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.


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Date State Bill No. Title Outcome
Feb. 24, 2021 NY S 830 Extends Voting Rights to Convicted Felons on Parole Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 20)
Feb. 24, 2021 OH SB 3 Authorizes Ohio to Join the Nurse Licensure Compact Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 8)
Feb. 23, 2021 VA SB 1097 Rescinds the Mandate for a Witness Signature on Absentee Ballots Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (22 - 17)
Feb. 23, 2021 VA SB 1148 Amends the Primary Election Date Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 14)
Feb. 23, 2021 National PN 78-21 Nomination of Linda Thomas-Greenfield as Representative of the United States of America to the Sessions of the General Assembly of the United Nations Nomination Confirmed - Senate (78 - 21)
Feb. 23, 2021 National PN 78-22 Nomination of Thomas J. Vilsack as Secretary of Agriculture Nomination Confirmed - Senate (92 - 7)
Feb. 23, 2021 VA HB 2020 Amends the Nomination Processes to Accommodate Servicemembers on Active Duty Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 10)
Feb. 23, 2021 GA SB 40 Requires County Officials Count Ballots 8 Days Before an Election (53 - 0)
Feb. 23, 2021 GA SB 184 Requires that Voting Records be Updated Within 30 Days After an Election Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 15)
Feb. 23, 2021 IN SB 200 Authorizes the State Attorney General to Appoint a Special Prosecutor for Crimes County Prosecutors Decide not to Charge Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 20)
Feb. 23, 2021 IA SF 413 Amends the State's Voting Laws Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 18)
Feb. 23, 2021 GA SB 67 Requires Photo ID For Absentee Ballots Applications (35 - 18)
Feb. 22, 2021 IN SB 353 Requires Presenting Valid Identification to Request an Absentee Ballot Online Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 15)
Feb. 19, 2021 VA HB 1888 Requires the Creation of More Ballot Drop Boxes Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 17)
Feb. 19, 2021 VA HB 1968 Authorizes the Electoral Board or General Registrar of a County or City to Provide Absentee Voting Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 17)
Feb. 19, 2021 VA HB 2125 Authorizes a Person Who is 16 Years of Age or Older to Preregister to Vote Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 17)
Feb. 19, 2021 VA HB 1810 Authorizes the Governor to Order the Online Voter Registration System be Made Available After Close of Registration if a System Error Occurs Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 4)
Feb. 18, 2021 VA HB 2081 Prohibits the Possession of Firearms Within 40 Feet of a Polling Place Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 18)
Feb. 17, 2021 IA SF 252 Prohibits Cities from Mandating Participation in the Section 8 Federal Housing Program Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 18)
Feb. 17, 2021 OH SB 22 Authorizes the General Assembly to Repeal the Governor's Emergency Declarations Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 8)
Feb. 17, 2021 OH SB 22 Authorizes the General Assembly to Repeal the Governor's Emergency Declarations Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 8)
Feb. 17, 2021 AZ SCR 1024 Requires New Ballot Initiatives for Taxation Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (16 - 14)
Feb. 16, 2021 WI SB 38 Establishes a Return to Work Plan for State Employees Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 12)
Feb. 16, 2021 AZ SB 1069 Amends Early Voting List Eligibility Bill Failed - Senate (15 - 15)
Feb. 16, 2021 WI SB 55 Authorizes Local Government Units to No Longer Publish Their Meeting Proceedings Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 12)
Feb. 13, 2021 National H Res 24 Impeaching Donald John Trump, President of the United States, for high crimes and misdemeanors Resolution Failed - Senate (57 - 43)
Feb. 13, 2021 National H Res 24 Impeaching Donald John Trump, President of the United States, for high crimes and misdemeanors Resolution Failed - Senate (57 - 43)
Feb. 12, 2021 MT SB 170 Requires Yearly Maintenance on Voter Lists to Remove Inactive Voters Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 19)
Feb. 12, 2021 AK SR 2 Alleges the Governor Should Issue a New Disaster Declaration Bill Passed - Senate (11 - 6)
Feb. 11, 2021 OK SB 834 Authorizes Cities and Towns to Paint Blue Lines and Post Signage Supporting Law Enforcement Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 6)
Feb. 11, 2021 AZ SB 1002 Prohibits Absentee Ballots from Revealing Political Party Affiliation Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 9)
Feb. 10, 2021 NY A 4686 Reduces the Number of Signatures Necessary for Nomination Petitions Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 15)
Feb. 10, 2021 MS SB 2588 Repeals Names and Information From the Voter Rolls Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 16)
Feb. 9, 2021 National N/A On the Motion "Is Former President Donald John Trump Subject to a Court of Impeachment for Acts Committed While President?" Resolution Passed - Senate (56 - 44)
Feb. 9, 2021 MS SB 2107 Prohibits Cities and Counties from Creating Rental Agreements that Restrict Firearm Access Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 16)
