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
March 5, 2009 GA SB 200 Reorganization of State Transportation Authorities Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 25)
Feb. 25, 2009 NM SB 141 Allowing Increase of Penalties for Convicted Public Officials Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 12)
Feb. 18, 2009 SC S 351 State Ports Authority Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 14)
Feb. 17, 2009 OK HB 1410 State Purchasing Authority Amendments Bill Passed - House (61 - 37)
Feb. 11, 2009 WY HB 32 Gray Wolf Management Plan Amendments Bill Failed - House (7 - 52)
Feb. 9, 2009 WY HB 240 Pay Raise for Certain Elected Officials Bill Passed - House (37 - 23)
Feb. 4, 2009 VA SB 1473 Department of Forestry Land Use Permits Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 9)
Feb. 2, 2009 MT SB 81 Board of Public Education Elections Bill Failed - Senate (21 - 29)
Feb. 2, 2009 MT SB 80 Board of Regents Elections Bill Failed - Senate (20 - 30)
Jan. 28, 2009 MT HB 13 State Employee Compensation Amendments Bill Passed - House (62 - 36)
Jan. 27, 2009 WI AB 2 Mandatory State Contracting with Domestic Companies Bill Passed - House (69 - 30)
Jan. 27, 2009 WI AB 1 Wisconsin-Based Products and Services Purchasing Goals Bill Passed - House (77 - 22)
Jan. 27, 2009 AR HB 1050 Freedom of Information Act Exemption Specifications Bill Passed - House (57 - 31)
Jan. 22, 2009 MS HB 1090 Increasing Public Utilities Staff Oversight Bill Passed - House (64 - 53)
Jan. 21, 2009 MT SB 31 Revising Fish, Wildlife, and Parks Commission Membership Qualifications Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 20)
Jan. 14, 2009 IL HR 5 Impeachment of Governor Rod R. Blagojevich Resolution Passed - House (117 - 1)
Jan. 13, 2009 ND HB 1036 Workforce Safety and Insurance Premium Rate Regulation Bill Passed - House (62 - 32)
Jan. 9, 2009 IL HR 1671 Impeachment of Governor Rod R. Blagojevich Resolution Passed - House (114 - 1)
Dec. 10, 2008 OH HB 648 Increasing Restrictions on Access to Confidential Personal Information Bill Passed - House (69 - 26)
July 9, 2008 National HR 5811 Electronic Communications Preservation Act Bill Passed - House (286 - 137)
June 27, 2008 MS HB 17 Medicaid Funds Bill Bill Passed - House (68 - 44)
June 23, 2008 NJ S 1962 State Worker Retirement and Health Benefits Bill Passed - House (52 - 13)
June 23, 2008 NJ S 1962 State Worker Retirement and Health Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 8)
June 21, 2008 LA HB 906 Anonymity of Ethics Board Complaints Concurrence Vote Passed - House (79 - 21)
June 20, 2008 LA SB 718 State Board Member and Commissioner Financial Disclosures Bill Passed - House (92 - 8)
May 28, 2008 LA SB 718 State Board Member and Commissioner Financial Disclosures Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 9)
May 12, 2008 AZ HB 2017 Legislative Approval for Regulating Greenhouse Gas Emissions Concurrence Vote Passed - House (36 - 22)
May 1, 2008 KS SB 148 Electricity Generation and Conservation Veto Override Failed - House (80 - 45)
May 1, 2008 IL SJRCA 70 Constitutional Amendment to recall certain elected officials Bill Failed - Senate (33 - 19)
April 30, 2008 KS SB 148 Electricity Generation and Conservation Veto Override Passed - Senate (32 - 7)
April 23, 2008 AZ HB 2017 Legislative Approval for Regulating Greenhouse Gas Emissions Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 7)
April 16, 2008 NH HR 24 Impeachment Petition Resolution Tabled - House (227 - 95)
April 14, 2008 MO HJR 49 Appellate Judicial Commissioners Joint Resolution Failed - House (69 - 83)
April 9, 2008 SC H 4673 Cost-of-Living Pension Increases for Retired Legislators and State Workers Bill Passed - House (58 - 51)
