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 4, 2007 VA Governor's Recommendation: Restaurant Smoking Ban Amendment Rejected - House (40 - 59)
June 12, 2008 RI H 7222 page 5, re: Sec. 3-8-9: Transportation of Alcohol by Minors Bill Passed - House (52 - 14)
June 12, 2008 RI H 7222 page 5, re: Sec. 3-8-9: Transportation of Alcohol by Minors Bill Passed - House (52 - 14)
March 23, 2009 VT Same-Sex Marriage Ballot Question Amendment Rejected - Senate (11 - 19)
Feb. 13, 2006 UT 1SHB 10 Dating Violence Protective Orders Bill Bill Failed - House (36 - 39)
Feb. 23, 2006 UT 1SSB 97 Student Organizations Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 11)
Feb. 12, 2007 UT 2SHB 235 Abortion Law Revisions Bill Passed - House (62 - 12)
March 1, 2006 UT 2SSB 19 Additions to Smoking Ban Conference Report Adopted - House (39 - 34)
Feb. 28, 2007 UT 2SSB 251 Concealed Firearms on College Campuses Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 4)
Feb. 28, 2007 UT 2SSB 251 Concealed Firearms on College Campuses Bill Passed - House (52 - 13)
June 3, 2024 NY A 10215 Prohibits Any Reservation Black Market Bill Passed - House (144 - 1)
June 9, 2023 NY A 1029 Requires Automatic Sealing of Certain Convictions Records After Specified Periods of Time Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 25)
June 9, 2023 NY A 1029 Requires Automatic Sealing of Certain Convictions Records After Specified Periods of Time Bill Passed - House (97 - 51)
June 8, 2020 NY A 10608 Requires Law Enforcement Officers to Report Weapon Discharges to their Superior Bill Passed - House (105 - 39)
June 8, 2020 NY A 10609 Requires Courts to Compile and Publish Data on Misdemeanors and Violations and Law Enforcement Departments on Arrest-Related Deaths Bill Passed - House (100 - 44)
June 8, 2020 NY A 10609 Requires Courts to Compile and Publish Data on Misdemeanors and Violations and Law Enforcement Departments on Arrest-Related Deaths Bill Passed - House (100 - 44)
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 1076 Requires Attorney General to Collect and Report Prosecutorial and Criminal Justice Data 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)
June 13, 2018 NY A 11148 Authorizes Extreme Risk Protection Orders Bill Passed - House (108 - 30)
June 19, 2012 NY A 1157B Requires Firearms to Have Microstamping Technology Bill Passed - House (85 - 60)
June 7, 2018 NJ A 1181 Amends Various Firearm Confiscation Measures Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 5)
March 26, 2018 NJ A 1181 Amends Various Firearm Confiscation Measures Bill Passed - House (62 - 7)
June 7, 2018 NJ A 1217 Authorizes Extreme Risk Protective Orders Concurrence Vote Passed - House (56 - 11)
June 7, 2018 NJ A 1217 Authorizes Extreme Risk Protective Orders Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 5)
March 26, 2018 NJ A 1217 Authorizes Extreme Risk Protective Orders Bill Passed - House (59 - 12)
July 30, 2020 NJ A 1254 Establishes Parole for Nonviolent Offenders Age 65 and Older Bill Passed - House (60 - 12)
Jan. 24, 2023 NY A 1283 Authorizes Constitutional Referendum Prohibiting Discrimination on Basis of Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, Reproductive Autonomy, Etc. (43 - 20)
Jan. 24, 2023 NY A 1283 Authorizes Constitutional Referendum Prohibiting Discrimination on Basis of Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, Reproductive Autonomy, Etc. Bill Passed - House (97 - 46)
Feb. 21, 2013 NJ A 1329 Reduces Firearm Magazine Capacity Bill Passed - House (45 - 30)
June 8, 2020 NY A 1531 Prohibits Reporting a Non-Emergency Incident Involving a Member of a Protected Class Bill Passed - Senate (56 - 6)
June 8, 2020 NY A 1531 Prohibits Reporting a Non-Emergency Incident Involving a Member of a Protected Class Bill Passed - Senate (56 - 6)
June 8, 2020 NY A 1531 Prohibits Reporting a Non-Emergency Incident Involving a Member of a Protected Class Bill Passed - House (115 - 29)
June 8, 2020 NY A 1531 Prohibits Reporting a Non-Emergency Incident Involving a Member of a Protected Class Bill Passed - House (115 - 29)
Nov. 16, 2020 NJ A 1649 Prohibits Public Disclosure of Personal Information of Judicial Officers Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 0)
