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 14, 2023 NM HB 207 Prohibits Discrimination on the Basis of Sex, Sexual Orientation, or Gender Identity Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 10)
March 14, 2023 WI AB 69 Requires Armed School Resource Officers (SRO) in Schools with 25 Percent Incident Arrest Rates Bill Passed - House (59 - 36)
March 14, 2023 TX SB 2 Classifies Illegal Voting as a Felony Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 12)
March 14, 2023 MD SB 798 Establishes a Voter Referendum for 2024 Election that Enshrines Individual's Constitutional Right to Reproductive Freedom Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 15)
March 14, 2023 IA SF 319 Authorizes Drug Testing of Private Sector Employees Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 15)
March 14, 2023 WI AB 53 Require Schools Report to Law Enforcement Data on Crimes and Incidents that Occur on Their Property Bill Passed - House (61 - 35)
March 13, 2023 AR HB 1307 Requires the State Divest from Financial Companies that Follow Certain Sociopolitical Guidelines Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 9)
March 13, 2023 NM SB 64 Prohibits Life Sentences for Juveniles Bill Passed - House (37 - 25)
March 13, 2023 GA HB 147 Requires All Schools Submit School Safety Plans and Active Shooter Drills Annually Bill Passed - Senate (52 - 3)
March 13, 2023 KY HB 551 Establishes Legal Sports Betting Bill Passed - House (63 - 34)
March 13, 2023 CO SB 23-169 Increases Legal Age to Buy Firearms to 21 Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
March 13, 2023 CO SB 23-170 Expands Access to Extreme Risk Protection Orders Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 13)
March 13, 2023 CO SB 23-168 Repeals Current Limits on Product Liability Actions Against Firearm Manufacturers Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
March 13, 2023 CO SB 23-168 Repeals Current Limits on Product Liability Actions Against Firearm Manufacturers Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
March 13, 2023 TN SB 1440 Amends State Law to Codify Narrower Definitions of Sex Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 6)
March 12, 2023 NM SB 9 Appropriates Millions in State Funds for Environment and Cultural Conservation Bill Passed - House (54 - 11)
March 11, 2023 WV HB 2218 Increases Penalties for Distracted Driving Concurrence Vote Passed - House (89 - 8)
March 11, 2023 WV HB 3354 Authorizes Municipalities to Combine Operations with Other Municipalities Concurrence Vote Passed - House (81 - 54)
March 11, 2023 CO HB 23-1219 Establishes a 3-Day Waiting Period to Purchase Firearms Bill Passed - House (44 - 20)
March 10, 2023 WV SB 608 Amends the Definition for What is Considered a "Deadly Weapon" Bill Passed - House (92 - 3)
March 10, 2023 WV SB 608 Amends the Definition for What is Considered a "Deadly Weapon" Bill Passed - House (92 - 3)
March 10, 2023 NM HB 306 Prohibits Purchasing a Firearm for Someone Who is Not Allowed or Intends to Use it in a Crime Bill Passed - House (62 - 3)
March 10, 2023 NM HB 306 Prohibits Purchasing a Firearm for Someone Who is Not Allowed or Intends to Use it in a Crime Bill Passed - House (62 - 3)
March 9, 2023 WV HB 2218 Increases Penalties for Distracted Driving Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 7)
March 9, 2023 KS HB 2238 Requires Transgender Student Athletes Play Against Those of Their Biological Sex Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 11)
March 9, 2023 OR HB 2032 Expands "Domestic Partnership" Eligibility Under Family Fairness Act (27 - 2)
March 9, 2023 OR HB 2032 Expands "Domestic Partnership" Eligibility Under Family Fairness Act (27 - 2)
March 9, 2023 KY HB 547 Prohibits School Districts from Punishing an Employee for Private Religious Expression Bill Passed - House (81 - 12)
March 9, 2023 National HR 140 Protecting Speech from Government Interference Act Bill Passed - House (219 - 206)
March 9, 2023 MD SB 290 Authorizes the State Attorney General to Prosecute Law Enforcement Officers Involved in Incidents Resulting in Death Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 20)
March 8, 2023 NM HB 4 Expands Various Voting Rights Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 14)
