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.


results per page:
Date State Bill No. Title Outcome
April 7, 2023 WA SB 5112 Amends the Voter Registration Process Bill Passed - House (57 - 40)
March 23, 2021 IN SB 260 Authorizes 16 or 17 Year-Olds to Serve as a Precinct Election Officers on Election Day Bill Passed - House (58 - 36)
Dec. 20, 2018 MI SB 1238 Authorizes State Absentee Ballot Voting Bill Passed - House (57 - 51)
June 17, 2021 CT SB 1202 Extends Convicted Felons' Voting Rights if They are Committed to Confinement Bill Passed - House (89 - 50)
Feb. 22, 2021 VA SB 1148 Amends the Primary Election Date Bill Passed - House (82 - 18)
Feb. 22, 2021 VA SB 1097 Rescinds the Mandate for a Witness Signature on Absentee Ballots Bill Passed - House (55 - 45)
April 26, 2023 OK SB 375 Amends Date for Upcoming Primary Elections and Deadlines for Declaring Candidacy Bill Passed - House (83 - 7)
April 6, 2023 MD SB 379 Expands Absentee Ballot Deadline Bill Passed - House (99 - 36)
July 8, 2019 CA SB 27 Requires Presidential and Gubernatorial Candidates to Release Tax Returns Bill Passed - House (57 - 17)
June 3, 2015 NH SB 179 Amends Residency Requirement for Voter Eligibility Bill Passed - House (211 - 145)
March 26, 2021 MT SB 196 Authorizes Voting Precincts with Less than 400 In-Person Voters to Open at Noon Bill Passed - House (67 - 31)
April 4, 2022 GA SB 441 Authorizes Georgia Bureau of Investigation to Investigate Claims of Election Fraud Bill Passed - House (98 - 69)
March 26, 2021 MT SB 169 Prohibits Same-Day Voter Registration Bill Passed - House (65 - 33)
Feb. 19, 2019 VA SB 1026 Authorizes No-Excuse Absentee Voting Bill Passed - House (89 - 10)
April 13, 2021 IN SB 353 Requires Presenting Valid Identification to Request an Absentee Ballot Online Bill Passed - House (71 - 23)
June 28, 2021 CA SB 152 Authorizes a Recall Election without the Approval of the Joint Legislative Budget Committee Bill Passed - House (59 - 19)
Nov. 18, 2021 NC SB 725 Prohibits County Boards of Elections from Accepting Private Donations to Administer Election Services Bill Passed - House (63 - 48)
Feb. 17, 2022 NM SB 144 Prohibits Intimidation of Elections Officials Bill Passed - House (39 - 30)
Dec. 20, 2018 MI SB 1239 Authorizes Automatic Voter Registration Bill Passed - House (60 - 48)
June 5, 2018 NC SB 757 Requires Judicial Redistricting Bill Passed - House (70 - 45)
May 24, 2021 TX SB 1113 Authorizes the Secretary of State's Office to Withhold Funding from County Election Officials Bill Passed - House (97 - 46)
June 21, 2013 TX SB 3 State House Redistricting Bill Passed - House (93 - 46)
Nov. 9, 2023 MI SB 374 Requires Candidates for Public Office File Financial Disclosure Reports Before Assuming Office Bill Passed - House (56 - 53)
June 22, 2021 WI SB 212 Authorizes Only Voters to Correct Absentee Ballot Defects Bill Passed - House (60 - 38)
June 22, 2021 WI SB 203 Limits the Return of of Absentee Ballots Bill Passed - House (60 - 38)
April 8, 2022 MD SB 163 Amends Laws Relating to Ballot Processing and Procedures for Absentee and Provisional Ballots Bill Passed - House (94 - 41)
April 7, 2022 AL SB 313 Prohibits the Use of Public Funds for Ballot Initiatives Bill Passed - House (73 - 26)
Aug. 23, 2022 CA SB 1360 Amends the California Election Code to Require Transparency of Contributors and Advertisements Bill Passed - House (62 - 10)
May 2, 2023 MT SB 254 Restructures General Election Laws in Montana Bill Passed - House (58 - 37)
