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.


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Date State Bill No. Title Outcome
March 9, 2021 HI SB 560 Establishes Rank-Choice Voting For County Council Seats Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 0)
March 8, 2021 ND HB 1256 Prohibits Accepting Grants or Donations from Private Persons for Election Matters Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 22)
March 8, 2021 GA SB 241 Limits Absentee Voting to Individuals 65 and Older (29 - 20)
March 8, 2021 AZ SB 1713 Repeals Early Ballot Laws Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 14)
March 5, 2021 NM SB 304 Establishes a Citizen's Redistricting Committee Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 6)
March 4, 2021 NH SB 54 Establishes New Requirements for Absentee Voting Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 10)
March 3, 2021 AR HB 1338 Amends the Petition Process to be a Candidate by Increasing the Number of Signatures Required Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 3)
March 3, 2021 AZ SB 1106 Prohibits Voters from Out-of-State Knowingly Voting in Presidential Elections Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 14)
March 3, 2021 AZ SB 1793 Repeals Deceased Individuals from County Voter Registration Databases Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 14)
March 3, 2021 AZ SB 1003 Establishes Guidelines for the Time Voters Have to Fix Signatures on Ballots Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 14)
March 2, 2021 AZ SB 1485 Rescinds Voters From the Early Ballots Mailing List Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 14)
March 2, 2021 MT SB 319 Establishes Joint Fundraising Committees to Solicit Large Campaign Donations Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 19)
March 2, 2021 ID S 1064 Specifies Voters Must be Issued a New Ballot of the Same Type they Originally Requested Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 6)
March 1, 2021 ID S 1110 Increases the Counties Needed to Reach 6 Percent of Signatures for an Initiative Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 9)
March 1, 2021 MT SB 350 Amends the Election Law Regarding Minor Parties Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 19)
March 1, 2021 MT SB 351 Authorizes County Election Administrators to Test Vote Tabulation Machines Before Automatic Tabulation Begins Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 18)
Feb. 27, 2021 VA SJ 272 Amends the Qualifications to Vote Conference Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 17)
Feb. 27, 2021 VA HJ 555 Extends Voting Rights to Citizens on Parole Conference Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 18)
Feb. 25, 2021 SD HB 1125 Requires All Ballots to be Counted Before the Counting Board Leaves Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 4)
Feb. 24, 2021 AR HB 1112 Requires Presenting Identification in Order to Vote Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 9)
Feb. 24, 2021 GA SB 89 Establishes a New Position at the State Board of Elections Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 18)
Feb. 24, 2021 NY S 830 Extends Voting Rights to Convicted Felons on Parole Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 20)
Feb. 23, 2021 VA SB 1097 Rescinds the Mandate for a Witness Signature on Absentee Ballots Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (22 - 17)
Feb. 23, 2021 VA SB 1148 Amends the Primary Election Date Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 14)
Feb. 23, 2021 VA HB 2020 Amends the Nomination Processes to Accommodate Servicemembers on Active Duty Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 10)
Feb. 23, 2021 GA SB 40 Requires County Officials Count Ballots 8 Days Before an Election (53 - 0)
Feb. 23, 2021 GA SB 184 Requires that Voting Records be Updated Within 30 Days After an Election Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 15)
Feb. 23, 2021 IA SF 413 Amends the State's Voting Laws Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 18)
Feb. 23, 2021 GA SB 67 Requires Photo ID For Absentee Ballots Applications (35 - 18)
Feb. 22, 2021 IN SB 353 Requires Presenting Valid Identification to Request an Absentee Ballot Online Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 15)
Feb. 19, 2021 VA HB 1888 Requires the Creation of More Ballot Drop Boxes Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 17)
Feb. 19, 2021 VA HB 1968 Authorizes the Electoral Board or General Registrar of a County or City to Provide Absentee Voting Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 17)
Feb. 19, 2021 VA HB 2125 Authorizes a Person Who is 16 Years of Age or Older to Preregister to Vote Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 17)
Feb. 19, 2021 VA HB 1810 Authorizes the Governor to Order the Online Voter Registration System be Made Available After Close of Registration if a System Error Occurs Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 4)
Feb. 18, 2021 VA HB 2081 Prohibits the Possession of Firearms Within 40 Feet of a Polling Place Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 18)
