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 28, 2021 TX SB 1111 Requires Voters Register Their Physical Address Instead of a P.O. Box When Registering to Vote Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 13)
April 27, 2021 MT HB 506 Amends Absentee Ballot Eligibility Requirements Conference Report Adopted - Senate (30 - 20)
April 27, 2021 FL HB 53 Requires State and Local Governments to Accept Certain Public Works Bids (24 - 16)
April 27, 2021 FL HB 53 Requires State and Local Governments to Accept Certain Public Works Bids (24 - 16)
April 27, 2021 FL HB 735 Prohibits Local Governments from Requiring a License for a Contractor or Journeyman Type Job Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 18)
April 27, 2021 NC SB 360 Prohibits Any State Agency from Settling Certain Lawsuits Without the Approval of the General Assembly Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 21)
April 26, 2021 AR SB 298 Classifies Federal Gun Restrictions as Invalid Veto Override Passed - Senate (21 - 12)
April 26, 2021 MT HB 530 Establishes Restrictions on Providing Assistance in Returning a Voter's Mail Ballot Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 19)
April 22, 2021 OK HB 2663 Authorizes Early In-Person Absentee Voting Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 2)
April 22, 2021 MT HB 651 Requires Ballot Initiatives Include a Warning Label on the Impact to Local Business Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 21)
April 22, 2021 AL HB 538 Limits the Time Frame for Receiving Absentee Ballot Applications Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 5)
April 22, 2021 AL HB 388 Requires General Election Laws be Implemented 6 Months Before a General Election Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 4)
April 22, 2021 AL HB 154 Requires Municipal Candidates to File Campaign Finance Reports Electronically Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 12)
April 22, 2021 AR SB 627 Prohibits Certain Teachings Regarding Race and Sex Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 6)
April 22, 2021 AR SB 701 Establishes a Uniform Process for Opening and Validating all Absentee Ballots Bill Failed - Senate (11 - 20)
April 21, 2021 OK HB 2564 Amends the Election Recount Process to Require Recounts on Statewide Issues or Question Elections Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 8)
April 21, 2021 National PN 79-4 Nomination of Vanita Gupta to be Associate Attorney General Nomination Confirmed - Senate (51 - 49)
April 21, 2021 National PN 79-4 Nomination of Vanita Gupta to be Associate Attorney General Nomination Confirmed - Senate (51 - 49)
April 21, 2021 OH SB 80 Requires Party Affiliations of Judicial Candidates to be Listed on Election Ballots Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 9)
April 21, 2021 OH SB 80 Requires Party Affiliations of Judicial Candidates to be Listed on Election Ballots Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 9)
April 20, 2021 ND SB 2271 Establishes a Statement of Legislative Intent Regarding Presidential Elections Conference Report Adopted - Senate (39 - 8)
April 20, 2021 ND SB 2271 Establishes a Statement of Legislative Intent Regarding Presidential Elections Conference Report Adopted - Senate (39 - 8)
April 20, 2021 ND SB 2271 Establishes a Statement of Legislative Intent Regarding Presidential Elections Conference Report Adopted - Senate (39 - 8)
April 20, 2021 ID S 1205 Prohibits Cooperating with Enforcement of Federal Gun Laws Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 7)
April 20, 2021 MO SCR 6 Establishes Disapproval of SCOTUS Expansion (20 - 10)
April 19, 2021 ND HB 1383 Prohibits State Enforcement of Federal Regulations on Firearms Conference Report Adopted - Senate (40 - 7)
April 19, 2021 OK HB 2939 Requires the County Election Board Record Every Voter's Ballot History Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 12)
April 19, 2021 NV SB 6 Authorizes Seizure of Firearms from "High-Risk" Individuals Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 5)
April 15, 2021 IN SB 398 Limits the Hours of an Election Drop Box and Expands Voting for Those with Disabilities Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (40 - 2)
April 15, 2021 AL SB 358 Prohibits State and Local Governments from Enforcing Any Federal Firearms Act Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 5)
April 14, 2021 WI SR 6 Requires the Attorney General Join the State as a Plaintiff in State of West Virginia v US Department of Treasury Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 11)
April 14, 2021 WI SB 210 Requires Election Administrators Allow Election Observers to be No More Than 3 Feet Away from Voter Registration Tables Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 11)
April 14, 2021 WI SB 213 Authorizes Individuals to File Election Law Violation Claims Against Election Officials Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 11)
April 14, 2021 TN SB 1534 Prohibits Any Person from Contributing Funds to the State Election Commission to Conduct Elections Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 4)
April 13, 2021 OK HB 1752 Establishes a 30-Day Time Limit for a County Election Board to Remove Deceased People from the Central Registry Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 8)
April 13, 2021 IN HB 1191 Prohibits a Local Government's Control Board from Banning a Fuel Source Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 16)
