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
Dec. 21, 2023 NJ A 3690 Authorizes Minors to Vote in a State Primary Election if They Turn 18 Prior to the General Election Date Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11)
Nov. 9, 2023 MI SB 374 Requires Candidates for Public Office File Financial Disclosure Reports Before Assuming Office Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 8)
Nov. 8, 2023 MI SB 382 Requires State Departments Take Reasonable Steps to Help Michigan Residents with Limited English Proficiency Access to State Services Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 13)
Nov. 7, 2023 WI SB 98 Amends Rules Concerning Voter Registration List ID Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 10)
Nov. 7, 2023 WI SJR 73 Amends the State Constitution to Add a Photo-ID Requirement to Vote Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (21 - 10)
Nov. 7, 2023 WI SJR 73 Amends the State Constitution to Add a Photo-ID Requirement to Vote Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (21 - 10)
Nov. 7, 2023 WI SJR 71 Prohibits Non-Citizens from Voting in Any State Primary or General Election Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (21 - 10)
Nov. 7, 2023 WI SJR 78 Prohibits the Use of Private Funds to Pay for Election Equipment and Administration Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (21 - 10)
Nov. 2, 2023 MI HB 4984 Authorizes Individuals the Option to Decline Voter Registration on a Driver's License Application Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18)
Nov. 2, 2023 MI SB 570 Authorizes County Clerks to Appoint a Designee to Conduct Election Audits Under Certain Circumstances Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18)
Nov. 2, 2023 MI SB 615 Establishes Exceptions for Expenditure Disclosure Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 2)
Nov. 1, 2023 MI SB 613 Requires Broad Financial Disclosure for State Officials Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 2)
Nov. 1, 2023 MI SB 614 Requires Broad Financial Disclosure for State Candidates for Public Office Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 2)
Nov. 1, 2023 MI SB 616 Prohibits Certain Candidate Expenditures and Disbursements Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 2)
Oct. 17, 2023 WI AB 146 Prohibits Local Governments from Using Any Public Funding for Guaranteed Income Programs Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (22 - 10)
Oct. 11, 2023 OH SB 113 Prohibits Individuals from Servining In Public Office if they Have Not Signed Up for Selective Service Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 4)
Oct. 10, 2023 NC SB 749 Amends Membership Makeup of Both the County and State Boards of Elections Veto Override Passed - Senate (30 - 19)
Oct. 10, 2023 NC SB 747 Amends Various State Election Laws and Policies Veto Override Passed - Senate (30 - 19)
Sept. 30, 2023 National HR 5860 Continuing Appropriations Act, 2024 and Other Extensions Act Bill Passed - Senate (88 - 9)
Sept. 27, 2023 MI SB 470 Amends Election Laws Concerning Electronic Return of Absent Voter Ballots By Uniformed Service members Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 17)
Sept. 27, 2023 OH SB 158 Specifies Municipalities Must Gain Approval from Legislative Authorities to Draw Money from the Treasury Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 6)
Sept. 22, 2023 NC HB 259 Appropriates $30 Billion for the 2023-2024 State Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (26 - 17)
Sept. 13, 2023 CA AB 1633 Requires Local Government Review of State Environmental Policies Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 3)
Sept. 12, 2023 CA SB 314 Establishes an Independent Citizen's Redistricting Commission in Sacramento County Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 7)
Sept. 12, 2023 CA SB 447 Authorizes State and Public University Employees to Resume Travel to Previously Restricted States Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 6)
Sept. 12, 2023 CA AB 1248 Requires Local Jurisdictions by 2030 Form Independent Redistricting Commissions Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 7)
Sept. 12, 2023 CA AB 1248 Requires Local Jurisdictions by 2030 Form Independent Redistricting Commissions Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 7)
Sept. 5, 2023 CA AB 421 Amends the Signature Gathering Process for Ballot Initiatives Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 9)
Aug. 16, 2023 NC HB 618 Increases Authority Over Charter Schools in North Carolina to the Charter Schools Review Board Veto Override Passed - Senate (27 - 18)
Aug. 16, 2023 NC SB 512 Repeals Governor Appointment Powers Over Various State Governing Boards Conference Report Adopted - Senate (27 - 18)
Aug. 16, 2023 NC SB 512 Repeals Governor Appointment Powers Over Various State Governing Boards Conference Report Adopted - Senate (27 - 18)
Aug. 16, 2023 NC SB 754 Authorizes Appointments to Several Public Offices Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 18)
Aug. 16, 2023 NC HB 323 Appropriates Resources for Adult Developmental and Vocational Programs Bill Passed - Senate (44 - 0)
July 25, 2023 ME LD 86 Amends the State Flag Designation to Reestablish the Former Flag Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (20 - 7)
July 25, 2023 ME LD 165 Increases the Governor's salary Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 1)
