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
June 25, 2021 AZ SB 1835 Establishes Fines for Impersonating Election Officials Bill Passed - House (31 - 25)
June 25, 2021 AZ HB 2905 Limits Distribution of Mail-In Ballots Bill Passed - House (31 - 26)
June 24, 2021 National S J Res 13 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission relating to "Update of Commission's Conciliation Procedures". Joint Resolution Passed - House (219 - 210)
June 24, 2021 PA SB 115 Authorizes Nurses to Hold a License in Multiple States Bill Passed - House (146 - 55)
June 24, 2021 NJ S 3999 Authorizes the Secretary of State and State Motor Vehicle Commission to Share Voter and Motor Vehicle Information Bill Passed - House (63 - 10)
June 24, 2021 AZ SB 1819 Requires New Security Features on Ballots Bill Passed - House (31 - 29)
June 24, 2021 NJ A 698 Requires Incarcerated Individuals be Counted for Municipal, County, and Congressional Redistricting Purposes Bill Passed - House (50 - 25)
June 23, 2021 VT H 227 Amends Election Laws and Regulations for the City of Winooski Veto Override Passed - House (103 - 47)
June 23, 2021 OH SB 3 Authorizes Ohio to Join the Nurse Licensure Compact Bill Passed - House (60 - 35)
June 23, 2021 MI HB 5007 Rescinds Fees for Obtaining or Renewing a State ID Card Starting in 2022 Bill Passed - House (58 - 52)
June 22, 2021 WI SB 203 Limits the Return of of Absentee Ballots Bill Passed - House (60 - 38)
June 22, 2021 WI SB 212 Authorizes Only Voters to Correct Absentee Ballot Defects Bill Passed - House (60 - 38)
June 22, 2021 WI SB 204 Amends Absentee Ballot Laws to Increase Paperwork from One Form to 2 Bill Passed - House (60 - 38)
June 22, 2021 WI SB 210 Requires Election Administrators Allow Election Observers to be No More Than 3 Feet Away from Voter Registration Tables Bill Passed - House (60 - 38)
June 22, 2021 PA HB 1300 Establishes State Legislative Authority Over Elections Bill Passed - House (110 - 91)
June 22, 2021 WI AB 374 Establishes Guidelines for Potential Opioid Settlement Disbursement to State Counties Bill Passed - House (60 - 38)
June 17, 2021 CT SB 1202 Extends Convicted Felons' Voting Rights if They are Committed to Confinement Bill Passed - House (89 - 50)
June 17, 2021 MI HB 4528 Requires Election Challengers to Undergo Training Bill Passed - House (105 - 4)
June 16, 2021 RI H 6004 Authorizes Persons with Disabilities and Persons Active in the Military to Receive and Return Mail Ballots Electronically Bill Passed - House (48 - 17)
June 16, 2021 OH HR 69 Alleges Larry Householder Should be Expelled from the Legislature Resolution Passed - House (75 - 21)
June 16, 2021 WI AB 369 Amends Congressional Districts Bill Passed - House (59 - 38)
June 16, 2021 WI AB 369 Amends Congressional Districts Bill Passed - House (59 - 38)
June 10, 2021 LA SB 221 Establishes a Voting System Commission to Examine Voting Standards and Regulations Conference Report Adopted - House (69 - 34)
June 10, 2021 NY S 4306B Expands Early Voting Access Bill Passed - House (108 - 41)
June 10, 2021 NY S 7191 Authorizes a Write-in Ballot Cast in a Party Primary to Petition for a Candidate Not Enrolled in Such Party to be Void and Not Counted Bill Passed - House (101 - 48)
June 10, 2021 NY S 661 Establishes a Claims Filing Opportunity for Widows and Dependents of Workers Who Died as a Result of Cancer Bill Passed - House (113 - 36)
June 10, 2021 DE HB 90 Amends Campaign Finance Laws to Authorize Spending Related to Child Care Costs Bill Passed - House (28 - 13)
June 10, 2021 MA H 3863 Amends the Redistricting Process to Redraw Congressional Boundaries Bill Passed - House (131 - 29)
June 10, 2021 MA H 3871 Appropriates Funds for a Supplemental Budget Bill Passed - House (131 - 29)
June 9, 2021 NY S 7150 Amends State Congressional Districts Bill Passed - House (103 - 45)