April 13, 2021 IN HB 1164 Limits a City or Township's Ability to Restrict 5G Poles Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 19)
April 13, 2021 AR HB 1715 Requires Voters' Signatures on Absentee Ballots Match the Signature from Their Voter Registration Application Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 8)
April 13, 2021 AZ HB 2359 Requires any Method of Electronic Access to be Secured While Voting In Person Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 0)
April 13, 2021 AL SB 319 Authorizes Voting to Expand Casino Gambling Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 9)
April 13, 2021 AR SB 643 Limits the Time Frame for Absentee Ballot Applications to be Received Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 8)
April 12, 2021 TX SB 1114 Requires Voter Registrars Cross-Reference Voter Rolls with the DMV to Remove Ineligible Voters Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 13)
April 12, 2021 TX SB 1112 Increases Penalties for Accepting Early Mail-In Ballots Without Verifying the Signature Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 13)
April 12, 2021 CO SB 21-188 Authorizes a Voter with a Disability to Print the Ballot or Return the Ballot by Electronic Transmission Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 13)
April 8, 2021 TN HB 1448 Authorizes Non-Resident Property Owners to Vote in Municipal Elections Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 6)
April 8, 2021 TN SB 1120 Prohibits a Multi-Candidate Political Campaign Committee Officer from Running for State Office if Lawyer Fees Remain Unpaid Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 6)
April 7, 2021 VA SB 1245 Requires the Establishment of Drop-Box Locations Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
April 7, 2021 AZ HCR 2023 Prohibits the Federal Government's Interference in the State's Elections Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (16 - 14)
April 7, 2021 AZ HCR 2023 Prohibits the Federal Government's Interference in the State's Elections Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (16 - 14)
April 7, 2021 AZ HB 2569 Prohibits Election Administrators from Receiving Private Funding for Conducting Elections Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 14)
April 7, 2021 AR SB 498 Requires Written Complaints be Sent by the County Board of Election Commissioners to the State Board of Election Commissioners Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 8)
April 7, 2021 AR SB 557 Amends the Duties of County Board Election Commissioner Members Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 6)
April 7, 2021 NE LB 17 Increases Court Fees to Pay for Judges' Retirement Plans Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 13)
April 6, 2021 MD HB 1048 Requires the Local Board of Elections Consider Certain Factors when Determining Ballot Drop Box Locations Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 15)
April 6, 2021 NV SB 47 Authorizes Borrowing Money for Programs Approved by the State Legislature Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 7)
April 2, 2021 MD SB 683 Authorizes Individuals to Request Permanent Absentee Voting Status Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 15)
April 2, 2021 WY HB 127 Limits the Time Period for Protective Orders to a Period of 10 Days Without Corresponding County or Commission Approval Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 10)
April 1, 2021 IN SB 260 Authorizes 16 or 17 Year-Olds to Serve as a Precinct Election Officers on Election Day Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (37 - 11)
April 1, 2021 MD HB 670 Repeals the Law Enforcement Officer's Bill of Rights and Replaces it With a Multistep System Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 15)
April 1, 2021 AR SB 486 Prohibits Individuals from Entering or Remaining in an Area Where Voting is Taking Place Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 7)
April 1, 2021 TX SB 7 Prohibits Election Officials from Mailing Unsolicited Ballots Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 13)
April 1, 2021 AR SB 487 Requires Election Officials to Ensure Electronic Pollbooks are Secure Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 7)
April 1, 2021 AR SB 488 Exempts Certain Forms of Examining and Copying of Public Records Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 5)
April 1, 2021 AR SB 488 Exempts Certain Forms of Examining and Copying of Public Records Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 5)
April 1, 2021 AL SB 97 Reduces the Power of the Public Health Officer During a Public Health Emergency Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 8)
April 1, 2021 AL SB 97 Reduces the Power of the Public Health Officer During a Public Health Emergency Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 8)
March 31, 2021 MT SB 169 Prohibits Same-Day Voter Registration Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 18)
March 31, 2021 MT SB 196 Authorizes Voting Precincts with Less than 400 In-Person Voters to Open at Noon Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 20)
March 31, 2021 MD HB 745 Increases the Number of Early Voting Centers in Certain Counties Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 14)
March 31, 2021 SC S 499 Requires Legislative Oversight Over Governor Election Commission Appointments Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 7)
March 30, 2021 DE SB 5 Authorizes Automatic Voter Registration at DMVs Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 7)
