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 10, 2025 OK SB 742 Authorizes Concealed Carry of Handguns for State Judges Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 6)
March 10, 2025 WA SB 5278 Authorizes the Placement of Juvenile Offenders in Adult Prisons Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 0)
March 10, 2025 OK SB 418 Requires Certain Bathroom Gender Designations in Prisons and the Department of Corrections Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 8)
March 10, 2025 AZ SB 1610 Requires County Jails to Provide Identifying Information for Individuals Arrested for Certain Crimes to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 10)
March 10, 2025 AZ SB 1610 Requires County Jails to Provide Identifying Information for Individuals Arrested for Certain Crimes to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 10)
March 10, 2025 OK SB 418 Requires Certain Bathroom Gender Designations in Prisons and the Department of Corrections Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 8)
March 7, 2025 IA SF 311 Prohibits Police Citizen Review Boards Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 9)
March 6, 2025 SD SB 75 Requires Driver's Licenses and State IDs to Show Citizenship Status Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 2)
March 6, 2025 UT HB 77 Authorizes a Select Few Flags to be Displayed Inside of Public Classrooms Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 8)
March 6, 2025 UT HB 441 Exempts Franchise Owners from Having to Operate on Days that Conflict with Their Religious Beliefs Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 2)
March 6, 2025 SD HB 1174 Amends Certain Provisions Related to the Rights and Obligations of a Father of a Child Born to an Unmarried Mother Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 1)
March 6, 2025 SD HB 1116 Repeals a Reporting Requirement Regarding Industrial Hemp Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 3)
March 6, 2025 National S 331 Halt All Lethal Trafficking of Fentanyl Act (HALT Fentanyl Act) Cloture Invoked - Senate (82 - 12)
March 6, 2025 National S 331 Halt All Lethal Trafficking of Fentanyl Act (HALT Fentanyl Act) Cloture Invoked - Senate (82 - 12)
March 6, 2025 AZ SB 1705 Amends Firearm Preemption Laws in Arizona Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 9)
March 6, 2025 MT SB 437 Amends and Defines Sex as Binary in Montana State Law Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 18)
March 6, 2025 GA SB 61 Establishes Additional Offenses for Terroristic Threats Against Public or Private Schools Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 22)
March 6, 2025 MT SB 508 Amends Drunk Driving Laws to Include Any Detectable Traces of THC for Individuals Under the Age of 21 Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 7)
March 6, 2025 WV SB 299 Prohibits Gender-Affirming Medical Care for Minors Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 2)
March 6, 2025 AL SB 138 Authorizes Certain Parolees and Probationers the Opportunity to Obtain Licenses without Automatic Disqualification by a Licensing Board Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 0)
March 6, 2025 MO SB 160 Reduces Hazing on College Campuses Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 10)
March 5, 2025 CT SB 1453 Appropriates $2.8 Million to Support Certain LGBTQ+ Nonprofit Organizations and Planned Parenthood Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 10)
March 5, 2025 CT SB 1453 Appropriates $2.8 Million to Support Certain LGBTQ+ Nonprofit Organizations and Planned Parenthood Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 10)
March 5, 2025 ID H 37 Establishes Firing Squads as the Primary Method of Execution Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 7)
March 5, 2025 National PN 12-5 Nomination of Todd Blanche to be Deputy Attorney General Cloture Invoked - Senate (51 - 46)
March 5, 2025 WA SB 5098 Prohibits Firearms in More Public Spaces Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 21)
March 5, 2025 WA SB 5268 Requires 12 Months of Community Custody for Unlawful Possession of Firearms Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 0)
March 5, 2025 WA SB 5268 Requires 12 Months of Community Custody for Unlawful Possession of Firearms Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 0)
March 5, 2025 AL SB 199 Establishes an Alabama Public Employee Paid Parental Leave Program Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 3)
March 4, 2025 WY HB 164 Authorizes Prescribers to Prescribe Medications for Off-Label Indication as Specified Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 9)
March 4, 2025 WY HB 32 Establishes Statutory Definitions for "Man", "Woman", and "Biological Sex" Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 3)
March 4, 2025 SD HB 1222 Authorizes Concealed Carry Permit Holders to Keep Their Firearm Inside a Motor Vehicle While on School Property Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 2)
