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
Oct. 14, 2020 VA HB 5099 Prohibits No-Knock Search Warrants Conference Report Adopted - House (56 - 41)
Oct. 14, 2020 VA HB 5099 Prohibits No-Knock Search Warrants Conference Report Adopted - House (56 - 41)
Oct. 14, 2020 VA SB 5038 Requires the Development of a Comprehensive Crisis Service Continuum Including a MARCUS Alert System Conference Report Adopted - House (59 - 37)
Oct. 7, 2020 VA HB 5108 Amends the Makeup of the Criminal Justice Services Board Concurrence Vote Passed - House (55 - 41)
Oct. 7, 2020 VA SB 5038 Requires the Development of a Comprehensive Crisis Service Continuum Including a MARCUS Alert System Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 14)
Oct. 5, 2020 PA HB 1984 Authorizes a Parent to Petition to Terminate the Other Parent's Parental Rights Prior to Making Adoption Arrangements in Cases of Rape or Incest Bill Passed - Senate (50 - 0)
Oct. 2, 2020 VA SB 5033 Amends Court Authority in Criminal Cases Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 7)
Oct. 2, 2020 VA HB 5093 Expands the Violation of a Pandemic-Related Executive Order to Include a Fine Concurrence Vote Passed - House (59 - 37)
Oct. 2, 2020 VA SB 5029 Prohibits Search and Seizure Based Solely on the Odor of Marijuana Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 17)
Oct. 2, 2020 VA HB 5093 Expands the Violation of a Pandemic-Related Executive Order to Include a Fine Concurrence Vote Passed - House (59 - 37)
Oct. 2, 2020 VA HB 5108 Amends the Makeup of the Criminal Justice Services Board Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 18)
Oct. 2, 2020 VA SB 5038 Requires the Development of a Comprehensive Crisis Service Continuum Including a MARCUS Alert System Bill Passed - House (57 - 40)
Oct. 2, 2020 VA HB 5029 Establishes a Felony Charge for Officers that Fail to Intervene When Witnessing Unlawful Deadly Force Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 17)
Oct. 2, 2020 VA HB 5069 Prohibits Use of Chokeholds by Law Enforcement Officers Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 18)
Oct. 2, 2020 VA SB 5043 Establishes Procedures of Automatic Expungement of Criminal Records Bill Passed - House (58 - 39)
Oct. 2, 2020 VA SB 5024 Authorizes the Attorney General to File a Civil Suit or Inquire into Law Enforcement Engaging in Unlawful Practices Bill Passed - House (55 - 42)
Oct. 2, 2020 VA SB 5024 Authorizes the Attorney General to File a Civil Suit or Inquire into Law Enforcement Engaging in Unlawful Practices Bill Passed - House (55 - 42)
Oct. 2, 2020 VA SB 5034 Expands the State Earned Sentence Credit System Bill Passed - House (54 - 42)
Oct. 2, 2020 National H Res 1153 Condemning unwanted, unnecessary medical procedures on individuals without their full, informed consent Bill Passed - House (232 - 157)
Oct. 2, 2020 National H Res 1154 Condemning QAnon and rejecting the conspiracy theories it promotes Bill Passed - House (371 - 18)
Oct. 2, 2020 LA HB 1 Establishes Parole Eligibility for Juvenile Offenders Bill Passed - House (81 - 10)
Oct. 2, 2020 National H Res 1153 Condemning unwanted, unnecessary medical procedures on individuals without their full, informed consent Bill Passed - House (232 - 157)
Oct. 1, 2020 VA HB 5146 Authorizes a Person to File a Petition Requesting Expungement in Certain Circumstances Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 16)
Oct. 1, 2020 MI HB 5881 Amends Sentencing Guidelines for Absentee Voting Law Violations Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 7)
Oct. 1, 2020 VA HB 5098 Increases Penalty for Filing a False Police Report Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 16)
Sept. 30, 2020 MI SB 977 Increases the Punishment for Fraudulent Absentee Voting Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 6)
Sept. 30, 2020 MI HB 4332 Authorizes Use of Pneumatic Guns Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15)
Sept. 30, 2020 MI HB 4332 Authorizes Use of Pneumatic Guns Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15)
Sept. 30, 2020 National HR 6270 Uyghur Forced Labor Disclosure Act of 2020 Bill Passed - House (253 - 163)
Sept. 25, 2020 VA SB 5033 Amends Court Authority in Criminal Cases Bill Passed - House (53 - 44)
Sept. 25, 2020 VA SB 5035 Authorizes Localities to Establish Law-Enforcement Civilian Oversight Bodies Bill Passed - House (51 - 46)
