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
May 20, 2021 NV AB 88 Requires Schools to Change Any Identifier that is "Racially Discriminatory" Bill Passed - Senate (12 - 8)
May 19, 2021 IA HF 847 Repeals Mask Mandates for Public School Students Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 17)
May 19, 2021 IA HF 847 Repeals Mask Mandates for Public School Students Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 17)
May 19, 2021 ME LD 52 Authorizes Additional Educational Policies to be Subjects of Collective Bargaining Negotiations Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 11)
May 18, 2021 DE HB 26 Prohibits Incarcerated Youths from Being Housed in Adult Prisons Bill Passed - Senate (12 - 7)
May 18, 2021 TX SB 1311 Prohibits Certain Treatments for Transgender Children Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 13)
May 18, 2021 CT SB 1019 Rescinds the Criminal Records for Low-Level Felonies and Misdemeanors Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
May 18, 2021 RI S 89 Prohibits the Use of a School District's Listserv to Distribute Any Political Advertisements Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 0)
May 18, 2021 CT SB 1 Alleges Racism is a Public Health Crisis Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 5)
May 18, 2021 CT SB 1091 Expands the Definition of Domestic Violence to Include Coercive Control Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 5)
May 17, 2021 IA SF 342 Increases Qualified Immunity Protections for Law Enforcement Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 18)
May 13, 2021 NH HB 388 Authorizes School Transfers Due to Educational Hardship "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (14 - 10)
May 13, 2021 National PN 244 Nomination of Amber McReynolds as Governor of the United States Postal Service Nomination Confirmed - Senate (59 - 38)
May 13, 2021 DE SB 78 Requires Any School Board Member Charged with a Violent Felony to be Suspended Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 1)
May 12, 2021 National PN 245 Nomination of Ronald Stroman as Governor of the United States Postal Service Nomination Confirmed - Senate (66 - 32)
May 12, 2021 TX HB 574 Establishes 2 New Classes of Election Fraud Offenses Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 9)
May 12, 2021 CO SB 21-246 Extends Assistance to Aid in the Transition to "Healthier" Homes Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
May 12, 2021 PA SB 115 Authorizes Nurses to Hold a License in Multiple States Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 16)
May 11, 2021 MO HB 557 Increases Oversight Over Unlicensed Religious Boarding Schools Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 9)
May 11, 2021 WI AB 142 Expands Immunity for Individuals Reporting or Investigating Child Abuse or Neglect Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 3)
May 11, 2021 WI SB 117 Amends Laws Related to Police Reform Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 11)
May 10, 2021 IN SB 5 Prohibits a Local Health Department from Implementing Orders More Restrictive than the Governor Veto Override Passed - Senate (36 - 10)
May 5, 2021 IA HF 889 Prohibits the Implementation of COVID-19 Vaccine Passports Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 16)
May 5, 2021 CT SB 753 Establishes Measures to End Prison Gerrymandering Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 1)
May 4, 2021 NC SB 671 Authorizes the Use of Virtual Schooling in Case of Emergencies (29 - 20)
May 4, 2021 OR SB 236 Prohibits Suspensions and Expulsions at Private Daycares and Preschools Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 7)
April 29, 2021 MT HB 92 Authorizes Redress for Wrongfully Convicted Individuals Veto Override Passed - Senate (34 - 14)
April 29, 2021 FL HB 833 Requires DNA Samples to be Defined as the "Exclusive Property" Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 18)
April 29, 2021 DE HB 73 Amends Guidelines for Probation and Parole Officers Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 7)
April 29, 2021 FL SB 2006 Specifies Law Regarding Emergencies Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15)
April 29, 2021 NE LB 320 Establishes District and County Courts Have Jurisdiction Over Complaints of Forcible Entry Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 3)
April 28, 2021 IA HF 802 Limits the Types of Diversity Training Schools and Governments May Offer Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 18)
April 28, 2021 AK HB 76 Extends the Governor's Disaster Declaration Bill Passed - Senate (13 - 7)
April 28, 2021 MO HB 271 Limits the Authority of Local Health Officials to Close Organizations During a Public Health Emergency Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 6)
April 28, 2021 MO HB 271 Limits the Authority of Local Health Officials to Close Organizations During a Public Health Emergency Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 6)
April 27, 2021 HI SB 726 Requires Officers Serving a Warrant to Wait Thirty Seconds Before Entry Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 2)
April 27, 2021 FL HB 53 Requires State and Local Governments to Accept Certain Public Works Bids (24 - 16)
April 27, 2021 CT HB 6423 Rescinds the Religious Exemption for Mandatory Childhood Vaccines Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 14)
April 27, 2021 NY S 4478 Prohibits the Use of Pesticides at Children's' Day and Overnight Camps Bill Passed - Senate (46 - 16)
April 26, 2021 CO SB 21-247 Authorizes the Adjustment of Redistricting Commission Procedures Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 0)
April 23, 2021 MT HB 701 Amends Marijuana Laws Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 16)
April 23, 2021 MT HB 701 Amends Marijuana Laws Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 16)
April 22, 2021 ND HB 1298 Requires Transgender Athletes to Play Sports on Teams Made for Their Biological Sex Veto Override Failed - Senate (28 - 19)
April 22, 2021 AR SB 590 Repeals Mask Mandates by All Government Entities Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (19 - 9)
April 22, 2021 WA HB 1365 Requires Development and Administration of a Technology Grant Program Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 19)
April 22, 2021 AR SB 627 Prohibits Certain Teachings Regarding Race and Sex Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 6)
April 22, 2021 AR SB 627 Prohibits Certain Teachings Regarding Race and Sex Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 6)
April 21, 2021 AR HB 1547 Prohibits Mandating COVID-19 Vaccinations Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 8)
