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 8, 2012 | VA | SB 1 | Requires Photo Identification to Vote | Bill Passed - House (66 - 31) |
| Feb. 22, 2012 | VA | SB 349 | Authorizing Private Adoption Agencies to Refuse Certain Placements | Bill Passed - House (71 - 28) |
| Feb. 22, 2012 | VA | SB 323 | Repeals Purchase Limit for Handguns | Bill Passed - House (64 - 32) |
| Feb. 22, 2012 | VA | SB 349 | Authorizing Private Adoption Agencies to Refuse Certain Placements | Bill Passed - House (71 - 28) |
| Feb. 14, 2012 | VA | HB 1060 | Requires Law Enforcement to Ask About Immigration Status During an Arrest | Bill Passed - House (75 - 25) |
| Feb. 14, 2012 | VA | HB 1060 | Requires Law Enforcement to Ask About Immigration Status During an Arrest | Bill Passed - House (75 - 25) |
| Feb. 9, 2012 | VA | HB 48 | Authorizing Physical Force Against Intruders | Bill Passed - House (70 - 28) |
| Feb. 9, 2012 | VA | HB 14 | Provides Civil Immunity for the Use of Force Against Intruders | Bill Passed - House (75 - 22) |
| Feb. 9, 2012 | VA | HB 14 | Provides Civil Immunity for the Use of Force Against Intruders | Bill Passed - House (75 - 22) |
| Feb. 9, 2012 | VA | HB 48 | Authorizing Physical Force Against Intruders | Bill Passed - House (70 - 28) |
| Feb. 8, 2012 | VA | HB 947 | Authorizes Home-Schooled Students to Participate in Interscholastic Programs | Bill Passed - House (59 - 39) |
| Feb. 3, 2012 | VA | HB 189 | Authorizes Adoption Agencies to Refuse Adoptions for Religious Reasons | Bill Passed - House (71 - 28) |
| Feb. 3, 2012 | VA | HB 189 | Authorizes Adoption Agencies to Refuse Adoptions for Religious Reasons | Bill Passed - House (71 - 28) |
| Feb. 1, 2012 | VA | HB 9 | Voter Identification Requirements | Bill Passed - House (69 - 30) |
| Feb. 1, 2012 | VA | HB 940 | Repeals Purchase Limit for Handguns | Bill Passed - House (66 - 32) |
| Feb. 8, 2011 | VA | HB 1465 | Excludes Undocumented Immigrants from Public Universities | Bill Passed - House (75 - 24) |
| Feb. 8, 2011 | VA | HB 2332 | Citizenship of Arrestee | Bill Passed - House (68 - 31) |
| Feb. 1, 2011 | VA | HJ 593 | Free Exercise of Religion | Amendment Adopted - House (61 - 33) |
| April 21, 2010 | VA | Amdt 28 | Reducing Funding for Comprehensive Services for At Risk Youth and Families | Amendment Rejected - House (25 - 69) |
| March 11, 2010 | VA | HB 505 | Authorizing Concealed Firearms in Establishments that Serve Alcohol | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (69 - 27) |
| March 11, 2010 | VA | HB 885 | Authorizing Concealed Firearms in Vehicles | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (69 - 28) |
| March 9, 2010 | VA | SB 66 | Prohibiting Sexual Orientation Discrimination in State Government Employment | Motion Agreed - House (55 - 42) |
| March 9, 2010 | VA | SB 66 | Prohibiting Sexual Orientation Discrimination in State Government Employment | Motion Agreed - House (55 - 42) |
| March 2, 2010 | VA | SB 408 | Gun Regulation Modifications | Bill Passed - House (74 - 25) |
| March 2, 2010 | VA | SB 334 | Authorizing Concealed Handguns in Establishments that Serve Alcohol | Bill Passed - House (72 - 27) |
| Feb. 10, 2010 | VA | HB 53 | Ban on Required Human Microchip Implantation | Bill Passed - House (88 - 9) |
| Feb. 3, 2010 | VA | HB 502 | Expanding Death Penalty Eligibility to Accomplices | Bill Passed - House (74 - 24) |