June 9, 2021 NY S 7150 Amends State Congressional Districts Bill Passed - House (103 - 45)
June 9, 2021 ME LD 1363 Amends the Statutory Language Regarding Elections Determined by Ranked Choice Voting Bill Passed - House (78 - 53)
June 9, 2021 ME LD 1126 Requires the Secretary of State Establish an Online Voter Registration Application Bill Passed - House (81 - 61)
June 8, 2021 CO HB 21-1071 Authorizes Ranked Choice Voting to be Used for Municipal Elections Concurrence Vote Passed - House (50 - 15)
June 8, 2021 CO HB 21-1071 Authorizes Ranked Choice Voting to be Used for Municipal Elections Concurrence Vote Passed - House (50 - 15)
June 8, 2021 LA HB 704 Amends Rules Related to Election Administration Concurrence Vote Passed - House (68 - 31)
June 8, 2021 ME LD 1575 Authorizes Student ID's to be Used as Voter Identification Cards Bill Passed - House (79 - 58)
June 7, 2021 LA SB 220 Establishes Rules for Legislative Auditor Examinations, Audits, and Reviews of Elections and Retention of Election Records Bill Passed - House (68 - 28)
June 7, 2021 LA SB 224 Increases Requirements for Absentee Voting by Mail Bill Passed - House (68 - 27)
June 3, 2021 CO SB 21-250 Requires the Secretary of State to Allow Voters to Register to Vote Using the Last 4 Digits of their Social Security Number Bill Passed - House (40 - 23)
June 3, 2021 NJ ACR 195 Alleges Dr. Anthony Fauci Should be Honored for His Public Service Joint Resolution Passed - House (44 - 12)
June 3, 2021 NJ A 5820 Repeals the Public Health Emergency Declared by the Governor to Address the COVID-19 Pandemic Bill Passed - House (44 - 28)
May 31, 2021 NV SB 292 Amends the Deadline to Challenge the Qualification of a Minor Political Party Bill Passed - House (26 - 16)
May 30, 2021 TX HB 1987 Amends Eligibility Requirements for Candidates Seeking Elective Office of Federal, State, or County Government Concurrence Vote Passed - House (99 - 18)
May 28, 2021 TX HB 2283 Limits How Funding is Used to Administer Elections in the State Concurrence Vote Passed - House (96 - 50)
May 28, 2021 NV AB 432 Amends the Automatic Voter Registration Initiative Bill Passed - House (26 - 16)
May 27, 2021 OK SB 959 Establishes Procedures for Filling U.S. Senate Vacancies Conference Report Adopted - House (68 - 24)
May 27, 2021 OK SB 959 Establishes Procedures for Filling U.S. Senate Vacancies Conference Report Adopted - House (68 - 24)
May 27, 2021 CA AB 816 Requires State and Local Governments to Develop Plans to Reduce Homelessness Bill Passed - House (55 - 15)
May 26, 2021 AZ SB 1713 Repeals Early Ballot Laws Bill Failed - House (29 - 31)
May 26, 2021 NV AB 321 Specifies Changes Made to the State's Elections During the Pandemic are Permanent Bill Passed - House (25 - 16)
May 26, 2021 NV AB 126 Amends the Date of the 2024 State Presidential Caucus Bill Passed - House (30 - 11)
May 25, 2021 TX SB 1111 Requires Voters Register Their Physical Address Instead of a P.O. Box When Registering to Vote Bill Passed - House (81 - 65)
May 25, 2021 TX SB 1387 Requires Voting System Equipment be Manufactured, Stores, and Held in the United States Bill Passed - House (108 - 35)
May 24, 2021 TX SB 1113 Authorizes the Secretary of State's Office to Withhold Funding from County Election Officials Bill Passed - House (97 - 46)
May 24, 2021 PA HB 1010 Transfers the Authority Over Writing and Advertising Constitutional Amendments Bill Passed - House (113 - 88)
May 24, 2021 PA HB 1010 Transfers the Authority Over Writing and Advertising Constitutional Amendments Bill Passed - House (113 - 88)
May 24, 2021 PA HB 1010 Transfers the Authority Over Writing and Advertising Constitutional Amendments Bill Passed - House (113 - 88)
May 24, 2021 OR HB 3291 Requires Ballots Returned by Mail to be Postmarked by the Date of the Election Bill Passed - House (39 - 21)
