Key Votes

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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:

  1. The vote should be helpful in portraying how a member stands on a particular issue
  2. The vote should be clear for any person to understand
  3. The vote has received media attention
  4. The vote was passed or defeated by a very close margin
  5. Occasionally, if a specific bill is consistently inquired about on the Voter's Research Hotline, the vote will be added

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.


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Date State Bill No. Title Outcome
April 19, 2006 VA Governor's Recommendation: Campaign Finance Reporting Requirements Amendment Rejected - House (42 - 52)
May 5, 2008 MN Severson Amendment: Income Tax Refund Amendment Adopted - House (75 - 54)
April 7, 2008 MN Voter Registration Training Amendment Amendment Rejected - House (48 - 82)
July 9, 2008 MA Frost Amdt - National Popular Vote Plan Ratification Threshold Bill Failed - House (34 - 120)
July 9, 2008 MA Jones Amdt - Presidential Electors by Congressional District Bill Failed - House (34 - 120)
April 12, 2018 NJ A 2014 Authorizes Automatic Voter Registration at More Locations Bill Passed - House (50 - 23)
May 21, 2009 NJ A 2451 Vote by Mail Concurrence Vote Passed - House (45 - 29)
Jan. 26, 2021 NY A 2574 Establishes the State University of New York as an Automatic Voter Registration Location Bill Passed - House (99 - 51)
Oct. 18, 2012 NJ A 2870 Establishes Online Vote Registration Bill Passed - House (46 - 30)
June 21, 2018 NJ A 3463 Requires Polling Places to Post Count of Voters Bill Passed - House (49 - 23)
Dec. 21, 2023 NJ A 3690 Authorizes Minors to Vote in a State Primary Election if They Turn 18 Prior to the General Election Date Concurrence Vote Passed - House (47 - 19)
June 29, 2022 NJ A 3733 Authorizes Students in Higher Education to Earn Graduation Credits for Serving as a Poll Worker Concurrence Vote Passed - House (75 - 3)
May 21, 2009 NJ A 3902 Election Requirements for Lieutenant Governor Bill Passed - House (45 - 29)
Dec. 13, 2007 NJ A 4225 National Popular Vote Act Bill Passed - House (43 - 32)
Aug. 27, 2020 NJ A 4276 Authorizes Voters to Cure Their Ballot to Fix Problems that County Election Officials Identify Bill Passed - House (51 - 27)
Aug. 27, 2020 NJ A 4320 Expands Ballot Receipt and Election Deadlines Bill Passed - House (51 - 27)
June 11, 2007 NJ A 4326 Holding Multiple Elected State Offices Bill Passed - House (69 - 3)
Aug. 27, 2020 NJ A 4475 Requires Ballot Drop Boxes in Every County of New Jersey Bill Passed - House (48 - 28)
March 25, 2021 NJ A 4655 Prohibits Police from Being Within 100 Feet of a Polling Location Bill Passed - House (44 - 25)
Oct. 29, 2018 NJ A 4674 Authorizes US Congresspersons to Run for Congress and Presidency during Primary Election Bill Passed - House (47 - 26)
June 30, 2023 NJ A 5175 Extends Certain General Election Deadlines Bill Passed - House (75 - 3)
May 25, 2023 NJ A 5176 Requires Periodic Reporting of Election Results Bill Passed - House (73 - 1)
March 25, 2021 NJ A 5373 Authorizes County Board of Elections to Determine the Location of Certain Ballot Drop Boxes Bill Passed - House (51 - 21)
May 11, 2021 NY A 6046 Authorizes the Board of Elections to Accept an Electronic Application for an Absentee Ballot when Submitted by a Voter Bill Passed - House (104 - 43)
