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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 13, 2020 | IA | HF 2486 | Requires the Secretary of State to Receive Legislative Consent Prior to Sending Absentee Ballot Requests | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 16) |
| June 11, 2020 | IA | HF 2486 | Requires the Secretary of State to Receive Legislative Consent Prior to Sending Absentee Ballot Requests | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (95 - 2) |
| June 3, 2020 | IA | HF 2502 | Amends Gun Policies | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 17) |
| June 3, 2020 | IA | SF 2348 | Requires Restitution Payment from Felons for Restoration of Voting Rights | Bill Passed - House (51 - 45) |
| March 3, 2020 | IA | SF 2348 | Requires Restitution Payment from Felons for Restoration of Voting Rights | Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 11) |
| Feb. 27, 2020 | IA | HF 2502 | Amends Gun Policies | Bill Passed - House (52 - 44) |
| Feb. 13, 2020 | IA | SJR 2001 | Amends the State Constitution to Repeal the Right to Abortion | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 18) |
| April 27, 2019 | IA | SF 638 | Amends Judicial Commission Selection | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 16) |
| April 27, 2019 | IA | SF 638 | Amends Judicial Commission Selection | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 16) |
| April 27, 2019 | IA | SF 638 | Amends Judicial Commission Selection | Bill Passed - House (53 - 45) |
| April 27, 2019 | IA | SF 638 | Amends Judicial Commission Selection | Bill Passed - House (53 - 45) |
| April 24, 2019 | IA | SF 634 | Amends Process for Approving Local Government Budgets and Property Taxation | Bill Passed - House (53 - 47) |
| April 24, 2019 | IA | SF 634 | Amends Process for Approving Local Government Budgets and Property Taxation | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 17) |
| April 23, 2019 | IA | SF 615 | Prohibits the Attorney General From Joining Out-Of-State Lawsuits | Bill Passed - House (54 - 45) |
| April 23, 2019 | IA | SF 615 | Prohibits the Attorney General From Joining Out-Of-State Lawsuits | Bill Passed - House (54 - 45) |
| April 22, 2019 | IA | HF 764 | Requires the Legislature to Publish Proposed Constitutional Amendments | Bill Passed - House (54 - 44) |
| April 22, 2019 | IA | HF 764 | Requires the Legislature to Publish Proposed Constitutional Amendments | Bill Passed - House (54 - 44) |
| April 17, 2019 | IA | HF 692 | Requires Bar Codes on Absentee Ballots to Determine Time of Mailing | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 18) |
| April 15, 2019 | IA | SF 615 | Prohibits the Attorney General From Joining Out-Of-State Lawsuits | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 18) |
| April 15, 2019 | IA | SF 615 | Prohibits the Attorney General From Joining Out-Of-State Lawsuits | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 18) |
| March 12, 2019 | IA | SF 237 | Amends Judicial Commission Selection | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 17) |
| April 20, 2017 | IA | SF 516 | Establishes Budget for Fiscal Year 2018-2019 | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 20) |
| April 4, 2017 | IA | HF 517 | Authorizes Use of Deadly Force when Deemed Necessary | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 17) |
| March 27, 2017 | IA | HF 295 | Prohibits Localities from Increasing Minimum Wage | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 21) |
| March 23, 2017 | IA | HF 516 | Requires Identification to Vote | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 21) |
| March 9, 2017 | IA | HF 295 | Prohibits Localities from Increasing Minimum Wage | Bill Passed - House (56 - 41) |
| March 9, 2017 | IA | HF 516 | Requires Identification to Vote | Bill Passed - House (59 - 40) |
| March 7, 2017 | IA | HF 517 | Authorizes Use of Deadly Force when Deemed Necessary | Bill Passed - House (58 - 39) |
| March 19, 2015 | IA | SF 331 | Authorizes Online Voter Registration | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 20) |
| March 18, 2015 | IA | SF 437 | Authorizes Employees to Take Unpaid Leave to Participate in a Presidential Precinct Caucus | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 24) |
| April 7, 2014 | IA | HF 2462 | Prohibits Confidentiality Agreements in State Employee Settlements | Bill Passed - House (63 - 35) |
| Feb. 5, 2014 | IA | SF 2079 | Increases School Funding | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 23) |
