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
July 30, 2020 NJ S 19 Establishes Juneteenth Day as a Public Holiday Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (35 - 3)
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 3641 Requires Cultural Diversity and Implicit Bias Training for Law Officers Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 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 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 2848 Establishes a Commission to Revise the State Seal and Motto Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 0)
July 28, 2020 MA S 2844 Repeals Previous Restrictions on Students with Disabilities Attending Universities of Higher Education Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 0)
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 21, 2020 NY A 5630 Amends Various Power of Attorney Laws Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 17)
July 21, 2020 NY A 6710 Requires Incarcerated Parents to Be Placed at Facilities Closest to Their Children's Home Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 11)
July 21, 2020 NY A 6710 Requires Incarcerated Parents to Be Placed at Facilities Closest to Their Children's Home Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 11)
July 21, 2020 NY S 4234 Prohibits the Sale of Dogs, Cats, and Rabbits by Retail Pet Shops Bill Passed - Senate (47 - 13)
July 16, 2020 RI H 7541 Establishes the "Uniform Parentage Act" Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 1)
July 16, 2020 RI H 7541 Establishes the "Uniform Parentage Act" Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 1)
July 16, 2020 RI S 2919 Authorizes Online Registration for Sports Betting Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 4)
July 15, 2020 PA SB 14 Establishes New Guidelines to Reduce Probation Sentences Bill Passed - Senate (50 - 0)
July 14, 2020 MA S 2800 Amends Police Standards and Restructures Policing Resources Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 7)
July 14, 2020 MA S 2800 Amends Police Standards and Restructures Policing Resources Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 7)
July 8, 2020 NC SB 599 Authorizes the Reopening of Bowling Alleys and Skating Rinks Veto Override Failed - Senate (26 - 21)
July 8, 2020 NC SB 232 Repeals Anti-Mask Law Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (43 - 4)
July 6, 2020 HI HB 285 Requires Law Enforcement Transparency Conference Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 4)
July 2, 2020 CA SB 1383 Expands Protections for Paid Family Leave Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12)
June 30, 2020 MS SB 2123 Establishes the "Mississippi Correctional Safety and Rehabilitation Act" Conference Report Adopted - Senate (25 - 17)
June 30, 2020 PA HB 1910 Establishes New Training Requirements for Police Officers Bill Passed - Senate (50 - 0)
June 30, 2020 PA HB 1910 Establishes New Training Requirements for Police Officers Bill Passed - Senate (50 - 0)
June 29, 2020 NH SB 34 Exempts Sleeping and Other Activities From DWI Charges Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (20 - 4)
June 29, 2020 NH HB 687 Establishes a Procedure for Extreme Risk Protection Orders Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 10)
June 29, 2020 NH HB 687 Establishes a Procedure for Extreme Risk Protection Orders Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 10)
June 29, 2020 NJ S 2455 Prohibits Lawful Presence as Qualification for Occupational License Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 11)
June 28, 2020 MS HB 1796 Authorizes the Redesign of the Mississippi State Flag Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 14)
June 26, 2020 NC S 168 Prohibits Public Disclosure of Internal Police Investigations Conference Report Adopted - Senate (43 - 0)
June 26, 2020 VT H 965 Appropriates Funds to Health Care and Human Services Programs from Coronavirus Relief Fund Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 0)
June 26, 2020 OR HB 4203 Prohibits Peace Officers from Using Force by Applying Pressure on Throat or Neck Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 1)
June 26, 2020 OR HB 4203 Prohibits Peace Officers from Using Force by Applying Pressure on Throat or Neck Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 1)
June 26, 2020 OR HB 4208 Prohibits the Use of Tear Gas for Crowd Control Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 2)
June 26, 2020 OR HB 4201 Establishes Joint Committee on Transparent Policing and Use of Force Reform Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 1)
June 26, 2020 OR HB 4207 Establishes Online Database of Suspended Police Officers Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 1)
June 26, 2020 OR HB 4205 Requires Police Officers to Intervene When a Fellow Officer is Engaging in Misconduct Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 0)
June 26, 2020 OR HB 4210 Repeals Driving Privilege Suspensions for Failure to Pay Fines Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 7)
June 26, 2020 NC SB 681 Requires Credit in the Arts in Order to Graduate Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 9)
June 26, 2020 CA SB 1175 Prohibits Importation and Possession of Wild Animals Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 8)
June 26, 2020 CA SB 1175 Prohibits Importation and Possession of Wild Animals Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 8)
June 26, 2020 CA SB 1111 Requires Certain Juvenile Offenders to Remain in Juvenile Hall Until Age 21 Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 8)
