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
Feb. 22, 2021 VA SB 1097 Rescinds the Mandate for a Witness Signature on Absentee Ballots Bill Passed - House (55 - 45)
Feb. 22, 2021 VA SB 1148 Amends the Primary Election Date Bill Passed - House (82 - 18)
Feb. 22, 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 - House (70 - 30)
Feb. 22, 2021 OK HB 1711 Authorizes Electronic Delivery of Ballots and Balloting Material to be Given to the Blind Bill Passed - House (78 - 19)
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 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 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 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. 19, 2021 MT HB 325 Authorizes the Election of Supreme Court Justices by District Bill Passed - House (63 - 36)
Feb. 19, 2021 MT HB 325 Authorizes the Election of Supreme Court Justices by District Bill Passed - House (63 - 36)
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 IA SF 252 Prohibits Cities from Mandating Participation in the Section 8 Federal Housing Program Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 18)
Feb. 17, 2021 OH SB 22 Authorizes the General Assembly to Repeal the Governor's Emergency Declarations Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 8)
Feb. 17, 2021 OH SB 22 Authorizes the General Assembly to Repeal the Governor's Emergency Declarations Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 8)
Feb. 17, 2021 AZ SCR 1024 Requires New Ballot Initiatives for Taxation Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (16 - 14)
Feb. 16, 2021 CA SB 29 Authorizes the Continuation of Mail-In Ballots Bill Passed - House (55 - 15)
Feb. 16, 2021 ID H 135 Amends the Governor's Emergency Powers Bill Passed - House (49 - 20)
Feb. 16, 2021 AZ SB 1069 Amends Early Voting List Eligibility Bill Failed - Senate (15 - 15)
Feb. 16, 2021 WI SB 38 Establishes a Return to Work Plan for State Employees Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 12)
Feb. 16, 2021 WI SB 55 Authorizes Local Government Units to No Longer Publish Their Meeting Proceedings Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 12)
Feb. 15, 2021 VA SB 1281 Specifies that the General Registrar of a Locality Does Not Need to be a Resident of that Locality Bill Passed - House (54 - 46)
Feb. 13, 2021 National H Res 24 Impeaching Donald John Trump, President of the United States, for high crimes and misdemeanors Resolution Failed - Senate (57 - 43)
Feb. 13, 2021 National H Res 24 Impeaching Donald John Trump, President of the United States, for high crimes and misdemeanors Resolution Failed - Senate (57 - 43)
Feb. 12, 2021 AK SR 2 Alleges the Governor Should Issue a New Disaster Declaration Bill Passed - Senate (11 - 6)
Feb. 12, 2021 UT HB 75 Authorizes a Municipality to Choose to Participate in the Municipal Alternate Voting Methods Pilot Project Bill Passed - House (46 - 25)
Feb. 12, 2021 UT HB 197 Prohibits Voters from Changing Parties During a Primary Election Period Bill Passed - House (41 - 30)
Feb. 12, 2021 MT SB 170 Requires Yearly Maintenance on Voter Lists to Remove Inactive Voters Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 19)
Feb. 12, 2021 UT HB 75 Authorizes a Municipality to Choose to Participate in the Municipal Alternate Voting Methods Pilot Project Bill Passed - House (46 - 25)
Feb. 11, 2021 OK SB 834 Authorizes Cities and Towns to Paint Blue Lines and Post Signage Supporting Law Enforcement Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 6)
Feb. 11, 2021 ID H 67 Prohibits Public Health Districts from Closing Schools or Programs Bill Passed - House (65 - 5)
Feb. 11, 2021 AZ SB 1002 Prohibits Absentee Ballots from Revealing Political Party Affiliation Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 9)
Feb. 11, 2021 AZ HB 2365 Authorizes Political Candidates to use a Post Office Box to File Nomination Papers Bill Passed - House (40 - 20)
Feb. 10, 2021 NY A 4686 Reduces the Number of Signatures Necessary for Nomination Petitions Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 15)