May 20, 2021 NV SB 6 Authorizes Seizure of Firearms from "High-Risk" Individuals Bill Passed - House (29 - 11)
May 20, 2021 National HR 3237 Emergency Security Supplemental to Respond to January 6th Appropriations Act, 2021 Bill Passed - House (213 - 212)
May 19, 2021 OR SJR 12 Amends the State Constitution to Establish Healthcare as a Right for All Citizens Bill Passed - House (34 - 23)
May 18, 2021 TX HB 574 Establishes 2 New Classes of Election Fraud Offenses Concurrence Vote Passed - House (94 - 48)
May 18, 2021 LA HB 138 Requires Conducting a Supplemental Canvass of Registered Voters Bill Passed - House (64 - 30)
May 14, 2021 MO SB 86 Prohibits Any Public Funds from Being Used by School Districts for Supporting or Opposing Ballot Measures or Candidates Conference Report Adopted - House (100 - 35)
May 14, 2021 TX HB 3920 Authorizes Pregnant Women to Vote by Mail if Their Due Date is 3 Weeks Before or After the Election Bill Passed - House (99 - 44)
May 13, 2021 MO SCR 6 Establishes Disapproval of SCOTUS Expansion (103 - 30)
May 12, 2021 OH SB 4 Exempts Personal Information of Certain Persons from Public Records Law Bill Passed - House (83 - 10)
May 11, 2021 SC H 3205 Authorizes the State of South Carolina to Join a "Convention of States" Bill Passed - House (66 - 42)
May 11, 2021 NY A 6046 Authorizes the Board of Elections to Accept an Electronic Application for an Absentee Ballot when Submitted by a Voter Bill Passed - House (104 - 43)
May 11, 2021 NY A 6047 Amends the Deadlines for the Mailing and Receipt of Absentee Ballots from the Day Before the Election to Election Day Bill Passed - House (104 - 43)
May 11, 2021 WI AB 173 Prohibits Local Government Officials from Using Private Funds to Administer Elections Bill Passed - House (60 - 36)
May 11, 2021 WI AJR 9 Establishes a Resolution to Add Wisconsin to the List of States Supporting a Constitutional Convention Joint Resolution Passed - House (58 - 36)
May 11, 2021 WI AR 18 Requires the Governor Send Aid and Resources to the US-Mexico Border to Assist with Immigration Efforts Resolution Passed - House (59 - 35)
May 10, 2021 IN SB 5 Prohibits a Local Health Department from Implementing Orders More Restrictive than the Governor Veto Override Passed - House (59 - 30)
Date No. Title Outcome
6/25 SB 1835 Establishes Fines for Impersonating Election Officials Bill Passed - House (31 - 25)
6/25 HB 2905 Limits Distribution of Mail-In Ballots Bill Passed - House (31 - 26)
6/24 S J Res 13 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission relating to "Update of Commission's Conciliation Procedures". Joint Resolution Passed - House (219 - 210)
6/24 SB 115 Authorizes Nurses to Hold a License in Multiple States Bill Passed - House (146 - 55)
6/24 S 3999 Authorizes the Secretary of State and State Motor Vehicle Commission to Share Voter and Motor Vehicle Information Bill Passed - House (63 - 10)
6/24 SB 1819 Requires New Security Features on Ballots Bill Passed - House (31 - 29)
6/24 A 698 Requires Incarcerated Individuals be Counted for Municipal, County, and Congressional Redistricting Purposes Bill Passed - House (50 - 25)
6/23 H 227 Amends Election Laws and Regulations for the City of Winooski Veto Override Passed - House (103 - 47)
6/23 SB 3 Authorizes Ohio to Join the Nurse Licensure Compact Bill Passed - House (60 - 35)
6/23 HB 5007 Rescinds Fees for Obtaining or Renewing a State ID Card Starting in 2022 Bill Passed - House (58 - 52)
6/22 SB 203 Limits the Return of of Absentee Ballots Bill Passed - House (60 - 38)
6/22 SB 212 Authorizes Only Voters to Correct Absentee Ballot Defects Bill Passed - House (60 - 38)
6/22 SB 204 Amends Absentee Ballot Laws to Increase Paperwork from One Form to 2 Bill Passed - House (60 - 38)