Sept. 25, 2020 VA HB 5093 Expands the Violation of a Pandemic-Related Executive Order to Include a Fine Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 17)
Sept. 25, 2020 VA SB 5029 Prohibits Search and Seizure Based Solely on the Odor of Marijuana Bill Passed - House (51 - 45)
Sept. 25, 2020 VA HB 5093 Expands the Violation of a Pandemic-Related Executive Order to Include a Fine Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 17)
Sept. 25, 2020 VA HB 5052 Establishes Juneteenth Day as a Legal Holiday Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 0)
Sept. 25, 2020 VA SB 5013 Authorizes Individuals Charged with Marijuana Possession to Prepay Civil Penalty Bill Passed - House (63 - 34)
Sept. 24, 2020 MI HB 4982 Authorizes Convicts of Marijuana Misdemeanors to Apply for Expungement Concurrence Vote Passed - House (98 - 7)
Sept. 24, 2020 MI HB 4980 Establishes a System to Automatically Set Aside Certain Convictions Under Certain Circumstances Concurrence Vote Passed - House (93 - 12)
Sept. 24, 2020 MI SB 977 Increases the Punishment for Fraudulent Absentee Voting Bill Passed - House (77 - 26)
Sept. 24, 2020 MI HB 4980 Establishes a System to Automatically Set Aside Certain Convictions Under Certain Circumstances Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 8)
Sept. 24, 2020 NJ S 2519 Authorizes Public Health Emergency Credits for Certain Inmates Bill Passed - House (41 - 34)
Sept. 24, 2020 MI HB 5881 Amends Sentencing Guidelines for Absentee Voting Law Violations Bill Passed - House (74 - 29)
Sept. 23, 2020 MI HB 4982 Authorizes Convicts of Marijuana Misdemeanors to Apply for Expungement Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 2)
Sept. 23, 2020 MI SB 681 Authorizes Expungement of Misdemeanor Traffic Records for Juvenile Offenders Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 3)
Sept. 23, 2020 MI SB 682 Prohibits the Public from Viewing Juvenile Criminal Records and Limits the Amount of People able to Review Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 3)
Sept. 23, 2020 OH SB 360 Prohibits Public Officials from Issuing an Order that Prohibits Statewide Firearm Sales Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 5)
Sept. 22, 2020 VT S 119 Amends Standards for Police Use of Force Policies Bill Passed - House (106 - 37)
Sept. 22, 2020 VT S 119 Amends Standards for Police Use of Force Policies Bill Passed - House (106 - 37)
Sept. 22, 2020 MI SB 385 Repeals Ticket-Scalping Ban Bill Passed - House (91 - 14)
Sept. 17, 2020 National HR 2694 Pregnant Workers Fairness Act Bill Passed - House (329 - 73)
Date No. Title Outcome
10/14 HB 5099 Prohibits No-Knock Search Warrants Conference Report Adopted - House (56 - 41)
10/14 HB 5099 Prohibits No-Knock Search Warrants Conference Report Adopted - House (56 - 41)
10/14 SB 5038 Requires the Development of a Comprehensive Crisis Service Continuum Including a MARCUS Alert System Conference Report Adopted - House (59 - 37)
10/07 HB 5108 Amends the Makeup of the Criminal Justice Services Board Concurrence Vote Passed - House (55 - 41)
10/07 SB 5038 Requires the Development of a Comprehensive Crisis Service Continuum Including a MARCUS Alert System Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 14)
10/05 HB 1984 Authorizes a Parent to Petition to Terminate the Other Parent's Parental Rights Prior to Making Adoption Arrangements in Cases of Rape or Incest Bill Passed - Senate (50 - 0)
10/02 SB 5033 Amends Court Authority in Criminal Cases Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 7)
10/02 HB 5093 Expands the Violation of a Pandemic-Related Executive Order to Include a Fine Concurrence Vote Passed - House (59 - 37)
10/02 SB 5029 Prohibits Search and Seizure Based Solely on the Odor of Marijuana Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 17)
10/02 HB 5093 Expands the Violation of a Pandemic-Related Executive Order to Include a Fine Concurrence Vote Passed - House (59 - 37)
10/02 HB 5108 Amends the Makeup of the Criminal Justice Services Board Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 18)
10/02 SB 5038 Requires the Development of a Comprehensive Crisis Service Continuum Including a MARCUS Alert System Bill Passed - House (57 - 40)
10/02 HB 5029 Establishes a Felony Charge for Officers that Fail to Intervene When Witnessing Unlawful Deadly Force Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 17)
10/02 HB 5069 Prohibits Use of Chokeholds by Law Enforcement Officers Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 18)
