Key Votes

Chamber

Keyword Search

Search string must be longer than 3 characters.

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
April 28, 2021 AZ SB 1530 Requires Early Ballot Envelope Marking Requirements Bill Passed - House (47 - 13)
April 28, 2021 NV AB 121 Requires the Secretary of State Establish an Electronic Transmission System for Disabled Voters to Register to Vote Bill Passed - House (32 - 10)
April 27, 2021 MT HB 506 Amends Absentee Ballot Eligibility Requirements Conference Report Adopted - House (64 - 34)
April 27, 2021 MT HB 651 Requires Ballot Initiatives Include a Warning Label on the Impact to Local Business Concurrence Vote Passed - House (66 - 33)
April 27, 2021 AL HB 538 Limits the Time Frame for Receiving Absentee Ballot Applications Concurrence Vote Passed - House (81 - 12)
April 27, 2021 MT HB 530 Establishes Restrictions on Providing Assistance in Returning a Voter's Mail Ballot Concurrence Vote Passed - House (66 - 34)
April 21, 2021 TN SB 1534 Prohibits Any Person from Contributing Funds to the State Election Commission to Conduct Elections Bill Passed - House (72 - 20)
April 21, 2021 NY S 830 Extends Voting Rights to Convicted Felons on Parole Bill Passed - House (97 - 52)
April 20, 2021 ND SB 2271 Establishes a Statement of Legislative Intent Regarding Presidential Elections Conference Report Adopted - House (80 - 12)
April 20, 2021 AZ SB 1485 Rescinds Voters From the Early Ballots Mailing List Bill Passed - House (31 - 29)
April 20, 2021 AR SB 643 Limits the Time Frame for Absentee Ballot Applications to be Received Bill Passed - House (65 - 25)
April 20, 2021 AR SB 557 Amends the Duties of County Board Election Commissioner Members Bill Passed - House (76 - 17)
April 20, 2021 AR SB 498 Requires Written Complaints be Sent by the County Board of Election Commissioners to the State Board of Election Commissioners Bill Passed - House (79 - 9)
April 19, 2021 OK SB 710 Authorizes the State Election Board to Participate in Multistate Voter List Maintenance Organizations Bill Passed - House (68 - 20)
April 16, 2021 ID H 350 Requires Elections to Replace Trustees who are Recalled Bill Passed - House (55 - 14)
April 13, 2021 IN SB 353 Requires Presenting Valid Identification to Request an Absentee Ballot Online Bill Passed - House (71 - 23)
April 13, 2021 AR SB 488 Exempts Certain Forms of Examining and Copying of Public Records Bill Passed - House (71 - 21)
April 12, 2021 MD HB 206 Increases the Hours Early Voting Centers are Mandated to be Open for Elections Concurrence Vote Passed - House (111 - 24)
April 12, 2021 MT SB 350 Amends the Election Law Regarding Minor Parties Bill Passed - House (67 - 33)
April 12, 2021 MD SB 525 Requires the Baltimore City Centralized Booking Facility Provide a Secure Designated Ballot Drop Box Bill Passed - House (95 - 43)
April 10, 2021 MD HB 156 Authorizes a Military or Overseas Voter to Submit a Federal Post Card Application to Vote Concurrence Vote Passed - House (108 - 25)
April 9, 2021 HI SB 159 Requires Automatic Voter Registration When Receiving Driver's Licenses Bill Passed - House (49 - 1)
April 8, 2021 MD HB 1048 Requires the Local Board of Elections Consider Certain Factors when Determining Ballot Drop Box Locations Concurrence Vote Passed - House (97 - 42)
April 8, 2021 NH HB 285 Limits the Process of Verifying Local Voter Checklists by the Secretary of State "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (199 - 172)
April 8, 2021 NH HB 523 Requires Those who Register to Vote and Don't Have Identification to be Photographed "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (197 - 172)
April 8, 2021 NH HB 292 Requires Voters Verify Their Identity in Order to Receive an Absentee Ballot Bill Passed - House (198 - 174)
April 8, 2021 NH HB 98 Establishes a New Date for the State Primary Bill Passed - House (195 - 174)
April 7, 2021 VA SB 1245 Requires the Establishment of Drop-Box Locations Concurrence Vote Passed - House (55 - 45)
April 7, 2021 ID S 1110 Increases the Counties Needed to Reach 6 Percent of Signatures for an Initiative Bill Passed - House (51 - 18)
April 6, 2021 WY HB 136 Amends Ballot Language to Include Gender-Neutral Pronouns Concurrence Vote Passed - House (38 - 19)