May 7, 2021 TX SB 7 Prohibits Election Officials from Mailing Unsolicited Ballots Bill Passed - House (78 - 64)
April 9, 2021 HI SB 159 Requires Automatic Voter Registration When Receiving Driver's Licenses Bill Passed - House (49 - 1)
March 25, 2021 GA SB 202 Amends Election Laws Bill Passed - House (100 - 74)
April 20, 2021 AZ SB 1485 Rescinds Voters From the Early Ballots Mailing List Bill Passed - House (31 - 29)
June 6, 2017 NC SB 655 Establishes New Primary Election Dates Bill Passed - House (71 - 46)
March 5, 2020 WA SB 6313 Authorizes 16 and 17 Year Olds to Opt Out of the Automatic Voter Pre-Registration Process Bill Passed - House (56 - 41)
Oct. 22, 2020 LA SB 20 Amends Election Laws Due to the Declared Disaster Emergency Bill Passed - House (59 - 27)
May 15, 2023 AZ SB 1332 Requires the Publication of Certain Cast Vote Records Bill Passed - House (31 - 27)
Feb. 22, 2022 IN SB 134 Limits Private Donations to Local Governments Bill Passed - House (67 - 25)
Sept. 24, 2020 MI SB 977 Increases the Punishment for Fraudulent Absentee Voting Bill Passed - House (77 - 26)
Sept. 24, 2020 MI SB 117 Authorizes Active-Duty Overseas Military Voters to Vote Electronically Bill Passed - House (88 - 17)
March 4, 2022 FL SB 102 Establishes State Congressional Districts Bill Passed - House (67 - 47)
Sept. 24, 2020 MI SB 757 Authorizes Cities With Over 25,000 Residents to Begin Processing Absentee Ballots the Day Before an Election Bill Passed - House (94 - 11)
Sept. 28, 2022 MI SB 311 Authorizes Active Military Members to Vote Electronically Bill Passed - House (98 - 6)
April 21, 2017 MT SB 368 Increases the Individual Limit for Campaign Contributions Bill Passed - House (54 - 46)
March 13, 2013 AR SB 2 Requires Photo Identification to Vote Bill Passed - House (51 - 44)
March 10, 2022 VA SB 652 Amends Requirements for Absentee Voting Bill Passed - House (52 - 47)
March 27, 2023 GA SB 222 Requires All Election Expenses be Paid for with State Public Funds Bill Passed - House (100 - 69)
April 17, 2013 MT SB 405 Repeals Same-Day Voter Registration Bill Passed - House (58 - 42)
March 20, 2013 OH SB 47 Prohibits Collection of Petition Signatures after Filing Bill Passed - House (57 - 38)
March 28, 2015 MT SB 289 Requires Certain Political Groups to Disclose Expenditures Bill Passed - House (51 - 48)
March 11, 2013 KY SB 1 Establishes an Electronic Ballot Transmission System for Military and Overseas Voters Bill Passed - House (57 - 42)
June 27, 2018 NC SB 813 Requires the Redistricting of Asheville City Council Districts Bill Passed - House (64 - 52)
June 1, 2017 NH SB 3 Establishes New Voter Eligibility Requirements Bill Passed - House (191 - 162)
March 7, 2023 MS SB 2358 Prohibits a Third-Party From Collecting and Delivering Somebody Else's Absentee Ballot Bill Passed - House (73 - 44)
March 23, 2023 GA SB 129 Requires Employees Get Time Off to Vote Bill Passed - House (161 - 9)
May 21, 2020 IL SB 1863 Expands Absentee Voting for the Upcoming General Election Bill Passed - House (72 - 43)
May 6, 2024 CO SB 24-210 Amends Various Election Laws Including Delaying Implementation of State Ranked Choice Voting Bill Passed - House (53 - 9)
April 17, 2013 MT SB 408 Limits General Election Candidates to Top 2 From Primary Election Bill Passed - House (57 - 43)
March 30, 2023 NJ S 2866 Establishes the Elections Transparency Act Bill Passed - House (45 - 31)
Dec. 16, 2015 MI SB 571 Amends Ballot Advertising Restrictions Bill Passed - House (58 - 48)
