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 18, 2023 VT H 89 Establishes Protections for Reproductive and Gender-Affirming Care Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 4)
April 18, 2023 VT H 89 Establishes Protections for Reproductive and Gender-Affirming Care Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 4)
April 18, 2023 NE LB 775 Amends State Definitions for Licensed Racetracks to Include All Real Property Bill Passed - Senate (46 - 0)
April 17, 2023 ND SB 2142 Establishes a State Immigration Office to Help Companies Recruit and Retain Foreign Workers Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (41 - 5)
April 17, 2023 WA SB 5371 Authorizes Protections for Orca Whales Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 18)
April 17, 2023 WA SB 5352 Expands Police Chase Protections for Law Enforcement Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 22)
April 17, 2023 CO SB 23-254 Amends Statutes Regarding Search Warrants by Police Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 7)
April 17, 2023 NV SB 153 Requires the Nevada Department of Corrections Regulate the Security, Supervision, Medical, and Mental Health Treatment of Transgender Inmates Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 5)
April 17, 2023 NV SB 153 Requires the Nevada Department of Corrections Regulate the Security, Supervision, Medical, and Mental Health Treatment of Transgender Inmates Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 5)
April 17, 2023 NV SJR 7 Amends State Constitution to Protect Reproductive Health Freedom Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (13 - 8)
April 14, 2023 WA SB 5231 Amends Legal Process for Emergency No Contact Orders Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 13)
April 14, 2023 WA SB 5112 Amends the Voter Registration Process Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (33 - 13)
April 14, 2023 WA SB 5231 Amends Legal Process for Emergency No Contact Orders Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 13)
April 14, 2023 MN SF 2909 Appropriates Funding for the State Public Safety Omnibus Bill Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 33)
April 14, 2023 WA SB 5768 Authorizes the Department of Corrections to Acquire and Dispense Abortion Medications Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 18)
April 13, 2023 WA SB 5006 Amends Firearm Waiver Rights for At-Risk Individuals Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (33 - 14)
April 13, 2023 WA SB 5006 Amends Firearm Waiver Rights for At-Risk Individuals Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (33 - 14)
April 13, 2023 MT HB 693 Prohibits State Agencies from Denying Individual Records Request Due To Ongoing Litigation Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 2)
April 13, 2023 TN SB 1237 Authorizes Private School to Prohibit Transgender Girls from Playing on Female Sports Teams Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 5)
April 12, 2023 VA SB 989 Establishes Greater Victims Rights in Court Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (35 - 5)
April 12, 2023 VA SB 989 Establishes Greater Victims Rights in Court Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (35 - 5)
April 12, 2023 WA HB 1020 Establishes Suciasaurus Rex as the Official State Dinosaur Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 10)
April 12, 2023 WA HB 1477 Amends the State Working Families' Tax Credit Bill Passed - Senate (46 - 3)
April 12, 2023 AZ HB 2394 Prohibits Any County or Municipality in Arizona from Enacting New Taxes, Levies or Fees on Firearms or Ammunition Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 14)
April 11, 2023 WA HB 1470 Establishes New Regulations Concerning Private Prisons Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 20)
April 10, 2023 MD SB 1 Prohibits Open Carry in the State and Restricts Places Where Firearms can be Carried Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 16)
April 10, 2023 ND HB 1230 Establishes Penalties for the Intentional Submission of Petitions with Fraudulent Signatures Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 6)
April 10, 2023 MD HB 1071 Prohibits the Smell of Cannabis as Reasonable Suspicion or Probable Cause for Police Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 20)
April 10, 2023 WA HB 1394 Establishes a Developmentally Appropriate Response to Youth Who Commit Sexual Offenses Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 21)
April 7, 2023 MD SB 858 Defines Requirements Around Safe Storage of Firearms Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 12)
April 7, 2023 MD SB 341 Requires Institutions of Higher Education Develop a Reproductive Health Services Plan in Consultation with Students Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 11)
April 7, 2023 AR SB 495 Requires Convicted Individuals Serve Out the Majority of Their Sentences Instead of Early Release Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 4)
