain Retail Operations and Construction Sites to Reopen Bill Passed - House (112 - 90)
4/01 HB 351 Increases Taxes on Tobacco Products and Authorizes the Expansion of Absentee Voting Concurrence Vote Passed - House (68 - 22)
3/30 SB 191 Authorizes Emergency Powers for Counties During a Public Health Crisis in Order to Declare an Emergency Bill Failed - House (37 - 29)
3/25 HB 197 Establishes Relief Provisions in Response to the COVID-19 Emergency Concurrence Vote Passed - House (92 - 0)
3/23 HB 232 Authorizes Local Governments to Create Property Tax Credits to Increase Efficiency and Local Air Quality Bill Passed - House (31 - 4)
3/18 SB 1028 Establishes Constitutional Amendment to Authorize Legislature More Power Over State Budget Bill Passed - House (95 - 39)
3/18 S 1385 Prohibits Abortion if Roe v Wade is Overturned by the Supreme Court Bill Passed - House (49 - 18)
3/12 HB 70 Repeals Single Mark Straight-Ticket Voting Concurrence Vote Passed - House (44 - 27)
3/12 HB 44 Requires the Observation of Mountain Daylight Time Concurrence Vote Passed - House (45 - 13)
3/12 LD 2077 Establishes a Legislative Review for Performance Evaluation and Professional Growth Bill Passed - House (91 - 47)
3/11 SB 148 Prohibits Regulating Relationship between Renters and Landlords Conference Report Adopted - House (64 - 32)
3/11 SF 134 Authorizes Liquor Licenses for Events Conducted at Rodeo Arenas Bill Passed - House (34 - 25)
3/11 SB 664 Requires Government Agencies Use E-Verify Immigration Check for Employment Bill Passed - House (73 - 45)
3/11 SB 1794 Increases Signature Threshold for Initiative Petitions Bill Passed - House (73 - 45)
3/11 SB 1794 Increases Signature Threshold for Initiative Petitions Bill Passed - House (73 - 45)
3/11 HB 432 Reduces the Governor's Role Over the State Investment Commission Bill Passed - House (74 - 23)
3/10 SB 172 Prohibits Local Governments from Prohibiting Certain Drugs and Cosmetics Bill Passed - House (68 - 47)
3/09 HB 1590 Authorizes Local Affordable Housing Tax to be Imposed by a Councilmanic Authority Concurrence Vote Passed - House (52 - 44)
3/09 HB 209 Authorizes Health Data Committee to Disclose Identifiable Health Data Concurrence Vote Passed - House (48 - 20)
3/09 SB 70 Authorizes Use of Spanish for Driver License Testing Bill Passed - House (42 - 24)
3/09 HJR 103 Amends the State Constitution to Create a State Department of Defense Joint Resolution Passed - House (117 - 30)
3/09 HB 2363 Amends Voter Registration Penalties Bill Passed - House (74 - 20)
3/08 SB 183 Authorizes Localities to Remove, Relocate, or Alter Monuments Conference Report Adopted - House (52 - 44)
3/07 HB 2419 Authorizes Release of Certain Individuals Without Bail Requirements Concurrence Vote Passed - House (79 - 21)
3/07 HB 4176 Establishes the West Virginia Intelligence/Fusion Center Act Concurrence Vote Passed - House (88 - 11)
3/07 HB 4176 Establishes the West Virginia Intelligence/Fusion Center Act Concurrence Vote Passed - House (88 - 11)
3/06 SB 275 Establishes an Intermediate Court of Appeals Bill Failed - House (44 - 56)
3/06 SB 275 Establishes an Intermediate Court of Appeals Bill Failed - House (44 - 56)
3/05 HB 19 Repeals Photo Identification Requirement for Voting Conference Report Adopted - House (54 - 45)
3/05 HB 201 Authorizes Same-Day Voter Registration Conference Report Adopted - House (52 - 44)
3/05 HB 235 Establishes and Authorizes a Process for Automatic Voter Registration Conference Report Adopted - House (53 - 46)
3/05 HB 1255 Establishes a Constitutional Amendment to Create an Independent Redistricting Commission Concurrence Vote Passed - House (54 - 45)
3/05 HB 1255 Establishes a Constitutional Amendment to Create an Independent Redistricting Commission Concurrence Vote Passed - House (54 - 45)

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