10/02 SB 5043 Establishes Procedures of Automatic Expungement of Criminal Records Bill Passed - House (58 - 39)
10/02 SB 5024 Authorizes the Attorney General to File a Civil Suit or Inquire into Law Enforcement Engaging in Unlawful Practices Bill Passed - House (55 - 42)
10/02 SB 5024 Authorizes the Attorney General to File a Civil Suit or Inquire into Law Enforcement Engaging in Unlawful Practices Bill Passed - House (55 - 42)
10/02 SB 5034 Expands the State Earned Sentence Credit System Bill Passed - House (54 - 42)
10/02 H Res 1153 Condemning unwanted, unnecessary medical procedures on individuals without their full, informed consent Bill Passed - House (232 - 157)
10/02 H Res 1154 Condemning QAnon and rejecting the conspiracy theories it promotes Bill Passed - House (371 - 18)
10/02 HB 1 Establishes Parole Eligibility for Juvenile Offenders Bill Passed - House (81 - 10)
10/02 H Res 1153 Condemning unwanted, unnecessary medical procedures on individuals without their full, informed consent Bill Passed - House (232 - 157)
10/01 HB 5146 Authorizes a Person to File a Petition Requesting Expungement in Certain Circumstances Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 16)
10/01 HB 5881 Amends Sentencing Guidelines for Absentee Voting Law Violations Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 7)
10/01 HB 5098 Increases Penalty for Filing a False Police Report Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 16)
9/30 SB 977 Increases the Punishment for Fraudulent Absentee Voting Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 6)
9/30 HB 4332 Authorizes Use of Pneumatic Guns Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15)
9/30 HB 4332 Authorizes Use of Pneumatic Guns Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15)
9/30 HR 6270 Uyghur Forced Labor Disclosure Act of 2020 Bill Passed - House (253 - 163)
9/25 SB 5033 Amends Court Authority in Criminal Cases Bill Passed - House (53 - 44)
9/25 SB 5035 Authorizes Localities to Establish Law-Enforcement Civilian Oversight Bodies Bill Passed - House (51 - 46)
9/25 HB 5093 Expands the Violation of a Pandemic-Related Executive Order to Include a Fine Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 17)
9/25 SB 5029 Prohibits Search and Seizure Based Solely on the Odor of Marijuana Bill Passed - House (51 - 45)
9/25 HB 5093 Expands the Violation of a Pandemic-Related Executive Order to Include a Fine Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 17)
9/25 HB 5052 Establishes Juneteenth Day as a Legal Holiday Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 0)
9/25 SB 5013 Authorizes Individuals Charged with Marijuana Possession to Prepay Civil Penalty Bill Passed - House (63 - 34)
9/24 HB 4982 Authorizes Convicts of Marijuana Misdemeanors to Apply for Expungement Concurrence Vote Passed - House (98 - 7)
9/24 HB 4980 Establishes a System to Automatically Set Aside Certain Convictions Under Certain Circumstances Concurrence Vote Passed - House (93 - 12)
9/24 SB 977 Increases the Punishment for Fraudulent Absentee Voting Bill Passed - House (77 - 26)
9/24 HB 4980 Establishes a System to Automatically Set Aside Certain Convictions Under Certain Circumstances Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 8)
9/24 S 2519 Authorizes Public Health Emergency Credits for Certain Inmates Bill Passed - House (41 - 34)
9/24 HB 5881 Amends Sentencing Guidelines for Absentee Voting Law Violations Bill Passed - House (74 - 29)
9/23 HB 4982 Authorizes Convicts of Marijuana Misdemeanors to Apply for Expungement Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 2)
9/23 SB 681 Authorizes Expungement of Misdemeanor Traffic Records for Juvenile Offenders Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 3)
9/23 SB 682 Prohibits the Public from Viewing Juvenile Criminal Records and Limits the Amount of People able to Review Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 3)
9/23 SB 360 Prohibits Public Officials from Issuing an Order that Prohibits Statewide Firearm Sales Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 5)
9/22 S 119 Amends Standards for Police Use of Force Policies Bill Passed - House (106 - 37)
9/22 S 119 Amends Standards for Police Use of Force Policies Bill Passed - House (106 - 37)
9/22 SB 385 Repeals Ticket-Scalping Ban Bill Passed - House (91 - 14)
9/17 HR 2694 Pregnant Workers Fairness Act Bill Passed - House (329 - 73)

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