March 4, 2025 GA SB 36 Prohibits State and Local Governments from "Substantially Burdening" an Individual's Religious Freedom Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 23)
March 4, 2025 HI SB 227 Establishes an "Illegal Fireworks Enforcement Division" within the Department of Law Enforcement Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 2)
March 4, 2025 GA SB 36 Prohibits State and Local Governments from "Substantially Burdening" an Individual's Religious Freedom Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 23)
March 3, 2025 AR SB 208 Requires Canvassers to Request a Photo ID of Potential Signers Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 6)
March 3, 2025 WY HB 207 Establishes the Religious Freedom Restoration Act Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 3)
March 3, 2025 WY HB 207 Establishes the Religious Freedom Restoration Act Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 3)
March 3, 2025 WY HB 62 Amends the Crimes of Prostitution and Solicitation of Prostitution to Include Acts of Sexual Contact Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 14)
March 3, 2025 WY HB 83 Requires Judges Consider a Parent's Sex-Offender Registration Status when Making Custody Decision Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 4)
March 3, 2025 National S 9 Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act of 2025 Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (51 - 45)
March 3, 2025 GA SB 185 Prohibits State Funding for Gender-Affirming Care for Prisoners Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 15)
March 3, 2025 GA SB 185 Prohibits State Funding for Gender-Affirming Care for Prisoners Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 15)
March 3, 2025 GA SB 30 Prohibits Physicians from Prescribing Puberty-Blocking Drugs to Transgender Youth Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 19)
March 3, 2025 WV SB 456 Defines "Men" and "Women" in State Code Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 1)
March 3, 2025 AK SB 43 Establishes March as Women's History Month Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 0)
March 3, 2025 GA SB 74 Authorizes Librarians in Public Libraries, K-12 Schools, and Colleges to be Prosecuted if They Provide "Sexually Explicit Materials" to Minors Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 23)
Feb. 28, 2025 WY SF 74 Establishes Immunity for Drug Overdose Reporting Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 0)
Feb. 28, 2025 WY SF 74 Establishes Immunity for Drug Overdose Reporting Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 0)
Feb. 28, 2025 WA SB 5375 Extends and Expands the List of Mandatory Reporters to Include Clergy Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 20)
Date No. Title Outcome
3/10 SB 742 Authorizes Concealed Carry of Handguns for State Judges Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 6)
3/10 SB 5278 Authorizes the Placement of Juvenile Offenders in Adult Prisons Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 0)
3/10 SB 418 Requires Certain Bathroom Gender Designations in Prisons and the Department of Corrections Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 8)
3/10 SB 1610 Requires County Jails to Provide Identifying Information for Individuals Arrested for Certain Crimes to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 10)
3/10 SB 1610 Requires County Jails to Provide Identifying Information for Individuals Arrested for Certain Crimes to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 10)
3/10 SB 418 Requires Certain Bathroom Gender Designations in Prisons and the Department of Corrections Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 8)
3/07 SF 311 Prohibits Police Citizen Review Boards Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 9)
3/06 SB 75 Requires Driver's Licenses and State IDs to Show Citizenship Status Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 2)
3/06 HB 77 Authorizes a Select Few Flags to be Displayed Inside of Public Classrooms Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 8)
3/06 HB 441 Exempts Franchise Owners from Having to Operate on Days that Conflict with Their Religious Beliefs Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 2)
3/06 HB 1174 Amends Certain Provisions Related to the Rights and Obligations of a Father of a Child Born to an Unmarried Mother Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 1)
3/06 HB 1116 Repeals a Reporting Requirement Regarding Industrial Hemp Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 3)
3/06 S 331 Halt All Lethal Trafficking of Fentanyl Act (HALT Fentanyl Act) Cloture Invoked - Senate (82 - 12)
3/06 S 331 Halt All Lethal Trafficking of Fentanyl Act (HALT Fentanyl Act) Cloture Invoked - Senate (82 - 12)
3/06 SB 1705 Amends Firearm Preemption Laws in Arizona Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 9)
3/06 SB 437 Amends and Defines Sex as Binary in Montana State Law Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 18)
