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 12, 2013 | ME | LD 1066 | Expands Medicaid Coverage | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (97 - 51) |
| June 11, 2013 | ME | LD 1286 | Prohibits Slaughter of Horses for Human Consumption | "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (94 - 49) |
| May 28, 2013 | ME | LD 468 | Prohibits Smoking on College Campuses | Veto Override Failed - House (85 - 54) |
| May 23, 2013 | ME | LD 1546 | Expands Medicaid and Authorizes Liquor Operation Bonds | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15) |
| May 22, 2013 | ME | LD 1546 | Expands Medicaid and Authorizes Liquor Operation Bonds | Bill Passed - House (87 - 56) |
| May 8, 2013 | ME | LD 115 | Prohibits the Sale of Gasoline Containing Corn-Based Ethanol | Bill Passed - House (109 - 32) |
| April 30, 2013 | ME | SP 550 | Alleges Support For Comprehensive Immigration Reform | Joint Resolution Passed - House (88 - 55) |
| April 30, 2013 | ME | SP 548 | Urges Congress to Adopt a Constitutional Amendment Regarding Campaign Finance | Joint Resolution Passed - House (111 - 31) |
| April 30, 2013 | ME | LD 134 | Reduces Size of State Legislature | "Ought Not to Pass" Report Adopted - House (113 - 30) |
| April 30, 2013 | ME | SP 548 | Urges Congress to Adopt a Constitutional Amendment Regarding Campaign Finance | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (25 - 9) |
| April 30, 2013 | ME | SP 550 | Alleges Support For Comprehensive Immigration Reform | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (22 - 12) |
| April 24, 2013 | ME | LD 405 | Increases the Maximum Vehicle Registration Fee | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11) |
| April 23, 2013 | ME | LD 405 | Increases the Maximum Vehicle Registration Fee | Bill Passed - House (89 - 57) |
| April 3, 2013 | ME | LD 272 | Prohibits the Use of Tanning Facilities by Minors | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 16) |
| April 2, 2013 | ME | LD 611 | Increases Minimum Wage | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 16) |
| April 2, 2013 | ME | LD 272 | Prohibits the Use of Tanning Facilities by Minors | Bill Passed - House (91 - 56) |
| March 27, 2013 | ME | LD 611 | Increases Minimum Wage | Bill Passed - House (86 - 58) |
| Feb. 19, 2013 | ME | LD 576 | Prohibits the Public Access of Concealed Handgun Permit Information | Bill Passed - House (129 - 11) |
| April 14, 2012 | ME | LD 1913 | Worker's Compensation Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 13) |
| April 14, 2012 | ME | LD 1913 | Worker's Compensation Amendments | Bill Passed - House (71 - 69) |
| April 11, 2012 | ME | LD 1810 | Regulatory Takings | Bill Passed - House (74 - 72) |
| March 12, 2012 | ME | LD 1603 | Authorizes State Employees to Keep Concealed Firearms in Vehicles | Bill Passed - House (84 - 55) |
| March 8, 2012 | ME | LD 1774 | Campaign Finance Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 15) |
| June 10, 2011 | ME | LD 1376 | Repeal Same-Day Voter Registration | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 14) |
| June 9, 2011 | ME | LD 1376 | Repeals Same-Day Voter Registration | Bill Passed - House (72 - 65) |
| June 8, 2011 | ME | LD 1046 | Transgender Discrimination Law Amendments | "Ought to Pass" Report Not Adopted - Senate (11 - 23) |
| June 7, 2011 | ME | LD 1463 | Penalties for Violent Offenses Against Fetuses | "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Not Adopted - House (66 - 81) |
| June 7, 2011 | ME | LD 1046 | Transgender Discrimination Law Amendments | "Ought to Pass" Report Not Adopted - House (61 - 81) |
| June 6, 2011 | ME | LD 1463 | Penalties for Violent Offenses Against Fetuses | "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Not Adopted - Senate (15 - 18) |
| May 31, 2011 | ME | LD 804 | Proposal to Create a Unicameral State Legislature | "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Adopted - House (78 - 66) |