March 7, 2024 WV SB 542 Specifies Vacancy Protocols for County Commissions Bill Passed - House (95 - 3)
March 30, 2023 NJ S 2866 Establishes the Elections Transparency Act Bill Passed - House (45 - 31)
Feb. 19, 2014 OH SB 205 Amends Absentee Ballot Voting Laws Bill Passed - House (60 - 38)
May 15, 2023 AZ SB 1471 Requires Hand Tabulation for Ballots Bill Passed - House (31 - 27)
Sept. 11, 2023 CA SB 314 Establishes an Independent Citizen's Redistricting Commission in Sacramento County Bill Passed - House (62 - 18)
May 15, 2023 AZ SB 1598 Amends Rules Concerning Election Observers Bill Passed - House (31 - 27)
May 15, 2023 AZ SB 1595 Amends Rules Concerning Early Ballot ID Requirements Bill Passed - House (31 - 27)
March 5, 2024 OR SB 1571 Requires Disclosure of AI in Political Campaign Advertisements Bill Passed - House (52 - 3)
May 25, 2023 IL SB 2123 Amends Various State Election Laws Bill Passed - House (36 - 18)
Sept. 30, 2021 MI HB 4492 Expands Polling Place Locations Bill Passed - House (84 - 21)
June 9, 2011 ME LD 1376 Repeals Same-Day Voter Registration Bill Passed - House (72 - 65)
Nov. 7, 2011 NC HB 777 State House Redistricting Bill Passed - House (62 - 49)
Jan. 31, 2013 KS HB 2023 Prohibits Manditory Labor Organizational Fees for Political Purposes Bill Passed - House (68 - 56)
Feb. 20, 2013 VA SB 1256 Requires Photo Identification for Voting Bill Passed - House (65 - 34)
March 22, 2013 ID S 1108 Increases Petition Signature Requirements Bill Passed - House (45 - 21)
April 30, 2013 ME SP 548 Encourages Congress to Adopt a Constitutional Amendment Regarding Campaign Finance Joint Resolution Passed - House (111 - 31)
March 21, 2013 NJ S 2364 Requires Early Voting to be Available for Certain Elections Bill Passed - House (46 - 31)
June 21, 2013 TX SB 4 Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - House (93 - 47)
June 21, 2013 TX SB 2 State Senate Redistricting Bill Passed - House (109 - 30)
March 20, 2014 WI SB 324 Amends the Absentee Voting Procedures Bill Passed - House (56 - 38)
March 25, 2014 NY S 3149 Requires the President to be Elected by Popular Vote Bill Passed - House (102 - 33)
May 6, 2014 CT SB 455 Amends the Funding for the Public Campaign Finance Program Bill Passed - House (102 - 40)
May 5, 2014 MO SB 892 Amends Presidential Primary Dates Bill Passed - House (101 - 47)
March 20, 2014 WI SB 655 Amends Campaign Finance and Lobbying Laws Bill Passed - House (54 - 37)
Aug. 11, 2014 FL SB 2-A Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - House (71 - 38)
Feb. 23, 2015 NJ S 2430 Requires Disclosure of Political Contributions Bill Passed - House (53 - 15)
April 1, 2015 NC SB 181 Requires the Redistricting of Wake County Bill Passed - House (66 - 47)
Feb. 19, 2016 NC SB 2 Amends Congressional Districts Bill Passed - House (65 - 43)
March 29, 2016 AZ SB 1516 Repeals Certain Campaign Finance Reforms Bill Passed - House (31 - 27)
March 16, 2017 NJ S 3048 Requires Presidential Candidates to Disclose Tax Returns Bill Passed - House (49 - 25)
March 28, 2018 MD SB 1048 Authorizes Automatic Voter Registration Bill Passed - House (93 - 46)
June 28, 2018 CA SB 1171 Authorizes Same Day Voter Registration Bill Passed - House (53 - 23)
Dec. 5, 2018 WI SB 884 Reduces Period for Early Voting and Limits Powers of the State Attorney General Bill Passed - House (56 - 27)
Jan. 14, 2019 NY S 1102 Establishes Early Voting Period Bill Passed - House (110 - 33)