6/22 SB 210 Requires Election Administrators Allow Election Observers to be No More Than 3 Feet Away from Voter Registration Tables Bill Passed - House (60 - 38)
6/22 HB 1300 Establishes State Legislative Authority Over Elections Bill Passed - House (110 - 91)
6/22 AB 374 Establishes Guidelines for Potential Opioid Settlement Disbursement to State Counties Bill Passed - House (60 - 38)
6/17 SB 1202 Extends Convicted Felons' Voting Rights if They are Committed to Confinement Bill Passed - House (89 - 50)
6/17 HB 4528 Requires Election Challengers to Undergo Training Bill Passed - House (105 - 4)
6/16 H 6004 Authorizes Persons with Disabilities and Persons Active in the Military to Receive and Return Mail Ballots Electronically Bill Passed - House (48 - 17)
6/16 HR 69 Alleges Larry Householder Should be Expelled from the Legislature Resolution Passed - House (75 - 21)
6/16 AB 369 Amends Congressional Districts Bill Passed - House (59 - 38)
6/16 AB 369 Amends Congressional Districts Bill Passed - House (59 - 38)
6/10 SB 221 Establishes a Voting System Commission to Examine Voting Standards and Regulations Conference Report Adopted - House (69 - 34)
6/10 S 4306B Expands Early Voting Access Bill Passed - House (108 - 41)
6/10 S 7191 Authorizes a Write-in Ballot Cast in a Party Primary to Petition for a Candidate Not Enrolled in Such Party to be Void and Not Counted Bill Passed - House (101 - 48)
6/10 S 661 Establishes a Claims Filing Opportunity for Widows and Dependents of Workers Who Died as a Result of Cancer Bill Passed - House (113 - 36)
6/10 HB 90 Amends Campaign Finance Laws to Authorize Spending Related to Child Care Costs Bill Passed - House (28 - 13)
6/10 H 3863 Amends the Redistricting Process to Redraw Congressional Boundaries Bill Passed - House (131 - 29)
6/10 H 3871 Appropriates Funds for a Supplemental Budget Bill Passed - House (131 - 29)
6/09 S 7150 Amends State Congressional Districts Bill Passed - House (103 - 45)
6/09 S 7150 Amends State Congressional Districts Bill Passed - House (103 - 45)
6/09 LD 1363 Amends the Statutory Language Regarding Elections Determined by Ranked Choice Voting Bill Passed - House (78 - 53)
6/09 LD 1126 Requires the Secretary of State Establish an Online Voter Registration Application Bill Passed - House (81 - 61)
6/08 HB 21-1071 Authorizes Ranked Choice Voting to be Used for Municipal Elections Concurrence Vote Passed - House (50 - 15)
6/08 HB 21-1071 Authorizes Ranked Choice Voting to be Used for Municipal Elections Concurrence Vote Passed - House (50 - 15)
6/08 HB 704 Amends Rules Related to Election Administration Concurrence Vote Passed - House (68 - 31)
6/08 LD 1575 Authorizes Student ID's to be Used as Voter Identification Cards Bill Passed - House (79 - 58)
6/07 SB 220 Establishes Rules for Legislative Auditor Examinations, Audits, and Reviews of Elections and Retention of Election Records Bill Passed - House (68 - 28)
6/07 SB 224 Increases Requirements for Absentee Voting by Mail Bill Passed - House (68 - 27)
6/03 SB 21-250 Requires the Secretary of State to Allow Voters to Register to Vote Using the Last 4 Digits of their Social Security Number Bill Passed - House (40 - 23)
6/03 ACR 195 Alleges Dr. Anthony Fauci Should be Honored for His Public Service Joint Resolution Passed - House (44 - 12)
6/03 A 5820 Repeals the Public Health Emergency Declared by the Governor to Address the COVID-19 Pandemic Bill Passed - House (44 - 28)
5/31 SB 292 Amends the Deadline to Challenge the Qualification of a Minor Political Party Bill Passed - House (26 - 16)
5/30 HB 1987 Amends Eligibility Requirements for Candidates Seeking Elective Office of Federal, State, or County Government Concurrence Vote Passed - House (99 - 18)
5/28 HB 2283 Limits How Funding is Used to Administer Elections in the State Concurrence Vote Passed - House (96 - 50)