April 7, 2023 MD SB 37 Reduces the Time Period to Apply for Criminal Record Expungement for Certain Offenses Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 13)
April 7, 2023 MT HB 361 Specifies Incorrect Use of Pronouns by Another Student is Not Discrimination Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 20)
April 7, 2023 WA HB 1564 Prohibits the Sale of Over-the-Counter Sexual Assault Kits Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 7)
April 7, 2023 MD HB 824 Prohibits Certain Individuals on Probation from Receiving a Concealed Carry Permit Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 13)
April 7, 2023 MD HB 824 Prohibits Certain Individuals on Probation from Receiving a Concealed Carry Permit Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 13)
April 6, 2023 KS HB 2138 Prohibits Transgender Students Access to Overnight Accommodations Consistent with Their Gender Identity Conference Report Adopted - Senate (28 - 10)
April 6, 2023 KS SB 228 Prohibits Transgender Inmates Access to Overnight Accommodations Consistent with Their Gender Identity Conference Report Adopted - Senate (33 - 3)
April 6, 2023 KS SB 26 Prohibits Gender-Affirming Medical Care for Minors Conference Report Adopted - Senate (23 - 12)
April 6, 2023 KS SB 228 Prohibits Transgender Inmates Access to Overnight Accommodations Consistent with Their Gender Identity Conference Report Adopted - Senate (33 - 3)
April 6, 2023 TN SB 466 Specifies that Teachers and Peers Do Not Have to Use a Student's Preferred Pronouns Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 7)
April 6, 2023 DE SB 52 Amends Delaware Statutes Regarding the Sterile Needle and Syringe Exchange Program Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 5)
April 6, 2023 OR SB 615 Establishes New Penalties for Street Racing and Gang Activity Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 7)
April 5, 2023 ND HB 1340 Prohibits Local Governments from Enforcing Stricter Gun Laws then Passed by the State Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 6)
April 5, 2023 ND HB 1339 Authorizes Citizens to Conceal Carry in North Dakota With a State Issued ID Bill Passed - Senate (44 - 2)
April 5, 2023 ND HB 1340 Prohibits Local Governments from Enforcing Stricter Gun Laws then Passed by the State Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 6)
April 5, 2023 ND HB 1350 Establishes Places That a Person Can Carry a Concealed Weapon and Penalties for Armed Offenders Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 2)
April 5, 2023 ND HB 1350 Establishes Places That a Person Can Carry a Concealed Weapon and Penalties for Armed Offenders Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 2)
April 5, 2023 AR HB 1468 Requires Parental Consent for Teachers to Address Transgender Students the Way They Identify Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 5)
Date No. Title Outcome
4/18 H 89 Establishes Protections for Reproductive and Gender-Affirming Care Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 4)
4/18 H 89 Establishes Protections for Reproductive and Gender-Affirming Care Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 4)
4/18 LB 775 Amends State Definitions for Licensed Racetracks to Include All Real Property Bill Passed - Senate (46 - 0)
4/17 SB 2142 Establishes a State Immigration Office to Help Companies Recruit and Retain Foreign Workers Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (41 - 5)
4/17 SB 5371 Authorizes Protections for Orca Whales Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 18)
4/17 SB 5352 Expands Police Chase Protections for Law Enforcement Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 22)
4/17 SB 23-254 Amends Statutes Regarding Search Warrants by Police Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 7)
4/17 SB 153 Requires the Nevada Department of Corrections Regulate the Security, Supervision, Medical, and Mental Health Treatment of Transgender Inmates Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 5)
4/17 SB 153 Requires the Nevada Department of Corrections Regulate the Security, Supervision, Medical, and Mental Health Treatment of Transgender Inmates Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 5)
4/17 SJR 7 Amends State Constitution to Protect Reproductive Health Freedom Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (13 - 8)
4/14 SB 5231 Amends Legal Process for Emergency No Contact Orders Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 13)
4/14 SB 5112 Amends the Voter Registration Process Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (33 - 13)
4/14 SB 5231 Amends Legal Process for Emergency No Contact Orders Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 13)
4/14 SF 2909 Appropriates Funding for the State Public Safety Omnibus Bill Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 33)
4/14 SB 5768 Authorizes the Department of Corrections to Acquire and Dispense Abortion Medications Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 18)
4/13 SB 5006 Amends Firearm Waiver Rights for At-Risk Individuals Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (33 - 14)
