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:
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.
| Date | State | Bill No. | Title | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| March 22, 2012 | CA | AJR 22 | Requests a Constitutional Amendment to Overturn Citizens United | Joint Resolution Passed - House (48 - 22) |
| Jan. 31, 2012 | CA | AB 1148 | Requires Political Advertisements to Disclose Funding Sources | Bill Failed - House (52 - 26) |
| Sept. 10, 2011 | CA | SB 202 | Limiting Ballot Initiatives to the General Election | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 15) |
| Sept. 9, 2011 | CA | SB 51 | Compliance with Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 16) |
| Sept. 9, 2011 | CA | SB 292 | Authorizes Governor to Expedite Environmental Review | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 7) |
| Sept. 9, 2011 | CA | SB 922 | Project Labor Agreements | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 14) |
| Sept. 9, 2011 | CA | SB 922 | Project Labor Agreements | Bill Passed - House (52 - 27) |
| Sept. 9, 2011 | CA | SB 202 | Limiting Ballot Initiatives to the General Election | Bill Passed - House (45 - 30) |
| Sept. 9, 2011 | CA | SB 51 | Compliance with Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act | Bill Passed - House (53 - 26) |
| Sept. 7, 2011 | CA | SB 292 | Authorizes Governor to Expedite Environmental Review | Bill Passed - House (63 - 13) |
| Sept. 6, 2011 | CA | AB 1236 | Prohibits Requirement of Electronic Employment Verification | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 14) |
| Aug. 29, 2011 | CA | AB 46 | Small City Disincorporation | Bill Failed - Senate (13 - 17) |
| July 14, 2011 | CA | AB 459 | National Popular Vote Interstate Compact | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (52 - 15) |
| July 14, 2011 | CA | AB 459 | National Popular Vote Interstate Compact | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15) |
| July 14, 2011 | CA | SB 168 | Prohibits Paid Signature-Gatherers | Bill Passed - House (48 - 28) |
| June 1, 2011 | CA | AB 131 | In-State College Tuition for Undocumented Immigrants | Bill Passed - House (50 - 27) |
| May 19, 2011 | CA | AB 1236 | Prohibits Requirement of Electronic Employment Verification | Bill Passed - House (55 - 22) |
| May 9, 2011 | CA | SB 168 | Prohibits Paid Signature-Gatherers | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15) |
| March 17, 2011 | CA | AB 109 | Criminal Justice Realignment | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (51 - 27) |
| March 17, 2011 | CA | AB 109 | Criminal Justice Realignment | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 16) |
| Feb. 15, 2011 | CA | AB 110 | Wrongful Death Claim of Josefa Godinez Merida | Resolution Passed - House (7 - 1) |
| Aug. 25, 2010 | CA | SB 970 | College Vote-by-Mail Drop-Off Locations | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 11) |
| Aug. 23, 2010 | CA | SB 970 | College Vote-by-Mail Drop-Off Locations | Bill Passed - House (48 - 28) |
| April 26, 2010 | CA | Maldonado Nomination | Abel Maldonado, Lieutenant Governor | Nomination Confirmed - Senate (25 - 7) |
| April 26, 2010 | CA | AB 711 | Authorizing Loan for East Los Angeles Incorporation Study | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 9) |
| April 26, 2010 | CA | AB 711 | Authorizing Loan for East Los Angeles Incorporation Study | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 9) |
| April 22, 2010 | CA | Maldonado Nomination | Abel Maldonado, Lieutenant Governor | (53 - 21) |
| March 11, 2010 | CA | SBx8 32 | Tax Law Amendments | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 15) |
| March 8, 2010 | CA | SBx8 32 | Tax Law Amendments | Bill Passed - House (47 - 29) |
| March 4, 2010 | CA | ABx8 6 | Fuel Tax Amendments | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (41 - 32) |
| March 4, 2010 | CA | ABx8 9 | Tax and Transportation Law Amendments | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (44 - 30) |
| March 4, 2010 | CA | ABx8 9 | Tax and Transportation Law Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 10) |
| March 4, 2010 | CA | ABx8 6 | Fuel Tax Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 10) |
| Feb. 22, 2010 | CA | ABx8 2 | 2010-2011 Budget Amendments | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (44 - 20) |
| Feb. 18, 2010 | CA | ABx8 2 | 2010-2011 Budget Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15) |
