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
March 16, 2021 WI SJR 20 Establishes February 2021 as Black History Month and Honors Black Legislators Joint Resolution Failed - Senate (11 - 20)
March 15, 2021 National PN 78-11 Nomination of Debra Haaland as Secretary of the Interior Nomination Confirmed - Senate (51 - 40)
March 15, 2021 MN SF 4 Requires the Governor to Seek Approval Before Extending an Emergency Declaration Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 29)
March 15, 2021 MN SF 4 Requires the Governor to Seek Approval Before Extending an Emergency Declaration Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 29)
March 12, 2021 MD SB 525 Requires the Baltimore City Centralized Booking Facility Provide a Secure Designated Ballot Drop Box Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 11)
March 12, 2021 ID S 1136 Establishes Restrictions on the Governor's Authority During an Emergency Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 7)
March 11, 2021 KY SB 3 Amends Laws Related to Declaring an Emergency Related to the Agricultural Industry Veto Override Passed - Senate (24 - 5)
March 11, 2021 KY SB 3 Amends Laws Related to Declaring an Emergency Related to the Agricultural Industry Veto Override Passed - Senate (24 - 5)
March 11, 2021 MA H 73 Establishes That Early Voting by Mail-In Ballot Can Continue Through the End of June Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 0)
March 11, 2021 ME LD 102 Extends the Time for Processing Absentee Ballots Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 8)
March 11, 2021 MI SR 26 Authorizes the Senate Majority Leader to Sue the Governor Resolution Passed - Senate (20 - 14)
March 11, 2021 MD SB 10 Prohibits Individuals from Possessing a Firearm Within 100 Feet of a Polling Site Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 13)
March 11, 2021 MI SR 26 Authorizes the Senate Majority Leader to Sue the Governor Resolution Passed - Senate (20 - 14)
March 10, 2021 National PN 78-6 Nomination of Marcia Fudge as Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Nomination Confirmed - Senate (66 - 34)
March 10, 2021 National PN 78-7 Nomination of Merrick Garland as Attorney General Nomination Confirmed - Senate (70 - 30)
March 10, 2021 National PN 78-16 Nomination of Michael Regan as Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency Nomination Confirmed - Senate (66 - 34)
March 10, 2021 AZ SCR 1034 Limits the Voter Protection Act Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (16 - 14)
March 9, 2021 HI SB 560 Establishes Rank-Choice Voting For County Council Seats Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 0)
March 9, 2021 HI SB 550 Establishes New Age Requirements for Voting in Primaries Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 1)
March 8, 2021 ND HB 1256 Prohibits Accepting Grants or Donations from Private Persons for Election Matters Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 22)
March 8, 2021 GA SB 241 Limits Absentee Voting to Individuals 65 and Older (29 - 20)
March 8, 2021 AZ SB 1713 Repeals Early Ballot Laws Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 14)
March 5, 2021 NY S 5357 Limits the Governor's Pandemic Emergency Powers Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 20)
March 5, 2021 NM SB 304 Establishes a Citizen's Redistricting Committee Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 6)
March 4, 2021 SD HCR 6013 Specifies that the 2nd Amendment is Protected from Federal Overreach Bill Failed - Senate (13 - 20)
March 4, 2021 NH SB 54 Establishes New Requirements for Absentee Voting Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 10)
March 3, 2021 AR HB 1338 Amends the Petition Process to be a Candidate by Increasing the Number of Signatures Required Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 3)
March 3, 2021 AZ SB 1003 Establishes Guidelines for the Time Voters Have to Fix Signatures on Ballots Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 14)
March 3, 2021 MD SB 626 Establishes a Statewide Use of Force Policy Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 12)
March 3, 2021 AZ SB 1106 Prohibits Voters from Out-of-State Knowingly Voting in Presidential Elections Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 14)
March 3, 2021 AZ SB 1793 Repeals Deceased Individuals from County Voter Registration Databases Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 14)
March 2, 2021 National PN 78-15 Nomination of Gina Raimondo as Secretary of Commerce Nomination Confirmed - Senate (84 - 15)