Feb. 28, 2022 NJ A 1720 Requires Cultural Diversity, Implicit Bias Training for Police Bill Passed - House (61 - 11)
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)
April 12, 2018 NJ A 1827 Requires Employers to Provide Paid Sick Leave Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 12)
March 26, 2018 NJ A 1827 Requires Employers to Provide Paid Sick Leave Bill Passed - House (50 - 24)
Nov. 16, 2020 NJ A 1897 Reduces Criminal Penalty for Marijuana Possession Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 4)
June 18, 2020 NJ A 1897 Reduces Criminal Penalty for Marijuana Possession Bill Passed - House (63 - 10)
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)
May 22, 2014 NJ A 2006 Reduces the Maximum Capacity of Ammunition Magazines Concurrence Vote Passed - House (44 - 34)
May 12, 2014 NJ A 2006 Reduces the Maximum Capacity of Ammunition Magazines Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 17)
June 25, 2007 PA A 2062 Exceptions to Clean Indoor Air Act Amendment Adopted - Senate (29 - 21)
June 6, 2018 NY A 2142 Requires Certain Marijuana Convictions be Sealed Bill Passed - House (98 - 41)
July 22, 2020 NY A 2176 Prohibits Civil Arrest of Individuals Attending Court Proceedings Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 18)
July 20, 2020 NY A 2176 Prohibits Civil Arrest of Individuals Attending Court Proceedings Bill Passed - House (97 - 44)
March 18, 2021 NY A 2277 Limits the Use of Solitary Confinement Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 21)
March 16, 2021 NY A 2277 Limits the Use of Solitary Confinement Bill Passed - House (101 - 49)
Jan. 9, 2006 NY A 2302 Childproof Firearms Sales Bill Passed - House (91 - 44)
Jan. 9, 2006 NY A 2302 Childproof Firearms Sales Bill Passed - House (91 - 44)
Aug. 27, 2020 NJ A 2370 Establishes Compassionate Release System for Inmates with Terminal Illnesses Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 7)
June 18, 2020 NJ A 2394 Establishes Minority Recruitment Program for Police Departments Bill Passed - House (70 - 3)
June 18, 2020 NJ A 2394 Establishes Minority Recruitment Program for Police Departments Bill Passed - House (70 - 3)
Jan. 9, 2006 NY A 2466 Assault Weapon Definition Amendments Bill Passed - House (87 - 47)
Jan. 9, 2006 NY A 2466 Assault Weapon Definition Amendments Bill Passed - House (87 - 47)
June 10, 2021 NY A 2573A Prohibits the Ban on Individuals Convicted of a Felony That Prevent Them From Being Appointed Fiduciary of an Estate Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 20)
June 7, 2018 NJ A 2757 Requires Background Checks for Private Gun Sales Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 3)
March 26, 2018 NJ A 2757 Requires Background Checks for Private Gun Sales Bill Passed - House (62 - 10)
June 7, 2018 NJ A 2758 Requires Justifiable Need to Carry a Handgun Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 13)
March 26, 2018 NJ A 2758 Requires Justifiable Need to Carry a Handgun Bill Passed - House (48 - 26)
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 2761 Prohibits Firearm Magazines with More than 10 Rounds Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 13)
March 26, 2018 NJ A 2761 Prohibits Firearm Magazines with More than 10 Rounds Bill Passed - House (48 - 25)
Sept. 27, 2018 NJ A 2762 Amends Temporary Disability Leave Law Concurrence Vote Passed - House (70 - 8)
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)
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)
May 12, 2014 NJ A 2777 Amends Firearm Transportation Laws Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 17)
March 20, 2014 NJ A 2777 Amends Firearm Transportation Laws Bill Passed - House (43 - 29)
March 22, 2023 NY A 2878 Authorizes Filing Motions to Vacate Judgement for Convictions that were Subsequently Decriminalized Bill Passed - House (90 - 55)
Date No. Title Outcome
4/04 Governor's Recommendation: Restaurant Smoking Ban Amendment Rejected - House (40 - 59)
6/12 H 7222 page 5, re: Sec. 3-8-9: Transportation of Alcohol by Minors Bill Passed - House (52 - 14)