March 8, 2023 MI SB 4 Prohibits Discrimination on the Basis of Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Bill Passed - House (64 - 45)
March 8, 2023 MI SB 4 Prohibits Discrimination on the Basis of Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Bill Passed - House (64 - 45)
March 8, 2023 National H J Res 26 Disapproving the action of the District of Columbia Council in approving the Revised Criminal Code Act Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (81 - 14)
March 8, 2023 IA SF 538 Prohibits Gender Affirming Care for Minors Bill Passed - House (58 - 39)
March 8, 2023 KY HB 594 Prohibits Gambling Machines Called "Gray Machines" or "Skill Games" Bill Passed - House (64 - 32)
March 8, 2023 WA HB 1240 Prohibits the Sale, Manufacture, Delivery and Purchase of Assault Weapons Across the State Bill Passed - House (55 - 42)
March 8, 2023 IA HF 348 Prohibits Instruction on Gender Identity and Sexual Orientation in Grades K-6 Bill Passed - House (62 - 35)
March 8, 2023 WA HB 1112 Authorizes New Penalties for Negligent Driving Bill Passed - House (86 - 11)
March 8, 2023 WA SB 5352 Expands Police Chase Protections for Law Enforcement Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 23)
March 8, 2023 WA HB 1241 Establishes Harassing Election Workers as a Felony Crime Bill Passed - House (90 - 7)
March 8, 2023 SC H 3014 Authorizes Additional Penalties for Perpetrators of Hate Crimes Bill Passed - House (84 - 31)
March 8, 2023 SC H 3014 Authorizes Additional Penalties for Perpetrators of Hate Crimes Bill Passed - House (84 - 31)
March 7, 2023 SD SB 1 Expands Definition of Who Can Access Medical Marijuana Program Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (19 - 15)
March 7, 2023 MS SB 2523 Increases Penalties for Illegal Pecan Harvesting Bill Passed - House (104 - 5)
March 7, 2023 MS HB 1020 Establishes a Court System of Unelected Judges and Prosecutors for the City of Jackson, Mississippi Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 15)
March 7, 2023 NM HB 7 Establishes State Protections for Gender Affirming Care Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15)
March 7, 2023 HI SB 926 Authorizes Jaywalking if No Danger to Pedestrians Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 3)
March 7, 2023 HI HB 1336 Reduces the Number of Unnecessary Arrests by Replacing Misdemeanor Arrests with Tickets Bill Passed - House (32 - 19)
March 7, 2023 IA SF 538 Prohibits Gender Affirming Care for Minors Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 16)
Date No. Title Outcome
3/14 HB 207 Prohibits Discrimination on the Basis of Sex, Sexual Orientation, or Gender Identity Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 10)
3/14 AB 69 Requires Armed School Resource Officers (SRO) in Schools with 25 Percent Incident Arrest Rates Bill Passed - House (59 - 36)
3/14 SB 2 Classifies Illegal Voting as a Felony Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 12)
3/14 SB 798 Establishes a Voter Referendum for 2024 Election that Enshrines Individual's Constitutional Right to Reproductive Freedom Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 15)
3/14 SF 319 Authorizes Drug Testing of Private Sector Employees Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 15)
3/14 AB 53 Require Schools Report to Law Enforcement Data on Crimes and Incidents that Occur on Their Property Bill Passed - House (61 - 35)
3/13 HB 1307 Requires the State Divest from Financial Companies that Follow Certain Sociopolitical Guidelines Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 9)
3/13 SB 64 Prohibits Life Sentences for Juveniles Bill Passed - House (37 - 25)
3/13 HB 147 Requires All Schools Submit School Safety Plans and Active Shooter Drills Annually Bill Passed - Senate (52 - 3)
3/13 HB 551 Establishes Legal Sports Betting Bill Passed - House (63 - 34)
3/13 SB 23-169 Increases Legal Age to Buy Firearms to 21 Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
3/13 SB 23-170 Expands Access to Extreme Risk Protection Orders Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 13)
3/13 SB 23-168 Repeals Current Limits on Product Liability Actions Against Firearm Manufacturers Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
3/13 SB 23-168 Repeals Current Limits on Product Liability Actions Against Firearm Manufacturers Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