May 11, 2021 NY A 6047 Amends the Deadlines for the Mailing and Receipt of Absentee Ballots from the Day Before the Election to Election Day Bill Passed - House (104 - 43)
Feb. 11, 2014 NY A 689A Authorizes Early Voting Bill Passed - House (93 - 43)
June 24, 2021 NJ A 698 Requires Incarcerated Individuals be Counted for Municipal, County, and Congressional Redistricting Purposes Bill Passed - House (50 - 25)
Jan. 14, 2019 NY A 774 Authorizes Voter Pre-Registration Bill Passed - House (107 - 39)
Jan. 14, 2019 NY A 775 Requires the Transference of Registration and Enrollment of Voters after Moving Bill Passed - House (114 - 32)
Jan. 14, 2019 NY A 776 Limits Campaign Contributions by Closing LLC Loophole Bill Failed - House (133 - 13)
Feb. 2, 2022 NY A 9167 Amends State Congressional Districts Bill Passed - House (104 - 44)
March 14, 2012 NY A 9525 State Legislative Redistricting Bill Passed - House (98 - 44)
Jan. 20, 2010 NY A 9544 Election and Campaign Finance Ethics Amendments Bill Passed - House (139 - 2)
Aug. 20, 2015 CA AB 1100 Increases Ballot Initiative Fee Concurrence Vote Passed - House (48 - 31)
May 26, 2015 CA AB 1100 Increases Ballot Initiative Fee Bill Passed - House (46 - 28)
Jan. 31, 2012 CA AB 1148 Requires Political Advertisements to Disclose Funding Sources Bill Failed - House (52 - 26)
April 28, 2021 NV AB 121 Requires the Secretary of State Establish an Electronic Transmission System for Disabled Voters to Register to Vote Bill Passed - House (32 - 10)
Sept. 13, 2023 CA AB 1248 Requires Local Jurisdictions by 2030 Form Independent Redistricting Commissions Concurrence Vote Passed - House (62 - 16)
May 26, 2021 NV AB 126 Amends the Date of the 2024 State Presidential Caucus Bill Passed - House (30 - 11)
April 4, 2013 CA AB 131 Amends Voter Registration Requirements Bill Passed - House (47 - 23)
Aug. 27, 2012 CA AB 1436 Authorizes Same-Day Voter Registration Concurrence Vote Passed - House (50 - 29)
May 31, 2012 CA AB 1436 Authorizes Same-Day Voter Registration Bill Passed - House (47 - 26)
June 2, 2015 CA AB 1461 Establishes the California New Motor Voter Program Bill Passed - House (52 - 26)
June 27, 2012 CA AB 1499 Ballot Order for Statewide Measures Concurrence Vote Passed - House (50 - 24)
May 11, 2021 WI AB 173 Prohibits Local Government Officials from Using Private Funds to Administer Elections Bill Passed - House (60 - 36)
March 20, 2017 CA AB 18 Authorizes a Ballot Measure to Appropriate $3 Billion to State Parks Bill Passed - House (59 - 19)
May 29, 2008 CA AB 1819 Voter Registration Age Minimum Changes Bill Passed - House (45 - 31)
April 16, 2019 NV AB 186 Authorizes Nevada to Join the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact Bill Passed - House (23 - 17)
May 29, 2014 CA AB 1873 Authorizes the Use of Mail Ballots During Special Elections Bill Passed - House (44 - 32)
July 2, 2018 CA AB 216 Authorizes Free Postage for Vote by Mail Concurrence Vote Passed - House (61 - 14)
May 22, 2024 CA AB 2355 Requires Entities that Create, Publish, or Distribute Political Advertisements Provide a Disclosure of AI Use Bill Passed - House (64 - 0)
May 31, 2016 CA AB 2466 Expands Voting Rights for Certain Convicted Felons Bill Passed - House (41 - 37)
April 16, 2015 NV AB 252 Establishes Legislative Redistricting Commission Bill Passed - House (24 - 17)
May 21, 2024 CA AB 2642 Amends Statutes Regarding Elections Bill Passed - House (59 - 10)