| Feb. 25, 2009 | VA | SB 961 | Expanding Death Penalty Eligibility to Accomplices | Bill Passed - House (74 - 26) |
| Feb. 24, 2009 | VA | SB 1035 | Allowing Guns in Alcohol-Serving Establishments | Bill Passed - House (66 - 33) |
| Feb. 19, 2009 | VA | SB 1105 | Prohibiting Smoking in Restaurants | Conference Report Adopted - House (60 - 39) |
| Feb. 9, 2009 | VA | SB 1105 | Prohibiting Smoking in Restaurants | Bill Passed - House (59 - 39) |
| Feb. 5, 2009 | VA | HB 1826 | Driver's License Suspension for Unexcused School Absences | Bill Passed - House (68 - 28) |
| Feb. 5, 2009 | VA | HB 1826 | Driver's License Suspension for Unexcused School Absences | Bill Passed - House (68 - 28) |
| Feb. 4, 2009 | VA | HB 2314 | Allowing Police Chaplains to Conduct Sectarian Prayer | Bill Passed - House (66 - 30) |
| Feb. 21, 2008 | VA | SB 436 | Concealed Weapons in Vehicles | Bill Passed - House (69 - 29) |
| Feb. 21, 2008 | VA | SB 476 | Prohibiting Drinking with a Concealed Weapon | Bill Passed - House (62 - 36) |
| Feb. 8, 2008 | VA | HB 933 | "Triggerman Rule" in Capital Murder Cases | Bill Passed - House (77 - 21) |
| Jan. 21, 2008 | VA | HB 188 | HPV Vaccine Deadline Extension | Bill Passed - House (57 - 39) |
| Jan. 21, 2008 | VA | HB 188 | HPV Vaccine Deadline Extension | Bill Passed - House (57 - 39) |
| April 4, 2007 | VA | Sub HB 2750 | Capital Murder of a Judge | Veto Override Passed - House (82 - 18) |
| April 4, 2007 | VA | Sub HB 2348 | Extension of "Triggerman Rule" | Veto Override Passed - House (79 - 21) |
| April 4, 2007 | VA | HB 2347 | Capital Murder of a Witness | Veto Override Passed - House (83 - 16) |
| April 4, 2007 | VA | Governor's Recommendation: Restaurant Smoking Ban | Amendment Rejected - House (40 - 59) | |
| Feb. 21, 2007 | VA | H Sub | Refusal of Medical Treatment for Children | Bill Passed - House (89 - 9) |
| Feb. 16, 2007 | VA | Sub SB 1204 | In-State Tuition for Undocumented Immigrants | Bill Passed - House (81 - 16) |
| Feb. 5, 2007 | VA | Sub HB 2035 | HPV Vaccination | Bill Passed - House (80 - 17) |
| Feb. 1, 2007 | VA | Sub HB 2623 | Denying In-State Tuition to Undocumented Immigrants | Bill Passed - House (74 - 23) |
| Jan. 30, 2007 | VA | Sub HB 1727 | Participation in School Clubs | Bill Passed - House (82 - 15) |
| Jan. 26, 2007 | VA | Sub HB 1665 | Forced or Coerced Abortion Ban | Bill Passed - House (71 - 27) |
| April 19, 2006 | VA | HB 493 | High School Baccalaureate Ceremonies | Veto Override Failed - House (60 - 36) |
| April 19, 2006 | VA | HB 1106 | Possession of Concealed Weapons | Veto Override Failed - House (61 - 36) |
| April 19, 2006 | VA | Governor's Recommendation: DMV Voter Registration Requirements | Amendment Rejected - House (27 - 70) | |
| April 11, 2006 | VA | Amdt Item 391-4h | New Anti-Gang Initiatives Funding Amendment | Amendment Adopted - House (59 - 36) |
| March 7, 2006 | VA | SB 526 | Defining Marriage | Bill Passed - House (85 - 12) |
| March 7, 2006 | VA | SB 526 | Defining Marriage | Bill Passed - House (85 - 12) |
| March 7, 2006 | VA | SB 526 | Defining Marriage | Bill Passed - House (85 - 12) |
| Feb. 14, 2006 | VA | Sub HB 1048 | Employment of Undocumented Immigrants | Bill Passed - House (77 - 22) |
| Feb. 14, 2006 | VA | Sub HB 1048 | Employment of Undocumented Immigrants | Bill Passed - House (77 - 22) |
| Feb. 13, 2006 | VA | HB 782 | Second-Degree Murder Charges | Bill Passed - House (83 - 16) |