3/13 SB 1440 Amends State Law to Codify Narrower Definitions of Sex Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 6)
3/12 SB 9 Appropriates Millions in State Funds for Environment and Cultural Conservation Bill Passed - House (54 - 11)
3/11 HB 2218 Increases Penalties for Distracted Driving Concurrence Vote Passed - House (89 - 8)
3/11 HB 3354 Authorizes Municipalities to Combine Operations with Other Municipalities Concurrence Vote Passed - House (81 - 54)
3/11 HB 23-1219 Establishes a 3-Day Waiting Period to Purchase Firearms Bill Passed - House (44 - 20)
3/10 SB 608 Amends the Definition for What is Considered a "Deadly Weapon" Bill Passed - House (92 - 3)
3/10 SB 608 Amends the Definition for What is Considered a "Deadly Weapon" Bill Passed - House (92 - 3)
3/10 HB 306 Prohibits Purchasing a Firearm for Someone Who is Not Allowed or Intends to Use it in a Crime Bill Passed - House (62 - 3)
3/10 HB 306 Prohibits Purchasing a Firearm for Someone Who is Not Allowed or Intends to Use it in a Crime Bill Passed - House (62 - 3)
3/09 HB 2218 Increases Penalties for Distracted Driving Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 7)
3/09 HB 2238 Requires Transgender Student Athletes Play Against Those of Their Biological Sex Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 11)
3/09 HB 2032 Expands "Domestic Partnership" Eligibility Under Family Fairness Act (27 - 2)
3/09 HB 2032 Expands "Domestic Partnership" Eligibility Under Family Fairness Act (27 - 2)
3/09 HB 547 Prohibits School Districts from Punishing an Employee for Private Religious Expression Bill Passed - House (81 - 12)
3/09 HR 140 Protecting Speech from Government Interference Act Bill Passed - House (219 - 206)
3/09 SB 290 Authorizes the State Attorney General to Prosecute Law Enforcement Officers Involved in Incidents Resulting in Death Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 20)
3/08 HB 4 Expands Various Voting Rights Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 14)
3/08 SB 4 Prohibits Discrimination on the Basis of Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Bill Passed - House (64 - 45)
3/08 SB 4 Prohibits Discrimination on the Basis of Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Bill Passed - House (64 - 45)
3/08 H J Res 26 Disapproving the action of the District of Columbia Council in approving the Revised Criminal Code Act Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (81 - 14)
3/08 SF 538 Prohibits Gender Affirming Care for Minors Bill Passed - House (58 - 39)
3/08 HB 594 Prohibits Gambling Machines Called "Gray Machines" or "Skill Games" Bill Passed - House (64 - 32)
3/08 HB 1240 Prohibits the Sale, Manufacture, Delivery and Purchase of Assault Weapons Across the State Bill Passed - House (55 - 42)
3/08 HF 348 Prohibits Instruction on Gender Identity and Sexual Orientation in Grades K-6 Bill Passed - House (62 - 35)
3/08 HB 1112 Authorizes New Penalties for Negligent Driving Bill Passed - House (86 - 11)
3/08 SB 5352 Expands Police Chase Protections for Law Enforcement Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 23)
3/08 HB 1241 Establishes Harassing Election Workers as a Felony Crime Bill Passed - House (90 - 7)
3/08 H 3014 Authorizes Additional Penalties for Perpetrators of Hate Crimes Bill Passed - House (84 - 31)
3/08 H 3014 Authorizes Additional Penalties for Perpetrators of Hate Crimes Bill Passed - House (84 - 31)
3/07 SB 1 Expands Definition of Who Can Access Medical Marijuana Program Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (19 - 15)
3/07 SB 2523 Increases Penalties for Illegal Pecan Harvesting Bill Passed - House (104 - 5)
3/07 HB 1020 Establishes a Court System of Unelected Judges and Prosecutors for the City of Jackson, Mississippi Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 15)
3/07 HB 7 Establishes State Protections for Gender Affirming Care Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15)
3/07 SB 926 Authorizes Jaywalking if No Danger to Pedestrians Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 3)
3/07 HB 1336 Reduces the Number of Unnecessary Arrests by Replacing Misdemeanor Arrests with Tickets Bill Passed - House (32 - 19)
3/07 SF 538 Prohibits Gender Affirming Care for Minors Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 16)

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