April 25, 2023 NV AB 286 Authorizes Incarcerated Individuals to Vote Bill Passed - House (39 - 3)
May 30, 2006 CA AB 2948 Electoral College: Interstate Compact Bill Passed - House (49 - 31)
Nov. 9, 2023 WI AB 298 Prohibits Cities or Counties from Closing More than Half of Their Polling Places 30 Days Before an Election Bill Passed - House (95 - 2)
May 26, 2021 NV AB 321 Specifies Changes Made to the State's Elections During the Pandemic are Permanent Bill Passed - House (25 - 16)
April 25, 2023 NV AB 354 Prohibits Firearms Within 100 Feet of Election Locations Bill Passed - House (28 - 14)
June 16, 2021 WI AB 369 Amends Congressional Districts Bill Passed - House (59 - 38)
July 31, 2020 NV AB 4 Authorizes Mostly Mail-In Election for 2020 Presidential Election Bill Passed - House (29 - 12)
April 21, 2009 NV AB 413 Presidential Election By National Popular Vote Bill Passed - House (27 - 14)
Jan. 24, 2024 WI AB 415 Establishes a 5-Member Advisory Commission to Examine State Legislative District Maps Concurrence Vote Passed - House (63 - 35)
Sept. 14, 2023 WI AB 415 Establishes a 5-Member Advisory Commission to Examine State Legislative District Maps Bill Passed - House (64 - 32)
Sept. 5, 2023 CA AB 421 Amends the Signature Gathering Process for Ballot Initiatives Concurrence Vote Passed - House (55 - 17)
May 28, 2021 NV AB 432 Amends the Automatic Voter Registration Initiative Bill Passed - House (26 - 16)
April 23, 2013 NV AB 441 Authorizes Voting Centers for All Eligible Voters in a City or County Bill Passed - House (26 - 15)
July 14, 2011 CA AB 459 National Popular Vote Interstate Compact Concurrence Vote Passed - House (52 - 15)
Nov. 9, 2023 WI AB 493 Prohibits Counting Write-In Campaigns Bill Passed - House (52 - 45)
May 18, 2011 NV AB 566 Legislative Redistricting Bill Passed - House (26 - 16)
Aug. 30, 2008 CA AB 583 Public Financing of Elections Concurrence Vote Passed - House (42 - 32)
Jan. 30, 2006 CA AB 583 California Clean Money and Fair Elections Act of 2006 Bill Passed - House (47 - 31)
Aug. 30, 2020 CA AB 646 Authorizes Individuals on Parole for a Felony Conviction to Vote Concurrence Vote Passed - House (51 - 16)
Sept. 13, 2019 CA AB 681 Requires Voter Party Affiliation Notification Prior To Primary Elections Concurrence Vote Passed - House (65 - 13)
May 11, 2011 WI AB 7 Voter Identification Requirements Bill Passed - House (60 - 35)
Date No. Title Outcome
4/19 Governor's Recommendation: Campaign Finance Reporting Requirements Amendment Rejected - House (42 - 52)
5/05 Severson Amendment: Income Tax Refund Amendment Adopted - House (75 - 54)
4/07 Voter Registration Training Amendment Amendment Rejected - House (48 - 82)
7/09 Frost Amdt - National Popular Vote Plan Ratification Threshold Bill Failed - House (34 - 120)
7/09 Jones Amdt - Presidential Electors by Congressional District Bill Failed - House (34 - 120)
4/12 A 2014 Authorizes Automatic Voter Registration at More Locations Bill Passed - House (50 - 23)
5/21 A 2451 Vote by Mail Concurrence Vote Passed - House (45 - 29)
1/26 A 2574 Establishes the State University of New York as an Automatic Voter Registration Location Bill Passed - House (99 - 51)
10/18 A 2870 Establishes Online Vote Registration Bill Passed - House (46 - 30)
6/21 A 3463 Requires Polling Places to Post Count of Voters Bill Passed - House (49 - 23)