| Feb. 18, 2010 | CA | ABx8 8 | Internet Sales Tax | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15) |
| Feb. 11, 2010 | CA | Maldonado Nomination | Abel Maldonado, Lieutenant Governor | Nomination Confirmed - Senate (26 - 7) |
| Feb. 11, 2010 | CA | Maldonado Nomination | Abel Maldonado, Lieutenant Governor | (37 - 36) |
| Jan. 6, 2010 | CA | SBx5 4 | Education Law Amendments | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 11) |
| Jan. 6, 2010 | CA | SBx5 1 | Education Law Amendments | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 7) |
| Jan. 5, 2010 | CA | SBx5 4 | Education Law Amendments | Bill Passed - House (41 - 27) |
| Jan. 5, 2010 | CA | SBx5 1 | Education Law Amendments | Bill Passed - House (45 - 17) |
| Dec. 10, 2009 | CA | ABx5 8 | Education Law Amendments | Bill Passed - House (48 - 25) |
| Nov. 4, 2009 | CA | SBx7 2 | Water Investment Bond Measure | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 8) |
| Nov. 4, 2009 | CA | SBx7 8 | Water Diversion Amendments | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 3) |
| Nov. 4, 2009 | CA | SBx7 2 | Water Investment Bond Measure | Bill Passed - House (55 - 20) |
| Nov. 4, 2009 | CA | SBx7 8 | Water Diversion Amendments | Bill Passed - House (49 - 20) |
| Nov. 3, 2009 | CA | SBx5 1 | Education Law Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12) |
| Nov. 2, 2009 | CA | SBx7 2 | Water Investment Bond Measure | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 8) |
| Nov. 2, 2009 | CA | SBx7 8 | Water Management Appropriations | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12) |
| Sept. 11, 2009 | CA | SB 19 | Eliminating Prohibition on Utilizing CALTIDES Data to Evaluate Teachers | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 7) |
| Sept. 11, 2009 | CA | SBx3 18 | Correctional Law Amendments | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 16) |
| Sept. 11, 2009 | CA | SBx3 18 | Correctional Law Amendments | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 16) |
| Sept. 11, 2009 | CA | SB 19 | Eliminating Prohibition on Utilizing CALTIDES Data to Evaluate Teachers | Bill Passed - House (53 - 20) |
| Sept. 10, 2009 | CA | AB 2 | Health Care Law Amendments | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (49 - 26) |
| Sept. 9, 2009 | CA | SB 54 | Recognizing Out-of-State Same-Sex Marriages | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 14) |
| Sept. 8, 2009 | CA | AB 2 | Health Care Law Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 13) |
| Sept. 4, 2009 | CA | AB 793 | Clarifying Statute of Limitations for Wage Discrimination Lawsuits | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 16) |
| Sept. 3, 2009 | CA | SB 54 | Recognizing Out-of-State Same-Sex Marriages | Bill Passed - House (47 - 29) |
| Sept. 2, 2009 | CA | AB 1422 | Medi-Cal and Healthy Families Program Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 8) |
| Aug. 31, 2009 | CA | SBx3 18 | Correctional Law Amendments | Bill Passed - House (41 - 37) |
| Aug. 31, 2009 | CA | SBx3 18 | Correctional Law Amendments | Bill Passed - House (41 - 37) |
| Aug. 20, 2009 | CA | ABx3 14 | Correctional Law Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19) |
| July 24, 2009 | CA | ABX4 2 | Fiscal Year 2010 Budget Revisions: Education Revisions | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (55 - 18) |
| July 24, 2009 | CA | ABX4 19 | Fiscal Year 2010 Budget Revisions: In-Home Supportive Services Fraud | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (42 - 33) |
| July 24, 2009 | CA | ABX4 14 | 2009-2010 Budget Amendments | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (54 - 25) |
| July 24, 2009 | CA | ABX4 14 | 2009-2010 Budget Amendments | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (54 - 25) |
| July 24, 2009 | CA | ABX4 15 | Fiscal Year 2010 Budget Revisions: Implementing Prop 1A Suspension | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (59 - 14) |
| July 24, 2009 | CA | ABX4 26 | Fiscal Year 2010 Budget Revisions: Shifting Redevelopment Funds | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (41 - 31) |
| July 24, 2009 | CA | ABX4 15 | Fiscal Year 2010 Budget Revisions: Implementing Prop 1A Suspension | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (59 - 14) |
| July 24, 2009 | CA | ABX4 26 | Fiscal Year 2010 Budget Revisions: Shifting Redevelopment Funds | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (41 - 31) |