April 6, 2021 AL HB 388 Requires General Election Laws be Implemented 6 Months Before a General Election Bill Passed - House (75 - 24)
April 5, 2021 WA SB 5015 Classifies Misrepresentation of Unofficial Ballot Collection Sites as Official Drop Boxes as a Gross Misdemeanor Bill Passed - House (92 - 5)
April 1, 2021 WY HB 75 Requires Individuals Provide Identification before Being Allowed to Vote Concurrence Vote Passed - House (51 - 8)
April 1, 2021 AR SB 496 Establishes Uniform Dates for Holding Special Elections Bill Passed - House (74 - 9)
April 1, 2021 MD SB 683 Authorizes Individuals to Request Permanent Absentee Voting Status Bill Passed - House (95 - 40)
April 1, 2021 AR HB 1803 Amends the Complaint Process for Election Law Violations Bill Passed - House (78 - 18)
April 1, 2021 AR HB 1715 Requires Voters' Signatures on Absentee Ballots Match the Signature from Their Voter Registration Application Bill Passed - House (74 - 22)
March 31, 2021 NY S 5545 Amends Statute's Definition of an Absentee Voter Bill Passed - House (138 - 8)
March 31, 2021 WV HB 3307 Establishes Requirements for Social Media Companies for Election-Related Content Bill Passed - House (72 - 28)
March 29, 2021 ND SB 2142 Authorizes the Opening of Absentee Ballots to Check Signatures Bill Passed - House (84 - 9)
March 29, 2021 CO HB 21-1011 Requires Providing Multilingual Ballot Access Bill Passed - House (40 - 23)
March 26, 2021 MT SB 169 Prohibits Same-Day Voter Registration Bill Passed - House (65 - 33)
March 26, 2021 MT SB 196 Authorizes Voting Precincts with Less than 400 In-Person Voters to Open at Noon Bill Passed - House (67 - 31)
March 25, 2021 GA SB 202 Amends Election Laws Bill Passed - House (100 - 74)
March 25, 2021 NJ A 4655 Prohibits Police from Being Within 100 Feet of a Polling Location Bill Passed - House (44 - 25)
March 25, 2021 MO HB 738 Establishes New Voter ID Laws Bill Passed - House (109 - 48)
March 25, 2021 NJ A 5373 Authorizes County Board of Elections to Determine the Location of Certain Ballot Drop Boxes Bill Passed - House (51 - 21)
March 23, 2021 IN SB 260 Authorizes 16 or 17 Year-Olds to Serve as a Precinct Election Officers on Election Day Bill Passed - House (58 - 36)
March 23, 2021 WI AR 15 Requires the Assembly Committee on Campaigns and Elections to Investigate Administration of Elections in the State Bill Passed - House (58 - 35)
March 22, 2021 MD HB 222 Expands Voting Access for Incarcerated Individuals Bill Passed - House (95 - 39)
Date No. Title Outcome
4/28 SB 1530 Requires Early Ballot Envelope Marking Requirements Bill Passed - House (47 - 13)
4/28 AB 121 Requires the Secretary of State Establish an Electronic Transmission System for Disabled Voters to Register to Vote Bill Passed - House (32 - 10)
4/27 HB 506 Amends Absentee Ballot Eligibility Requirements Conference Report Adopted - House (64 - 34)
4/27 HB 651 Requires Ballot Initiatives Include a Warning Label on the Impact to Local Business Concurrence Vote Passed - House (66 - 33)
4/27 HB 538 Limits the Time Frame for Receiving Absentee Ballot Applications Concurrence Vote Passed - House (81 - 12)
4/27 HB 530 Establishes Restrictions on Providing Assistance in Returning a Voter's Mail Ballot Concurrence Vote Passed - House (66 - 34)
4/21 SB 1534 Prohibits Any Person from Contributing Funds to the State Election Commission to Conduct Elections Bill Passed - House (72 - 20)
4/21 S 830 Extends Voting Rights to Convicted Felons on Parole Bill Passed - House (97 - 52)
4/20 SB 2271 Establishes a Statement of Legislative Intent Regarding Presidential Elections Conference Report Adopted - House (80 - 12)
4/20 SB 1485 Rescinds Voters From the Early Ballots Mailing List Bill Passed - House (31 - 29)
4/20 SB 643 Limits the Time Frame for Absentee Ballot Applications to be Received Bill Passed - House (65 - 25)
4/20 SB 557 Amends the Duties of County Board Election Commissioner Members Bill Passed - House (76 - 17)
4/20 SB 498 Requires Written Complaints be Sent by the County Board of Election Commissioners to the State Board of Election Commissioners Bill Passed - House (79 - 9)
4/19 SB 710 Authorizes the State Election Board to Participate in Multistate Voter List Maintenance Organizations Bill Passed - House (68 - 20)
