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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| July 30, 2020 | NJ | S 971 | Authorizes Compensation for College Athletes | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 9) |
| July 30, 2020 | NJ | S 19 | Establishes Juneteenth Day as a Public Holiday | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (35 - 3) |
| July 30, 2020 | NJ | S 971 | Authorizes Compensation for College Athletes | Bill Passed - House (56 - 16) |
| July 30, 2020 | NJ | A 1076 | Requires Attorney General to Collect and Report Prosecutorial and Criminal Justice Data | Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 0) |
| July 30, 2020 | NJ | A 3641 | Requires Cultural Diversity and Implicit Bias Training for Law Officers | Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 0) |
| July 30, 2020 | NJ | A 1906 | Establishes Crime of False 911 Calls with Purpose to Intimidate or Harass Based on Race | Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 0) |
| July 30, 2020 | NJ | A 1906 | Establishes Crime of False 911 Calls with Purpose to Intimidate or Harass Based on Race | Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 0) |
| July 30, 2020 | NJ | A 1076 | Requires Attorney General to Collect and Report Prosecutorial and Criminal Justice Data | Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 0) |
| July 30, 2020 | NJ | AR 178 | Requires the Removal of Confederate Statues From the Capitol | Resolution Passed - House (55 - 1) |
| July 30, 2020 | NJ | A 4369 | Repeals Mandatory Minimum Prison Terms For Certain Offenses | Bill Passed - House (52 - 19) |
| July 30, 2020 | NJ | S 419 | Requires Cultural Diversity Training for Law Enforcement Officers | Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 0) |
| July 30, 2020 | NJ | A 1254 | Establishes Parole for Nonviolent Offenders Age 65 and Older | Bill Passed - House (60 - 12) |
| July 30, 2020 | NJ | A 4370 | Repeals Mandatory Minimum Terms of Parole Ineligibility for Nonviolent Drug Crimes | Bill Passed - House (51 - 21) |
| July 30, 2020 | NJ | A 4370 | Repeals Mandatory Minimum Terms of Parole Ineligibility for Nonviolent Drug Crimes | Bill Passed - House (51 - 21) |
| July 30, 2020 | NJ | S 419 | Requires Cultural Diversity Training for Law Enforcement Officers | Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 0) |
| July 30, 2020 | NJ | S 419 | Requires Cultural Diversity Training for Law Enforcement Officers | Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 0) |
| July 30, 2020 | NJ | A 4170 | Limits the Use of Data Collected for Purposes of COVID-19 Contact Tracing | Bill Passed - House (55 - 18) |
| July 30, 2020 | NJ | A 4372 | Authorizes Resentencing of Certain Inmates | Bill Passed - House (47 - 24) |
| June 29, 2020 | NJ | S 2455 | Prohibits Lawful Presence as Qualification for Occupational License | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 11) |
| June 18, 2020 | NJ | A 2394 | Establishes Minority Recruitment Program for Police Departments | Bill Passed - House (70 - 3) |
| June 18, 2020 | NJ | A 1897 | Reduces Criminal Penalty for Marijuana Possession | Bill Passed - House (63 - 10) |
| June 18, 2020 | NJ | A 2394 | Establishes Minority Recruitment Program for Police Departments | Bill Passed - House (70 - 3) |
| April 13, 2020 | NJ | S 2331 | Establishes Assistance for Reentry Benefits for Inmates | Bill Passed - House (52 - 26) |
| Jan. 13, 2020 | NJ | S 758 | Requires Incarcerated Individuals Count in Legislative Redistricting | Bill Passed - House (54 - 22) |
| Jan. 13, 2020 | NJ | S 758 | Requires Incarcerated Individuals Count in Legislative Redistricting | Bill Passed - House (54 - 22) |
| Dec. 16, 2019 | NJ | A 5823 | Authorizes Automatic Voter Registration for Individuals Released from Prison | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 17) |
| Dec. 16, 2019 | NJ | A 5823 | Authorizes Automatic Voter Registration for Individuals Released from Prison | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 17) |
| Dec. 16, 2019 | NJ | A 4260 | Prohibits the Sale of Certain Toy Guns or Imitation Firearms | Bill Passed - House (54 - 19) |
| Nov. 25, 2019 | NJ | S 761 | Establishes Inmate Re-Entry Plans | Bill Passed - House (55 - 16) |
| Nov. 25, 2019 | NJ | S 2055 | Authorizes Student Financial Aid for Incarcerated Persons | Bill Passed - House (41 - 27) |
| Nov. 25, 2019 | NJ | S 2905 | Prohibits Sale of Shark Fins | Bill Passed - House (54 - 19) |