| July 24, 2009 | CA | ABX4 30 | Fiscal Year 2010 Budget Revisions: Transfer of Local Government Revenue | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19) |
| July 24, 2009 | CA | ABX4 2 | Fiscal Year 2010 Budget Revisions: Education Revisions | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 6) |
| July 24, 2009 | CA | ABX4 30 | Fiscal Year 2010 Budget Revisions: Transfer of Local Government Revenue | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19) |
| July 24, 2009 | CA | ABX4 23 | Fiscal Year 2010 Budget Revisions: Oil Drilling | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 18) |
| Date | No. | Title | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3/22 | AJR 22 | Requests a Constitutional Amendment to Overturn Citizens United | Joint Resolution Passed - House (48 - 22) |
| 1/31 | AB 1148 | Requires Political Advertisements to Disclose Funding Sources | Bill Failed - House (52 - 26) |
| 9/10 | SB 202 | Limiting Ballot Initiatives to the General Election | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 15) |
| 9/09 | SB 51 | Compliance with Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 16) |
| 9/09 | SB 292 | Authorizes Governor to Expedite Environmental Review | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 7) |
| 9/09 | SB 922 | Project Labor Agreements | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 14) |
| 9/09 | SB 922 | Project Labor Agreements | Bill Passed - House (52 - 27) |
| 9/09 | SB 202 | Limiting Ballot Initiatives to the General Election | Bill Passed - House (45 - 30) |
| 9/09 | SB 51 | Compliance with Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act | Bill Passed - House (53 - 26) |
| 9/07 | SB 292 | Authorizes Governor to Expedite Environmental Review | Bill Passed - House (63 - 13) |
| 9/06 | AB 1236 | Prohibits Requirement of Electronic Employment Verification | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 14) |
| 8/29 | AB 46 | Small City Disincorporation | Bill Failed - Senate (13 - 17) |
| 7/14 | AB 459 | National Popular Vote Interstate Compact | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (52 - 15) |
| 7/14 | AB 459 | National Popular Vote Interstate Compact | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15) |
| 7/14 | SB 168 | Prohibits Paid Signature-Gatherers | Bill Passed - House (48 - 28) |
| 6/01 | AB 131 | In-State College Tuition for Undocumented Immigrants | Bill Passed - House (50 - 27) |
| 5/19 | AB 1236 | Prohibits Requirement of Electronic Employment Verification | Bill Passed - House (55 - 22) |
| 5/09 | SB 168 | Prohibits Paid Signature-Gatherers | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15) |
| 3/17 | AB 109 | Criminal Justice Realignment | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (51 - 27) |
| 3/17 | AB 109 | Criminal Justice Realignment | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 16) |
| 2/15 | AB 110 | Wrongful Death Claim of Josefa Godinez Merida | Resolution Passed - House (7 - 1) |
| 8/25 | SB 970 | College Vote-by-Mail Drop-Off Locations | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 11) |
| 8/23 | SB 970 | College Vote-by-Mail Drop-Off Locations | Bill Passed - House (48 - 28) |
| 4/26 | Maldonado Nomination | Abel Maldonado, Lieutenant Governor | Nomination Confirmed - Senate (25 - 7) |
| 4/26 | AB 711 | Authorizing Loan for East Los Angeles Incorporation Study | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 9) |
| 4/26 | AB 711 | Authorizing Loan for East Los Angeles Incorporation Study | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 9) |
| 4/22 | Maldonado Nomination | Abel Maldonado, Lieutenant Governor | (53 - 21) |
| 3/11 | SBx8 32 | Tax Law Amendments | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 15) |
| 3/08 | SBx8 32 | Tax Law Amendments | Bill Passed - House (47 - 29) |
| 3/04 | ABx8 6 | Fuel Tax Amendments | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (41 - 32) |
| 3/04 | ABx8 9 | Tax and Transportation Law Amendments | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (44 - 30) |
| 3/04 | ABx8 9 | Tax and Transportation Law Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 10) |
| 3/04 | ABx8 6 | Fuel Tax Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 10) |
| 2/22 | ABx8 2 | 2010-2011 Budget Amendments | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (44 - 20) |
| 2/18 | ABx8 2 | 2010-2011 Budget Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15) |