June 26, 2020 OR SB 1604 Amends Law Enforcement Arbitration Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 0)
Date No. Title Outcome
7/30 S 19 Establishes Juneteenth Day as a Public Holiday Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (35 - 3)
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 3641 Requires Cultural Diversity and Implicit Bias Training for Law Officers Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 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)
7/29 HB 6004 Establishes Independent Inspector General to Investigate Police Shootings and Illegal Uses of Force Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 15)
7/28 S 2848 Establishes a Commission to Revise the State Seal and Motto Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 0)
7/28 S 2844 Repeals Previous Restrictions on Students with Disabilities Attending Universities of Higher Education Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 0)
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)
7/21 A 5630 Amends Various Power of Attorney Laws Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 17)
7/21 A 6710 Requires Incarcerated Parents to Be Placed at Facilities Closest to Their Children's Home Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 11)
7/21 A 6710 Requires Incarcerated Parents to Be Placed at Facilities Closest to Their Children's Home Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 11)
7/21 S 4234 Prohibits the Sale of Dogs, Cats, and Rabbits by Retail Pet Shops Bill Passed - Senate (47 - 13)
7/16 H 7541 Establishes the "Uniform Parentage Act" Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 1)
7/16 H 7541 Establishes the "Uniform Parentage Act" Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 1)
7/16 S 2919 Authorizes Online Registration for Sports Betting Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 4)
7/15 SB 14 Establishes New Guidelines to Reduce Probation Sentences Bill Passed - Senate (50 - 0)
7/14 S 2800 Amends Police Standards and Restructures Policing Resources Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 7)
7/14 S 2800 Amends Police Standards and Restructures Policing Resources Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 7)
7/08 SB 599 Authorizes the Reopening of Bowling Alleys and Skating Rinks Veto Override Failed - Senate (26 - 21)
7/08 SB 232 Repeals Anti-Mask Law Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (43 - 4)
7/06 HB 285 Requires Law Enforcement Transparency Conference Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 4)
7/02 SB 1383 Expands Protections for Paid Family Leave Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12)
6/30 SB 2123 Establishes the "Mississippi Correctional Safety and Rehabilitation Act" Conference Report Adopted - Senate (25 - 17)
6/30 HB 1910 Establishes New Training Requirements for Police Officers Bill Passed - Senate (50 - 0)
6/30 HB 1910 Establishes New Training Requirements for Police Officers Bill Passed - Senate (50 - 0)
6/29 SB 34 Exempts Sleeping and Other Activities From DWI Charges Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (20 - 4)
6/29 HB 687 Establishes a Procedure for Extreme Risk Protection Orders Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 10)
6/29 HB 687 Establishes a Procedure for Extreme Risk Protection Orders Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 10)
6/29 S 2455 Prohibits Lawful Presence as Qualification for Occupational License Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 11)
6/28 HB 1796 Authorizes the Redesign of the Mississippi State Flag Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 14)
6/26 S 168 Prohibits Public Disclosure of Internal Police Investigations Conference Report Adopted - Senate (43 - 0)
6/26 H 965 Appropriates Funds to Health Care and Human Services Programs from Coronavirus Relief Fund Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 0)
6/26 HB 4203 Prohibits Peace Officers from Using Force by Applying Pressure on Throat or Neck Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 1)
6/26 HB 4203 Prohibits Peace Officers from Using Force by Applying Pressure on Throat or Neck Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 1)
6/26 HB 4208 Prohibits the Use of Tear Gas for Crowd Control Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 2)
6/26 HB 4201 Establishes Joint Committee on Transparent Policing and Use of Force Reform Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 1)
6/26 HB 4207 Establishes Online Database of Suspended Police Officers Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 1)
6/26 HB 4205 Requires Police Officers to Intervene When a Fellow Officer is Engaging in Misconduct Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 0)
6/26 HB 4210 Repeals Driving Privilege Suspensions for Failure to Pay Fines Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 7)
6/26 SB 681 Requires Credit in the Arts in Order to Graduate Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 9)
6/26 SB 1175 Prohibits Importation and Possession of Wild Animals Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 8)
6/26 SB 1175 Prohibits Importation and Possession of Wild Animals Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 8)
6/26 SB 1111 Requires Certain Juvenile Offenders to Remain in Juvenile Hall Until Age 21 Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 8)
6/26 SB 1604 Amends Law Enforcement Arbitration Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 0)

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