Feb. 21, 2019 CO SB 19-042 Authorizes Interstate Agreement to Elect the President by Popular Vote Bill Passed - House (34 - 29)
March 3, 2018 OR SB 1510 Amends Election Laws Bill Passed - House (35 - 23)
March 4, 2019 WA SB 5273 Amends Presidential Primary Dates Bill Passed - House (54 - 42)
March 14, 2019 DE SB 22 Authorizes Interstate Agreement to Elect the President by Popular Vote Bill Passed - House (24 - 17)
March 29, 2019 ID S 1159 Increases Threshold for Ballot Initiative Requirements Bill Passed - House (40 - 30)
March 18, 2019 AZ SB 1072 Requires Identification for Early Voting Bill Passed - House (31 - 27)
Date No. Title Outcome
4/07 SB 5112 Amends the Voter Registration Process Bill Passed - House (57 - 40)
3/23 SB 260 Authorizes 16 or 17 Year-Olds to Serve as a Precinct Election Officers on Election Day Bill Passed - House (58 - 36)
12/20 SB 1238 Authorizes State Absentee Ballot Voting Bill Passed - House (57 - 51)
6/17 SB 1202 Extends Convicted Felons' Voting Rights if They are Committed to Confinement Bill Passed - House (89 - 50)
2/22 SB 1148 Amends the Primary Election Date Bill Passed - House (82 - 18)
2/22 SB 1097 Rescinds the Mandate for a Witness Signature on Absentee Ballots Bill Passed - House (55 - 45)
4/26 SB 375 Amends Date for Upcoming Primary Elections and Deadlines for Declaring Candidacy Bill Passed - House (83 - 7)
4/06 SB 379 Expands Absentee Ballot Deadline Bill Passed - House (99 - 36)
7/08 SB 27 Requires Presidential and Gubernatorial Candidates to Release Tax Returns Bill Passed - House (57 - 17)
6/03 SB 179 Amends Residency Requirement for Voter Eligibility Bill Passed - House (211 - 145)
3/26 SB 196 Authorizes Voting Precincts with Less than 400 In-Person Voters to Open at Noon Bill Passed - House (67 - 31)
4/04 SB 441 Authorizes Georgia Bureau of Investigation to Investigate Claims of Election Fraud Bill Passed - House (98 - 69)
3/26 SB 169 Prohibits Same-Day Voter Registration Bill Passed - House (65 - 33)
2/19 SB 1026 Authorizes No-Excuse Absentee Voting Bill Passed - House (89 - 10)
4/13 SB 353 Requires Presenting Valid Identification to Request an Absentee Ballot Online Bill Passed - House (71 - 23)
6/28 SB 152 Authorizes a Recall Election without the Approval of the Joint Legislative Budget Committee Bill Passed - House (59 - 19)
11/18 SB 725 Prohibits County Boards of Elections from Accepting Private Donations to Administer Election Services Bill Passed - House (63 - 48)
2/17 SB 144 Prohibits Intimidation of Elections Officials Bill Passed - House (39 - 30)
12/20 SB 1239 Authorizes Automatic Voter Registration Bill Passed - House (60 - 48)
6/05 SB 757 Requires Judicial Redistricting Bill Passed - House (70 - 45)
5/24 SB 1113 Authorizes the Secretary of State's Office to Withhold Funding from County Election Officials Bill Passed - House (97 - 46)
6/21 SB 3 State House Redistricting Bill Passed - House (93 - 46)
11/09 SB 374 Requires Candidates for Public Office File Financial Disclosure Reports Before Assuming Office Bill Passed - House (56 - 53)
6/22 SB 212 Authorizes Only Voters to Correct Absentee Ballot Defects Bill Passed - House (60 - 38)
6/22 SB 203 Limits the Return of of Absentee Ballots Bill Passed - House (60 - 38)
4/08 SB 163 Amends Laws Relating to Ballot Processing and Procedures for Absentee and Provisional Ballots Bill Passed - House (94 - 41)
4/07 SB 313 Prohibits the Use of Public Funds for Ballot Initiatives Bill Passed - House (73 - 26)