4/16 H 350 Requires Elections to Replace Trustees who are Recalled Bill Passed - House (55 - 14)
4/13 SB 353 Requires Presenting Valid Identification to Request an Absentee Ballot Online Bill Passed - House (71 - 23)
4/13 SB 488 Exempts Certain Forms of Examining and Copying of Public Records Bill Passed - House (71 - 21)
4/12 HB 206 Increases the Hours Early Voting Centers are Mandated to be Open for Elections Concurrence Vote Passed - House (111 - 24)
4/12 SB 350 Amends the Election Law Regarding Minor Parties Bill Passed - House (67 - 33)
4/12 SB 525 Requires the Baltimore City Centralized Booking Facility Provide a Secure Designated Ballot Drop Box Bill Passed - House (95 - 43)
4/10 HB 156 Authorizes a Military or Overseas Voter to Submit a Federal Post Card Application to Vote Concurrence Vote Passed - House (108 - 25)
4/09 SB 159 Requires Automatic Voter Registration When Receiving Driver's Licenses Bill Passed - House (49 - 1)
4/08 HB 1048 Requires the Local Board of Elections Consider Certain Factors when Determining Ballot Drop Box Locations Concurrence Vote Passed - House (97 - 42)
4/08 HB 285 Limits the Process of Verifying Local Voter Checklists by the Secretary of State "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (199 - 172)
4/08 HB 523 Requires Those who Register to Vote and Don't Have Identification to be Photographed "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (197 - 172)
4/08 HB 292 Requires Voters Verify Their Identity in Order to Receive an Absentee Ballot Bill Passed - House (198 - 174)
4/08 HB 98 Establishes a New Date for the State Primary Bill Passed - House (195 - 174)
4/07 SB 1245 Requires the Establishment of Drop-Box Locations Concurrence Vote Passed - House (55 - 45)
4/07 S 1110 Increases the Counties Needed to Reach 6 Percent of Signatures for an Initiative Bill Passed - House (51 - 18)
4/06 HB 136 Amends Ballot Language to Include Gender-Neutral Pronouns Concurrence Vote Passed - House (38 - 19)
4/06 HB 388 Requires General Election Laws be Implemented 6 Months Before a General Election Bill Passed - House (75 - 24)
4/05 SB 5015 Classifies Misrepresentation of Unofficial Ballot Collection Sites as Official Drop Boxes as a Gross Misdemeanor Bill Passed - House (92 - 5)
4/01 HB 75 Requires Individuals Provide Identification before Being Allowed to Vote Concurrence Vote Passed - House (51 - 8)
4/01 SB 496 Establishes Uniform Dates for Holding Special Elections Bill Passed - House (74 - 9)
4/01 SB 683 Authorizes Individuals to Request Permanent Absentee Voting Status Bill Passed - House (95 - 40)
4/01 HB 1803 Amends the Complaint Process for Election Law Violations Bill Passed - House (78 - 18)
4/01 HB 1715 Requires Voters' Signatures on Absentee Ballots Match the Signature from Their Voter Registration Application Bill Passed - House (74 - 22)
3/31 S 5545 Amends Statute's Definition of an Absentee Voter Bill Passed - House (138 - 8)
3/31 HB 3307 Establishes Requirements for Social Media Companies for Election-Related Content Bill Passed - House (72 - 28)
3/29 SB 2142 Authorizes the Opening of Absentee Ballots to Check Signatures Bill Passed - House (84 - 9)
3/29 HB 21-1011 Requires Providing Multilingual Ballot Access Bill Passed - House (40 - 23)
3/26 SB 169 Prohibits Same-Day Voter Registration Bill Passed - House (65 - 33)
3/26 SB 196 Authorizes Voting Precincts with Less than 400 In-Person Voters to Open at Noon Bill Passed - House (67 - 31)
3/25 SB 202 Amends Election Laws Bill Passed - House (100 - 74)
3/25 A 4655 Prohibits Police from Being Within 100 Feet of a Polling Location Bill Passed - House (44 - 25)
3/25 HB 738 Establishes New Voter ID Laws Bill Passed - House (109 - 48)
3/25 A 5373 Authorizes County Board of Elections to Determine the Location of Certain Ballot Drop Boxes Bill Passed - House (51 - 21)
3/23 SB 260 Authorizes 16 or 17 Year-Olds to Serve as a Precinct Election Officers on Election Day Bill Passed - House (58 - 36)
3/23 AR 15 Requires the Assembly Committee on Campaigns and Elections to Investigate Administration of Elections in the State Bill Passed - House (58 - 35)
3/22 HB 222 Expands Voting Access for Incarcerated Individuals Bill Passed - House (95 - 39)

arrow_upward