July 25, 2023 ME LD 1155 Increases Legislative Salary Pay Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 10)
June 30, 2023 NJ A 5175 Extends Certain General Election Deadlines Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 0)
June 30, 2023 PA HB 611 Appropriates Funding for the General Budget for the State of Pennsylvania Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 21)
June 30, 2023 OH HB 33 Establishes Operating Appropriations for Fiscal Years 2024-2025 Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 6)
June 28, 2023 WI SB 70 Appropriates Funds for the 2023 State Budget Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 13)
June 27, 2023 CA AB 102 Appropriate Funds for the 2023 State Budget Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 6)
June 26, 2023 NJ A 5176 Requires Periodic Reporting of Election Results Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 1)
June 25, 2023 OR SB 5506 Appropriates Additional Resources for the Emergency Board Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 5)
June 23, 2023 ME LD 1610 Prohibits Campaign Spending by Foreign Governments and Establishes an Anticorruption Amendment in the State Constitution Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 13)
June 23, 2023 ME LD 1610 Prohibits Campaign Spending by Foreign Governments and Establishes an Anticorruption Amendment in the State Constitution Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 13)
June 22, 2023 National H J Res 44 Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives relating to "Factoring Criteria for Firearms with Attached 'Stabilizing Braces'". Joint Resolution Failed - Senate (49 - 50)
June 22, 2023 PA SB 753 Amends the Boroughs and Incorporated Towns Code of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 0)
June 22, 2023 PA SB 753 Amends the Boroughs and Incorporated Towns Code of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 0)
June 21, 2023 NC SB 747 Amends Various State Election Laws and Policies Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 19)
June 21, 2023 NC SB 749 Amends Membership Makeup of Both the County and State Boards of Elections Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 19)
June 20, 2023 OR SB 337 Establishes the Oregon Public Defense Commission within Judicial Branch Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 8)
June 20, 2023 OR SB 1095 Restructures Membership of Certain Boards and Commissions Based on Congressional Districts Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 4)
June 15, 2023 OH SB 21 Restructures Where Individuals can Contest State Agency Orders Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 7)
June 14, 2023 SC H 4023 Amends the South Carolina Code of Laws to Renew the First Steps Program Conference Report Adopted - Senate (36 - 0)
June 14, 2023 WI AB 245 Establishes a New City and County Tax to Pay for Underfunded Programs Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12)
June 13, 2023 AZ SB 1471 Requires Hand Tabulation for Ballots Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (16 - 12)
June 13, 2023 AZ SB 1595 Amends Rules Concerning Early Ballot ID Requirements Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (16 - 12)
June 13, 2023 AZ SB 1598 Amends Rules Concerning Election Observers Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (16 - 12)
June 13, 2023 AZ SB 1095 Amends Rules Concerning Early Ballot Envelopes Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (16 - 12)
June 13, 2023 AZ SB 1332 Requires the Publication of Certain Cast Vote Records Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (16 - 12)
June 13, 2023 NV SB 1 Appropriates Millions in Public Funding for a New Stadium Bill Passed - Senate (13 - 8)
June 10, 2023 NY S 1051 Establishes the New York Asian American and Pacific Islander Commission Bill Passed - Senate (61 - 1)
June 9, 2023 NY S 7564 Amends Provisions Governing Public Campaign Financing Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 29)
June 8, 2023 LA HB 661 Authorizes Judicial Council of the Supreme Court to Make Judicial District Suggestions to the Legislature Conference Report Adopted - Senate (28 - 11)
June 8, 2023 NY S 7537 Establishes the Village Incorporation Commission Bill Passed - Senate (44 - 18)
June 8, 2023 NY S 7538 Authorizes the Immediate Incorporation of Villages into State Code Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 23)
June 7, 2023 WI AB 151 Requires State Agency Job Trainings and Workforce Development Programs be Assessed Based on Employment Statistics Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (22 - 11)
June 7, 2023 LA HB 646 Requires Supplemental Voter Canvasses in Each Primary and General Election Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 11)
June 7, 2023 CT HB 6942 Appropriates Funds for Bond Packages for School Construction and Public Financing Grants for Gubernatorial Campaigns Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 1)
June 7, 2023 WI AB 142 Prohibits Local Restrictions on Motor Vehicles Based on Energy Sources Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 11)
June 7, 2023 CT HB 6888 Amends Various Juvenile Justice Policies and Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 10)
June 7, 2023 CT HB 6942 Appropriates Funds for Bond Packages for School Construction and Public Financing Grants for Gubernatorial Campaigns Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 1)