April 8, 2008 IL HJRCA 28 Recall Elections Joint Resolution Passed - House (75 - 33)
April 4, 2008 KS SB 148 Electricity Generation and Conservation Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 7)
April 4, 2008 KS SB 148 Electricity Generation and Conservation Bill Passed - House (83 - 41)
April 2, 2008 GA SB 174 Physical Fitness Standards for State Employees Bill Failed - House (55 - 107)
April 1, 2008 IL HB 4232 State Board of Education Selection Process Bill Passed - House (86 - 21)
March 28, 2008 MD HB 362 Department of Information Technology Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 14)
March 26, 2008 MS SB 2188 Attorney General-Private Attorney Contract Restrictions Bill Passed - House (95 - 25)
March 17, 2008 SD HB 1233 Government Spending Database Veto Override Passed - House (61 - 8)
March 17, 2008 SD HB 1233 Government Spending Database Veto Override Failed - Senate (22 - 12)
March 17, 2008 ID HCR 49 State Employee Pay Raise Resolution Passed - Senate (26 - 8)
March 12, 2008 IA SF 2355 Time Off to Attend Presidential Precinct Caucuses Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 10)
March 11, 2008 WI AB 862 Government Spending Database Bill Passed - House (81 - 16)
March 7, 2008 CO HB 1025 Governor's Energy Office Concurrence Vote Passed - House (56 - 7)
March 6, 2008 AZ HB 2043 State Government Hiring Freeze Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 12)
March 6, 2008 CO HB 1025 Governor's Energy Office Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 13)
March 5, 2008 ID HCR 49 State Employee Pay Raise Resolution Passed - House (51 - 19)
March 5, 2008 SC H 4620 Expanding Governor's Appointment Power Joint Resolution Passed - House (83 - 24)
March 4, 2008 MD HB 362 Department of Information Technology Bill Passed - House (105 - 31)
Feb. 29, 2008 UT HB 75 State Inventory of Government Activities Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 6)
Feb. 28, 2008 MN GN Molnau Confirmation of Carol Molnau as Department of Transportation Commissioner Nomination Rejected - Senate (22 - 44)
Feb. 26, 2008 KY SB 14 Non-Partisan Public Officials Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
Feb. 26, 2008 SD HB 1233 Government Spending Database Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13)
Feb. 20, 2008 AZ HB 2043 State Government Hiring Freeze Bill Passed - House (40 - 15)
Feb. 19, 2008 CA GN Borucki Confirmation of Joan Borucki as State Lottery Director Nomination Confirmed - Senate (32 - 3)
Feb. 15, 2008 LA Amnd. 423 to SB 1 Persons Restricted from Doing Business with the State Amendment Adopted - Senate (21 - 16)
Feb. 15, 2008 UT HB 75 State Inventory of Government Activities Bill Passed - House (54 - 17)
Feb. 13, 2008 SD HB 1233 Government Spending Database Bill Passed - House (47 - 22)
Feb. 7, 2008 MA H 4488 Education Reorganization Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 5)
Feb. 6, 2008 MA H 4488 Education Reorganization Bill Passed - House (135 - 19)
Jan. 30, 2008 CO HB 1025 Governor's Energy Office Bill Passed - House (59 - 5)
Jan. 25, 2008 MS SB 2188 Attorney General-Private Attorney Contract Restrictions Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 18)
Jan. 15, 2008 WI SJR 5 Limiting Governor's Partial Veto Authority Joint Resolution Passed - House (94 - 1)
Dec. 11, 2007 WI SJR 5 Limiting Governor's Partial Veto Authority Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (33 - 0)
Nov. 19, 2007 MD HB 1 2007-2008 Budget Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - House (100 - 33)
Nov. 19, 2007 MD HB 1 2007-2008 Budget Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 13)
Nov. 13, 2007 MD HB 1 2007-2008 Budget Amendments Bill Passed - House (103 - 36)
Oct. 31, 2007 MI SB 229 2007-2008 Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (83 - 25)