Feb. 8, 2021 National PN 78-14 Nomination of Denis McDonough as Secretary of Veterans Affairs Nomination Confirmed - Senate (87 - 7)
Feb. 5, 2021 National S Con Res 5 A concurrent resolution setting forth the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2021 and setting forth the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2022 through 2030 Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (51 - 50)
Feb. 5, 2021 MT SB 15 Requires Election Officials Provide Accessible Locations for Disabled Voters During Elections Conducted by Mail Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 9)
Feb. 2, 2021 KY HB 5 Limits the Governor's Ability to Reorganize Executive Cabinets, Boards, Agencies, and Commissions Veto Override Passed - Senate (30 - 7)
Feb. 2, 2021 KY SB 2 Increases Legislative Oversight Over Executive Orders Related to Emergencies Veto Override Passed - Senate (31 - 6)
Feb. 2, 2021 KY SB 2 Increases Legislative Oversight Over Executive Orders Related to Emergencies Veto Override Passed - Senate (31 - 6)
Feb. 2, 2021 National PN 78-4 Nomination of Peter Buttigieg as Secretary of Transportation Nomination Confirmed - Senate (86 - 13)
Feb. 2, 2021 National PN 78-13 Nomination of Alejandro Mayorkas as Secretary of Homeland Security Nomination Confirmed - Senate (56 - 43)
Feb. 2, 2021 NY A 2574 Establishes the State University of New York as an Automatic Voter Registration Location Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 20)
Jan. 28, 2021 KS HCR 5003 Amends the State Constitution to Allow Legislative Regulation and Specify that there is No Constitutional Right to Abortion Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 11)
Jan. 28, 2021 CA SB 29 Authorizes the Continuation of Mail-In Ballots Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 7)
Jan. 28, 2021 NJ S 2973 Authorizes a County to Create the Office of Deputy Superintendent of Elections Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 9)
Jan. 28, 2021 ID S 1022 Transfers $4 Million from the General Fund to the Legislative Legal Defense Fund Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 7)
Jan. 26, 2021 National PN 78-3 Nomination of Antony Blinken as Secretary of State Nomination Confirmed - Senate (78 - 22)
Jan. 26, 2021 PA SB 2 Specifies Executive Power Over Disaster Emergency Declarations and Management Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 20)
Jan. 26, 2021 WI SJR 3 Prohibits Extending Emergency Orders Related to COVID-19 Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (18 - 13)
Jan. 26, 2021 SD SB 24 Authorizes Amending Voter Registration Information Online Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13)
Jan. 25, 2021 National PN 78-24 Nomination of Janet Yellen as Secretary of the Treasury Nomination Confirmed - Senate (84 - 15)
Jan. 25, 2021 VA SB 1281 Specifies that the General Registrar of a Locality Does Not Need to be a Resident of that Locality Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 8)
Jan. 25, 2021 VA SB 1239 Authorizes the General Registrar to Contract with a Third Party for the Printing, Assembly, and Mailing of Absentee Ballots Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 12)
Jan. 22, 2021 National PN 78-1 Nomination of Lloyd Austin as Secretary of Defense Nomination Confirmed - Senate (93 - 2)
Jan. 20, 2021 National PN 78-10 Nomination of Avril Haines as the Director of National Intelligence Nomination Confirmed - Senate (84 - 10)
Jan. 14, 2021 DE SCR 3 Extends Congratulations to President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (15 - 6)
Jan. 12, 2021 NY S 528 Amends the State Constitution to Ensure the Right to a Healthy Environment Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 14)
Jan. 11, 2021 NY S 1028 Requires the Boards of Elections to Provide a Website to Request an Absentee Ballot Application Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 20)
Jan. 11, 2021 NY S 632 Establishes an Electronic Application to Request an Absentee Ballot Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 20)
Jan. 11, 2021 NY S 360 Authorizes Voting by Mail by Removing Cause Requirement for Absentee Ballot Voting Bill Passed - Senate (50 - 13)
Jan. 11, 2021 NY S 1027 Amends Election Law to Expedite Review and Canvassing of Absentee Ballots Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 20)
Jan. 11, 2021 NY S 253 Prohibits Voiding Absentee Ballots on Technicalities Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 20)
Jan. 11, 2021 NY S 492 Authorizes the Board of Elections to Establish Absentee Ballot Drop Boxes Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 20)
Jan. 11, 2021 NY S 631 Authorizes Board of Elections to Receive Absentee Ballots Earlier than 30 Days Before an Election Bill Passed - Senate (44 - 19)
Jan. 11, 2021 NJ SR 106 Establishes Disapproval of Events of January 6 Resolution Passed - Senate (24 - 5)
Jan. 11, 2021 NJ SR 106 Establishes Disapproval of Events of January 6 Resolution Passed - Senate (24 - 5)
Jan. 9, 2021 KY SB 1 Establishes a 30 Day Expiration Date on Executive Orders Restricting In Person Meetings Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 5)