4/13 SB 5006 Amends Firearm Waiver Rights for At-Risk Individuals Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (33 - 14)
4/13 HB 693 Prohibits State Agencies from Denying Individual Records Request Due To Ongoing Litigation Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 2)
4/13 SB 1237 Authorizes Private School to Prohibit Transgender Girls from Playing on Female Sports Teams Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 5)
4/12 SB 989 Establishes Greater Victims Rights in Court Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (35 - 5)
4/12 SB 989 Establishes Greater Victims Rights in Court Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (35 - 5)
4/12 HB 1020 Establishes Suciasaurus Rex as the Official State Dinosaur Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 10)
4/12 HB 1477 Amends the State Working Families' Tax Credit Bill Passed - Senate (46 - 3)
4/12 HB 2394 Prohibits Any County or Municipality in Arizona from Enacting New Taxes, Levies or Fees on Firearms or Ammunition Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 14)
4/11 HB 1470 Establishes New Regulations Concerning Private Prisons Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 20)
4/10 SB 1 Prohibits Open Carry in the State and Restricts Places Where Firearms can be Carried Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 16)
4/10 HB 1230 Establishes Penalties for the Intentional Submission of Petitions with Fraudulent Signatures Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 6)
4/10 HB 1071 Prohibits the Smell of Cannabis as Reasonable Suspicion or Probable Cause for Police Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 20)
4/10 HB 1394 Establishes a Developmentally Appropriate Response to Youth Who Commit Sexual Offenses Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 21)
4/07 SB 858 Defines Requirements Around Safe Storage of Firearms Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 12)
4/07 SB 341 Requires Institutions of Higher Education Develop a Reproductive Health Services Plan in Consultation with Students Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 11)
4/07 SB 495 Requires Convicted Individuals Serve Out the Majority of Their Sentences Instead of Early Release Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 4)
4/07 SB 37 Reduces the Time Period to Apply for Criminal Record Expungement for Certain Offenses Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 13)
4/07 HB 361 Specifies Incorrect Use of Pronouns by Another Student is Not Discrimination Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 20)
4/07 HB 1564 Prohibits the Sale of Over-the-Counter Sexual Assault Kits Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 7)
4/07 HB 824 Prohibits Certain Individuals on Probation from Receiving a Concealed Carry Permit Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 13)
4/07 HB 824 Prohibits Certain Individuals on Probation from Receiving a Concealed Carry Permit Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 13)
4/06 HB 2138 Prohibits Transgender Students Access to Overnight Accommodations Consistent with Their Gender Identity Conference Report Adopted - Senate (28 - 10)
4/06 SB 228 Prohibits Transgender Inmates Access to Overnight Accommodations Consistent with Their Gender Identity Conference Report Adopted - Senate (33 - 3)
4/06 SB 26 Prohibits Gender-Affirming Medical Care for Minors Conference Report Adopted - Senate (23 - 12)
4/06 SB 228 Prohibits Transgender Inmates Access to Overnight Accommodations Consistent with Their Gender Identity Conference Report Adopted - Senate (33 - 3)
4/06 SB 466 Specifies that Teachers and Peers Do Not Have to Use a Student's Preferred Pronouns Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 7)
4/06 SB 52 Amends Delaware Statutes Regarding the Sterile Needle and Syringe Exchange Program Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 5)
4/06 SB 615 Establishes New Penalties for Street Racing and Gang Activity Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 7)
4/05 HB 1340 Prohibits Local Governments from Enforcing Stricter Gun Laws then Passed by the State Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 6)
4/05 HB 1339 Authorizes Citizens to Conceal Carry in North Dakota With a State Issued ID Bill Passed - Senate (44 - 2)
4/05 HB 1340 Prohibits Local Governments from Enforcing Stricter Gun Laws then Passed by the State Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 6)
4/05 HB 1350 Establishes Places That a Person Can Carry a Concealed Weapon and Penalties for Armed Offenders Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 2)
4/05 HB 1350 Establishes Places That a Person Can Carry a Concealed Weapon and Penalties for Armed Offenders Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 2)
4/05 HB 1468 Requires Parental Consent for Teachers to Address Transgender Students the Way They Identify Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 5)

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