8/23 SB 1360 Amends the California Election Code to Require Transparency of Contributors and Advertisements Bill Passed - House (62 - 10)
5/02 SB 254 Restructures General Election Laws in Montana Bill Passed - House (58 - 37)
5/07 SB 7 Prohibits Election Officials from Mailing Unsolicited Ballots Bill Passed - House (78 - 64)
4/09 SB 159 Requires Automatic Voter Registration When Receiving Driver's Licenses Bill Passed - House (49 - 1)
3/25 SB 202 Amends Election Laws Bill Passed - House (100 - 74)
4/20 SB 1485 Rescinds Voters From the Early Ballots Mailing List Bill Passed - House (31 - 29)
6/06 SB 655 Establishes New Primary Election Dates Bill Passed - House (71 - 46)
3/05 SB 6313 Authorizes 16 and 17 Year Olds to Opt Out of the Automatic Voter Pre-Registration Process Bill Passed - House (56 - 41)
10/22 SB 20 Amends Election Laws Due to the Declared Disaster Emergency Bill Passed - House (59 - 27)
5/15 SB 1332 Requires the Publication of Certain Cast Vote Records Bill Passed - House (31 - 27)
2/22 SB 134 Limits Private Donations to Local Governments Bill Passed - House (67 - 25)
9/24 SB 977 Increases the Punishment for Fraudulent Absentee Voting Bill Passed - House (77 - 26)
9/24 SB 117 Authorizes Active-Duty Overseas Military Voters to Vote Electronically Bill Passed - House (88 - 17)
3/04 SB 102 Establishes State Congressional Districts Bill Passed - House (67 - 47)
9/24 SB 757 Authorizes Cities With Over 25,000 Residents to Begin Processing Absentee Ballots the Day Before an Election Bill Passed - House (94 - 11)
9/28 SB 311 Authorizes Active Military Members to Vote Electronically Bill Passed - House (98 - 6)
4/21 SB 368 Increases the Individual Limit for Campaign Contributions Bill Passed - House (54 - 46)
3/13 SB 2 Requires Photo Identification to Vote Bill Passed - House (51 - 44)
3/10 SB 652 Amends Requirements for Absentee Voting Bill Passed - House (52 - 47)
3/27 SB 222 Requires All Election Expenses be Paid for with State Public Funds Bill Passed - House (100 - 69)
4/17 SB 405 Repeals Same-Day Voter Registration Bill Passed - House (58 - 42)
3/20 SB 47 Prohibits Collection of Petition Signatures after Filing Bill Passed - House (57 - 38)
3/28 SB 289 Requires Certain Political Groups to Disclose Expenditures Bill Passed - House (51 - 48)
3/11 SB 1 Establishes an Electronic Ballot Transmission System for Military and Overseas Voters Bill Passed - House (57 - 42)
6/27 SB 813 Requires the Redistricting of Asheville City Council Districts Bill Passed - House (64 - 52)
6/01 SB 3 Establishes New Voter Eligibility Requirements Bill Passed - House (191 - 162)
3/07 SB 2358 Prohibits a Third-Party From Collecting and Delivering Somebody Else's Absentee Ballot Bill Passed - House (73 - 44)
3/23 SB 129 Requires Employees Get Time Off to Vote Bill Passed - House (161 - 9)
5/21 SB 1863 Expands Absentee Voting for the Upcoming General Election Bill Passed - House (72 - 43)
5/06 SB 24-210 Amends Various Election Laws Including Delaying Implementation of State Ranked Choice Voting Bill Passed - House (53 - 9)
4/17 SB 408 Limits General Election Candidates to Top 2 From Primary Election Bill Passed - House (57 - 43)
3/30 S 2866 Establishes the Elections Transparency Act Bill Passed - House (45 - 31)
12/16 SB 571 Amends Ballot Advertising Restrictions Bill Passed - House (58 - 48)
3/07 SB 542 Specifies Vacancy Protocols for County Commissions Bill Passed - House (95 - 3)
3/30 S 2866 Establishes the Elections Transparency Act Bill Passed - House (45 - 31)