March 29, 2021 KY HJR 77 Limits the Governor's Emergency Health Orders to 60 Days Veto Override Passed - Senate (30 - 7)
March 25, 2021 GA SB 202 Amends Election Laws Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (34 - 20)
March 25, 2021 NJ S 3203 Requires an In-Person Early Voting Period for Certain Elections Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 8)
March 25, 2021 GA HB 286 Prohibits Local Police Departments from Reducing Annual Police Budgets Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 15)
Date No. Title Outcome
4/28 SB 1111 Requires Voters Register Their Physical Address Instead of a P.O. Box When Registering to Vote Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 13)
4/27 HB 506 Amends Absentee Ballot Eligibility Requirements Conference Report Adopted - Senate (30 - 20)
4/27 HB 53 Requires State and Local Governments to Accept Certain Public Works Bids (24 - 16)
4/27 HB 53 Requires State and Local Governments to Accept Certain Public Works Bids (24 - 16)
4/27 HB 735 Prohibits Local Governments from Requiring a License for a Contractor or Journeyman Type Job Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 18)
4/27 SB 360 Prohibits Any State Agency from Settling Certain Lawsuits Without the Approval of the General Assembly Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 21)
4/26 SB 298 Classifies Federal Gun Restrictions as Invalid Veto Override Passed - Senate (21 - 12)
4/26 HB 530 Establishes Restrictions on Providing Assistance in Returning a Voter's Mail Ballot Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 19)
4/22 HB 2663 Authorizes Early In-Person Absentee Voting Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 2)
4/22 HB 651 Requires Ballot Initiatives Include a Warning Label on the Impact to Local Business Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 21)
4/22 HB 538 Limits the Time Frame for Receiving Absentee Ballot Applications Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 5)
4/22 HB 388 Requires General Election Laws be Implemented 6 Months Before a General Election Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 4)
4/22 HB 154 Requires Municipal Candidates to File Campaign Finance Reports Electronically Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 12)
4/22 SB 627 Prohibits Certain Teachings Regarding Race and Sex Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 6)
4/22 SB 701 Establishes a Uniform Process for Opening and Validating all Absentee Ballots Bill Failed - Senate (11 - 20)
4/21 HB 2564 Amends the Election Recount Process to Require Recounts on Statewide Issues or Question Elections Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 8)
4/21 PN 79-4 Nomination of Vanita Gupta to be Associate Attorney General Nomination Confirmed - Senate (51 - 49)
4/21 PN 79-4 Nomination of Vanita Gupta to be Associate Attorney General Nomination Confirmed - Senate (51 - 49)
4/21 SB 80 Requires Party Affiliations of Judicial Candidates to be Listed on Election Ballots Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 9)
4/21 SB 80 Requires Party Affiliations of Judicial Candidates to be Listed on Election Ballots Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 9)
4/20 SB 2271 Establishes a Statement of Legislative Intent Regarding Presidential Elections Conference Report Adopted - Senate (39 - 8)
4/20 SB 2271 Establishes a Statement of Legislative Intent Regarding Presidential Elections Conference Report Adopted - Senate (39 - 8)
4/20 SB 2271 Establishes a Statement of Legislative Intent Regarding Presidential Elections Conference Report Adopted - Senate (39 - 8)
4/20 S 1205 Prohibits Cooperating with Enforcement of Federal Gun Laws Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 7)
4/20 SCR 6 Establishes Disapproval of SCOTUS Expansion (20 - 10)
4/19 HB 1383 Prohibits State Enforcement of Federal Regulations on Firearms Conference Report Adopted - Senate (40 - 7)
4/19 HB 2939 Requires the County Election Board Record Every Voter's Ballot History Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 12)
4/19 SB 6 Authorizes Seizure of Firearms from "High-Risk" Individuals Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 5)
4/15 SB 398 Limits the Hours of an Election Drop Box and Expands Voting for Those with Disabilities Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (40 - 2)
4/15 SB 358 Prohibits State and Local Governments from Enforcing Any Federal Firearms Act Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 5)
4/14 SR 6 Requires the Attorney General Join the State as a Plaintiff in State of West Virginia v US Department of Treasury Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 11)
4/14 SB 210 Requires Election Administrators Allow Election Observers to be No More Than 3 Feet Away from Voter Registration Tables Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 11)
4/14 SB 213 Authorizes Individuals to File Election Law Violation Claims Against Election Officials Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 11)
4/14 SB 1534 Prohibits Any Person from Contributing Funds to the State Election Commission to Conduct Elections Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 4)
4/13 HB 1752 Establishes a 30-Day Time Limit for a County Election Board to Remove Deceased People from the Central Registry Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 8)
4/13 HB 1191 Prohibits a Local Government's Control Board from Banning a Fuel Source Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 16)
4/13 HB 1164 Limits a City or Township's Ability to Restrict 5G Poles Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 19)