March 2, 2021 MI SB 1 Repeals the Governors Emergency Powers Act of 1945 Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
March 2, 2021 AZ SB 1485 Rescinds Voters From the Early Ballots Mailing List Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 14)
March 2, 2021 MT SB 319 Establishes Joint Fundraising Committees to Solicit Large Campaign Donations Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 19)
March 2, 2021 ID S 1064 Specifies Voters Must be Issued a New Ballot of the Same Type they Originally Requested Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 6)
March 1, 2021 National PN 78-5 Nomination of Miguel Cardona as Secretary of Education Nomination Confirmed - Senate (64 - 33)
March 1, 2021 MT SB 215 Limits State and Local Governmental Authority Over a Religious Activity Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 24)
March 1, 2021 ID S 1110 Increases the Counties Needed to Reach 6 Percent of Signatures for an Initiative Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 9)
March 1, 2021 MT SB 254 Authorizes Changes in Daylight Savings Time if Neighboring States do the Same Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 18)
March 1, 2021 MT SB 350 Amends the Election Law Regarding Minor Parties Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 19)
March 1, 2021 MT SB 351 Authorizes County Election Administrators to Test Vote Tabulation Machines Before Automatic Tabulation Begins Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 18)
Feb. 27, 2021 VA SB 1385 Rescinds the Sunset on a Pilot Program Allowing a Locality to Request an Electric Utility to Place Underground Electric Distribution Lines Conference Report Adopted - Senate (32 - 7)
Feb. 27, 2021 VA SJ 272 Amends the Qualifications to Vote Conference Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 17)
Feb. 27, 2021 VA HJ 555 Extends Voting Rights to Citizens on Parole Conference Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 18)
Feb. 25, 2021 National PN 78-8 Nomination of Jennifer Granholm as Secretary of Energy Nomination Confirmed - Senate (64 - 35)
Feb. 25, 2021 ID H 67 Prohibits Public Health Districts from Closing Schools or Programs Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 3)
Feb. 25, 2021 SD HB 1125 Requires All Ballots to be Counted Before the Counting Board Leaves Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 4)
Feb. 24, 2021 AR HB 1112 Requires Presenting Identification in Order to Vote Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 9)
Feb. 24, 2021 GA SB 89 Establishes a New Position at the State Board of Elections Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 18)
Date No. Title Outcome
3/16 SJR 20 Establishes February 2021 as Black History Month and Honors Black Legislators Joint Resolution Failed - Senate (11 - 20)
3/15 PN 78-11 Nomination of Debra Haaland as Secretary of the Interior Nomination Confirmed - Senate (51 - 40)
3/15 SF 4 Requires the Governor to Seek Approval Before Extending an Emergency Declaration Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 29)
3/15 SF 4 Requires the Governor to Seek Approval Before Extending an Emergency Declaration Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 29)
3/12 SB 525 Requires the Baltimore City Centralized Booking Facility Provide a Secure Designated Ballot Drop Box Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 11)
3/12 S 1136 Establishes Restrictions on the Governor's Authority During an Emergency Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 7)
3/11 SB 3 Amends Laws Related to Declaring an Emergency Related to the Agricultural Industry Veto Override Passed - Senate (24 - 5)
3/11 SB 3 Amends Laws Related to Declaring an Emergency Related to the Agricultural Industry Veto Override Passed - Senate (24 - 5)
3/11 H 73 Establishes That Early Voting by Mail-In Ballot Can Continue Through the End of June Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 0)
3/11 LD 102 Extends the Time for Processing Absentee Ballots Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 8)
3/11 SR 26 Authorizes the Senate Majority Leader to Sue the Governor Resolution Passed - Senate (20 - 14)
3/11 SB 10 Prohibits Individuals from Possessing a Firearm Within 100 Feet of a Polling Site Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 13)
3/11 SR 26 Authorizes the Senate Majority Leader to Sue the Governor Resolution Passed - Senate (20 - 14)
3/10 PN 78-6 Nomination of Marcia Fudge as Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Nomination Confirmed - Senate (66 - 34)
3/10 PN 78-7 Nomination of Merrick Garland as Attorney General Nomination Confirmed - Senate (70 - 30)