June 7, 2023 WI AB 141 Prohibits Local Restrictions on Clean Energy Devices Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 11)
June 6, 2023 NE LB 531 Appropriates Funding for Nebraska Community Redevelopment Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 8)
June 5, 2023 NV AB 527 Amends Rules Regarding the Preparation of the State Budget Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 5)
Date No. Title Outcome
12/21 A 3690 Authorizes Minors to Vote in a State Primary Election if They Turn 18 Prior to the General Election Date Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11)
11/09 SB 374 Requires Candidates for Public Office File Financial Disclosure Reports Before Assuming Office Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 8)
11/08 SB 382 Requires State Departments Take Reasonable Steps to Help Michigan Residents with Limited English Proficiency Access to State Services Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 13)
11/07 SB 98 Amends Rules Concerning Voter Registration List ID Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 10)
11/07 SJR 73 Amends the State Constitution to Add a Photo-ID Requirement to Vote Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (21 - 10)
11/07 SJR 73 Amends the State Constitution to Add a Photo-ID Requirement to Vote Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (21 - 10)
11/07 SJR 71 Prohibits Non-Citizens from Voting in Any State Primary or General Election Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (21 - 10)
11/07 SJR 78 Prohibits the Use of Private Funds to Pay for Election Equipment and Administration Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (21 - 10)
11/02 HB 4984 Authorizes Individuals the Option to Decline Voter Registration on a Driver's License Application Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18)
11/02 SB 570 Authorizes County Clerks to Appoint a Designee to Conduct Election Audits Under Certain Circumstances Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18)
11/02 SB 615 Establishes Exceptions for Expenditure Disclosure Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 2)
11/01 SB 613 Requires Broad Financial Disclosure for State Officials Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 2)
11/01 SB 614 Requires Broad Financial Disclosure for State Candidates for Public Office Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 2)
11/01 SB 616 Prohibits Certain Candidate Expenditures and Disbursements Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 2)
10/17 AB 146 Prohibits Local Governments from Using Any Public Funding for Guaranteed Income Programs Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (22 - 10)
10/11 SB 113 Prohibits Individuals from Servining In Public Office if they Have Not Signed Up for Selective Service Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 4)
10/10 SB 749 Amends Membership Makeup of Both the County and State Boards of Elections Veto Override Passed - Senate (30 - 19)
10/10 SB 747 Amends Various State Election Laws and Policies Veto Override Passed - Senate (30 - 19)
9/30 HR 5860 Continuing Appropriations Act, 2024 and Other Extensions Act Bill Passed - Senate (88 - 9)
9/27 SB 470 Amends Election Laws Concerning Electronic Return of Absent Voter Ballots By Uniformed Service members Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 17)
9/27 SB 158 Specifies Municipalities Must Gain Approval from Legislative Authorities to Draw Money from the Treasury Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 6)
9/22 HB 259 Appropriates $30 Billion for the 2023-2024 State Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (26 - 17)
9/13 AB 1633 Requires Local Government Review of State Environmental Policies Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 3)
9/12 SB 314 Establishes an Independent Citizen's Redistricting Commission in Sacramento County Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 7)
9/12 SB 447 Authorizes State and Public University Employees to Resume Travel to Previously Restricted States Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 6)
9/12 AB 1248 Requires Local Jurisdictions by 2030 Form Independent Redistricting Commissions Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 7)
9/12 AB 1248 Requires Local Jurisdictions by 2030 Form Independent Redistricting Commissions Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 7)
9/05 AB 421 Amends the Signature Gathering Process for Ballot Initiatives Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 9)
8/16 HB 618 Increases Authority Over Charter Schools in North Carolina to the Charter Schools Review Board Veto Override Passed - Senate (27 - 18)
8/16 SB 512 Repeals Governor Appointment Powers Over Various State Governing Boards Conference Report Adopted - Senate (27 - 18)
8/16 SB 512 Repeals Governor Appointment Powers Over Various State Governing Boards Conference Report Adopted - Senate (27 - 18)
8/16 SB 754 Authorizes Appointments to Several Public Offices Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 18)
8/16 HB 323 Appropriates Resources for Adult Developmental and Vocational Programs Bill Passed - Senate (44 - 0)
7/25 LD 86 Amends the State Flag Designation to Reestablish the Former Flag Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (20 - 7)
7/25 LD 165 Increases the Governor's salary Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 1)