Feb. 10, 2021 ID H 53 Authorizes Electronic Publication of Government Notices Bill Failed - House (32 - 38)
Feb. 10, 2021 MS SB 2588 Repeals Names and Information From the Voter Rolls Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 16)
Feb. 9, 2021 National N/A On the Motion "Is Former President Donald John Trump Subject to a Court of Impeachment for Acts Committed While President?" Resolution Passed - Senate (56 - 44)
Feb. 9, 2021 AR HB 1017 Establishes the Permanent Status of Daylight Savings Time Bill Passed - House (71 - 5)
Feb. 9, 2021 MS SB 2107 Prohibits Cities and Counties from Creating Rental Agreements that Restrict Firearm Access Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 16)
Feb. 9, 2021 SD HB 1125 Requires All Ballots to be Counted Before the Counting Board Leaves Bill Passed - House (58 - 12)
Feb. 8, 2021 National PN 78-14 Nomination of Denis McDonough as Secretary of Veterans Affairs Nomination Confirmed - Senate (87 - 7)
Feb. 8, 2021 ND HB 1373 Reduces the Early Voting Window Bill Passed - House (78 - 13)
Feb. 8, 2021 ND HB 1256 Prohibits Accepting Grants or Donations from Private Persons for Election Matters Bill Passed - House (78 - 13)
Feb. 8, 2021 IN HB 1365 Requires Entering Information of Candidates into the Statewide Voter Registration System Bill Passed - House (83 - 13)
Feb. 5, 2021 PA SB 2 Specifies Executive Power Over Disaster Emergency Declarations and Management Bill Passed - House (116 - 86)
Feb. 5, 2021 VT HR 7 Rescinds the Governor's Executive Order on State-Level Public Safety and Law Enforcement Divisions Bill Passed - House (108 - 40)
Feb. 5, 2021 National S Con Res 5 A concurrent resolution setting forth the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2021 and setting forth the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2022 through 2030 Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (51 - 50)
Feb. 5, 2021 MT HB 176 Rescinds Election Day Voter Registration Bill Passed - House (64 - 34)
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. 4, 2021 MO HB 85 Prohibits Enforcement of Federal Gun Laws Bill Passed - House (103 - 43)
Date No. Title Outcome
2/22 SB 1097 Rescinds the Mandate for a Witness Signature on Absentee Ballots Bill Passed - House (55 - 45)
2/22 SB 1148 Amends the Primary Election Date Bill Passed - House (82 - 18)
2/22 SB 1239 Authorizes the General Registrar to Contract with a Third Party for the Printing, Assembly, and Mailing of Absentee Ballots Bill Passed - House (70 - 30)
2/22 HB 1711 Authorizes Electronic Delivery of Ballots and Balloting Material to be Given to the Blind Bill Passed - House (78 - 19)
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 2125 Authorizes a Person Who is 16 Years of Age or Older to Preregister to Vote Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 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 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)
2/19 HB 325 Authorizes the Election of Supreme Court Justices by District Bill Passed - House (63 - 36)
2/19 HB 325 Authorizes the Election of Supreme Court Justices by District Bill Passed - House (63 - 36)
2/18 HB 2081 Prohibits the Possession of Firearms Within 40 Feet of a Polling Place Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 18)
2/17 SF 252 Prohibits Cities from Mandating Participation in the Section 8 Federal Housing Program Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 18)
2/17 SB 22 Authorizes the General Assembly to Repeal the Governor's Emergency Declarations Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 8)
2/17 SB 22 Authorizes the General Assembly to Repeal the Governor's Emergency Declarations Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 8)
2/17 SCR 1024 Requires New Ballot Initiatives for Taxation Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (16 - 14)
2/16 SB 29 Authorizes the Continuation of Mail-In Ballots Bill Passed - House (55 - 15)
2/16 H 135 Amends the Governor's Emergency Powers Bill Passed - House (49 - 20)
2/16 SB 1069 Amends Early Voting List Eligibility Bill Failed - Senate (15 - 15)