| Nov. 25, 2019 | NJ | A 5823 | Authorizes Automatic Voter Registration for Individuals Released from Prison | Bill Passed - House (48 - 24) |
| Nov. 25, 2019 | NJ | A 5816 | Reduces the Penalty for Certain Parole Violations | Bill Passed - House (47 - 24) |
| Nov. 25, 2019 | NJ | A 5823 | Authorizes Automatic Voter Registration for Individuals Released from Prison | Bill Passed - House (48 - 24) |
| Nov. 25, 2019 | NJ | A 1796 | Prohibits a "Gay Panic" Legal Defense | Bill Passed - House (74 - 0) |
| Nov. 25, 2019 | NJ | A 1796 | Prohibits a "Gay Panic" Legal Defense | Bill Passed - House (74 - 0) |
| June 25, 2019 | NJ | S 761 | Establishes Inmate Re-Entry Plans | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 11) |
| June 20, 2019 | NJ | S 101 | Requires Firearm Retailers to Sell Personalized Handguns | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 12) |
| June 20, 2019 | NJ | S 824 | Requires Ignition interlock Devices for Sentenced Drunk Drivers | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 5) |
| June 20, 2019 | NJ | S 101 | Requires Firearm Retailers to Sell Personalized Handguns | Bill Passed - House (49 - 23) |
| June 20, 2019 | NJ | S 3897 | Prohibits Persons Convicted of Certain Crimes from Purchasing Guns | Bill Passed - House (58 - 10) |
| June 20, 2019 | NJ | A 314 | Amends Solitary Confinement Procedures | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 4) |
| June 20, 2019 | NJ | A 4135 | Establishes Procedures for Digital Parking Meters and a Fund for Encouraging Designated Drivers | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12) |
| June 20, 2019 | NJ | A 5453 | Increases Penalties for Illegal Firearm Transfers | Bill Passed - House (59 - 10) |
| June 20, 2019 | NJ | A 5455 | Amends Ammunition Sale Regulations | Bill Passed - House (51 - 18) |
| June 20, 2019 | NJ | A 3696 | Amends Firearms Storage Regulations | Bill Passed - Senate (54 - 18) |
| June 20, 2019 | NJ | A 5452 | Amends Firearm Identification and Training Requirements | Bill Passed - House (45 - 24) |
| June 20, 2019 | NJ | A 314 | Amends Solitary Confinement Procedures | Bill Passed - House (49 - 24) |
| March 25, 2019 | NJ | S 1080 | Establishes Conditions for Restricted Usage of Suspended or Revoked Driver's Licenses | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 10) |
| March 14, 2019 | NJ | S 477 | Increases Statutes of Limitation for Sexual Abuse Victims | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 1) |
| Feb. 21, 2019 | NJ | S 758 | Requires Incarcerated Individuals Count in Legislative Redistricting | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 10) |
| Feb. 21, 2019 | NJ | S 758 | Requires Incarcerated Individuals Count in Legislative Redistricting | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 10) |
| Jan. 31, 2019 | NJ | A 4135 | Establishes Procedures for Digital Parking Meters and a Fund for Encouraging Designated Drivers | Bill Passed - House (55 - 20) |
| Jan. 31, 2019 | NJ | S 1784 | Expands State Medicaid Program to Include Doula Maternity Care Coverage | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 6) |
| Dec. 17, 2018 | NJ | S 1036 | Requires Attorney General to Appoint an Independent Prosecutor | Bill Passed - House (41 - 34) |
| Dec. 17, 2018 | NJ | S 1036 | Requires Attorney General to Appoint an Independent Prosecutor | Bill Passed - House (41 - 34) |
| Oct. 29, 2018 | NJ | S 2465 | Prohibits 3D Printed Firearms | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 0) |
| Sept. 27, 2018 | NJ | A 2762 | Amends Temporary Disability Leave Law | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (70 - 8) |
| July 26, 2018 | NJ | S 2846 | Authorizes Police to Carry High Capacity Magazines | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 0) |
| June 25, 2018 | NJ | A 3861 | Amends Unemployment Insurance Law | (23 - 14) |
| June 25, 2018 | NJ | S 2532 | Requires Corrections Officers to Complete 4 Hours of Sexual Assault Prevention Training | Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 0) |
| June 25, 2018 | NJ | S 2055 | Authorizes Student Financial Aid for Incarcerated Persons | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 10) |
| June 21, 2018 | NJ | ACR 180 | Recommends Congressional Support for Keep Families Together Act | Bill Passed - House (60 - 4) |
| June 21, 2018 | NJ | S 1074 | Requires Public Access to Beaches | Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 4) |
| June 21, 2018 | NJ | A 3861 | Amends Unemployment Insurance Law | (48 - 25) |