| 2/18 | ABx8 8 | Internet Sales Tax | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15) |
| 2/11 | Maldonado Nomination | Abel Maldonado, Lieutenant Governor | Nomination Confirmed - Senate (26 - 7) |
| 2/11 | Maldonado Nomination | Abel Maldonado, Lieutenant Governor | (37 - 36) |
| 1/06 | SBx5 4 | Education Law Amendments | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 11) |
| 1/06 | SBx5 1 | Education Law Amendments | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 7) |
| 1/05 | SBx5 4 | Education Law Amendments | Bill Passed - House (41 - 27) |
| 1/05 | SBx5 1 | Education Law Amendments | Bill Passed - House (45 - 17) |
| 12/10 | ABx5 8 | Education Law Amendments | Bill Passed - House (48 - 25) |
| 11/04 | SBx7 2 | Water Investment Bond Measure | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 8) |
| 11/04 | SBx7 8 | Water Diversion Amendments | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 3) |
| 11/04 | SBx7 2 | Water Investment Bond Measure | Bill Passed - House (55 - 20) |
| 11/04 | SBx7 8 | Water Diversion Amendments | Bill Passed - House (49 - 20) |
| 11/03 | SBx5 1 | Education Law Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12) |
| 11/02 | SBx7 2 | Water Investment Bond Measure | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 8) |
| 11/02 | SBx7 8 | Water Management Appropriations | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12) |
| 9/11 | SB 19 | Eliminating Prohibition on Utilizing CALTIDES Data to Evaluate Teachers | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 7) |
| 9/11 | SBx3 18 | Correctional Law Amendments | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 16) |
| 9/11 | SBx3 18 | Correctional Law Amendments | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 16) |
| 9/11 | SB 19 | Eliminating Prohibition on Utilizing CALTIDES Data to Evaluate Teachers | Bill Passed - House (53 - 20) |
| 9/10 | AB 2 | Health Care Law Amendments | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (49 - 26) |
| 9/09 | SB 54 | Recognizing Out-of-State Same-Sex Marriages | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 14) |
| 9/08 | AB 2 | Health Care Law Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 13) |
| 9/04 | AB 793 | Clarifying Statute of Limitations for Wage Discrimination Lawsuits | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 16) |
| 9/03 | SB 54 | Recognizing Out-of-State Same-Sex Marriages | Bill Passed - House (47 - 29) |
| 9/02 | AB 1422 | Medi-Cal and Healthy Families Program Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 8) |
| 8/31 | SBx3 18 | Correctional Law Amendments | Bill Passed - House (41 - 37) |
| 8/31 | SBx3 18 | Correctional Law Amendments | Bill Passed - House (41 - 37) |
| 8/20 | ABx3 14 | Correctional Law Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19) |
| 7/24 | ABX4 2 | Fiscal Year 2010 Budget Revisions: Education Revisions | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (55 - 18) |
| 7/24 | ABX4 19 | Fiscal Year 2010 Budget Revisions: In-Home Supportive Services Fraud | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (42 - 33) |
| 7/24 | ABX4 14 | 2009-2010 Budget Amendments | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (54 - 25) |
| 7/24 | ABX4 14 | 2009-2010 Budget Amendments | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (54 - 25) |
| 7/24 | ABX4 15 | Fiscal Year 2010 Budget Revisions: Implementing Prop 1A Suspension | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (59 - 14) |
| 7/24 | ABX4 26 | Fiscal Year 2010 Budget Revisions: Shifting Redevelopment Funds | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (41 - 31) |
| 7/24 | ABX4 15 | Fiscal Year 2010 Budget Revisions: Implementing Prop 1A Suspension | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (59 - 14) |
| 7/24 | ABX4 26 | Fiscal Year 2010 Budget Revisions: Shifting Redevelopment Funds | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (41 - 31) |
| 7/24 | ABX4 30 | Fiscal Year 2010 Budget Revisions: Transfer of Local Government Revenue | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19) |
| 7/24 | ABX4 2 | Fiscal Year 2010 Budget Revisions: Education Revisions | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 6) |
| 7/24 | ABX4 30 | Fiscal Year 2010 Budget Revisions: Transfer of Local Government Revenue | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19) |
| 7/24 | ABX4 23 | Fiscal Year 2010 Budget Revisions: Oil Drilling | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 18) |