Jan. 9, 2021 KY HB 1 Authorizes Businesses, Organizations, and Schools to Remain Open if they are Following CDC Guidelines Regardless of Governor Mandate Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 7)
Jan. 9, 2021 KY HB 1 Authorizes Businesses, Organizations, and Schools to Remain Open if they are Following CDC Guidelines Regardless of Governor Mandate Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 7)
Jan. 9, 2021 KY HB 5 Limits the Governor's Ability to Reorganize Executive Cabinets, Boards, Agencies, and Commissions Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 7)
Date No. Title Outcome
2/24 S 830 Extends Voting Rights to Convicted Felons on Parole Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 20)
2/24 SB 3 Authorizes Ohio to Join the Nurse Licensure Compact Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 8)
2/23 SB 1097 Rescinds the Mandate for a Witness Signature on Absentee Ballots Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (22 - 17)
2/23 SB 1148 Amends the Primary Election Date Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 14)
2/23 PN 78-21 Nomination of Linda Thomas-Greenfield as Representative of the United States of America to the Sessions of the General Assembly of the United Nations Nomination Confirmed - Senate (78 - 21)
2/23 PN 78-22 Nomination of Thomas J. Vilsack as Secretary of Agriculture Nomination Confirmed - Senate (92 - 7)
2/23 HB 2020 Amends the Nomination Processes to Accommodate Servicemembers on Active Duty Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 10)
2/23 SB 40 Requires County Officials Count Ballots 8 Days Before an Election (53 - 0)
2/23 SB 184 Requires that Voting Records be Updated Within 30 Days After an Election Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 15)
2/23 SB 200 Authorizes the State Attorney General to Appoint a Special Prosecutor for Crimes County Prosecutors Decide not to Charge Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 20)
2/23 SF 413 Amends the State's Voting Laws Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 18)
2/23 SB 67 Requires Photo ID For Absentee Ballots Applications (35 - 18)
2/22 SB 353 Requires Presenting Valid Identification to Request an Absentee Ballot Online Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 15)
2/19 HB 1888 Requires the Creation of More Ballot Drop Boxes Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 17)
2/19 HB 1968 Authorizes the Electoral Board or General Registrar of a County or City to Provide Absentee Voting Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 17)
2/19 HB 2125 Authorizes a Person Who is 16 Years of Age or Older to Preregister to Vote Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 17)
2/19 HB 1810 Authorizes the Governor to Order the Online Voter Registration System be Made Available After Close of Registration if a System Error Occurs Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 4)
2/18 HB 2081 Prohibits the Possession of Firearms Within 40 Feet of a Polling Place Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 18)
2/17 SF 252 Prohibits Cities from Mandating Participation in the Section 8 Federal Housing Program Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 18)
2/17 SB 22 Authorizes the General Assembly to Repeal the Governor's Emergency Declarations Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 8)
2/17 SB 22 Authorizes the General Assembly to Repeal the Governor's Emergency Declarations Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 8)
2/17 SCR 1024 Requires New Ballot Initiatives for Taxation Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (16 - 14)
2/16 SB 38 Establishes a Return to Work Plan for State Employees Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 12)
2/16 SB 1069 Amends Early Voting List Eligibility Bill Failed - Senate (15 - 15)
2/16 SB 55 Authorizes Local Government Units to No Longer Publish Their Meeting Proceedings Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 12)
2/13 H Res 24 Impeaching Donald John Trump, President of the United States, for high crimes and misdemeanors Resolution Failed - Senate (57 - 43)
2/13 H Res 24 Impeaching Donald John Trump, President of the United States, for high crimes and misdemeanors Resolution Failed - Senate (57 - 43)
2/12 SB 170 Requires Yearly Maintenance on Voter Lists to Remove Inactive Voters Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 19)
2/12 SR 2 Alleges the Governor Should Issue a New Disaster Declaration Bill Passed - Senate (11 - 6)
2/11 SB 834 Authorizes Cities and Towns to Paint Blue Lines and Post Signage Supporting Law Enforcement Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 6)
2/11 SB 1002 Prohibits Absentee Ballots from Revealing Political Party Affiliation Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 9)
2/10 A 4686 Reduces the Number of Signatures Necessary for Nomination Petitions Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 15)
2/10 SB 2588 Repeals Names and Information From the Voter Rolls Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 16)
2/09 N/A On the Motion "Is Former President Donald John Trump Subject to a Court of Impeachment for Acts Committed While President?" Resolution Passed - Senate (56 - 44)
2/09 SB 2107 Prohibits Cities and Counties from Creating Rental Agreements that Restrict Firearm Access Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 16)