12/21 A 3690 Authorizes Minors to Vote in a State Primary Election if They Turn 18 Prior to the General Election Date Concurrence Vote Passed - House (47 - 19)
6/29 A 3733 Authorizes Students in Higher Education to Earn Graduation Credits for Serving as a Poll Worker Concurrence Vote Passed - House (75 - 3)
5/21 A 3902 Election Requirements for Lieutenant Governor Bill Passed - House (45 - 29)
12/13 A 4225 National Popular Vote Act Bill Passed - House (43 - 32)
8/27 A 4276 Authorizes Voters to Cure Their Ballot to Fix Problems that County Election Officials Identify Bill Passed - House (51 - 27)
8/27 A 4320 Expands Ballot Receipt and Election Deadlines Bill Passed - House (51 - 27)
6/11 A 4326 Holding Multiple Elected State Offices Bill Passed - House (69 - 3)
8/27 A 4475 Requires Ballot Drop Boxes in Every County of New Jersey Bill Passed - House (48 - 28)
3/25 A 4655 Prohibits Police from Being Within 100 Feet of a Polling Location Bill Passed - House (44 - 25)
10/29 A 4674 Authorizes US Congresspersons to Run for Congress and Presidency during Primary Election Bill Passed - House (47 - 26)
6/30 A 5175 Extends Certain General Election Deadlines Bill Passed - House (75 - 3)
5/25 A 5176 Requires Periodic Reporting of Election Results Bill Passed - House (73 - 1)
3/25 A 5373 Authorizes County Board of Elections to Determine the Location of Certain Ballot Drop Boxes Bill Passed - House (51 - 21)
5/11 A 6046 Authorizes the Board of Elections to Accept an Electronic Application for an Absentee Ballot when Submitted by a Voter Bill Passed - House (104 - 43)
5/11 A 6047 Amends the Deadlines for the Mailing and Receipt of Absentee Ballots from the Day Before the Election to Election Day Bill Passed - House (104 - 43)
2/11 A 689A Authorizes Early Voting Bill Passed - House (93 - 43)
6/24 A 698 Requires Incarcerated Individuals be Counted for Municipal, County, and Congressional Redistricting Purposes Bill Passed - House (50 - 25)
1/14 A 774 Authorizes Voter Pre-Registration Bill Passed - House (107 - 39)
1/14 A 775 Requires the Transference of Registration and Enrollment of Voters after Moving Bill Passed - House (114 - 32)
1/14 A 776 Limits Campaign Contributions by Closing LLC Loophole Bill Failed - House (133 - 13)
2/02 A 9167 Amends State Congressional Districts Bill Passed - House (104 - 44)
3/14 A 9525 State Legislative Redistricting Bill Passed - House (98 - 44)
1/20 A 9544 Election and Campaign Finance Ethics Amendments Bill Passed - House (139 - 2)
8/20 AB 1100 Increases Ballot Initiative Fee Concurrence Vote Passed - House (48 - 31)
5/26 AB 1100 Increases Ballot Initiative Fee Bill Passed - House (46 - 28)
1/31 AB 1148 Requires Political Advertisements to Disclose Funding Sources Bill Failed - House (52 - 26)
4/28 AB 121 Requires the Secretary of State Establish an Electronic Transmission System for Disabled Voters to Register to Vote Bill Passed - House (32 - 10)
9/13 AB 1248 Requires Local Jurisdictions by 2030 Form Independent Redistricting Commissions Concurrence Vote Passed - House (62 - 16)
5/26 AB 126 Amends the Date of the 2024 State Presidential Caucus Bill Passed - House (30 - 11)
4/04 AB 131 Amends Voter Registration Requirements Bill Passed - House (47 - 23)
8/27 AB 1436 Authorizes Same-Day Voter Registration Concurrence Vote Passed - House (50 - 29)
5/31 AB 1436 Authorizes Same-Day Voter Registration Bill Passed - House (47 - 26)
