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
Aug. 31, 2020 CA AB 1869 Repeals Certain Judicial Fees Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 7)
Aug. 31, 2020 CA SB 823 Establishes the Office of Youth and Community Restoration Bill Passed - House (54 - 16)
Aug. 31, 2020 CA AB 3234 Authorizes Judges to Offer Misdemeanor Diversion Programs to Certain Defendants Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 10)
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. 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 Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 16)
Aug. 31, 2020 CA SB 1383 Expands Protections for Paid Family Leave Bill Passed - House (46 - 16)
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 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 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 132 Authorizes Incarcerated Transgendered Individuals to be Housed by Gender Identity Bill Passed - House (52 - 15)
Aug. 30, 2020 CA AB 1196 Prohibits Law Enforcement Agencies from Authorizing the Use of Carotid Restraints or Choke Holds Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 1)
Aug. 30, 2020 CA AB 1506 Requires a State Prosecutor to Investigate Certain Officer-Involved Shootings Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 1)
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. 30, 2020 CA AB 1196 Prohibits Law Enforcement Agencies from Authorizing the Use of Carotid Restraints or Choke Holds Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 1)
Aug. 29, 2020 CA AB 979 Requires Corporations to Have Directors From Under-Represented Groups Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 8)
Aug. 29, 2020 CA AB 3121 Establishes a Task Force for Reparations to African Americans Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 3)
Aug. 29, 2020 CA AB 2992 Prohibits Employer Punishment for Employee Leave Time Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 3)
Aug. 29, 2020 CA AB 2425 Prohibits the Release of Certain Juvenile Police Records Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 10)
Aug. 28, 2020 CA AB 646 Authorizes Individuals on Parole for a Felony Conviction to Vote Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 10)
Aug. 28, 2020 CA AB 1185 Authorizes Counties to Establish a Sheriff Oversight Board Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 11)
Aug. 28, 2020 CA AB 2847 Requires Microstamping Within Handguns Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 12)
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. 28, 2020 VA SB 5029 Prohibits Search and Seizure Based Solely on the Odor of Marijuana Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 14)
Aug. 27, 2020 NJ A 4369 Repeals Mandatory Minimum Prison Terms For Certain Offenses Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 15)
Aug. 27, 2020 NJ A 2370 Establishes Compassionate Release System for Inmates with Terminal Illnesses Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 7)
Aug. 27, 2020 NJ A 4320 Expands Ballot Receipt and Election Deadlines Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 14)
Aug. 27, 2020 NJ A 4320 Expands Ballot Receipt and Election Deadlines Bill Passed - House (51 - 27)
Aug. 27, 2020 NJ S 2519 Authorizes Public Health Emergency Credits for Certain Inmates Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 16)
Aug. 26, 2020 VA SB 5032 Repeals the 6-Month Mandatory Minimum Requirement for Assaulting Law Enforcement Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 15)
Aug. 25, 2020 MO HB 11 Classifies the Crime of Child Endangerment as a First-Degree Felony Bill Passed - House (111 - 39)
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 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. 24, 2020 CA AB 901 Limits a School District's Ability to Refer Students to Probation Officers Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 7)
Aug. 24, 2020 CA AB 1950 Limits Length of Probation Terms Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 12)
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 Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 5)
Aug. 12, 2020 TN SB 8005 Increases Criminal Penalties for Protesting on Public Property Bill Passed - House (71 - 20)
Aug. 11, 2020 NE LB 1060 Prohibits Racial Discrimination in the Workplace Based on Certain Hair Textures and Styles Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 12)
Aug. 10, 2020 OR HB 4301 Prohibits Use of Chokeholds by Law Enforcement Officers Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 5)
Aug. 7, 2020 MO SB 1 Amends Criminal Justice Laws Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 3)
Aug. 4, 2020 NV SB 2 Repeals Existing Law Protecting Peace Officers From Investigations Bill Passed - House (25 - 17)
Aug. 3, 2020 NV SB 2 Repeals Existing Law Protecting Peace Officers From Investigations Bill Passed - Senate (13 - 8)
Aug. 1, 2020 NV AB 3 Establishes Police Reforms for Nevada Law Enforcement Bill Passed - House (38 - 4)
July 30, 2020 NJ S 971 Authorizes Compensation for College Athletes Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 9)
July 30, 2020 NJ S 19 Establishes Juneteenth Day as a Public Holiday Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (35 - 3)