3/10 PN 78-16 Nomination of Michael Regan as Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency Nomination Confirmed - Senate (66 - 34)
3/10 SCR 1034 Limits the Voter Protection Act Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (16 - 14)
3/09 SB 560 Establishes Rank-Choice Voting For County Council Seats Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 0)
3/09 SB 550 Establishes New Age Requirements for Voting in Primaries Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 1)
3/08 HB 1256 Prohibits Accepting Grants or Donations from Private Persons for Election Matters Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 22)
3/08 SB 241 Limits Absentee Voting to Individuals 65 and Older (29 - 20)
3/08 SB 1713 Repeals Early Ballot Laws Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 14)
3/05 S 5357 Limits the Governor's Pandemic Emergency Powers Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 20)
3/05 SB 304 Establishes a Citizen's Redistricting Committee Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 6)
3/04 HCR 6013 Specifies that the 2nd Amendment is Protected from Federal Overreach Bill Failed - Senate (13 - 20)
3/04 SB 54 Establishes New Requirements for Absentee Voting Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 10)
3/03 HB 1338 Amends the Petition Process to be a Candidate by Increasing the Number of Signatures Required Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 3)
3/03 SB 1003 Establishes Guidelines for the Time Voters Have to Fix Signatures on Ballots Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 14)
3/03 SB 626 Establishes a Statewide Use of Force Policy Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 12)
3/03 SB 1106 Prohibits Voters from Out-of-State Knowingly Voting in Presidential Elections Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 14)
3/03 SB 1793 Repeals Deceased Individuals from County Voter Registration Databases Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 14)
3/02 PN 78-15 Nomination of Gina Raimondo as Secretary of Commerce Nomination Confirmed - Senate (84 - 15)
3/02 SB 1 Repeals the Governors Emergency Powers Act of 1945 Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
3/02 SB 1485 Rescinds Voters From the Early Ballots Mailing List Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 14)
3/02 SB 319 Establishes Joint Fundraising Committees to Solicit Large Campaign Donations Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 19)
3/02 S 1064 Specifies Voters Must be Issued a New Ballot of the Same Type they Originally Requested Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 6)
3/01 PN 78-5 Nomination of Miguel Cardona as Secretary of Education Nomination Confirmed - Senate (64 - 33)
3/01 SB 215 Limits State and Local Governmental Authority Over a Religious Activity Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 24)
3/01 S 1110 Increases the Counties Needed to Reach 6 Percent of Signatures for an Initiative Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 9)
3/01 SB 254 Authorizes Changes in Daylight Savings Time if Neighboring States do the Same Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 18)
3/01 SB 350 Amends the Election Law Regarding Minor Parties Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 19)
3/01 SB 351 Authorizes County Election Administrators to Test Vote Tabulation Machines Before Automatic Tabulation Begins Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 18)
2/27 SB 1385 Rescinds the Sunset on a Pilot Program Allowing a Locality to Request an Electric Utility to Place Underground Electric Distribution Lines Conference Report Adopted - Senate (32 - 7)
2/27 SJ 272 Amends the Qualifications to Vote Conference Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 17)
2/27 HJ 555 Extends Voting Rights to Citizens on Parole Conference Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 18)
2/25 PN 78-8 Nomination of Jennifer Granholm as Secretary of Energy Nomination Confirmed - Senate (64 - 35)
2/25 H 67 Prohibits Public Health Districts from Closing Schools or Programs Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 3)
2/25 HB 1125 Requires All Ballots to be Counted Before the Counting Board Leaves Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 4)
2/24 HB 1112 Requires Presenting Identification in Order to Vote Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 9)
2/24 SB 89 Establishes a New Position at the State Board of Elections Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 18)

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