Oct. 31, 2007 MI SB 229 2007-2008 Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (29 - 8)
Oct. 11, 2007 MA H 4282 Supplemental Budget Bill Passed - House (126 - 18)
May 22, 2007 National S 214 United States Attorneys Act of 2007 Bill Passed - House (306 - 114)
May 21, 2007 TN SJR 139 Popular Election of Statewide Officers Resolution Passed - Senate (19 - 12)
May 9, 2007 SC Amendment No. 2c Restructuring the Department of Transportation Amendment Tabled - Senate (20 - 19)
April 25, 2007 VT HR. 18 Urging National Executive Impeachment Resolution Failed - House (60 - 87)
April 20, 2007 VT SR 16 Urging National Executive Impeachment Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 9)
April 5, 2007 SC S 355 Restructuring the Department of Transportation Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 18)
March 27, 2007 SC Amendment No. 23 Remove the Transportation Commission Amendment Tabled - House (71 - 36)
March 21, 2007 NH CACR 11 Governor Term Increase Resolution Failed - House (185 - 168)
March 21, 2007 TX HJR 59 Extending Veto Override Time Frame Joint Resolution Passed - House (109 - 29)
March 20, 2007 National S 214 United States Attorneys Act of 2007 Bill Passed - Senate (94 - 2)
March 20, 2007 GA SB 174 Physical Fitness Standards for State Employees Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 1)
Feb. 22, 2007 KS Sub SB 152 Elections for Senate Vacancies Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 15)
Feb. 20, 2007 IN HB 1009 Review of State Privatization Contracts Bill Passed - House (52 - 45)
Feb. 15, 2007 KY HB 3 Restrictions on Governor Pardons Amendment Adopted - House (71 - 26)
Feb. 7, 2007 IN HB 1262 BMV Commission Elimination Bill Passed - House (51 - 49)
Feb. 1, 2007 WI AJR 1 Partial Veto by Alteration Ban Joint Resolution Passed - House (70 - 25)
Jan. 24, 2007 SC S 286 Appointment of the Superintendent of Education Joint Resolution Failed - Senate (27 - 19)
Jan. 24, 2007 SC S 285 The Appointment of the Comptroller General Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (32 - 11)
Jan. 24, 2007 SC S 288 Appointment of the Secretary of State Joint Resolution Failed - Senate (30 - 13)
Jan. 24, 2007 SC S 284 The Appointment of the Adjutant General Joint Resolution Failed - Senate (27 - 18)
Jan. 24, 2007 SC S 101 Reorganization of the State Government Joint Resolution Failed - Senate (22 - 23)
Jan. 24, 2007 SC S 287 The Appointment of the Commissioner of Agriculture Joint Resolution Failed - Senate (30 - 15)
Sept. 28, 2006 National S Amdt 5104 Military Commissions Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (47 - 52)
June 23, 2006 RI H 6885 International Trade Agreements Veto Override Passed - House (49 - 15)
June 23, 2006 RI H 6885 International Trade Agreements Veto Override Passed - Senate (26 - 4)
June 22, 2006 National HR 4890 Line Item Veto Bill Bill Passed - House (247 - 172)
March 9, 2006 AZ HB 2701 National Guard Mobilization; Border; Appropriation Concurrence Vote Passed - House (39 - 21)
Date No. Title Outcome
3/05 SB 200 Reorganization of State Transportation Authorities Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 25)
2/25 SB 141 Allowing Increase of Penalties for Convicted Public Officials Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 12)
2/18 S 351 State Ports Authority Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 14)
2/17 HB 1410 State Purchasing Authority Amendments Bill Passed - House (61 - 37)
2/11 HB 32 Gray Wolf Management Plan Amendments Bill Failed - House (7 - 52)
2/09 HB 240 Pay Raise for Certain Elected Officials Bill Passed - House (37 - 23)
2/04 SB 1473 Department of Forestry Land Use Permits Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 9)