| May 16, 2011 | ME | LD 1333 | Health Care Coverage Policy Changes | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 10) |
| May 12, 2011 | ME | LD 1333 | Health Care Coverage Policy Changes | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (78 - 68) |
| April 12, 2010 | ME | LD 1826 | Bond Authorization | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (102 - 44) |
| April 12, 2010 | ME | LD 1826 | Bond Authorization | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 5) |
| April 7, 2010 | ME | LD 1826 | Bond Authorization | Bill Failed - Senate (19 - 16) |
| April 7, 2010 | ME | LD 1826 | Bond Authorization | Bill Passed - House (100 - 48) |
| April 6, 2010 | ME | LD 1611 | State Prison Solitary Confinement Review | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (78 - 67) |
| April 6, 2010 | ME | LD 1830 | Suspending Tax Law Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14) |
| April 6, 2010 | ME | LD 1830 | Suspending Tax Law Amendments | Bill Passed - House (91 - 53) |
| April 5, 2010 | ME | LD 1611 | State Prison Solitary Confinement Review | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 15) |
| March 26, 2010 | ME | LD 1552 | Repealing Maine Tree Growth Program Eligibility for Use of "Bonded Laborers" | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (70 - 68) |
| March 26, 2010 | ME | LD 1552 | Repealing Maine Tree Growth Program Eligibility for Use of "Bonded Laborers" | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 13) |
| March 26, 2010 | ME | LD 1706 | Requiring Cell Phone Radiation Warning Label | Bill Failed - Senate (14 - 20) |
| March 25, 2010 | ME | LD 1706 | Requiring Cell Phone Radiation Warning Label | Bill Failed - House (62 - 83) |
| March 17, 2010 | ME | LD 821 | Prescription Drug Disposal Program | Bill Passed - House (91 - 51) |
| Feb. 2, 2010 | ME | LD 56 | National Popular Vote Act | Bill Failed - House (50 - 95) |
| June 12, 2009 | ME | LD 977 | Repealing School District Consolidation | "Ought Not to Pass" Report Adopted - House (74 - 69) |
| June 11, 2009 | ME | LD 1259 | Menu Labeling | Bill Passed - House (85 - 59) |
| June 11, 2009 | ME | LD 1259 | Menu Labeling | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 14) |
| June 9, 2009 | ME | LD 285 | Delay of School District Consolidation Penalties | Bill Passed - House (110 - 36) |
| Date | No. | Title | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6/12 | LD 1066 | Expands Medicaid Coverage | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (97 - 51) |
| 6/11 | LD 1286 | Prohibits Slaughter of Horses for Human Consumption | "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (94 - 49) |
| 5/28 | LD 468 | Prohibits Smoking on College Campuses | Veto Override Failed - House (85 - 54) |
| 5/23 | LD 1546 | Expands Medicaid and Authorizes Liquor Operation Bonds | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15) |
| 5/22 | LD 1546 | Expands Medicaid and Authorizes Liquor Operation Bonds | Bill Passed - House (87 - 56) |
| 5/08 | LD 115 | Prohibits the Sale of Gasoline Containing Corn-Based Ethanol | Bill Passed - House (109 - 32) |
| 4/30 | SP 550 | Alleges Support For Comprehensive Immigration Reform | Joint Resolution Passed - House (88 - 55) |
| 4/30 | SP 548 | Urges Congress to Adopt a Constitutional Amendment Regarding Campaign Finance | Joint Resolution Passed - House (111 - 31) |
| 4/30 | LD 134 | Reduces Size of State Legislature | "Ought Not to Pass" Report Adopted - House (113 - 30) |
| 4/30 | SP 548 | Urges Congress to Adopt a Constitutional Amendment Regarding Campaign Finance | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (25 - 9) |
| 4/30 | SP 550 | Alleges Support For Comprehensive Immigration Reform | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (22 - 12) |
| 4/24 | LD 405 | Increases the Maximum Vehicle Registration Fee | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11) |
| 4/23 | LD 405 | Increases the Maximum Vehicle Registration Fee | Bill Passed - House (89 - 57) |