Feb. 17, 2021 AZ SCR 1024 Requires New Ballot Initiatives for Taxation Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (16 - 14)
Feb. 16, 2021 AZ SB 1069 Amends Early Voting List Eligibility Bill Failed - Senate (15 - 15)
Feb. 12, 2021 MT SB 170 Requires Yearly Maintenance on Voter Lists to Remove Inactive Voters Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 19)
Feb. 11, 2021 AZ SB 1002 Prohibits Absentee Ballots from Revealing Political Party Affiliation Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 9)
Feb. 10, 2021 NY A 4686 Reduces the Number of Signatures Necessary for Nomination Petitions Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 15)
Feb. 10, 2021 MS SB 2588 Repeals Names and Information From the Voter Rolls Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 16)
Feb. 5, 2021 MT SB 15 Requires Election Officials Provide Accessible Locations for Disabled Voters During Elections Conducted by Mail Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 9)
Feb. 2, 2021 NY A 2574 Establishes the State University of New York as an Automatic Voter Registration Location Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 20)
Jan. 28, 2021 NJ S 2973 Authorizes a County to Create the Office of Deputy Superintendent of Elections Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 9)
Jan. 28, 2021 CA SB 29 Authorizes the Continuation of Mail-In Ballots Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 7)
Jan. 26, 2021 SD SB 24 Authorizes Amending Voter Registration Information Online Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13)
Jan. 25, 2021 VA SB 1281 Specifies that the General Registrar of a Locality Does Not Need to be a Resident of that Locality Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 8)
Jan. 25, 2021 VA SB 1239 Authorizes the General Registrar to Contract with a Third Party for the Printing, Assembly, and Mailing of Absentee Ballots Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 12)
Jan. 11, 2021 NY S 1028 Requires the Boards of Elections to Provide a Website to Request an Absentee Ballot Application Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 20)
Jan. 11, 2021 NY S 632 Establishes an Electronic Application to Request an Absentee Ballot Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 20)
Jan. 11, 2021 NY S 360 Authorizes Voting by Mail by Removing Cause Requirement for Absentee Ballot Voting Bill Passed - Senate (50 - 13)
Jan. 11, 2021 NY S 1027 Amends Election Law to Expedite Review and Canvassing of Absentee Ballots Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 20)
Jan. 11, 2021 NY S 253 Prohibits Voiding Absentee Ballots on Technicalities Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 20)
Jan. 11, 2021 NY S 492 Authorizes the Board of Elections to Establish Absentee Ballot Drop Boxes Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 20)
Jan. 11, 2021 NY S 631 Authorizes Board of Elections to Receive Absentee Ballots Earlier than 30 Days Before an Election Bill Passed - Senate (44 - 19)
Date No. Title Outcome
3/09 SB 560 Establishes Rank-Choice Voting For County Council Seats Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 0)
3/08 HB 1256 Prohibits Accepting Grants or Donations from Private Persons for Election Matters Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 22)
3/08 SB 241 Limits Absentee Voting to Individuals 65 and Older (29 - 20)
3/08 SB 1713 Repeals Early Ballot Laws Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 14)
3/05 SB 304 Establishes a Citizen's Redistricting Committee Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 6)
3/04 SB 54 Establishes New Requirements for Absentee Voting Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 10)
3/03 HB 1338 Amends the Petition Process to be a Candidate by Increasing the Number of Signatures Required Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 3)
3/03 SB 1106 Prohibits Voters from Out-of-State Knowingly Voting in Presidential Elections Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 14)
3/03 SB 1793 Repeals Deceased Individuals from County Voter Registration Databases Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 14)
3/03 SB 1003 Establishes Guidelines for the Time Voters Have to Fix Signatures on Ballots Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 14)
3/02 SB 1485 Rescinds Voters From the Early Ballots Mailing List Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 14)
3/02 SB 319 Establishes Joint Fundraising Committees to Solicit Large Campaign Donations Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 19)
3/02 S 1064 Specifies Voters Must be Issued a New Ballot of the Same Type they Originally Requested Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 6)
3/01 S 1110 Increases the Counties Needed to Reach 6 Percent of Signatures for an Initiative Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 9)
3/01 SB 350 Amends the Election Law Regarding Minor Parties Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 19)
3/01 SB 351 Authorizes County Election Administrators to Test Vote Tabulation Machines Before Automatic Tabulation Begins Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 18)
2/27 SJ 272 Amends the Qualifications to Vote Conference Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 17)
