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 27, 2016 | NJ | A 3689 | Requires Justifiable Need for Firearm Permits | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 17) |
| June 27, 2016 | NJ | S 51 | Authorizes Restrictions on Solitary Confinement | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 16) |
| June 16, 2016 | NJ | A 3689 | Requires Justifiable Need for Firearm Permits | Bill Passed - House (46 - 28) |
| June 11, 2015 | NJ | A 3981 | Establishes Alternative Property Tax Payments for Casinos | Bill Passed - House (52 - 20) |
| March 26, 2015 | NJ | A 4103 | Establishes Workforce Training Program for Former Casino Workers | Bill Passed - House (55 - 18) |
| Feb. 5, 2015 | NJ | S 866 | Authorizes Gestational Surrogacy Contracts | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13) |
| Feb. 5, 2015 | NJ | S 866 | Authorizes Gestational Surrogacy Contracts | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13) |
| Oct. 16, 2014 | NJ | S 998 | Prohibits Confinement of Pregnant Pigs in Certain Enclosures | Bill Passed - House (53 - 13) |
| Sept. 15, 2014 | NJ | A 2895 | Establishes a Statewide Firearm Buyback Program | Bill Passed - House (53 - 22) |
| May 22, 2014 | NJ | A 2006 | Reduces the Maximum Capacity of Ammunition Magazines | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (44 - 34) |
| May 12, 2014 | NJ | A 2777 | Amends Firearm Transportation Laws | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 17) |
| May 12, 2014 | NJ | A 2006 | Reduces the Maximum Capacity of Ammunition Magazines | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 17) |
| March 20, 2014 | NJ | A 2777 | Amends Firearm Transportation Laws | Bill Passed - House (43 - 29) |
| June 27, 2013 | NJ | S 2723 | Amends Firearms Identification Card Requirements | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (22 - 16) |
| June 27, 2013 | NJ | A 3371 | Prohibits Sexual Orientation Conversion Therapy for Minors | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 9) |
| June 24, 2013 | NJ | S 2723 | Amends Firearm Identification Card Requirements | Bill Passed - House (43 - 34) |
| June 24, 2013 | NJ | A 3371 | Prohibits Sexual Orientation Conversion Therapy for Minors | Bill Passed - House (56 - 14) |
| May 30, 2013 | NJ | A 3659 | Amends the Definition of Destructive Devices | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 16) |
| May 20, 2013 | NJ | A 3796 | Requires an Individual to Dispose of Unauthorized Firearms Within a Certain Time Period | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (48 - 24) |
| May 20, 2013 | NJ | A 3797 | Requires Certain Firearm Information to be Collected and Reported | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (51 - 27) |
| May 20, 2013 | NJ | A 3797 | Requires Certain Firearm Information to be Collected and Reported | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (51 - 27) |
| May 13, 2013 | NJ | A 3797 | Requires Certain Firearm Information to be Collected and Reported | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 13) |
| May 13, 2013 | NJ | A 3797 | Requires Certain Firearm Information to be Collected and Reported | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 13) |
| May 13, 2013 | NJ | A 3796 | Requires an Individual to Dispose of Unauthorized Firearms Within a Certain Time Period | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 10) |
| March 18, 2013 | NJ | A 3614 | Requires Legislative Approval for State Lottery Changes | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 16) |
| Feb. 21, 2013 | NJ | A 3659 | Amends the Definition of Destructive Devices | Bill Passed - House (46 - 29) |
| Feb. 21, 2013 | NJ | A 3796 | Requires an Individual to Dispose of Unauthorized Firearms Within a Certain Time Period | Bill Passed - House (50 - 22) |
| Feb. 21, 2013 | NJ | A 1329 | Reduces Firearm Magazine Capacity | Bill Passed - House (45 - 30) |
| Feb. 21, 2013 | NJ | A 3748 | Requires Background Checks Prior to the Purchase of Firearms | Bill Passed - House (45 - 29) |
| Jan. 28, 2013 | NJ | A 3614 | Requires Legislative Approval for State Lottery Changes | Bill Passed - House (45 - 29) |
| Dec. 17, 2012 | NJ | A 2578 | Authorizes Internet Gaming at Atlantic City Casinos | Bill Passed - House (48 - 25) |