| June 7, 2018 | NJ | A 1217 | Authorizes Extreme Risk Protective Orders | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (56 - 11) |
| June 7, 2018 | NJ | A 2761 | Prohibits Firearm Magazines with More than 10 Rounds | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (45 - 20) |
| June 7, 2018 | NJ | A 1217 | Authorizes Extreme Risk Protective Orders | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 5) |
| June 7, 2018 | NJ | A 2761 | Prohibits Firearm Magazines with More than 10 Rounds | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 13) |
| June 7, 2018 | NJ | A 2758 | Requires Justifiable Need to Carry a Handgun | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 13) |
| June 7, 2018 | NJ | A 4111 | Amends Online Gambling Laws | Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 0) |
| June 7, 2018 | NJ | A 1181 | Amends Various Firearm Confiscation Measures | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 5) |
| June 7, 2018 | NJ | A 2757 | Requires Background Checks for Private Gun Sales | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 3) |
| June 7, 2018 | NJ | S 121 | Prohibits Non-Disclosure Agreements Regarding Workplace Harassment | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 1) |
| May 24, 2018 | NJ | S 493 | Authorizes Transgender Death Certificates | Bill Passed - House (57 - 10) |
| April 12, 2018 | NJ | S 122 | Authorizes Tax Credits for Film Production | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 3) |
| April 12, 2018 | NJ | S 122 | Authorizes Tax Credits for Film Production | Bill Passed - House (59 - 14) |
| April 12, 2018 | NJ | A 3686 | Increases State Protections for Labor Unions | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 9) |
| April 12, 2018 | NJ | A 1827 | Requires Employers to Provide Paid Sick Leave | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 12) |
| April 12, 2018 | NJ | S 699 | Authorizes Financial Aid for Undocumented Students | Bill Passed - House (49 - 24) |
| April 12, 2018 | NJ | A 3686 | Increases State Protections for Labor Unions | Bill Passed - House (50 - 22) |
| April 12, 2018 | NJ | A 764 | Requires Panic Alarms in Public Schools | Bill Passed - House (66 - 6) |
| March 26, 2018 | NJ | A 2761 | Prohibits Firearm Magazines with More than 10 Rounds | Bill Passed - House (48 - 25) |
| March 26, 2018 | NJ | A 2757 | Requires Background Checks for Private Gun Sales | Bill Passed - House (62 - 10) |
| March 26, 2018 | NJ | A 1827 | Requires Employers to Provide Paid Sick Leave | Bill Passed - House (50 - 24) |
| March 26, 2018 | NJ | S 699 | Authorizes Financial Aid for Undocumented Students | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 10) |
| March 26, 2018 | NJ | S 482 | Authorizes Couples to Enter Into Legally Binding Agreements with Surrogate Mothers | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 10) |
| March 26, 2018 | NJ | A 1181 | Amends Various Firearm Confiscation Measures | Bill Passed - House (62 - 7) |
| March 26, 2018 | NJ | S 1036 | Requires Attorney General to Appoint an Independent Prosecutor | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 11) |
| March 26, 2018 | NJ | A 1217 | Authorizes Extreme Risk Protective Orders | Bill Passed - House (59 - 12) |
| March 26, 2018 | NJ | S 1036 | Requires Attorney General to Appoint an Independent Prosecutor | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 11) |
| March 26, 2018 | NJ | A 2758 | Requires Justifiable Need to Carry a Handgun | Bill Passed - House (48 - 26) |
| Feb. 26, 2018 | NJ | S 493 | Authorizes Transgender Death Certificates | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 4) |
| Feb. 26, 2018 | NJ | S 478 | Authorizes Birth Certificate Gender Changes | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 7) |
| June 19, 2017 | NJ | S 3067 | Prohibits Transgender Discrimination in Schools | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 10) |
| May 22, 2017 | NJ | A 3532 | Establishes Fantasy Sports Regulations | Bill Passed - House (56 - 16) |
| March 23, 2017 | NJ | S 3006 | Prohibits Blocking Entry of Individuals from Certain Countries | Bill Passed - House (48 - 25) |
| March 13, 2017 | NJ | A 3091 | Prohibits Marriage for Individuals Under 18 | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 5) |
| Feb. 13, 2017 | NJ | S 3006 | Prohibits Blocking Entry of Individuals from Certain Countries | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 13) |
| Oct. 20, 2016 | NJ | S 51 | Authorizes Restrictions on Solitary Confinement | Bill Passed - House (45 - 26) |