| Feb. 3, 2006 | VA | HB 45 | Death Penalty Age Restrictions | Bill Passed - House (63 - 34) |
| Feb. 3, 2006 | VA | HB 45 | Death Penalty Age Restrictions | Bill Passed - House (63 - 34) |
| Feb. 2, 2006 | VA | Sub HB 262 | College Admission for Undocumented Immigrants | Bill Passed - House (67 - 33) |
| Feb. 2, 2006 | VA | HB 1050 | In-State Tuition for Undocumented Immigrants | Bill Passed - House (76 - 23) |
| Date | No. | Title | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3/08 | SB 1 | Requires Photo Identification to Vote | Bill Passed - House (66 - 31) |
| 2/22 | SB 349 | Authorizing Private Adoption Agencies to Refuse Certain Placements | Bill Passed - House (71 - 28) |
| 2/22 | SB 323 | Repeals Purchase Limit for Handguns | Bill Passed - House (64 - 32) |
| 2/22 | SB 349 | Authorizing Private Adoption Agencies to Refuse Certain Placements | Bill Passed - House (71 - 28) |
| 2/14 | HB 1060 | Requires Law Enforcement to Ask About Immigration Status During an Arrest | Bill Passed - House (75 - 25) |
| 2/14 | HB 1060 | Requires Law Enforcement to Ask About Immigration Status During an Arrest | Bill Passed - House (75 - 25) |
| 2/09 | HB 48 | Authorizing Physical Force Against Intruders | Bill Passed - House (70 - 28) |
| 2/09 | HB 14 | Provides Civil Immunity for the Use of Force Against Intruders | Bill Passed - House (75 - 22) |
| 2/09 | HB 14 | Provides Civil Immunity for the Use of Force Against Intruders | Bill Passed - House (75 - 22) |
| 2/09 | HB 48 | Authorizing Physical Force Against Intruders | Bill Passed - House (70 - 28) |
| 2/08 | HB 947 | Authorizes Home-Schooled Students to Participate in Interscholastic Programs | Bill Passed - House (59 - 39) |
| 2/03 | HB 189 | Authorizes Adoption Agencies to Refuse Adoptions for Religious Reasons | Bill Passed - House (71 - 28) |
| 2/03 | HB 189 | Authorizes Adoption Agencies to Refuse Adoptions for Religious Reasons | Bill Passed - House (71 - 28) |
| 2/01 | HB 9 | Voter Identification Requirements | Bill Passed - House (69 - 30) |
| 2/01 | HB 940 | Repeals Purchase Limit for Handguns | Bill Passed - House (66 - 32) |
| 2/08 | HB 1465 | Excludes Undocumented Immigrants from Public Universities | Bill Passed - House (75 - 24) |
| 2/08 | HB 2332 | Citizenship of Arrestee | Bill Passed - House (68 - 31) |
| 2/01 | HJ 593 | Free Exercise of Religion | Amendment Adopted - House (61 - 33) |
| 4/21 | Amdt 28 | Reducing Funding for Comprehensive Services for At Risk Youth and Families | Amendment Rejected - House (25 - 69) |
| 3/11 | HB 505 | Authorizing Concealed Firearms in Establishments that Serve Alcohol | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (69 - 27) |
| 3/11 | HB 885 | Authorizing Concealed Firearms in Vehicles | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (69 - 28) |
| 3/09 | SB 66 | Prohibiting Sexual Orientation Discrimination in State Government Employment | Motion Agreed - House (55 - 42) |
| 3/09 | SB 66 | Prohibiting Sexual Orientation Discrimination in State Government Employment | Motion Agreed - House (55 - 42) |
| 3/02 | SB 408 | Gun Regulation Modifications | Bill Passed - House (74 - 25) |
| 3/02 | SB 334 | Authorizing Concealed Handguns in Establishments that Serve Alcohol | Bill Passed - House (72 - 27) |
| 2/10 | HB 53 | Ban on Required Human Microchip Implantation | Bill Passed - House (88 - 9) |