| Oct. 25, 2012 | NJ | S 1650 | Increases Requirements for Emergency Medical Service Workers | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 16) |
| Aug. 20, 2012 | NJ | A 578 | Authorizes Temporary Immunity for Witnesses and Victims of a Drug Overdose | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 10) |
| Aug. 20, 2012 | NJ | A 578 | Authorizes Temporary Immunity for Witnesses and Victims of a Drug Overdose | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 10) |
| June 21, 2012 | NJ | S 1599 | Amends Surrogacy Laws | Bill Passed - House (41 - 33) |
| June 21, 2012 | NJ | S 1599 | Amends Surrogacy Laws | Bill Passed - House (41 - 33) |
| June 21, 2012 | NJ | S 2001 | Expands Syringe Exchange Program | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 12) |
| May 31, 2012 | NJ | S 1599 | Amends Surrogacy Laws | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 11) |
| May 31, 2012 | NJ | S 1599 | Amends Surrogacy Laws | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 11) |
| Feb. 16, 2012 | NJ | S 1 | Authorizes Same-Sex Marriage | Bill Passed - House (42 - 33) |
| Feb. 13, 2012 | NJ | S 1 | Authorizes Same-Sex Marriage | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 16) |
| Jan. 9, 2012 | NJ | S 958 | Authorizes the Limited Sale of Syringes and Needles Without a Prescription | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (55 - 17) |
| Jan. 9, 2012 | NJ | S 958 | Authorizes the Limited Sale of Syringes and Needles Without a Prescription | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (22 - 9) |
| May 23, 2011 | NJ | S 2899 | Medicaid Coverage for Family Planning Services | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 13) |
| May 9, 2011 | NJ | S 799 | Adopted Individuals' Access to Birth Certificates | Bill Passed - House (45 - 26) |
| May 9, 2011 | NJ | A 3699 | Prohibiting the Burial of Petty's Run Archaeological Excavation Site | Bill Passed - House (45 - 29) |
| Feb. 17, 2011 | NJ | S 958 | Authorizes the Limited Sale of Syringes and Needles Without a Prescription | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 12) |
| Dec. 13, 2010 | NJ | ACR 151 | Concerning Legislative Review of the NJ Medical Marijuana Program | Resolution Passed - Senate (22 - 16) |
| Nov. 22, 2010 | NJ | ACR 151 | Concerning Legislative Review of the NJ Medical Marijuana Program | Resolution Passed - House (48 - 22) |
| Sept. 20, 2010 | NJ | S 2139 | 2010-2011 Supplemental Health Services Budget | Veto Override Failed - Senate (23 - 17) |
| Aug. 23, 2010 | NJ | A 2740 | Requiring Review of New Drivers' Program | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 12) |
| June 29, 2010 | NJ | S 2139 | 2010-2011 Supplemental Health Services Budget | Bill Passed - House (42 - 22) |
| June 28, 2010 | NJ | A 3009 | Professional Sports Team Specialty License Plates | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 17) |
| June 28, 2010 | NJ | S 2105 | Delaying the Effective Date of the Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 5) |
| June 28, 2010 | NJ | S 2139 | 2010-2011 Supplemental Health Services Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 10) |
| June 28, 2010 | NJ | A 3009 | Professional Sports Team Specialty License Plates | Bill Passed - House (41 - 37) |
| June 21, 2010 | NJ | A 2740 | Requiring Review of New Drivers' Program | Bill Passed - House (57 - 21) |
| March 22, 2010 | NJ | S 799 | Adopted Individuals' Access to Birth Certificates | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 10) |
| Jan. 11, 2010 | NJ | S 119 | Legalizing Medical Marijuana | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 13) |
| Jan. 11, 2010 | NJ | S 119 | Legalizing Medical Marijuana | Bill Passed - House (48 - 14) |
| Jan. 11, 2010 | NJ | A 4378 | Exception to the Ban on Former State Employees Working for the Casino Industry | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 13) |
| Jan. 11, 2010 | NJ | A 4378 | Exception to the Ban on Former State Employees Working for the Casino Industry | Bill Passed - House (42 - 31) |
| Jan. 7, 2010 | NJ | A 2762 | Authorizing Reduction of Mandatory Minimum Sentences for Drug Offenses in School Zones | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (46 - 30) |
