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
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 15, 2021 IN HB 1123 Authorizes Lawmakers to Call a Special Session During a Public Emergency Veto Override Passed - House (59 - 26)
April 14, 2021 ID H 339 Prohibits a Governmental Entity from Mandating Face Coverings Bill Passed - House (47 - 22)
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 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 MD SB 525 Requires the Baltimore City Centralized Booking Facility Provide a Secure Designated Ballot Drop Box Bill Passed - House (95 - 43)
April 12, 2021 MT SB 350 Amends the Election Law Regarding Minor Parties Bill Passed - House (67 - 33)
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 9, 2021 NH HB 183 Prohibits Municipalities from Requiring a License for a Soft Drink Stand "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (211 - 163)
April 9, 2021 NH HB 566 Requires Minutes of Meetings in Nonpublic Sessions to be Made Available Unless it Would Damage the Reputation of the Body "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (201 - 178)
April 9, 2021 NH CACR 9 Prohibits Municipalities from Raising Property Taxes "Ought to Pass" Report Not Adopted - House (164 - 208)
April 9, 2021 NH HB 439 Limits the Authority of City Councils Bill Failed - House (185 - 192)
April 9, 2021 TX HB 1239 Prohibits Elected Officials from Closing Places of Worship Bill Passed - House (122 - 22)
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 98 Establishes a New Date for the State Primary Bill Passed - House (195 - 174)
April 8, 2021 NH HB 292 Requires Voters Verify Their Identity in Order to Receive an Absentee Ballot Bill Passed - House (198 - 174)
April 7, 2021 ID H 214 Specifies Responsibilities of the Chairman of the Idaho State Tax Commission Veto Override Passed - House (62 - 7)
April 7, 2021 VA SB 1245 Requires the Establishment of Drop-Box Locations Concurrence Vote Passed - House (55 - 45)
April 7, 2021 ID S 1136 Establishes Restrictions on the Governor's Authority During an Emergency Bill Passed - House (54 - 16)
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 5, 2021 PA HB 335 Establishes the Permanent Status of Daylight Savings Time Bill Passed - House (103 - 98)
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 FL HB 735 Prohibits Local Governments from Requiring a License for a Contractor or Journeyman Type Job Bill Passed - House (82 - 32)
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)
April 1, 2021 AR HB 1803 Amends the Complaint Process for Election Law Violations Bill Passed - House (78 - 18)
March 31, 2021 GA HB 286 Prohibits Local Police Departments from Reducing Annual Police Budgets Concurrence Vote Passed - House (100 - 73)
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 31, 2021 NC HB 264 Requires Legislative Approval of All Governor Statewide Emergency Declarations Beyond 30 Days Bill Passed - House (69 - 50)
March 31, 2021 NC HB 264 Requires Legislative Approval of All Governor Statewide Emergency Declarations Beyond 30 Days Bill Passed - House (69 - 50)
March 29, 2021 KY HJR 77 Limits the Governor's Emergency Health Orders to 60 Days Veto Override Passed - House (71 - 23)
March 29, 2021 GA HB 150 Prohibits State and Local Governments From Restricting Use of Fossil Fuels Bill Passed - House (107 - 52)
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 26, 2021 FL SB 72 Specifies Requirements for COVID-Related Civil Actions Bill Passed - House (83 - 31)
March 26, 2021 AK HB 76 Extends the Governor's Disaster Declaration Bill Passed - House (22 - 15)
March 25, 2021 GA SB 202 Amends Election Laws Bill Passed - House (100 - 74)
Date No. Title Outcome
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)
4/15 HB 1123 Authorizes Lawmakers to Call a Special Session During a Public Emergency Veto Override Passed - House (59 - 26)
4/14 H 339 Prohibits a Governmental Entity from Mandating Face Coverings Bill Passed - House (47 - 22)
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)
4/13 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 525 Requires the Baltimore City Centralized Booking Facility Provide a Secure Designated Ballot Drop Box Bill Passed - House (95 - 43)
4/12 SB 350 Amends the Election Law Regarding Minor Parties Bill Passed - House (67 - 33)
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)
4/09 HB 183 Prohibits Municipalities from Requiring a License for a Soft Drink Stand "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (211 - 163)
4/09 HB 566 Requires Minutes of Meetings in Nonpublic Sessions to be Made Available Unless it Would Damage the Reputation of the Body "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (201 - 178)
4/09 CACR 9 Prohibits Municipalities from Raising Property Taxes "Ought to Pass" Report Not Adopted - House (164 - 208)
4/09 HB 439 Limits the Authority of City Councils Bill Failed - House (185 - 192)
4/09 HB 1239 Prohibits Elected Officials from Closing Places of Worship Bill Passed - House (122 - 22)
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 98 Establishes a New Date for the State Primary Bill Passed - House (195 - 174)
4/08 HB 292 Requires Voters Verify Their Identity in Order to Receive an Absentee Ballot Bill Passed - House (198 - 174)
4/07 H 214 Specifies Responsibilities of the Chairman of the Idaho State Tax Commission Veto Override Passed - House (62 - 7)
4/07 SB 1245 Requires the Establishment of Drop-Box Locations Concurrence Vote Passed - House (55 - 45)
4/07 S 1136 Establishes Restrictions on the Governor's Authority During an Emergency Bill Passed - House (54 - 16)
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)
4/05 HB 335 Establishes the Permanent Status of Daylight Savings Time Bill Passed - House (103 - 98)
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 735 Prohibits Local Governments from Requiring a License for a Contractor or Journeyman Type Job Bill Passed - House (82 - 32)
4/01 HB 1715 Requires Voters' Signatures on Absentee Ballots Match the Signature from Their Voter Registration Application Bill Passed - House (74 - 22)
4/01 HB 1803 Amends the Complaint Process for Election Law Violations Bill Passed - House (78 - 18)
3/31 HB 286 Prohibits Local Police Departments from Reducing Annual Police Budgets Concurrence Vote Passed - House (100 - 73)
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)
3/31 HB 264 Requires Legislative Approval of All Governor Statewide Emergency Declarations Beyond 30 Days Bill Passed - House (69 - 50)
3/31 HB 264 Requires Legislative Approval of All Governor Statewide Emergency Declarations Beyond 30 Days Bill Passed - House (69 - 50)
3/29 HJR 77 Limits the Governor's Emergency Health Orders to 60 Days Veto Override Passed - House (71 - 23)
3/29 HB 150 Prohibits State and Local Governments From Restricting Use of Fossil Fuels Bill Passed - House (107 - 52)
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)
3/26 SB 72 Specifies Requirements for COVID-Related Civil Actions Bill Passed - House (83 - 31)
3/26 HB 76 Extends the Governor's Disaster Declaration Bill Passed - House (22 - 15)
3/25 SB 202 Amends Election Laws Bill Passed - House (100 - 74)

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