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 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)
June 3, 2021 NJ A 5820 Repeals the Public Health Emergency Declared by the Governor to Address the COVID-19 Pandemic Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 16)
June 3, 2021 OR HB 2323 Prohibits Individuals from Intentionally Communicating False Election Information Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 3)
June 3, 2021 NJ ACR 195 Alleges Dr. Anthony Fauci Should be Honored for His Public Service Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (24 - 9)
June 2, 2021 LA HB 438 Requires a Requester of a Public Record to Provide Sufficient Proof of Identity Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 0)
May 31, 2021 NV AB 321 Specifies Changes Made to the State's Elections During the Pandemic are Permanent Bill Passed - Senate (12 - 9)
May 31, 2021 NV AB 126 Amends the Date of the 2024 State Presidential Caucus Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 6)
May 31, 2021 NV AB 432 Amends the Automatic Voter Registration Initiative Bill Passed - Senate (12 - 9)
May 28, 2021 OR HB 2681 Prohibits Moving a Voter's Status to "Inactive" Due to Not Updating Their Registration Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 3)
May 27, 2021 TX SB 1113 Authorizes the Secretary of State's Office to Withhold Funding from County Election Officials Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (20 - 11)
May 27, 2021 CT HJ 59 Authorizes Early Voting in Specific Cases Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 9)
May 27, 2021 LA HB 168 Authorizes a District Attorney to Decide Which Evidence Can be Presented for Objections to a Candidacy for Elective Office Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 4)
May 26, 2021 CA SB 9 Authorizes the Development of Up to Two Duplexes Without Local Reviews or Hearings Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 6)
May 25, 2021 OK SB 959 Establishes Procedures for Filling U.S. Senate Vacancies Conference Report Adopted - Senate (35 - 10)
May 25, 2021 OK SB 959 Establishes Procedures for Filling U.S. Senate Vacancies Conference Report Adopted - Senate (35 - 10)
May 25, 2021 National PN 124 Nomation of Chiquita Brooks-LaSure as the Adminstor of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Nomination Confirmed - Senate (55 - 44)
May 25, 2021 TX HB 2283 Limits How Funding is Used to Administer Elections in the State Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 13)
May 25, 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 - Senate (18 - 13)
May 25, 2021 PA SB 426 Increases Legislative Oversight of the Regulatory Review Process Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 20)
May 24, 2021 TX HB 1900 Establishes Penalties for Municipalities that Reduce Police Funding Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 3)
May 22, 2021 TX HB 1128 Authorizes Certain Individuals to be Lawfully Present at a Polling Place on Election Day while a Judge Presides Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 9)
May 21, 2021 TX HB 1239 Prohibits Elected Officials from Closing Places of Worship Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 3)
May 20, 2021 NV AB 115 Authorizes Children to Have More Than Two Legal Parents Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 6)
May 20, 2021 LA HB 20 Prohibits the Use of Private Funds to Pay Election-Related Expenses Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 11)
May 19, 2021 IA HJR 5 Amends the State Constitution to Repeal the Right to an Abortion Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 18)
May 19, 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 - Senate (50 - 48)
May 19, 2021 NV SB 292 Amends the Deadline to Challenge the Qualification of a Minor Political Party Bill Passed - Senate (12 - 9)
May 18, 2021 TX HB 1382 Requires the Secretary of State Develop an Online Tool for Early Voting Application Tracking Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 6)
May 17, 2021 AZ HB 2794 Prohibits Election Officials from Changing Election Related Deadlines Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 13)
May 17, 2021 AL HB 285 Prohibits Curbside Voting Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 6)
May 13, 2021 National PN 244 Nomination of Amber McReynolds as Governor of the United States Postal Service Nomination Confirmed - Senate (59 - 38)
May 13, 2021 National PN 244 Nomination of Amber McReynolds as Governor of the United States Postal Service Nomination Confirmed - Senate (59 - 38)
May 12, 2021 National PN 245 Nomination of Ronald Stroman as Governor of the United States Postal Service Nomination Confirmed - Senate (66 - 32)