6/12 H 7222 page 5, re: Sec. 3-8-9: Transportation of Alcohol by Minors Bill Passed - House (52 - 14)
3/23 Same-Sex Marriage Ballot Question Amendment Rejected - Senate (11 - 19)
2/13 1SHB 10 Dating Violence Protective Orders Bill Bill Failed - House (36 - 39)
2/23 1SSB 97 Student Organizations Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 11)
2/12 2SHB 235 Abortion Law Revisions Bill Passed - House (62 - 12)
3/01 2SSB 19 Additions to Smoking Ban Conference Report Adopted - House (39 - 34)
2/28 2SSB 251 Concealed Firearms on College Campuses Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 4)
2/28 2SSB 251 Concealed Firearms on College Campuses Bill Passed - House (52 - 13)
6/03 A 10215 Prohibits Any Reservation Black Market Bill Passed - House (144 - 1)
6/09 A 1029 Requires Automatic Sealing of Certain Convictions Records After Specified Periods of Time Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 25)
6/09 A 1029 Requires Automatic Sealing of Certain Convictions Records After Specified Periods of Time Bill Passed - House (97 - 51)
6/08 A 10608 Requires Law Enforcement Officers to Report Weapon Discharges to their Superior Bill Passed - House (105 - 39)
6/08 A 10609 Requires Courts to Compile and Publish Data on Misdemeanors and Violations and Law Enforcement Departments on Arrest-Related Deaths Bill Passed - House (100 - 44)
6/08 A 10609 Requires Courts to Compile and Publish Data on Misdemeanors and Violations and Law Enforcement Departments on Arrest-Related Deaths Bill Passed - House (100 - 44)
7/30 A 1076 Requires Attorney General to Collect and Report Prosecutorial and Criminal Justice Data Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 0)
7/30 A 1076 Requires Attorney General to Collect and Report Prosecutorial and Criminal Justice Data Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 0)
7/30 A 1076 Requires Attorney General to Collect and Report Prosecutorial and Criminal Justice Data Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 0)
6/13 A 11148 Authorizes Extreme Risk Protection Orders Bill Passed - House (108 - 30)
6/19 A 1157B Requires Firearms to Have Microstamping Technology Bill Passed - House (85 - 60)
6/07 A 1181 Amends Various Firearm Confiscation Measures Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 5)
3/26 A 1181 Amends Various Firearm Confiscation Measures Bill Passed - House (62 - 7)
6/07 A 1217 Authorizes Extreme Risk Protective Orders Concurrence Vote Passed - House (56 - 11)
6/07 A 1217 Authorizes Extreme Risk Protective Orders Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 5)
3/26 A 1217 Authorizes Extreme Risk Protective Orders Bill Passed - House (59 - 12)
7/30 A 1254 Establishes Parole for Nonviolent Offenders Age 65 and Older Bill Passed - House (60 - 12)
1/24 A 1283 Authorizes Constitutional Referendum Prohibiting Discrimination on Basis of Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, Reproductive Autonomy, Etc. (43 - 20)
1/24 A 1283 Authorizes Constitutional Referendum Prohibiting Discrimination on Basis of Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, Reproductive Autonomy, Etc. Bill Passed - House (97 - 46)
2/21 A 1329 Reduces Firearm Magazine Capacity Bill Passed - House (45 - 30)
6/08 A 1531 Prohibits Reporting a Non-Emergency Incident Involving a Member of a Protected Class Bill Passed - Senate (56 - 6)
6/08 A 1531 Prohibits Reporting a Non-Emergency Incident Involving a Member of a Protected Class Bill Passed - Senate (56 - 6)
6/08 A 1531 Prohibits Reporting a Non-Emergency Incident Involving a Member of a Protected Class Bill Passed - House (115 - 29)
6/08 A 1531 Prohibits Reporting a Non-Emergency Incident Involving a Member of a Protected Class Bill Passed - House (115 - 29)
11/16 A 1649 Prohibits Public Disclosure of Personal Information of Judicial Officers Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 0)
2/28 A 1720 Requires Cultural Diversity, Implicit Bias Training for Police Bill Passed - House (61 - 11)
11/25 A 1796 Prohibits a "Gay Panic" Legal Defense Bill Passed - House (74 - 0)
11/25 A 1796 Prohibits a "Gay Panic" Legal Defense Bill Passed - House (74 - 0)