July 30, 2020 NJ S 971 Authorizes Compensation for College Athletes Bill Passed - House (56 - 16)
July 30, 2020 NJ A 3641 Requires Cultural Diversity and Implicit Bias Training for Law Officers Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 0)
July 30, 2020 NJ A 1906 Establishes Crime of False 911 Calls with Purpose to Intimidate or Harass Based on Race Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 0)
July 30, 2020 NJ A 1076 Requires Attorney General to Collect and Report Prosecutorial and Criminal Justice Data Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 0)
July 30, 2020 NJ A 1076 Requires Attorney General to Collect and Report Prosecutorial and Criminal Justice Data Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 0)
July 30, 2020 NJ A 1906 Establishes Crime of False 911 Calls with Purpose to Intimidate or Harass Based on Race Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 0)
July 30, 2020 NJ S 419 Requires Cultural Diversity Training for Law Enforcement Officers Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 0)
July 30, 2020 NJ S 419 Requires Cultural Diversity Training for Law Enforcement Officers Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 0)
July 30, 2020 NJ S 419 Requires Cultural Diversity Training for Law Enforcement Officers Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 0)
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 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 AR 178 Requires the Removal of Confederate Statues From the Capitol Resolution Passed - House (55 - 1)
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 29, 2020 CT HB 6004 Establishes Independent Inspector General to Investigate Police Shootings and Illegal Uses of Force Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 15)
July 28, 2020 MA S 2844 Repeals Previous Restrictions on Students with Disabilities Attending Universities of Higher Education Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 0)
July 28, 2020 MA S 2848 Establishes a Commission to Revise the State Seal and Motto Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 0)
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 22, 2020 NY A 5045 Amends Criminal Procedure Laws to Waive Certain Surcharges and Fees for Defendants Under the Age of 21 Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 19)
July 22, 2020 NY A 2176 Prohibits Civil Arrest of Individuals Attending Court Proceedings Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 18)
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 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)
Date No. Title Outcome
8/31 AB 1869 Repeals Certain Judicial Fees Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 7)
8/31 SB 823 Establishes the Office of Youth and Community Restoration Bill Passed - House (54 - 16)
8/31 AB 3234 Authorizes Judges to Offer Misdemeanor Diversion Programs to Certain Defendants Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 10)
8/31 SB 145 Exempts Certain Persons Convicted of Certain Offenses Involving Minors from Mandatory Sex Offender Registration Bill Passed - House (41 - 25)
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 Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 16)
8/31 SB 1383 Expands Protections for Paid Family Leave Bill Passed - House (46 - 16)
8/30 AB 979 Requires Corporations to Have Directors From Under-Represented Groups Concurrence Vote Passed - House (56 - 8)
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 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 132 Authorizes Incarcerated Transgendered Individuals to be Housed by Gender Identity Bill Passed - House (52 - 15)
8/30 AB 1196 Prohibits Law Enforcement Agencies from Authorizing the Use of Carotid Restraints or Choke Holds Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 1)
8/30 AB 1506 Requires a State Prosecutor to Investigate Certain Officer-Involved Shootings Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 1)
8/30 SB 1102 Requires Employers to Provide H-2A Employees with a Written Notice of their Rights Bill Passed - House (52 - 18)
8/30 AB 1196 Prohibits Law Enforcement Agencies from Authorizing the Use of Carotid Restraints or Choke Holds Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 1)
8/29 AB 979 Requires Corporations to Have Directors From Under-Represented Groups Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 8)
8/29 AB 3121 Establishes a Task Force for Reparations to African Americans Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 3)
8/29 AB 2992 Prohibits Employer Punishment for Employee Leave Time Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 3)
8/29 AB 2425 Prohibits the Release of Certain Juvenile Police Records Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 10)
8/28 AB 646 Authorizes Individuals on Parole for a Felony Conviction to Vote Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 10)
8/28 AB 1185 Authorizes Counties to Establish a Sheriff Oversight Board Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 11)
8/28 AB 2847 Requires Microstamping Within Handguns Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 12)