| Jan. 7, 2010 | NJ | A 2762 | Authorizing Reduction of Mandatory Minimum Sentences for Drug Offenses in School Zones | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (46 - 30) |
| Jan. 7, 2010 | NJ | A 2762 | Authorizing Reduction of Mandatory Minimum Sentences for Drug Offenses in School Zones | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (46 - 30) |
| Jan. 7, 2010 | NJ | S 1967 | Legalizing Same Sex Marriage | Bill Failed - Senate (14 - 20) |
| Jan. 7, 2010 | NJ | S 1967 | Legalizing Same Sex Marriage | Bill Failed - Senate (14 - 20) |
| Dec. 10, 2009 | NJ | A 2762 | Authorizing Reduction of Mandatory Minimum Sentences for Drug Offenses in School Zones | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 11) |
| Dec. 10, 2009 | NJ | A 2762 | Authorizing Reduction of Mandatory Minimum Sentences for Drug Offenses in School Zones | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 11) |
| Dec. 10, 2009 | NJ | A 2762 | Authorizing Reduction of Mandatory Minimum Sentences for Drug Offenses in School Zones | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 11) |
| June 26, 2009 | NJ | A 339 | Handgun Purchasing Limitations | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 15) |
| June 25, 2009 | NJ | A 3101 | Creating Homelessness Trust Funds | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (52 - 27) |
| June 25, 2009 | NJ | A2653 | Fur Labeling | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (52 - 27) |
| June 25, 2009 | NJ | S 1175 | Requiring an After School Activity Plan for School Districts with At-Risk Pupils | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (56 - 18) |
| June 25, 2009 | NJ | S 1880 | Establishing Criminal Sentencing Commission | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (53 - 26) |
| June 18, 2009 | NJ | S 1880 | Establishing Criminal Sentencing Commission | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 7) |
| June 18, 2009 | NJ | A 3101 | Creating Homelessness Trust Funds | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 7) |
| Feb. 23, 2009 | NJ | S 119 | Legalizing Medical Marijuana | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 16) |
| June 23, 2008 | NJ | A 339 | Handgun Purchasing Limitations | Bill Passed - House (47 - 28) |
| June 23, 2008 | NJ | S 1557 | FamilyCare Expansion bill | Bill Passed - House (59 - 18) |
| March 13, 2008 | NJ | A 873 | Extending Family Leave Benefits | Bill Passed - House (46 - 30) |
| March 3, 2008 | NJ | S 786 | Extending Family Leave Benefits | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 16) |
| Jan. 7, 2008 | NJ | A 4314 | Traffic Control Signal Monitoring | Bill Passed - House (49 - 25) |
| Jan. 7, 2008 | NJ | A 4314 | Traffic Control Signal Monitoring | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 11) |
| Jan. 7, 2008 | NJ | A 4314 | Traffic Control Signal Monitoring | Bill Passed - House (49 - 25) |
| Jan. 7, 2008 | NJ | A 4314 | Traffic Control Signal Monitoring | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 11) |
| Jan. 7, 2008 | NJ | S 176 | Expanding Damages for Wrongful Death | Bill Passed - House (41 - 32) |
| Jan. 7, 2008 | NJ | S 176 | Expanding Damages for Wrongful Death | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 11) |
| Dec. 13, 2007 | NJ | S 171 | Eliminating the Death Penalty | Bill Passed - House (44 - 36) |
| Dec. 10, 2007 | NJ | S 171 | Eliminating the Death Penalty | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 16) |
| July 8, 2006 | NJ | A 4714 | Fur Clothing Tax | Bill Passed - House (44 - 32) |
| July 8, 2006 | NJ | A 4714 | Fur Clothing Tax | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19) |
| March 2, 2006 | NJ | A 798 | New Jersey Uniform Common Interest Ownership Act | Bill Passed - House (55 - 14) |
| Jan. 9, 2006 | NJ | S 2083 | Domestic Partner Surviving Rights | Bill Passed - House (67 - 8) |
| Jan. 9, 2006 | NJ | S 2083 | Domestic Partner Surviving Rights | Bill Passed - House (67 - 8) |
| Jan. 9, 2006 | NJ | S 2083 | Domestic Partner Surviving Rights | Bill Passed - House (67 - 8) |
| Jan. 9, 2006 | NJ | S 2783 | Age Restrictions for the Purchase of Tobacco Products | Bill Passed - House (58 - 16) |