2/19 SB 205 Amends Absentee Ballot Voting Laws Bill Passed - House (60 - 38)
5/15 SB 1471 Requires Hand Tabulation for Ballots Bill Passed - House (31 - 27)
9/11 SB 314 Establishes an Independent Citizen's Redistricting Commission in Sacramento County Bill Passed - House (62 - 18)
5/15 SB 1598 Amends Rules Concerning Election Observers Bill Passed - House (31 - 27)
5/15 SB 1595 Amends Rules Concerning Early Ballot ID Requirements Bill Passed - House (31 - 27)
3/05 SB 1571 Requires Disclosure of AI in Political Campaign Advertisements Bill Passed - House (52 - 3)
5/25 SB 2123 Amends Various State Election Laws Bill Passed - House (36 - 18)
9/30 HB 4492 Expands Polling Place Locations Bill Passed - House (84 - 21)
6/09 LD 1376 Repeals Same-Day Voter Registration Bill Passed - House (72 - 65)
11/07 HB 777 State House Redistricting Bill Passed - House (62 - 49)
1/31 HB 2023 Prohibits Manditory Labor Organizational Fees for Political Purposes Bill Passed - House (68 - 56)
2/20 SB 1256 Requires Photo Identification for Voting Bill Passed - House (65 - 34)
3/22 S 1108 Increases Petition Signature Requirements Bill Passed - House (45 - 21)
4/30 SP 548 Encourages Congress to Adopt a Constitutional Amendment Regarding Campaign Finance Joint Resolution Passed - House (111 - 31)
3/21 S 2364 Requires Early Voting to be Available for Certain Elections Bill Passed - House (46 - 31)
6/21 SB 4 Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - House (93 - 47)
6/21 SB 2 State Senate Redistricting Bill Passed - House (109 - 30)
3/20 SB 324 Amends the Absentee Voting Procedures Bill Passed - House (56 - 38)
3/25 S 3149 Requires the President to be Elected by Popular Vote Bill Passed - House (102 - 33)
5/06 SB 455 Amends the Funding for the Public Campaign Finance Program Bill Passed - House (102 - 40)
5/05 SB 892 Amends Presidential Primary Dates Bill Passed - House (101 - 47)
3/20 SB 655 Amends Campaign Finance and Lobbying Laws Bill Passed - House (54 - 37)
8/11 SB 2-A Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - House (71 - 38)
2/23 S 2430 Requires Disclosure of Political Contributions Bill Passed - House (53 - 15)
4/01 SB 181 Requires the Redistricting of Wake County Bill Passed - House (66 - 47)
2/19 SB 2 Amends Congressional Districts Bill Passed - House (65 - 43)
3/29 SB 1516 Repeals Certain Campaign Finance Reforms Bill Passed - House (31 - 27)
3/16 S 3048 Requires Presidential Candidates to Disclose Tax Returns Bill Passed - House (49 - 25)
3/28 SB 1048 Authorizes Automatic Voter Registration Bill Passed - House (93 - 46)
6/28 SB 1171 Authorizes Same Day Voter Registration Bill Passed - House (53 - 23)
12/05 SB 884 Reduces Period for Early Voting and Limits Powers of the State Attorney General Bill Passed - House (56 - 27)
1/14 S 1102 Establishes Early Voting Period Bill Passed - House (110 - 33)
2/21 SB 19-042 Authorizes Interstate Agreement to Elect the President by Popular Vote Bill Passed - House (34 - 29)
3/03 SB 1510 Amends Election Laws Bill Passed - House (35 - 23)
3/04 SB 5273 Amends Presidential Primary Dates Bill Passed - House (54 - 42)
3/14 SB 22 Authorizes Interstate Agreement to Elect the President by Popular Vote Bill Passed - House (24 - 17)
3/29 S 1159 Increases Threshold for Ballot Initiative Requirements Bill Passed - House (40 - 30)
3/18 SB 1072 Requires Identification for Early Voting Bill Passed - House (31 - 27)

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