8/28 HB 5029 Establishes a Felony Charge for Officers that Fail to Intervene When Witnessing Unlawful Deadly Force Bill Passed - House (55 - 42)
8/28 SB 5029 Prohibits Search and Seizure Based Solely on the Odor of Marijuana Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 14)
8/27 A 4369 Repeals Mandatory Minimum Prison Terms For Certain Offenses Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 15)
8/27 A 2370 Establishes Compassionate Release System for Inmates with Terminal Illnesses Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 7)
8/27 A 4320 Expands Ballot Receipt and Election Deadlines Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 14)
8/27 A 4320 Expands Ballot Receipt and Election Deadlines Bill Passed - House (51 - 27)
8/27 S 2519 Authorizes Public Health Emergency Credits for Certain Inmates Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 16)
8/26 SB 5032 Repeals the 6-Month Mandatory Minimum Requirement for Assaulting Law Enforcement Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 15)
8/25 HB 11 Classifies the Crime of Child Endangerment as a First-Degree Felony Bill Passed - House (111 - 39)
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 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)
8/24 AB 901 Limits a School District's Ability to Refer Students to Probation Officers Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 7)
8/24 AB 1950 Limits Length of Probation Terms Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 12)
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 Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 5)
8/12 SB 8005 Increases Criminal Penalties for Protesting on Public Property Bill Passed - House (71 - 20)
8/11 LB 1060 Prohibits Racial Discrimination in the Workplace Based on Certain Hair Textures and Styles Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 12)
8/10 HB 4301 Prohibits Use of Chokeholds by Law Enforcement Officers Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 5)
8/07 SB 1 Amends Criminal Justice Laws Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 3)
8/04 SB 2 Repeals Existing Law Protecting Peace Officers From Investigations Bill Passed - House (25 - 17)
8/03 SB 2 Repeals Existing Law Protecting Peace Officers From Investigations Bill Passed - Senate (13 - 8)
8/01 AB 3 Establishes Police Reforms for Nevada Law Enforcement Bill Passed - House (38 - 4)
7/30 S 971 Authorizes Compensation for College Athletes Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 9)
7/30 S 19 Establishes Juneteenth Day as a Public Holiday Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (35 - 3)
7/30 S 971 Authorizes Compensation for College Athletes Bill Passed - House (56 - 16)
7/30 A 3641 Requires Cultural Diversity and Implicit Bias Training for Law Officers Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 0)
7/30 A 1906 Establishes Crime of False 911 Calls with Purpose to Intimidate or Harass Based on Race Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 0)
7/30 A 1076 Requires Attorney General to Collect and Report Prosecutorial and Criminal Justice Data Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 0)
7/30 A 1076 Requires Attorney General to Collect and Report Prosecutorial and Criminal Justice Data Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 0)
7/30 A 1906 Establishes Crime of False 911 Calls with Purpose to Intimidate or Harass Based on Race Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 0)
7/30 S 419 Requires Cultural Diversity Training for Law Enforcement Officers Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 0)
7/30 S 419 Requires Cultural Diversity Training for Law Enforcement Officers Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 0)
7/30 S 419 Requires Cultural Diversity Training for Law Enforcement Officers Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 0)
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)
7/30 A 4170 Limits the Use of Data Collected for Purposes of COVID-19 Contact Tracing Bill Passed - House (55 - 18)
7/30 AR 178 Requires the Removal of Confederate Statues From the Capitol Resolution Passed - House (55 - 1)
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)
7/29 HB 6004 Establishes Independent Inspector General to Investigate Police Shootings and Illegal Uses of Force Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 15)
7/28 S 2844 Repeals Previous Restrictions on Students with Disabilities Attending Universities of Higher Education Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 0)
7/28 S 2848 Establishes a Commission to Revise the State Seal and Motto Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 0)
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)
7/22 A 5045 Amends Criminal Procedure Laws to Waive Certain Surcharges and Fees for Defendants Under the Age of 21 Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 19)
7/22 A 2176 Prohibits Civil Arrest of Individuals Attending Court Proceedings Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 18)
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)
7/22 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)

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