2/16 SB 38 Establishes a Return to Work Plan for State Employees Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 12)
2/16 SB 55 Authorizes Local Government Units to No Longer Publish Their Meeting Proceedings Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 12)
2/15 SB 1281 Specifies that the General Registrar of a Locality Does Not Need to be a Resident of that Locality Bill Passed - House (54 - 46)
2/13 H Res 24 Impeaching Donald John Trump, President of the United States, for high crimes and misdemeanors Resolution Failed - Senate (57 - 43)
2/13 H Res 24 Impeaching Donald John Trump, President of the United States, for high crimes and misdemeanors Resolution Failed - Senate (57 - 43)
2/12 SR 2 Alleges the Governor Should Issue a New Disaster Declaration Bill Passed - Senate (11 - 6)
2/12 HB 75 Authorizes a Municipality to Choose to Participate in the Municipal Alternate Voting Methods Pilot Project Bill Passed - House (46 - 25)
2/12 HB 197 Prohibits Voters from Changing Parties During a Primary Election Period Bill Passed - House (41 - 30)
2/12 SB 170 Requires Yearly Maintenance on Voter Lists to Remove Inactive Voters Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 19)
2/12 HB 75 Authorizes a Municipality to Choose to Participate in the Municipal Alternate Voting Methods Pilot Project Bill Passed - House (46 - 25)
2/11 SB 834 Authorizes Cities and Towns to Paint Blue Lines and Post Signage Supporting Law Enforcement Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 6)
2/11 H 67 Prohibits Public Health Districts from Closing Schools or Programs Bill Passed - House (65 - 5)
2/11 SB 1002 Prohibits Absentee Ballots from Revealing Political Party Affiliation Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 9)
2/11 HB 2365 Authorizes Political Candidates to use a Post Office Box to File Nomination Papers Bill Passed - House (40 - 20)
2/10 A 4686 Reduces the Number of Signatures Necessary for Nomination Petitions Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 15)
2/10 H 53 Authorizes Electronic Publication of Government Notices Bill Failed - House (32 - 38)
2/10 SB 2588 Repeals Names and Information From the Voter Rolls Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 16)
2/09 N/A On the Motion "Is Former President Donald John Trump Subject to a Court of Impeachment for Acts Committed While President?" Resolution Passed - Senate (56 - 44)
2/09 HB 1017 Establishes the Permanent Status of Daylight Savings Time Bill Passed - House (71 - 5)
2/09 SB 2107 Prohibits Cities and Counties from Creating Rental Agreements that Restrict Firearm Access Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 16)
2/09 HB 1125 Requires All Ballots to be Counted Before the Counting Board Leaves Bill Passed - House (58 - 12)
2/08 PN 78-14 Nomination of Denis McDonough as Secretary of Veterans Affairs Nomination Confirmed - Senate (87 - 7)
2/08 HB 1373 Reduces the Early Voting Window Bill Passed - House (78 - 13)
2/08 HB 1256 Prohibits Accepting Grants or Donations from Private Persons for Election Matters Bill Passed - House (78 - 13)
2/08 HB 1365 Requires Entering Information of Candidates into the Statewide Voter Registration System Bill Passed - House (83 - 13)
2/05 SB 2 Specifies Executive Power Over Disaster Emergency Declarations and Management Bill Passed - House (116 - 86)
2/05 HR 7 Rescinds the Governor's Executive Order on State-Level Public Safety and Law Enforcement Divisions Bill Passed - House (108 - 40)
2/05 S Con Res 5 A concurrent resolution setting forth the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2021 and setting forth the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2022 through 2030 Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (51 - 50)
2/05 HB 176 Rescinds Election Day Voter Registration Bill Passed - House (64 - 34)
2/05 SB 15 Requires Election Officials Provide Accessible Locations for Disabled Voters During Elections Conducted by Mail Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 9)
2/04 HB 85 Prohibits Enforcement of Federal Gun Laws Bill Passed - House (103 - 43)

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