2/27 HJ 555 Extends Voting Rights to Citizens on Parole Conference Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 18)
2/25 HB 1125 Requires All Ballots to be Counted Before the Counting Board Leaves Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 4)
2/24 HB 1112 Requires Presenting Identification in Order to Vote Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 9)
2/24 SB 89 Establishes a New Position at the State Board of Elections Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 18)
2/24 S 830 Extends Voting Rights to Convicted Felons on Parole Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 20)
2/23 SB 1097 Rescinds the Mandate for a Witness Signature on Absentee Ballots Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (22 - 17)
2/23 SB 1148 Amends the Primary Election Date Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 14)
2/23 HB 2020 Amends the Nomination Processes to Accommodate Servicemembers on Active Duty Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 10)
2/23 SB 40 Requires County Officials Count Ballots 8 Days Before an Election (53 - 0)
2/23 SB 184 Requires that Voting Records be Updated Within 30 Days After an Election Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 15)
2/23 SF 413 Amends the State's Voting Laws Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 18)
2/23 SB 67 Requires Photo ID For Absentee Ballots Applications (35 - 18)
2/22 SB 353 Requires Presenting Valid Identification to Request an Absentee Ballot Online Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 15)
2/19 HB 1888 Requires the Creation of More Ballot Drop Boxes Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 17)
2/19 HB 1968 Authorizes the Electoral Board or General Registrar of a County or City to Provide Absentee Voting Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 17)
2/19 HB 2125 Authorizes a Person Who is 16 Years of Age or Older to Preregister to Vote Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 17)
2/19 HB 1810 Authorizes the Governor to Order the Online Voter Registration System be Made Available After Close of Registration if a System Error Occurs Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 4)
2/18 HB 2081 Prohibits the Possession of Firearms Within 40 Feet of a Polling Place Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 18)
2/17 SCR 1024 Requires New Ballot Initiatives for Taxation Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (16 - 14)
2/16 SB 1069 Amends Early Voting List Eligibility Bill Failed - Senate (15 - 15)
2/12 SB 170 Requires Yearly Maintenance on Voter Lists to Remove Inactive Voters Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 19)
2/11 SB 1002 Prohibits Absentee Ballots from Revealing Political Party Affiliation Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 9)
2/10 A 4686 Reduces the Number of Signatures Necessary for Nomination Petitions Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 15)
2/10 SB 2588 Repeals Names and Information From the Voter Rolls Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 16)
2/05 SB 15 Requires Election Officials Provide Accessible Locations for Disabled Voters During Elections Conducted by Mail Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 9)
2/02 A 2574 Establishes the State University of New York as an Automatic Voter Registration Location Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 20)
1/28 S 2973 Authorizes a County to Create the Office of Deputy Superintendent of Elections Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 9)
1/28 SB 29 Authorizes the Continuation of Mail-In Ballots Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 7)
1/26 SB 24 Authorizes Amending Voter Registration Information Online Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13)
1/25 SB 1281 Specifies that the General Registrar of a Locality Does Not Need to be a Resident of that Locality Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 8)
1/25 SB 1239 Authorizes the General Registrar to Contract with a Third Party for the Printing, Assembly, and Mailing of Absentee Ballots Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 12)
1/11 S 1028 Requires the Boards of Elections to Provide a Website to Request an Absentee Ballot Application Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 20)
1/11 S 632 Establishes an Electronic Application to Request an Absentee Ballot Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 20)
1/11 S 360 Authorizes Voting by Mail by Removing Cause Requirement for Absentee Ballot Voting Bill Passed - Senate (50 - 13)
1/11 S 1027 Amends Election Law to Expedite Review and Canvassing of Absentee Ballots Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 20)
1/11 S 253 Prohibits Voiding Absentee Ballots on Technicalities Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 20)
1/11 S 492 Authorizes the Board of Elections to Establish Absentee Ballot Drop Boxes Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 20)
1/11 S 631 Authorizes Board of Elections to Receive Absentee Ballots Earlier than 30 Days Before an Election Bill Passed - Senate (44 - 19)

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