| May 23, 2013 | IA | SF 446 | 2013-2014 Health and Human Services Budget | Conference Report Adopted - House (80 - 17) |
| May 22, 2013 | IA | SF 446 | 2013-2014 Health and Human Services Budget | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (26 - 24) |
| May 1, 2013 | IA | SF 446 | 2013-2014 Health and Human Services Budget | Bill Passed - House (52 - 46) |
| April 23, 2013 | IA | SF 447 | 2013-2014 Justice Department Budget | Bill Passed - House (51 - 46) |
| April 17, 2013 | IA | SF 447 | 2013-2014 Justice Department Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 23) |
| April 16, 2013 | IA | SF 440 | Appropriates Funds for Mental Health Services | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 17) |
| Feb. 19, 2013 | IA | HF 215 | Appropriates Education Funding and Establishes New Programs | Bill Passed - House (52 - 44) |
| Feb. 14, 2013 | IA | SF 162 | Establishes the School Budget Growth for Fiscal Year 2014-2015 | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 22) |
| Jan. 30, 2013 | IA | SF 52 | Establishes the School Budget Growth for Fiscal Year 2013-2014 | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 23) |
| May 9, 2012 | IA | SF 2315 | Amends the Mental Health and Disability Services Program | Conference Report Adopted - House (66 - 31) |
| May 7, 2012 | IA | HF 2475 | Reduces Certain Business Property Taxes | Bill Passed - House (71 - 26) |
| Feb. 29, 2012 | IA | HJR 2009 | Prohibiting Mandatory Licensing and Registration of Guns | Amendment Adopted - House (61 - 37) |
| April 20, 2011 | IA | SF 525 | Revises the Iowa Mental Health System | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 23) |
| April 14, 2011 | IA | HF 682 | Congressional and Legislative Redistricting | Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 1) |
| April 14, 2011 | IA | HF 682 | Congressional and Legislative Redistricting | Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 1) |
| March 28, 2011 | IA | HF 590 | Establishes Economic Programs | Bill Passed - House (66 - 33) |
| Feb. 17, 2011 | IA | HF 260 | House Rule School Governance | Bill Passed - House (65 - 30) |
| Feb. 17, 2011 | IA | HF 260 | House Rule School Governance | Bill Passed - House (65 - 30) |
| Feb. 16, 2011 | IA | SF 166 | Funding for Public Schools | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 24) |
| Feb. 2, 2011 | IA | HF 111 | Purchase of Health Care | Bill Passed - House (59 - 39) |
| Feb. 1, 2011 | IA | HJR 6 | Banning Same Sex Marriage | Amendment Adopted - House (62 - 37) |
| March 30, 2010 | IA | HF 2531 | Appropriations and Tax Law Amendments | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 16) |
| March 30, 2010 | IA | HF 2531 | Appropriations and Tax Law Amendments | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (51 - 48) |
| March 29, 2010 | IA | SF 2389 | Iowa Jobs II Program and Budget Amendments | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 17) |
| March 29, 2010 | IA | SF 2389 | Iowa Jobs II Program and Budget Amendments | Bill Passed - House (52 - 47) |
| March 26, 2010 | IA | S 5340 | Prohibiting Individual Health Care Mandate | Amendment Rejected - Senate (18 - 31) |
| March 22, 2010 | IA | SF 2380 | Tax Law Amendments | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 19) |
| March 22, 2010 | IA | SF 2376 | 2010-2011 Education Budget | Bill Passed - House (55 - 44) |
| March 22, 2010 | IA | Amdt 8522 | Allowing Cuts to Teacher Salary Supplement | Amendment Rejected - House (49 - 50) |
| March 19, 2010 | IA | SF 2380 | Tax Law Amendments | Bill Passed - House (54 - 43) |
| March 17, 2010 | IA | SF 2380 | Tax Law Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 18) |
| March 16, 2010 | IA | SF 2378 | Increase in Fees for Traffic Violations | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 17) |
| March 16, 2010 | IA | SF 2376 | 2010-2011 Education Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 20) |
| March 10, 2010 | IA | Amdt 8381 | Free Self Defense Courses for Domestic Violence Victims | Amendment Rejected - House (44 - 53) |
| Feb. 17, 2010 | IA | Amdt 8140 | Animal Abuse and Neglect Penalties | Amendment Rejected - House (44 - 52) |
| Feb. 17, 2010 | IA | Amdt 8145 | Animal Facility Regulations | Amendment Rejected - House (42 - 53) |
| Feb. 12, 2010 | IA | Amdt 8053 | Omnibus Spending Cuts Amendment | Amendment Rejected - House (43 - 54) |
| Feb. 4, 2010 | IA | SF 2062 | State Worker Retirement Incentive Program | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (41 - 6) |