| 4/03 | LD 272 | Prohibits the Use of Tanning Facilities by Minors | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 16) |
| 4/02 | LD 611 | Increases Minimum Wage | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 16) |
| 4/02 | LD 272 | Prohibits the Use of Tanning Facilities by Minors | Bill Passed - House (91 - 56) |
| 3/27 | LD 611 | Increases Minimum Wage | Bill Passed - House (86 - 58) |
| 2/19 | LD 576 | Prohibits the Public Access of Concealed Handgun Permit Information | Bill Passed - House (129 - 11) |
| 4/14 | LD 1913 | Worker's Compensation Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 13) |
| 4/14 | LD 1913 | Worker's Compensation Amendments | Bill Passed - House (71 - 69) |
| 4/11 | LD 1810 | Regulatory Takings | Bill Passed - House (74 - 72) |
| 3/12 | LD 1603 | Authorizes State Employees to Keep Concealed Firearms in Vehicles | Bill Passed - House (84 - 55) |
| 3/08 | LD 1774 | Campaign Finance Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 15) |
| 6/10 | LD 1376 | Repeal Same-Day Voter Registration | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 14) |
| 6/09 | LD 1376 | Repeals Same-Day Voter Registration | Bill Passed - House (72 - 65) |
| 6/08 | LD 1046 | Transgender Discrimination Law Amendments | "Ought to Pass" Report Not Adopted - Senate (11 - 23) |
| 6/07 | LD 1463 | Penalties for Violent Offenses Against Fetuses | "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Not Adopted - House (66 - 81) |
| 6/07 | LD 1046 | Transgender Discrimination Law Amendments | "Ought to Pass" Report Not Adopted - House (61 - 81) |
| 6/06 | LD 1463 | Penalties for Violent Offenses Against Fetuses | "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Not Adopted - Senate (15 - 18) |
| 5/31 | LD 804 | Proposal to Create a Unicameral State Legislature | "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Adopted - House (78 - 66) |
| 5/16 | LD 1333 | Health Care Coverage Policy Changes | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 10) |
| 5/12 | LD 1333 | Health Care Coverage Policy Changes | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (78 - 68) |
| 4/12 | LD 1826 | Bond Authorization | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (102 - 44) |
| 4/12 | LD 1826 | Bond Authorization | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 5) |
| 4/07 | LD 1826 | Bond Authorization | Bill Failed - Senate (19 - 16) |
| 4/07 | LD 1826 | Bond Authorization | Bill Passed - House (100 - 48) |
| 4/06 | LD 1611 | State Prison Solitary Confinement Review | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (78 - 67) |
| 4/06 | LD 1830 | Suspending Tax Law Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14) |
| 4/06 | LD 1830 | Suspending Tax Law Amendments | Bill Passed - House (91 - 53) |
| 4/05 | LD 1611 | State Prison Solitary Confinement Review | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 15) |
| 3/26 | LD 1552 | Repealing Maine Tree Growth Program Eligibility for Use of "Bonded Laborers" | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (70 - 68) |
| 3/26 | LD 1552 | Repealing Maine Tree Growth Program Eligibility for Use of "Bonded Laborers" | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 13) |
| 3/26 | LD 1706 | Requiring Cell Phone Radiation Warning Label | Bill Failed - Senate (14 - 20) |
| 3/25 | LD 1706 | Requiring Cell Phone Radiation Warning Label | Bill Failed - House (62 - 83) |
| 3/17 | LD 821 | Prescription Drug Disposal Program | Bill Passed - House (91 - 51) |
| 2/02 | LD 56 | National Popular Vote Act | Bill Failed - House (50 - 95) |
| 6/12 | LD 977 | Repealing School District Consolidation | "Ought Not to Pass" Report Adopted - House (74 - 69) |
| 6/11 | LD 1259 | Menu Labeling | Bill Passed - House (85 - 59) |
| 6/11 | LD 1259 | Menu Labeling | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 14) |
| 6/09 | LD 285 | Delay of School District Consolidation Penalties | Bill Passed - House (110 - 36) |