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
July 20, 2021 LA SB 224 Increases Requirements for Absentee Voting by Mail Veto Override Failed - Senate (24 - 12)
July 20, 2021 LA SB 220 Establishes Rules for Legislative Auditor Examinations, Audits, and Reviews of Elections and Retention of Election Records Veto Override Failed - Senate (21 - 15)
July 20, 2021 National PN 126 Nomination of Jennifer Abruzzo as General Counsel of the National Labor Relations Board Nomination Confirmed - Senate (51 - 50)
July 13, 2021 TX SB 1 Amends Various Early Voting Laws to Require Individual Signature Verification and Prohibit Drive-Thru and 24 Hour Voting Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 4)
June 30, 2021 AZ HB 2905 Limits Distribution of Mail-In Ballots Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 12)
June 28, 2021 CA SB 152 Authorizes a Recall Election without the Approval of the Joint Legislative Budget Committee Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 9)
June 25, 2021 PA SB 255 Appropriates Funds for Executive, Legislative, and Judicial Departments Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (43 - 7)
June 25, 2021 PA SB 255 Appropriates Funds for Executive, Legislative, and Judicial Departments Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (43 - 7)
June 25, 2021 PA SB 255 Appropriates Funds for Executive, Legislative, and Judicial Departments Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (43 - 7)
June 25, 2021 PA HB 1300 Establishes State Legislative Authority Over Elections Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 21)
June 24, 2021 OR HB 3291 Requires Ballots Returned by Mail to be Postmarked by the Date of the Election Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 13)
June 24, 2021 AZ SB 1835 Establishes Fines for Impersonating Election Officials Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 14)
June 23, 2021 VT H 227 Amends Election Laws and Regulations for the City of Winooski Veto Override Passed - Senate (20 - 10)
June 23, 2021 WI AB 369 Amends Congressional Districts Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 12)
June 23, 2021 WI AB 374 Establishes Guidelines for Potential Opioid Settlement Disbursement to State Counties Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 11)
June 23, 2021 WI AB 369 Amends Congressional Districts Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 12)
June 23, 2021 PA SB 735 Requires Identification for Voters Each Time they Cast a Ballot Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 20)
June 23, 2021 AZ SB 1819 Requires New Security Features on Ballots Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 14)
June 23, 2021 PA SB 735 Requires Identification for Voters Each Time they Cast a Ballot Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 20)
June 22, 2021 National PN 220 Nomination of Kiran Ahuja to be Director of the Office of Personnel Management Nomination Confirmed - Senate (51 - 50)
June 22, 2021 National S 2093 For the People Act of 2021 Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (50 - 50)
June 17, 2021 CT SB 1202 Extends Convicted Felons' Voting Rights if They are Committed to Confinement Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (20 - 6)
June 16, 2021 MI SB 304 Requires Voters Who Cast a Provisional Ballot to Confirm Their Information with the Local Clerk Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 16)
June 16, 2021 NC SB 725 Prohibits County Boards of Elections from Accepting Private Donations to Administer Election Services Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 22)
June 16, 2021 MI SB 303 Repeals the Option for Voters to Sign an Affidavit to Affirm Their Identity Before Casting a Ballot Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 16)
June 16, 2021 MI SB 285 Requires Voters to Present Identification to Receive an Absentee Ballot Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 16)
June 16, 2021 NC SB 326 Requires State Election Officials to Stop Collecting Mail-In Ballots After Election Day Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 21)
June 14, 2021 NC SB 722 Amends the Date of Local Elections Due to Delay of Release of Redistricting Data Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (33 - 14)
June 14, 2021 NC SB 722 Amends the Date of Local Elections Due to Delay of Release of Redistricting Data Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (33 - 14)
June 10, 2021 LA SB 221 Establishes a Voting System Commission to Examine Voting Standards and Regulations Conference Report Adopted - Senate (27 - 10)
June 10, 2021 ME LD 1126 Requires the Secretary of State Establish an Online Voter Registration Application Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 12)
June 10, 2021 MI SB 486 Authorizes People From the Upper Peninsula to Sit on a Body to Decide Whether Hunters Can Kill Wolves Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 16)
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 - Senate (49 - 14)
June 10, 2021 NY S 4306B Expands Early Voting Access Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 18)
June 9, 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 - Senate (43 - 20)
June 9, 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 - Senate (43 - 20)
June 9, 2021 ME LD 1575 Authorizes Student ID's to be Used as Voter Identification Cards Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 12)
June 9, 2021 NY S 613 Authorizes a Candidate for 2 or More Parties to Decline the Nominations for an Office Filled at a General Election Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 14)
June 9, 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 - Senate (42 - 21)
June 9, 2021 NY S 7150 Amends State Congressional Districts Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 20)
June 9, 2021 NY S 7150 Amends State Congressional Districts Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 20)
June 9, 2021 WI SB 204 Amends Absentee Ballot Laws to Increase Paperwork from One Form to 2 Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 14)
June 9, 2021 WI SB 209 Establishes Absentee Ballot Drop Box Locations at Election Clerk Offices Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 12)
June 9, 2021 ME LD 1363 Amends the Statutory Language Regarding Elections Determined by Ranked Choice Voting Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 12)
June 8, 2021 OR SB 8 Requires Local Governments to Allow Affordable Housing on Lands Not Zoned for Residential Purposes Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 5)
June 7, 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 Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (20 - 12)
June 7, 2021 LA HB 138 Requires Conducting a Supplemental Canvass of Registered Voters Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 10)
June 3, 2021 CO HB 21-1071 Authorizes Ranked Choice Voting to be Used for Municipal Elections Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
June 3, 2021 CO HB 21-1071 Authorizes Ranked Choice Voting to be Used for Municipal Elections Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