| Feb. 1, 2010 | IA | SF 2088 | Government Reorganization | Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 15) |
| Jan. 26, 2010 | IA | HF 2110 | Military Spouse Relocation Unemployment Benefits | Bill Passed - House (56 - 44) |
| Jan. 19, 2010 | IA | HF 2030 | School District Budget Requirements | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 16) |
| Jan. 13, 2010 | IA | SF 2033 | Education Law Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 17) |
| April 25, 2009 | IA | SF 477 | Appropriation Bonds | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 18) |
| Date | No. | Title | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6/13 | HF 2486 | Requires the Secretary of State to Receive Legislative Consent Prior to Sending Absentee Ballot Requests | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 16) |
| 6/11 | HF 2486 | Requires the Secretary of State to Receive Legislative Consent Prior to Sending Absentee Ballot Requests | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (95 - 2) |
| 6/03 | HF 2502 | Amends Gun Policies | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 17) |
| 6/03 | SF 2348 | Requires Restitution Payment from Felons for Restoration of Voting Rights | Bill Passed - House (51 - 45) |
| 3/03 | SF 2348 | Requires Restitution Payment from Felons for Restoration of Voting Rights | Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 11) |
| 2/27 | HF 2502 | Amends Gun Policies | Bill Passed - House (52 - 44) |
| 2/13 | SJR 2001 | Amends the State Constitution to Repeal the Right to Abortion | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 18) |
| 4/27 | SF 638 | Amends Judicial Commission Selection | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 16) |
| 4/27 | SF 638 | Amends Judicial Commission Selection | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 16) |
| 4/27 | SF 638 | Amends Judicial Commission Selection | Bill Passed - House (53 - 45) |
| 4/27 | SF 638 | Amends Judicial Commission Selection | Bill Passed - House (53 - 45) |
| 4/24 | SF 634 | Amends Process for Approving Local Government Budgets and Property Taxation | Bill Passed - House (53 - 47) |
| 4/24 | SF 634 | Amends Process for Approving Local Government Budgets and Property Taxation | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 17) |
| 4/23 | SF 615 | Prohibits the Attorney General From Joining Out-Of-State Lawsuits | Bill Passed - House (54 - 45) |
| 4/23 | SF 615 | Prohibits the Attorney General From Joining Out-Of-State Lawsuits | Bill Passed - House (54 - 45) |
| 4/22 | HF 764 | Requires the Legislature to Publish Proposed Constitutional Amendments | Bill Passed - House (54 - 44) |
| 4/22 | HF 764 | Requires the Legislature to Publish Proposed Constitutional Amendments | Bill Passed - House (54 - 44) |
| 4/17 | HF 692 | Requires Bar Codes on Absentee Ballots to Determine Time of Mailing | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 18) |
| 4/15 | SF 615 | Prohibits the Attorney General From Joining Out-Of-State Lawsuits | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 18) |
| 4/15 | SF 615 | Prohibits the Attorney General From Joining Out-Of-State Lawsuits | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 18) |
| 3/12 | SF 237 | Amends Judicial Commission Selection | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 17) |
| 4/20 | SF 516 | Establishes Budget for Fiscal Year 2018-2019 | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 20) |
| 4/04 | HF 517 | Authorizes Use of Deadly Force when Deemed Necessary | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 17) |
| 3/27 | HF 295 | Prohibits Localities from Increasing Minimum Wage | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 21) |
| 3/23 | HF 516 | Requires Identification to Vote | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 21) |
| 3/09 | HF 295 | Prohibits Localities from Increasing Minimum Wage | Bill Passed - House (56 - 41) |
| 3/09 | HF 516 | Requires Identification to Vote | Bill Passed - House (59 - 40) |
| 3/07 | HF 517 | Authorizes Use of Deadly Force when Deemed Necessary | Bill Passed - House (58 - 39) |
| 3/19 | SF 331 | Authorizes Online Voter Registration | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 20) |
| 3/18 | SF 437 | Authorizes Employees to Take Unpaid Leave to Participate in a Presidential Precinct Caucus | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 24) |
| 4/07 | HF 2462 | Prohibits Confidentiality Agreements in State Employee Settlements | Bill Passed - House (63 - 35) |