2/02 SB 81 Board of Public Education Elections Bill Failed - Senate (21 - 29)
2/02 SB 80 Board of Regents Elections Bill Failed - Senate (20 - 30)
1/28 HB 13 State Employee Compensation Amendments Bill Passed - House (62 - 36)
1/27 AB 2 Mandatory State Contracting with Domestic Companies Bill Passed - House (69 - 30)
1/27 AB 1 Wisconsin-Based Products and Services Purchasing Goals Bill Passed - House (77 - 22)
1/27 HB 1050 Freedom of Information Act Exemption Specifications Bill Passed - House (57 - 31)
1/22 HB 1090 Increasing Public Utilities Staff Oversight Bill Passed - House (64 - 53)
1/21 SB 31 Revising Fish, Wildlife, and Parks Commission Membership Qualifications Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 20)
1/14 HR 5 Impeachment of Governor Rod R. Blagojevich Resolution Passed - House (117 - 1)
1/13 HB 1036 Workforce Safety and Insurance Premium Rate Regulation Bill Passed - House (62 - 32)
1/09 HR 1671 Impeachment of Governor Rod R. Blagojevich Resolution Passed - House (114 - 1)
12/10 HB 648 Increasing Restrictions on Access to Confidential Personal Information Bill Passed - House (69 - 26)
7/09 HR 5811 Electronic Communications Preservation Act Bill Passed - House (286 - 137)
6/27 HB 17 Medicaid Funds Bill Bill Passed - House (68 - 44)
6/23 S 1962 State Worker Retirement and Health Benefits Bill Passed - House (52 - 13)
6/23 S 1962 State Worker Retirement and Health Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 8)
6/21 HB 906 Anonymity of Ethics Board Complaints Concurrence Vote Passed - House (79 - 21)
6/20 SB 718 State Board Member and Commissioner Financial Disclosures Bill Passed - House (92 - 8)
5/28 SB 718 State Board Member and Commissioner Financial Disclosures Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 9)
5/12 HB 2017 Legislative Approval for Regulating Greenhouse Gas Emissions Concurrence Vote Passed - House (36 - 22)
5/01 SB 148 Electricity Generation and Conservation Veto Override Failed - House (80 - 45)
5/01 SJRCA 70 Constitutional Amendment to recall certain elected officials Bill Failed - Senate (33 - 19)
4/30 SB 148 Electricity Generation and Conservation Veto Override Passed - Senate (32 - 7)
4/23 HB 2017 Legislative Approval for Regulating Greenhouse Gas Emissions Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 7)
4/16 HR 24 Impeachment Petition Resolution Tabled - House (227 - 95)
4/14 HJR 49 Appellate Judicial Commissioners Joint Resolution Failed - House (69 - 83)
4/09 H 4673 Cost-of-Living Pension Increases for Retired Legislators and State Workers Bill Passed - House (58 - 51)
4/08 HJRCA 28 Recall Elections Joint Resolution Passed - House (75 - 33)
4/04 SB 148 Electricity Generation and Conservation Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 7)
4/04 SB 148 Electricity Generation and Conservation Bill Passed - House (83 - 41)
4/02 SB 174 Physical Fitness Standards for State Employees Bill Failed - House (55 - 107)
4/01 HB 4232 State Board of Education Selection Process Bill Passed - House (86 - 21)
3/28 HB 362 Department of Information Technology Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 14)
3/26 SB 2188 Attorney General-Private Attorney Contract Restrictions Bill Passed - House (95 - 25)
3/17 HB 1233 Government Spending Database Veto Override Passed - House (61 - 8)
3/17 HB 1233 Government Spending Database Veto Override Failed - Senate (22 - 12)
3/17 HCR 49 State Employee Pay Raise Resolution Passed - Senate (26 - 8)
3/12 SF 2355 Time Off to Attend Presidential Precinct Caucuses Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 10)
3/11 AB 862 Government Spending Database Bill Passed - House (81 - 16)
3/07 HB 1025 Governor's Energy Office Concurrence Vote Passed - House (56 - 7)