5/28 AB 432 Amends the Automatic Voter Registration Initiative Bill Passed - House (26 - 16)
5/27 SB 959 Establishes Procedures for Filling U.S. Senate Vacancies Conference Report Adopted - House (68 - 24)
5/27 SB 959 Establishes Procedures for Filling U.S. Senate Vacancies Conference Report Adopted - House (68 - 24)
5/27 AB 816 Requires State and Local Governments to Develop Plans to Reduce Homelessness Bill Passed - House (55 - 15)
5/26 SB 1713 Repeals Early Ballot Laws Bill Failed - House (29 - 31)
5/26 AB 321 Specifies Changes Made to the State's Elections During the Pandemic are Permanent Bill Passed - House (25 - 16)
5/26 AB 126 Amends the Date of the 2024 State Presidential Caucus Bill Passed - House (30 - 11)
5/25 SB 1111 Requires Voters Register Their Physical Address Instead of a P.O. Box When Registering to Vote Bill Passed - House (81 - 65)
5/25 SB 1387 Requires Voting System Equipment be Manufactured, Stores, and Held in the United States Bill Passed - House (108 - 35)
5/24 SB 1113 Authorizes the Secretary of State's Office to Withhold Funding from County Election Officials Bill Passed - House (97 - 46)
5/24 HB 1010 Transfers the Authority Over Writing and Advertising Constitutional Amendments Bill Passed - House (113 - 88)
5/24 HB 1010 Transfers the Authority Over Writing and Advertising Constitutional Amendments Bill Passed - House (113 - 88)
5/24 HB 1010 Transfers the Authority Over Writing and Advertising Constitutional Amendments Bill Passed - House (113 - 88)
5/24 HB 3291 Requires Ballots Returned by Mail to be Postmarked by the Date of the Election Bill Passed - House (39 - 21)
5/20 SB 6 Authorizes Seizure of Firearms from "High-Risk" Individuals Bill Passed - House (29 - 11)
5/20 HR 3237 Emergency Security Supplemental to Respond to January 6th Appropriations Act, 2021 Bill Passed - House (213 - 212)
5/19 SJR 12 Amends the State Constitution to Establish Healthcare as a Right for All Citizens Bill Passed - House (34 - 23)
5/18 HB 574 Establishes 2 New Classes of Election Fraud Offenses Concurrence Vote Passed - House (94 - 48)
5/18 HB 138 Requires Conducting a Supplemental Canvass of Registered Voters Bill Passed - House (64 - 30)
5/14 SB 86 Prohibits Any Public Funds from Being Used by School Districts for Supporting or Opposing Ballot Measures or Candidates Conference Report Adopted - House (100 - 35)
5/14 HB 3920 Authorizes Pregnant Women to Vote by Mail if Their Due Date is 3 Weeks Before or After the Election Bill Passed - House (99 - 44)
5/13 SCR 6 Establishes Disapproval of SCOTUS Expansion (103 - 30)
5/12 SB 4 Exempts Personal Information of Certain Persons from Public Records Law Bill Passed - House (83 - 10)
5/11 H 3205 Authorizes the State of South Carolina to Join a "Convention of States" Bill Passed - House (66 - 42)
5/11 A 6046 Authorizes the Board of Elections to Accept an Electronic Application for an Absentee Ballot when Submitted by a Voter Bill Passed - House (104 - 43)
5/11 A 6047 Amends the Deadlines for the Mailing and Receipt of Absentee Ballots from the Day Before the Election to Election Day Bill Passed - House (104 - 43)
5/11 AB 173 Prohibits Local Government Officials from Using Private Funds to Administer Elections Bill Passed - House (60 - 36)
5/11 AJR 9 Establishes a Resolution to Add Wisconsin to the List of States Supporting a Constitutional Convention Joint Resolution Passed - House (58 - 36)
5/11 AR 18 Requires the Governor Send Aid and Resources to the US-Mexico Border to Assist with Immigration Efforts Resolution Passed - House (59 - 35)
5/10 SB 5 Prohibits a Local Health Department from Implementing Orders More Restrictive than the Governor Veto Override Passed - House (59 - 30)

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