June 3, 2021 NJ A 5842 Repeals Certain Requirements for District Board Members at Polling Places Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 1)
Date No. Title Outcome
7/20 SB 224 Increases Requirements for Absentee Voting by Mail Veto Override Failed - Senate (24 - 12)
7/20 SB 220 Establishes Rules for Legislative Auditor Examinations, Audits, and Reviews of Elections and Retention of Election Records Veto Override Failed - Senate (21 - 15)
7/20 PN 126 Nomination of Jennifer Abruzzo as General Counsel of the National Labor Relations Board Nomination Confirmed - Senate (51 - 50)
7/13 SB 1 Amends Various Early Voting Laws to Require Individual Signature Verification and Prohibit Drive-Thru and 24 Hour Voting Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 4)
6/30 HB 2905 Limits Distribution of Mail-In Ballots Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 12)
6/28 SB 152 Authorizes a Recall Election without the Approval of the Joint Legislative Budget Committee Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 9)
6/25 SB 255 Appropriates Funds for Executive, Legislative, and Judicial Departments Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (43 - 7)
6/25 SB 255 Appropriates Funds for Executive, Legislative, and Judicial Departments Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (43 - 7)
6/25 SB 255 Appropriates Funds for Executive, Legislative, and Judicial Departments Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (43 - 7)
6/25 HB 1300 Establishes State Legislative Authority Over Elections Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 21)
6/24 HB 3291 Requires Ballots Returned by Mail to be Postmarked by the Date of the Election Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 13)
6/24 SB 1835 Establishes Fines for Impersonating Election Officials Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 14)
6/23 H 227 Amends Election Laws and Regulations for the City of Winooski Veto Override Passed - Senate (20 - 10)
6/23 AB 369 Amends Congressional Districts Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 12)
6/23 AB 374 Establishes Guidelines for Potential Opioid Settlement Disbursement to State Counties Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 11)
6/23 AB 369 Amends Congressional Districts Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 12)
6/23 SB 735 Requires Identification for Voters Each Time they Cast a Ballot Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 20)
6/23 SB 1819 Requires New Security Features on Ballots Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 14)
6/23 SB 735 Requires Identification for Voters Each Time they Cast a Ballot Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 20)
6/22 PN 220 Nomination of Kiran Ahuja to be Director of the Office of Personnel Management Nomination Confirmed - Senate (51 - 50)
6/22 S 2093 For the People Act of 2021 Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (50 - 50)
6/17 SB 1202 Extends Convicted Felons' Voting Rights if They are Committed to Confinement Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (20 - 6)
6/16 SB 304 Requires Voters Who Cast a Provisional Ballot to Confirm Their Information with the Local Clerk Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 16)
6/16 SB 725 Prohibits County Boards of Elections from Accepting Private Donations to Administer Election Services Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 22)
6/16 SB 303 Repeals the Option for Voters to Sign an Affidavit to Affirm Their Identity Before Casting a Ballot Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 16)
6/16 SB 285 Requires Voters to Present Identification to Receive an Absentee Ballot Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 16)
6/16 SB 326 Requires State Election Officials to Stop Collecting Mail-In Ballots After Election Day Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 21)
6/14 SB 722 Amends the Date of Local Elections Due to Delay of Release of Redistricting Data Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (33 - 14)
6/14 SB 722 Amends the Date of Local Elections Due to Delay of Release of Redistricting Data Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (33 - 14)
6/10 SB 221 Establishes a Voting System Commission to Examine Voting Standards and Regulations Conference Report Adopted - Senate (27 - 10)
6/10 LD 1126 Requires the Secretary of State Establish an Online Voter Registration Application Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 12)
6/10 SB 486 Authorizes People From the Upper Peninsula to Sit on a Body to Decide Whether Hunters Can Kill Wolves Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 16)
6/10 S 661 Establishes a Claims Filing Opportunity for Widows and Dependents of Workers Who Died as a Result of Cancer Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 14)
6/10 S 4306B Expands Early Voting Access Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 18)
6/09 A 6046 Authorizes the Board of Elections to Accept an Electronic Application for an Absentee Ballot when Submitted by a Voter Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 20)
6/09 A 6047 Amends the Deadlines for the Mailing and Receipt of Absentee Ballots from the Day Before the Election to Election Day Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 20)
6/09 LD 1575 Authorizes Student ID's to be Used as Voter Identification Cards Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 12)
6/09 S 613 Authorizes a Candidate for 2 or More Parties to Decline the Nominations for an Office Filled at a General Election Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 14)
6/09 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 - Senate (42 - 21)
6/09 S 7150 Amends State Congressional Districts Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 20)
6/09 S 7150 Amends State Congressional Districts Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 20)
6/09 SB 204 Amends Absentee Ballot Laws to Increase Paperwork from One Form to 2 Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 14)
6/09 SB 209 Establishes Absentee Ballot Drop Box Locations at Election Clerk Offices Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 12)
6/09 LD 1363 Amends the Statutory Language Regarding Elections Determined by Ranked Choice Voting Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 12)
6/08 SB 8 Requires Local Governments to Allow Affordable Housing on Lands Not Zoned for Residential Purposes Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 5)
6/07 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 Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (20 - 12)
6/07 HB 138 Requires Conducting a Supplemental Canvass of Registered Voters Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 10)
6/03 HB 21-1071 Authorizes Ranked Choice Voting to be Used for Municipal Elections Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
6/03 HB 21-1071 Authorizes Ranked Choice Voting to be Used for Municipal Elections Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
6/03 A 5842 Repeals Certain Requirements for District Board Members at Polling Places Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 1)

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