3/06 SB 61 Establishes Additional Offenses for Terroristic Threats Against Public or Private Schools Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 22)
3/06 SB 508 Amends Drunk Driving Laws to Include Any Detectable Traces of THC for Individuals Under the Age of 21 Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 7)
3/06 SB 299 Prohibits Gender-Affirming Medical Care for Minors Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 2)
3/06 SB 138 Authorizes Certain Parolees and Probationers the Opportunity to Obtain Licenses without Automatic Disqualification by a Licensing Board Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 0)
3/06 SB 160 Reduces Hazing on College Campuses Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 10)
3/05 SB 1453 Appropriates $2.8 Million to Support Certain LGBTQ+ Nonprofit Organizations and Planned Parenthood Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 10)
3/05 SB 1453 Appropriates $2.8 Million to Support Certain LGBTQ+ Nonprofit Organizations and Planned Parenthood Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 10)
3/05 H 37 Establishes Firing Squads as the Primary Method of Execution Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 7)
3/05 PN 12-5 Nomination of Todd Blanche to be Deputy Attorney General Cloture Invoked - Senate (51 - 46)
3/05 SB 5098 Prohibits Firearms in More Public Spaces Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 21)
3/05 SB 5268 Requires 12 Months of Community Custody for Unlawful Possession of Firearms Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 0)
3/05 SB 5268 Requires 12 Months of Community Custody for Unlawful Possession of Firearms Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 0)
3/05 SB 199 Establishes an Alabama Public Employee Paid Parental Leave Program Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 3)
3/04 HB 164 Authorizes Prescribers to Prescribe Medications for Off-Label Indication as Specified Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 9)
3/04 HB 32 Establishes Statutory Definitions for "Man", "Woman", and "Biological Sex" Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 3)
3/04 HB 1222 Authorizes Concealed Carry Permit Holders to Keep Their Firearm Inside a Motor Vehicle While on School Property Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 2)
3/04 SB 36 Prohibits State and Local Governments from "Substantially Burdening" an Individual's Religious Freedom Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 23)
3/04 SB 227 Establishes an "Illegal Fireworks Enforcement Division" within the Department of Law Enforcement Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 2)
3/04 SB 36 Prohibits State and Local Governments from "Substantially Burdening" an Individual's Religious Freedom Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 23)
3/03 SB 208 Requires Canvassers to Request a Photo ID of Potential Signers Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 6)
3/03 HB 207 Establishes the Religious Freedom Restoration Act Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 3)
3/03 HB 207 Establishes the Religious Freedom Restoration Act Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 3)
3/03 HB 62 Amends the Crimes of Prostitution and Solicitation of Prostitution to Include Acts of Sexual Contact Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 14)
3/03 HB 83 Requires Judges Consider a Parent's Sex-Offender Registration Status when Making Custody Decision Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 4)
3/03 S 9 Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act of 2025 Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (51 - 45)
3/03 SB 185 Prohibits State Funding for Gender-Affirming Care for Prisoners Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 15)
3/03 SB 185 Prohibits State Funding for Gender-Affirming Care for Prisoners Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 15)
3/03 SB 30 Prohibits Physicians from Prescribing Puberty-Blocking Drugs to Transgender Youth Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 19)
3/03 SB 456 Defines "Men" and "Women" in State Code Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 1)
3/03 SB 43 Establishes March as Women's History Month Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 0)
3/03 SB 74 Authorizes Librarians in Public Libraries, K-12 Schools, and Colleges to be Prosecuted if They Provide "Sexually Explicit Materials" to Minors Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 23)
2/28 SF 74 Establishes Immunity for Drug Overdose Reporting Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 0)
2/28 SF 74 Establishes Immunity for Drug Overdose Reporting Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 0)
2/28 SB 5375 Extends and Expands the List of Mandatory Reporters to Include Clergy Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 20)

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