6/02 AB 1461 Establishes the California New Motor Voter Program Bill Passed - House (52 - 26)
6/27 AB 1499 Ballot Order for Statewide Measures Concurrence Vote Passed - House (50 - 24)
5/11 AB 173 Prohibits Local Government Officials from Using Private Funds to Administer Elections Bill Passed - House (60 - 36)
3/20 AB 18 Authorizes a Ballot Measure to Appropriate $3 Billion to State Parks Bill Passed - House (59 - 19)
5/29 AB 1819 Voter Registration Age Minimum Changes Bill Passed - House (45 - 31)
4/16 AB 186 Authorizes Nevada to Join the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact Bill Passed - House (23 - 17)
5/29 AB 1873 Authorizes the Use of Mail Ballots During Special Elections Bill Passed - House (44 - 32)
7/02 AB 216 Authorizes Free Postage for Vote by Mail Concurrence Vote Passed - House (61 - 14)
5/22 AB 2355 Requires Entities that Create, Publish, or Distribute Political Advertisements Provide a Disclosure of AI Use Bill Passed - House (64 - 0)
5/31 AB 2466 Expands Voting Rights for Certain Convicted Felons Bill Passed - House (41 - 37)
4/16 AB 252 Establishes Legislative Redistricting Commission Bill Passed - House (24 - 17)
5/21 AB 2642 Amends Statutes Regarding Elections Bill Passed - House (59 - 10)
4/25 AB 286 Authorizes Incarcerated Individuals to Vote Bill Passed - House (39 - 3)
5/30 AB 2948 Electoral College: Interstate Compact Bill Passed - House (49 - 31)
11/09 AB 298 Prohibits Cities or Counties from Closing More than Half of Their Polling Places 30 Days Before an Election Bill Passed - House (95 - 2)
5/26 AB 321 Specifies Changes Made to the State's Elections During the Pandemic are Permanent Bill Passed - House (25 - 16)
4/25 AB 354 Prohibits Firearms Within 100 Feet of Election Locations Bill Passed - House (28 - 14)
6/16 AB 369 Amends Congressional Districts Bill Passed - House (59 - 38)
7/31 AB 4 Authorizes Mostly Mail-In Election for 2020 Presidential Election Bill Passed - House (29 - 12)
4/21 AB 413 Presidential Election By National Popular Vote Bill Passed - House (27 - 14)
1/24 AB 415 Establishes a 5-Member Advisory Commission to Examine State Legislative District Maps Concurrence Vote Passed - House (63 - 35)
9/14 AB 415 Establishes a 5-Member Advisory Commission to Examine State Legislative District Maps Bill Passed - House (64 - 32)
9/05 AB 421 Amends the Signature Gathering Process for Ballot Initiatives Concurrence Vote Passed - House (55 - 17)
5/28 AB 432 Amends the Automatic Voter Registration Initiative Bill Passed - House (26 - 16)
4/23 AB 441 Authorizes Voting Centers for All Eligible Voters in a City or County Bill Passed - House (26 - 15)
7/14 AB 459 National Popular Vote Interstate Compact Concurrence Vote Passed - House (52 - 15)
11/09 AB 493 Prohibits Counting Write-In Campaigns Bill Passed - House (52 - 45)
5/18 AB 566 Legislative Redistricting Bill Passed - House (26 - 16)
8/30 AB 583 Public Financing of Elections Concurrence Vote Passed - House (42 - 32)
1/30 AB 583 California Clean Money and Fair Elections Act of 2006 Bill Passed - House (47 - 31)
8/30 AB 646 Authorizes Individuals on Parole for a Felony Conviction to Vote Concurrence Vote Passed - House (51 - 16)
9/13 AB 681 Requires Voter Party Affiliation Notification Prior To Primary Elections Concurrence Vote Passed - House (65 - 13)
5/11 AB 7 Voter Identification Requirements Bill Passed - House (60 - 35)

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