April 21, 2021 National PN 79-4 Nomination of Vanita Gupta to be Associate Attorney General Nomination Confirmed - Senate (51 - 49)
April 21, 2021 OH SB 6 Authorizes the State Medical Board of Ohio to Enter Into the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 1)
Date No. Title Outcome
5/20 AB 88 Requires Schools to Change Any Identifier that is "Racially Discriminatory" Bill Passed - Senate (12 - 8)
5/19 HF 847 Repeals Mask Mandates for Public School Students Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 17)
5/19 HF 847 Repeals Mask Mandates for Public School Students Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 17)
5/19 LD 52 Authorizes Additional Educational Policies to be Subjects of Collective Bargaining Negotiations Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 11)
5/18 HB 26 Prohibits Incarcerated Youths from Being Housed in Adult Prisons Bill Passed - Senate (12 - 7)
5/18 SB 1311 Prohibits Certain Treatments for Transgender Children Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 13)
5/18 SB 1019 Rescinds the Criminal Records for Low-Level Felonies and Misdemeanors Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
5/18 S 89 Prohibits the Use of a School District's Listserv to Distribute Any Political Advertisements Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 0)
5/18 SB 1 Alleges Racism is a Public Health Crisis Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 5)
5/18 SB 1091 Expands the Definition of Domestic Violence to Include Coercive Control Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 5)
5/17 SF 342 Increases Qualified Immunity Protections for Law Enforcement Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 18)
5/13 HB 388 Authorizes School Transfers Due to Educational Hardship "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (14 - 10)
5/13 PN 244 Nomination of Amber McReynolds as Governor of the United States Postal Service Nomination Confirmed - Senate (59 - 38)
5/13 SB 78 Requires Any School Board Member Charged with a Violent Felony to be Suspended Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 1)
5/12 PN 245 Nomination of Ronald Stroman as Governor of the United States Postal Service Nomination Confirmed - Senate (66 - 32)
5/12 HB 574 Establishes 2 New Classes of Election Fraud Offenses Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 9)
5/12 SB 21-246 Extends Assistance to Aid in the Transition to "Healthier" Homes Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
5/12 SB 115 Authorizes Nurses to Hold a License in Multiple States Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 16)
5/11 HB 557 Increases Oversight Over Unlicensed Religious Boarding Schools Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 9)
5/11 AB 142 Expands Immunity for Individuals Reporting or Investigating Child Abuse or Neglect Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 3)
5/11 SB 117 Amends Laws Related to Police Reform Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 11)
5/10 SB 5 Prohibits a Local Health Department from Implementing Orders More Restrictive than the Governor Veto Override Passed - Senate (36 - 10)
5/05 HF 889 Prohibits the Implementation of COVID-19 Vaccine Passports Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 16)
5/05 SB 753 Establishes Measures to End Prison Gerrymandering Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 1)
5/04 SB 671 Authorizes the Use of Virtual Schooling in Case of Emergencies (29 - 20)
5/04 SB 236 Prohibits Suspensions and Expulsions at Private Daycares and Preschools Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 7)
4/29 HB 92 Authorizes Redress for Wrongfully Convicted Individuals Veto Override Passed - Senate (34 - 14)
4/29 HB 833 Requires DNA Samples to be Defined as the "Exclusive Property" Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 18)
4/29 HB 73 Amends Guidelines for Probation and Parole Officers Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 7)
4/29 SB 2006 Specifies Law Regarding Emergencies Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15)
4/29 LB 320 Establishes District and County Courts Have Jurisdiction Over Complaints of Forcible Entry Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 3)
4/28 HF 802 Limits the Types of Diversity Training Schools and Governments May Offer Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 18)
4/28 HB 76 Extends the Governor's Disaster Declaration Bill Passed - Senate (13 - 7)
4/28 HB 271 Limits the Authority of Local Health Officials to Close Organizations During a Public Health Emergency Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 6)
4/28 HB 271 Limits the Authority of Local Health Officials to Close Organizations During a Public Health Emergency Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 6)
4/27 SB 726 Requires Officers Serving a Warrant to Wait Thirty Seconds Before Entry Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 2)
4/27 HB 53 Requires State and Local Governments to Accept Certain Public Works Bids (24 - 16)
4/27 HB 6423 Rescinds the Religious Exemption for Mandatory Childhood Vaccines Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 14)
4/27 S 4478 Prohibits the Use of Pesticides at Children's' Day and Overnight Camps Bill Passed - Senate (46 - 16)
4/26 SB 21-247 Authorizes the Adjustment of Redistricting Commission Procedures Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 0)
4/23 HB 701 Amends Marijuana Laws Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 16)
4/23 HB 701 Amends Marijuana Laws Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 16)
4/22 HB 1298 Requires Transgender Athletes to Play Sports on Teams Made for Their Biological Sex Veto Override Failed - Senate (28 - 19)
4/22 SB 590 Repeals Mask Mandates by All Government Entities Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (19 - 9)
4/22 HB 1365 Requires Development and Administration of a Technology Grant Program Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 19)
4/22 SB 627 Prohibits Certain Teachings Regarding Race and Sex Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 6)
4/22 SB 627 Prohibits Certain Teachings Regarding Race and Sex Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 6)
4/21 HB 1547 Prohibits Mandating COVID-19 Vaccinations Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 8)
4/21 PN 79-4 Nomination of Vanita Gupta to be Associate Attorney General Nomination Confirmed - Senate (51 - 49)
4/21 SB 6 Authorizes the State Medical Board of Ohio to Enter Into the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 1)

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