2/08 PN 78-14 Nomination of Denis McDonough as Secretary of Veterans Affairs Nomination Confirmed - Senate (87 - 7)
2/05 S Con Res 5 A concurrent resolution setting forth the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2021 and setting forth the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2022 through 2030 Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (51 - 50)
2/05 SB 15 Requires Election Officials Provide Accessible Locations for Disabled Voters During Elections Conducted by Mail Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 9)
2/02 HB 5 Limits the Governor's Ability to Reorganize Executive Cabinets, Boards, Agencies, and Commissions Veto Override Passed - Senate (30 - 7)
2/02 SB 2 Increases Legislative Oversight Over Executive Orders Related to Emergencies Veto Override Passed - Senate (31 - 6)
2/02 SB 2 Increases Legislative Oversight Over Executive Orders Related to Emergencies Veto Override Passed - Senate (31 - 6)
2/02 PN 78-4 Nomination of Peter Buttigieg as Secretary of Transportation Nomination Confirmed - Senate (86 - 13)
2/02 PN 78-13 Nomination of Alejandro Mayorkas as Secretary of Homeland Security Nomination Confirmed - Senate (56 - 43)
2/02 A 2574 Establishes the State University of New York as an Automatic Voter Registration Location Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 20)
1/28 HCR 5003 Amends the State Constitution to Allow Legislative Regulation and Specify that there is No Constitutional Right to Abortion Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 11)
1/28 SB 29 Authorizes the Continuation of Mail-In Ballots Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 7)
1/28 S 2973 Authorizes a County to Create the Office of Deputy Superintendent of Elections Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 9)
1/28 S 1022 Transfers $4 Million from the General Fund to the Legislative Legal Defense Fund Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 7)
1/26 PN 78-3 Nomination of Antony Blinken as Secretary of State Nomination Confirmed - Senate (78 - 22)
1/26 SB 2 Specifies Executive Power Over Disaster Emergency Declarations and Management Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 20)
1/26 SJR 3 Prohibits Extending Emergency Orders Related to COVID-19 Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (18 - 13)
1/26 SB 24 Authorizes Amending Voter Registration Information Online Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13)
1/25 PN 78-24 Nomination of Janet Yellen as Secretary of the Treasury Nomination Confirmed - Senate (84 - 15)
1/25 SB 1281 Specifies that the General Registrar of a Locality Does Not Need to be a Resident of that Locality Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 8)
1/25 SB 1239 Authorizes the General Registrar to Contract with a Third Party for the Printing, Assembly, and Mailing of Absentee Ballots Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 12)
1/22 PN 78-1 Nomination of Lloyd Austin as Secretary of Defense Nomination Confirmed - Senate (93 - 2)
1/20 PN 78-10 Nomination of Avril Haines as the Director of National Intelligence Nomination Confirmed - Senate (84 - 10)
1/14 SCR 3 Extends Congratulations to President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (15 - 6)
1/12 S 528 Amends the State Constitution to Ensure the Right to a Healthy Environment Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 14)
1/11 S 1028 Requires the Boards of Elections to Provide a Website to Request an Absentee Ballot Application Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 20)
1/11 S 632 Establishes an Electronic Application to Request an Absentee Ballot Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 20)
1/11 S 360 Authorizes Voting by Mail by Removing Cause Requirement for Absentee Ballot Voting Bill Passed - Senate (50 - 13)
1/11 S 1027 Amends Election Law to Expedite Review and Canvassing of Absentee Ballots Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 20)
1/11 S 253 Prohibits Voiding Absentee Ballots on Technicalities Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 20)
1/11 S 492 Authorizes the Board of Elections to Establish Absentee Ballot Drop Boxes Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 20)
1/11 S 631 Authorizes Board of Elections to Receive Absentee Ballots Earlier than 30 Days Before an Election Bill Passed - Senate (44 - 19)
1/11 SR 106 Establishes Disapproval of Events of January 6 Resolution Passed - Senate (24 - 5)
1/11 SR 106 Establishes Disapproval of Events of January 6 Resolution Passed - Senate (24 - 5)
1/09 SB 1 Establishes a 30 Day Expiration Date on Executive Orders Restricting In Person Meetings Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 5)
1/09 HB 1 Authorizes Businesses, Organizations, and Schools to Remain Open if they are Following CDC Guidelines Regardless of Governor Mandate Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 7)
1/09 HB 1 Authorizes Businesses, Organizations, and Schools to Remain Open if they are Following CDC Guidelines Regardless of Governor Mandate Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 7)
1/09 HB 5 Limits the Governor's Ability to Reorganize Executive Cabinets, Boards, Agencies, and Commissions Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 7)

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