4/12 A 1827 Requires Employers to Provide Paid Sick Leave Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 12)
3/26 A 1827 Requires Employers to Provide Paid Sick Leave Bill Passed - House (50 - 24)
11/16 A 1897 Reduces Criminal Penalty for Marijuana Possession Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 4)
6/18 A 1897 Reduces Criminal Penalty for Marijuana Possession Bill Passed - House (63 - 10)
7/30 A 1906 Establishes Crime of False 911 Calls with Purpose to Intimidate or Harass Based on Race Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 0)
7/30 A 1906 Establishes Crime of False 911 Calls with Purpose to Intimidate or Harass Based on Race Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 0)
5/22 A 2006 Reduces the Maximum Capacity of Ammunition Magazines Concurrence Vote Passed - House (44 - 34)
5/12 A 2006 Reduces the Maximum Capacity of Ammunition Magazines Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 17)
6/25 A 2062 Exceptions to Clean Indoor Air Act Amendment Adopted - Senate (29 - 21)
6/06 A 2142 Requires Certain Marijuana Convictions be Sealed Bill Passed - House (98 - 41)
7/22 A 2176 Prohibits Civil Arrest of Individuals Attending Court Proceedings Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 18)
7/20 A 2176 Prohibits Civil Arrest of Individuals Attending Court Proceedings Bill Passed - House (97 - 44)
3/18 A 2277 Limits the Use of Solitary Confinement Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 21)
3/16 A 2277 Limits the Use of Solitary Confinement Bill Passed - House (101 - 49)
1/09 A 2302 Childproof Firearms Sales Bill Passed - House (91 - 44)
1/09 A 2302 Childproof Firearms Sales Bill Passed - House (91 - 44)
8/27 A 2370 Establishes Compassionate Release System for Inmates with Terminal Illnesses Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 7)
6/18 A 2394 Establishes Minority Recruitment Program for Police Departments Bill Passed - House (70 - 3)
6/18 A 2394 Establishes Minority Recruitment Program for Police Departments Bill Passed - House (70 - 3)
1/09 A 2466 Assault Weapon Definition Amendments Bill Passed - House (87 - 47)
1/09 A 2466 Assault Weapon Definition Amendments Bill Passed - House (87 - 47)
6/10 A 2573A Prohibits the Ban on Individuals Convicted of a Felony That Prevent Them From Being Appointed Fiduciary of an Estate Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 20)
6/07 A 2757 Requires Background Checks for Private Gun Sales Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 3)
3/26 A 2757 Requires Background Checks for Private Gun Sales Bill Passed - House (62 - 10)
6/07 A 2758 Requires Justifiable Need to Carry a Handgun Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 13)
3/26 A 2758 Requires Justifiable Need to Carry a Handgun Bill Passed - House (48 - 26)
6/07 A 2761 Prohibits Firearm Magazines with More than 10 Rounds Concurrence Vote Passed - House (45 - 20)
6/07 A 2761 Prohibits Firearm Magazines with More than 10 Rounds Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 13)
3/26 A 2761 Prohibits Firearm Magazines with More than 10 Rounds Bill Passed - House (48 - 25)
9/27 A 2762 Amends Temporary Disability Leave Law Concurrence Vote Passed - House (70 - 8)
1/07 A 2762 Authorizing Reduction of Mandatory Minimum Sentences for Drug Offenses in School Zones Concurrence Vote Passed - House (46 - 30)
1/07 A 2762 Authorizing Reduction of Mandatory Minimum Sentences for Drug Offenses in School Zones Concurrence Vote Passed - House (46 - 30)
12/10 A 2762 Authorizing Reduction of Mandatory Minimum Sentences for Drug Offenses in School Zones Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 11)
12/10 A 2762 Authorizing Reduction of Mandatory Minimum Sentences for Drug Offenses in School Zones Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 11)
5/12 A 2777 Amends Firearm Transportation Laws Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 17)
3/20 A 2777 Amends Firearm Transportation Laws Bill Passed - House (43 - 29)
3/22 A 2878 Authorizes Filing Motions to Vacate Judgement for Convictions that were Subsequently Decriminalized Bill Passed - House (90 - 55)

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