May 12, 2021 National PN 245 Nomination of Ronald Stroman as Governor of the United States Postal Service Nomination Confirmed - Senate (66 - 32)
May 12, 2021 TX HB 574 Establishes 2 New Classes of Election Fraud Offenses Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 9)
May 12, 2021 PA SB 115 Authorizes Nurses to Hold a License in Multiple States Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 16)
May 11, 2021 WI SB 203 Limits the Return of of Absentee Ballots Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12)
May 11, 2021 WI SB 212 Authorizes Only Voters to Correct Absentee Ballot Defects Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 13)
May 10, 2021 IN SB 5 Prohibits a Local Health Department from Implementing Orders More Restrictive than the Governor Veto Override Passed - Senate (36 - 10)
May 6, 2021 NH HB 183 Prohibits Municipalities from Requiring a License for a Soft Drink Stand "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Adopted - Senate (13 - 10)
May 5, 2021 KS SCR 1611 Alleges Abuse of Federal Power, Seeks Constitutional Amendment Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
May 5, 2021 KS SCR 1611 Alleges Abuse of Federal Power, Seeks Constitutional Amendment Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
May 5, 2021 ID S 1217 Limits the Governor's Powers During a State of Emergency Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 7)
May 3, 2021 CO HB 21-1114 Requires a Local Government to Obtain Voter Approval Before Providing Internet Access Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 5)
May 3, 2021 CO HB 21-1114 Requires a Local Government to Obtain Voter Approval Before Providing Internet Access Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 5)
May 3, 2021 MN SF 173 Requires Voters to Present ID Before Casting a Ballot Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 32)
April 29, 2021 FL SB 90 Establishes Restrictions on Vote-By-Mail and Drop Boxes Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 17)
April 29, 2021 FL SB 7072 Prohibits Social Media Companies from "Deplatforming" Political Candidates Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 17)
April 29, 2021 NE LB 320 Establishes District and County Courts Have Jurisdiction Over Complaints of Forcible Entry Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 3)
April 28, 2021 AK HB 76 Extends the Governor's Disaster Declaration Bill Passed - Senate (13 - 7)
April 28, 2021 MO HB 271 Limits the Authority of Local Health Officials to Close Organizations During a Public Health Emergency Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 6)
Date No. Title Outcome
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)
6/03 A 5820 Repeals the Public Health Emergency Declared by the Governor to Address the COVID-19 Pandemic Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 16)
6/03 HB 2323 Prohibits Individuals from Intentionally Communicating False Election Information Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 3)
6/03 ACR 195 Alleges Dr. Anthony Fauci Should be Honored for His Public Service Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (24 - 9)
6/02 HB 438 Requires a Requester of a Public Record to Provide Sufficient Proof of Identity Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 0)
5/31 AB 321 Specifies Changes Made to the State's Elections During the Pandemic are Permanent Bill Passed - Senate (12 - 9)
5/31 AB 126 Amends the Date of the 2024 State Presidential Caucus Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 6)
5/31 AB 432 Amends the Automatic Voter Registration Initiative Bill Passed - Senate (12 - 9)
5/28 HB 2681 Prohibits Moving a Voter's Status to "Inactive" Due to Not Updating Their Registration Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 3)
5/27 SB 1113 Authorizes the Secretary of State's Office to Withhold Funding from County Election Officials Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (20 - 11)
5/27 HJ 59 Authorizes Early Voting in Specific Cases Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 9)
5/27 HB 168 Authorizes a District Attorney to Decide Which Evidence Can be Presented for Objections to a Candidacy for Elective Office Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 4)
5/26 SB 9 Authorizes the Development of Up to Two Duplexes Without Local Reviews or Hearings Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 6)
5/25 SB 959 Establishes Procedures for Filling U.S. Senate Vacancies Conference Report Adopted - Senate (35 - 10)
5/25 SB 959 Establishes Procedures for Filling U.S. Senate Vacancies Conference Report Adopted - Senate (35 - 10)
5/25 PN 124 Nomation of Chiquita Brooks-LaSure as the Adminstor of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Nomination Confirmed - Senate (55 - 44)