4/13 HB 1715 Requires Voters' Signatures on Absentee Ballots Match the Signature from Their Voter Registration Application Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 8)
4/13 HB 2359 Requires any Method of Electronic Access to be Secured While Voting In Person Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 0)
4/13 SB 319 Authorizes Voting to Expand Casino Gambling Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 9)
4/13 SB 643 Limits the Time Frame for Absentee Ballot Applications to be Received Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 8)
4/12 SB 1114 Requires Voter Registrars Cross-Reference Voter Rolls with the DMV to Remove Ineligible Voters Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 13)
4/12 SB 1112 Increases Penalties for Accepting Early Mail-In Ballots Without Verifying the Signature Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 13)
4/12 SB 21-188 Authorizes a Voter with a Disability to Print the Ballot or Return the Ballot by Electronic Transmission Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 13)
4/08 HB 1448 Authorizes Non-Resident Property Owners to Vote in Municipal Elections Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 6)
4/08 SB 1120 Prohibits a Multi-Candidate Political Campaign Committee Officer from Running for State Office if Lawyer Fees Remain Unpaid Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 6)
4/07 SB 1245 Requires the Establishment of Drop-Box Locations Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
4/07 HCR 2023 Prohibits the Federal Government's Interference in the State's Elections Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (16 - 14)
4/07 HCR 2023 Prohibits the Federal Government's Interference in the State's Elections Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (16 - 14)
4/07 HB 2569 Prohibits Election Administrators from Receiving Private Funding for Conducting Elections Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 14)
4/07 SB 498 Requires Written Complaints be Sent by the County Board of Election Commissioners to the State Board of Election Commissioners Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 8)
4/07 SB 557 Amends the Duties of County Board Election Commissioner Members Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 6)
4/07 LB 17 Increases Court Fees to Pay for Judges' Retirement Plans Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 13)
4/06 HB 1048 Requires the Local Board of Elections Consider Certain Factors when Determining Ballot Drop Box Locations Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 15)
4/06 SB 47 Authorizes Borrowing Money for Programs Approved by the State Legislature Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 7)
4/02 SB 683 Authorizes Individuals to Request Permanent Absentee Voting Status Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 15)
4/02 HB 127 Limits the Time Period for Protective Orders to a Period of 10 Days Without Corresponding County or Commission Approval Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 10)
4/01 SB 260 Authorizes 16 or 17 Year-Olds to Serve as a Precinct Election Officers on Election Day Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (37 - 11)
4/01 HB 670 Repeals the Law Enforcement Officer's Bill of Rights and Replaces it With a Multistep System Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 15)
4/01 SB 486 Prohibits Individuals from Entering or Remaining in an Area Where Voting is Taking Place Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 7)
4/01 SB 7 Prohibits Election Officials from Mailing Unsolicited Ballots Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 13)
4/01 SB 487 Requires Election Officials to Ensure Electronic Pollbooks are Secure Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 7)
4/01 SB 488 Exempts Certain Forms of Examining and Copying of Public Records Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 5)
4/01 SB 488 Exempts Certain Forms of Examining and Copying of Public Records Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 5)
4/01 SB 97 Reduces the Power of the Public Health Officer During a Public Health Emergency Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 8)
4/01 SB 97 Reduces the Power of the Public Health Officer During a Public Health Emergency Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 8)
3/31 SB 169 Prohibits Same-Day Voter Registration Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 18)
3/31 SB 196 Authorizes Voting Precincts with Less than 400 In-Person Voters to Open at Noon Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 20)
3/31 HB 745 Increases the Number of Early Voting Centers in Certain Counties Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 14)
3/31 S 499 Requires Legislative Oversight Over Governor Election Commission Appointments Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 7)
3/30 SB 5 Authorizes Automatic Voter Registration at DMVs Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 7)
3/29 HJR 77 Limits the Governor's Emergency Health Orders to 60 Days Veto Override Passed - Senate (30 - 7)
3/25 SB 202 Amends Election Laws Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (34 - 20)
3/25 S 3203 Requires an In-Person Early Voting Period for Certain Elections Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 8)
3/25 HB 286 Prohibits Local Police Departments from Reducing Annual Police Budgets Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 15)

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