7/25 LD 1155 Increases Legislative Salary Pay Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 10)
6/30 A 5175 Extends Certain General Election Deadlines Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 0)
6/30 HB 611 Appropriates Funding for the General Budget for the State of Pennsylvania Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 21)
6/30 HB 33 Establishes Operating Appropriations for Fiscal Years 2024-2025 Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 6)
6/28 SB 70 Appropriates Funds for the 2023 State Budget Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 13)
6/27 AB 102 Appropriate Funds for the 2023 State Budget Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 6)
6/26 A 5176 Requires Periodic Reporting of Election Results Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 1)
6/25 SB 5506 Appropriates Additional Resources for the Emergency Board Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 5)
6/23 LD 1610 Prohibits Campaign Spending by Foreign Governments and Establishes an Anticorruption Amendment in the State Constitution Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 13)
6/23 LD 1610 Prohibits Campaign Spending by Foreign Governments and Establishes an Anticorruption Amendment in the State Constitution Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 13)
6/22 H J Res 44 Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives relating to "Factoring Criteria for Firearms with Attached 'Stabilizing Braces'". Joint Resolution Failed - Senate (49 - 50)
6/22 SB 753 Amends the Boroughs and Incorporated Towns Code of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 0)
6/22 SB 753 Amends the Boroughs and Incorporated Towns Code of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 0)
6/21 SB 747 Amends Various State Election Laws and Policies Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 19)
6/21 SB 749 Amends Membership Makeup of Both the County and State Boards of Elections Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 19)
6/20 SB 337 Establishes the Oregon Public Defense Commission within Judicial Branch Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 8)
6/20 SB 1095 Restructures Membership of Certain Boards and Commissions Based on Congressional Districts Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 4)
6/15 SB 21 Restructures Where Individuals can Contest State Agency Orders Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 7)
6/14 H 4023 Amends the South Carolina Code of Laws to Renew the First Steps Program Conference Report Adopted - Senate (36 - 0)
6/14 AB 245 Establishes a New City and County Tax to Pay for Underfunded Programs Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12)
6/13 SB 1471 Requires Hand Tabulation for Ballots Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (16 - 12)
6/13 SB 1595 Amends Rules Concerning Early Ballot ID Requirements Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (16 - 12)
6/13 SB 1598 Amends Rules Concerning Election Observers Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (16 - 12)
6/13 SB 1095 Amends Rules Concerning Early Ballot Envelopes Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (16 - 12)
6/13 SB 1332 Requires the Publication of Certain Cast Vote Records Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (16 - 12)
6/13 SB 1 Appropriates Millions in Public Funding for a New Stadium Bill Passed - Senate (13 - 8)
6/10 S 1051 Establishes the New York Asian American and Pacific Islander Commission Bill Passed - Senate (61 - 1)
6/09 S 7564 Amends Provisions Governing Public Campaign Financing Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 29)
6/08 HB 661 Authorizes Judicial Council of the Supreme Court to Make Judicial District Suggestions to the Legislature Conference Report Adopted - Senate (28 - 11)
6/08 S 7537 Establishes the Village Incorporation Commission Bill Passed - Senate (44 - 18)
6/08 S 7538 Authorizes the Immediate Incorporation of Villages into State Code Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 23)
6/07 AB 151 Requires State Agency Job Trainings and Workforce Development Programs be Assessed Based on Employment Statistics Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (22 - 11)
6/07 HB 646 Requires Supplemental Voter Canvasses in Each Primary and General Election Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 11)
6/07 HB 6942 Appropriates Funds for Bond Packages for School Construction and Public Financing Grants for Gubernatorial Campaigns Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 1)
6/07 AB 142 Prohibits Local Restrictions on Motor Vehicles Based on Energy Sources Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 11)
6/07 HB 6888 Amends Various Juvenile Justice Policies and Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 10)
6/07 HB 6942 Appropriates Funds for Bond Packages for School Construction and Public Financing Grants for Gubernatorial Campaigns Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 1)
6/07 AB 141 Prohibits Local Restrictions on Clean Energy Devices Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 11)
6/06 LB 531 Appropriates Funding for Nebraska Community Redevelopment Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 8)
6/05 AB 527 Amends Rules Regarding the Preparation of the State Budget Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 5)

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