| 2/05 | SF 2079 | Increases School Funding | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 23) |
| 5/23 | SF 446 | 2013-2014 Health and Human Services Budget | Conference Report Adopted - House (80 - 17) |
| 5/22 | SF 446 | 2013-2014 Health and Human Services Budget | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (26 - 24) |
| 5/01 | SF 446 | 2013-2014 Health and Human Services Budget | Bill Passed - House (52 - 46) |
| 4/23 | SF 447 | 2013-2014 Justice Department Budget | Bill Passed - House (51 - 46) |
| 4/17 | SF 447 | 2013-2014 Justice Department Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 23) |
| 4/16 | SF 440 | Appropriates Funds for Mental Health Services | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 17) |
| 2/19 | HF 215 | Appropriates Education Funding and Establishes New Programs | Bill Passed - House (52 - 44) |
| 2/14 | SF 162 | Establishes the School Budget Growth for Fiscal Year 2014-2015 | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 22) |
| 1/30 | SF 52 | Establishes the School Budget Growth for Fiscal Year 2013-2014 | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 23) |
| 5/09 | SF 2315 | Amends the Mental Health and Disability Services Program | Conference Report Adopted - House (66 - 31) |
| 5/07 | HF 2475 | Reduces Certain Business Property Taxes | Bill Passed - House (71 - 26) |
| 2/29 | HJR 2009 | Prohibiting Mandatory Licensing and Registration of Guns | Amendment Adopted - House (61 - 37) |
| 4/20 | SF 525 | Revises the Iowa Mental Health System | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 23) |
| 4/14 | HF 682 | Congressional and Legislative Redistricting | Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 1) |
| 4/14 | HF 682 | Congressional and Legislative Redistricting | Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 1) |
| 3/28 | HF 590 | Establishes Economic Programs | Bill Passed - House (66 - 33) |
| 2/17 | HF 260 | House Rule School Governance | Bill Passed - House (65 - 30) |
| 2/17 | HF 260 | House Rule School Governance | Bill Passed - House (65 - 30) |
| 2/16 | SF 166 | Funding for Public Schools | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 24) |
| 2/02 | HF 111 | Purchase of Health Care | Bill Passed - House (59 - 39) |
| 2/01 | HJR 6 | Banning Same Sex Marriage | Amendment Adopted - House (62 - 37) |
| 3/30 | HF 2531 | Appropriations and Tax Law Amendments | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 16) |
| 3/30 | HF 2531 | Appropriations and Tax Law Amendments | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (51 - 48) |
| 3/29 | SF 2389 | Iowa Jobs II Program and Budget Amendments | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 17) |
| 3/29 | SF 2389 | Iowa Jobs II Program and Budget Amendments | Bill Passed - House (52 - 47) |
| 3/26 | S 5340 | Prohibiting Individual Health Care Mandate | Amendment Rejected - Senate (18 - 31) |
| 3/22 | SF 2380 | Tax Law Amendments | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 19) |
| 3/22 | SF 2376 | 2010-2011 Education Budget | Bill Passed - House (55 - 44) |
| 3/22 | Amdt 8522 | Allowing Cuts to Teacher Salary Supplement | Amendment Rejected - House (49 - 50) |
| 3/19 | SF 2380 | Tax Law Amendments | Bill Passed - House (54 - 43) |
| 3/17 | SF 2380 | Tax Law Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 18) |
| 3/16 | SF 2378 | Increase in Fees for Traffic Violations | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 17) |
| 3/16 | SF 2376 | 2010-2011 Education Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 20) |
| 3/10 | Amdt 8381 | Free Self Defense Courses for Domestic Violence Victims | Amendment Rejected - House (44 - 53) |
| 2/17 | Amdt 8140 | Animal Abuse and Neglect Penalties | Amendment Rejected - House (44 - 52) |
| 2/17 | Amdt 8145 | Animal Facility Regulations | Amendment Rejected - House (42 - 53) |
| 2/12 | Amdt 8053 | Omnibus Spending Cuts Amendment | Amendment Rejected - House (43 - 54) |
| 2/04 | SF 2062 | State Worker Retirement Incentive Program | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (41 - 6) |
| 2/01 | SF 2088 | Government Reorganization | Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 15) |
| 1/26 | HF 2110 | Military Spouse Relocation Unemployment Benefits | Bill Passed - House (56 - 44) |
| 1/19 | HF 2030 | School District Budget Requirements | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 16) |
| 1/13 | SF 2033 | Education Law Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 17) |
| 4/25 | SF 477 | Appropriation Bonds | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 18) |