| 2/03 | HB 502 | Expanding Death Penalty Eligibility to Accomplices | Bill Passed - House (74 - 24) |
| 2/25 | SB 961 | Expanding Death Penalty Eligibility to Accomplices | Bill Passed - House (74 - 26) |
| 2/24 | SB 1035 | Allowing Guns in Alcohol-Serving Establishments | Bill Passed - House (66 - 33) |
| 2/19 | SB 1105 | Prohibiting Smoking in Restaurants | Conference Report Adopted - House (60 - 39) |
| 2/09 | SB 1105 | Prohibiting Smoking in Restaurants | Bill Passed - House (59 - 39) |
| 2/05 | HB 1826 | Driver's License Suspension for Unexcused School Absences | Bill Passed - House (68 - 28) |
| 2/05 | HB 1826 | Driver's License Suspension for Unexcused School Absences | Bill Passed - House (68 - 28) |
| 2/04 | HB 2314 | Allowing Police Chaplains to Conduct Sectarian Prayer | Bill Passed - House (66 - 30) |
| 2/21 | SB 436 | Concealed Weapons in Vehicles | Bill Passed - House (69 - 29) |
| 2/21 | SB 476 | Prohibiting Drinking with a Concealed Weapon | Bill Passed - House (62 - 36) |
| 2/08 | HB 933 | "Triggerman Rule" in Capital Murder Cases | Bill Passed - House (77 - 21) |
| 1/21 | HB 188 | HPV Vaccine Deadline Extension | Bill Passed - House (57 - 39) |
| 1/21 | HB 188 | HPV Vaccine Deadline Extension | Bill Passed - House (57 - 39) |
| 4/04 | Sub HB 2750 | Capital Murder of a Judge | Veto Override Passed - House (82 - 18) |
| 4/04 | Sub HB 2348 | Extension of "Triggerman Rule" | Veto Override Passed - House (79 - 21) |
| 4/04 | HB 2347 | Capital Murder of a Witness | Veto Override Passed - House (83 - 16) |
| 4/04 | Governor's Recommendation: Restaurant Smoking Ban | Amendment Rejected - House (40 - 59) | |
| 2/21 | H Sub | Refusal of Medical Treatment for Children | Bill Passed - House (89 - 9) |
| 2/16 | Sub SB 1204 | In-State Tuition for Undocumented Immigrants | Bill Passed - House (81 - 16) |
| 2/05 | Sub HB 2035 | HPV Vaccination | Bill Passed - House (80 - 17) |
| 2/01 | Sub HB 2623 | Denying In-State Tuition to Undocumented Immigrants | Bill Passed - House (74 - 23) |
| 1/30 | Sub HB 1727 | Participation in School Clubs | Bill Passed - House (82 - 15) |
| 1/26 | Sub HB 1665 | Forced or Coerced Abortion Ban | Bill Passed - House (71 - 27) |
| 4/19 | HB 493 | High School Baccalaureate Ceremonies | Veto Override Failed - House (60 - 36) |
| 4/19 | HB 1106 | Possession of Concealed Weapons | Veto Override Failed - House (61 - 36) |
| 4/19 | Governor's Recommendation: DMV Voter Registration Requirements | Amendment Rejected - House (27 - 70) | |
| 4/11 | Amdt Item 391-4h | New Anti-Gang Initiatives Funding Amendment | Amendment Adopted - House (59 - 36) |
| 3/07 | SB 526 | Defining Marriage | Bill Passed - House (85 - 12) |
| 3/07 | SB 526 | Defining Marriage | Bill Passed - House (85 - 12) |
| 3/07 | SB 526 | Defining Marriage | Bill Passed - House (85 - 12) |
| 2/14 | Sub HB 1048 | Employment of Undocumented Immigrants | Bill Passed - House (77 - 22) |
| 2/14 | Sub HB 1048 | Employment of Undocumented Immigrants | Bill Passed - House (77 - 22) |
| 2/13 | HB 782 | Second-Degree Murder Charges | Bill Passed - House (83 - 16) |
| 2/03 | HB 45 | Death Penalty Age Restrictions | Bill Passed - House (63 - 34) |
| 2/03 | HB 45 | Death Penalty Age Restrictions | Bill Passed - House (63 - 34) |
| 2/02 | Sub HB 262 | College Admission for Undocumented Immigrants | Bill Passed - House (67 - 33) |
| 2/02 | HB 1050 | In-State Tuition for Undocumented Immigrants | Bill Passed - House (76 - 23) |