5/25 HB 2283 Limits How Funding is Used to Administer Elections in the State Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 13)
5/25 HB 3920 Authorizes Pregnant Women to Vote by Mail if Their Due Date is 3 Weeks Before or After the Election Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 13)
5/25 SB 426 Increases Legislative Oversight of the Regulatory Review Process Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 20)
5/24 HB 1900 Establishes Penalties for Municipalities that Reduce Police Funding Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 3)
5/22 HB 1128 Authorizes Certain Individuals to be Lawfully Present at a Polling Place on Election Day while a Judge Presides Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 9)
5/21 HB 1239 Prohibits Elected Officials from Closing Places of Worship Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 3)
5/20 AB 115 Authorizes Children to Have More Than Two Legal Parents Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 6)
5/20 HB 20 Prohibits the Use of Private Funds to Pay Election-Related Expenses Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 11)
5/19 HJR 5 Amends the State Constitution to Repeal the Right to an Abortion Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 18)
5/19 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 - Senate (50 - 48)
5/19 SB 292 Amends the Deadline to Challenge the Qualification of a Minor Political Party Bill Passed - Senate (12 - 9)
5/18 HB 1382 Requires the Secretary of State Develop an Online Tool for Early Voting Application Tracking Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 6)
5/17 HB 2794 Prohibits Election Officials from Changing Election Related Deadlines Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 13)
5/17 HB 285 Prohibits Curbside Voting Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 6)
5/13 PN 244 Nomination of Amber McReynolds as Governor of the United States Postal Service Nomination Confirmed - Senate (59 - 38)
5/13 PN 244 Nomination of Amber McReynolds as Governor of the United States Postal Service Nomination Confirmed - Senate (59 - 38)
5/12 PN 245 Nomination of Ronald Stroman as Governor of the United States Postal Service Nomination Confirmed - Senate (66 - 32)
5/12 PN 245 Nomination of Ronald Stroman as Governor of the United States Postal Service Nomination Confirmed - Senate (66 - 32)
5/12 HB 574 Establishes 2 New Classes of Election Fraud Offenses Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 9)
5/12 SB 115 Authorizes Nurses to Hold a License in Multiple States Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 16)
5/11 SB 203 Limits the Return of of Absentee Ballots Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12)
5/11 SB 212 Authorizes Only Voters to Correct Absentee Ballot Defects Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 13)
5/10 SB 5 Prohibits a Local Health Department from Implementing Orders More Restrictive than the Governor Veto Override Passed - Senate (36 - 10)
5/06 HB 183 Prohibits Municipalities from Requiring a License for a Soft Drink Stand "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Adopted - Senate (13 - 10)
5/05 SCR 1611 Alleges Abuse of Federal Power, Seeks Constitutional Amendment Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
5/05 SCR 1611 Alleges Abuse of Federal Power, Seeks Constitutional Amendment Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
5/05 S 1217 Limits the Governor's Powers During a State of Emergency Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 7)
5/03 HB 21-1114 Requires a Local Government to Obtain Voter Approval Before Providing Internet Access Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 5)
5/03 HB 21-1114 Requires a Local Government to Obtain Voter Approval Before Providing Internet Access Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 5)
5/03 SF 173 Requires Voters to Present ID Before Casting a Ballot Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 32)
4/29 SB 90 Establishes Restrictions on Vote-By-Mail and Drop Boxes Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 17)
4/29 SB 7072 Prohibits Social Media Companies from "Deplatforming" Political Candidates Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 17)
4/29 LB 320 Establishes District and County Courts Have Jurisdiction Over Complaints of Forcible Entry Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 3)
4/28 HB 76 Extends the Governor's Disaster Declaration Bill Passed - Senate (13 - 7)
4/28 HB 271 Limits the Authority of Local Health Officials to Close Organizations During a Public Health Emergency Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 6)

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