3/06 HB 2043 State Government Hiring Freeze Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 12)
3/06 HB 1025 Governor's Energy Office Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 13)
3/05 HCR 49 State Employee Pay Raise Resolution Passed - House (51 - 19)
3/05 H 4620 Expanding Governor's Appointment Power Joint Resolution Passed - House (83 - 24)
3/04 HB 362 Department of Information Technology Bill Passed - House (105 - 31)
2/29 HB 75 State Inventory of Government Activities Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 6)
2/28 GN Molnau Confirmation of Carol Molnau as Department of Transportation Commissioner Nomination Rejected - Senate (22 - 44)
2/26 SB 14 Non-Partisan Public Officials Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
2/26 HB 1233 Government Spending Database Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13)
2/20 HB 2043 State Government Hiring Freeze Bill Passed - House (40 - 15)
2/19 GN Borucki Confirmation of Joan Borucki as State Lottery Director Nomination Confirmed - Senate (32 - 3)
2/15 Amnd. 423 to SB 1 Persons Restricted from Doing Business with the State Amendment Adopted - Senate (21 - 16)
2/15 HB 75 State Inventory of Government Activities Bill Passed - House (54 - 17)
2/13 HB 1233 Government Spending Database Bill Passed - House (47 - 22)
2/07 H 4488 Education Reorganization Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 5)
2/06 H 4488 Education Reorganization Bill Passed - House (135 - 19)
1/30 HB 1025 Governor's Energy Office Bill Passed - House (59 - 5)
1/25 SB 2188 Attorney General-Private Attorney Contract Restrictions Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 18)
1/15 SJR 5 Limiting Governor's Partial Veto Authority Joint Resolution Passed - House (94 - 1)
12/11 SJR 5 Limiting Governor's Partial Veto Authority Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (33 - 0)
11/19 HB 1 2007-2008 Budget Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - House (100 - 33)
11/19 HB 1 2007-2008 Budget Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 13)
11/13 HB 1 2007-2008 Budget Amendments Bill Passed - House (103 - 36)
10/31 SB 229 2007-2008 Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (83 - 25)
10/31 SB 229 2007-2008 Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (29 - 8)
10/11 H 4282 Supplemental Budget Bill Passed - House (126 - 18)
5/22 S 214 United States Attorneys Act of 2007 Bill Passed - House (306 - 114)
5/21 SJR 139 Popular Election of Statewide Officers Resolution Passed - Senate (19 - 12)
5/09 Amendment No. 2c Restructuring the Department of Transportation Amendment Tabled - Senate (20 - 19)
4/25 HR. 18 Urging National Executive Impeachment Resolution Failed - House (60 - 87)
4/20 SR 16 Urging National Executive Impeachment Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 9)
4/05 S 355 Restructuring the Department of Transportation Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 18)
3/27 Amendment No. 23 Remove the Transportation Commission Amendment Tabled - House (71 - 36)
3/21 CACR 11 Governor Term Increase Resolution Failed - House (185 - 168)
3/21 HJR 59 Extending Veto Override Time Frame Joint Resolution Passed - House (109 - 29)
3/20 S 214 United States Attorneys Act of 2007 Bill Passed - Senate (94 - 2)
3/20 SB 174 Physical Fitness Standards for State Employees Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 1)
2/22 Sub SB 152 Elections for Senate Vacancies Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 15)
2/20 HB 1009 Review of State Privatization Contracts Bill Passed - House (52 - 45)
2/15 HB 3 Restrictions on Governor Pardons Amendment Adopted - House (71 - 26)
2/07 HB 1262 BMV Commission Elimination Bill Passed - House (51 - 49)
2/01 AJR 1 Partial Veto by Alteration Ban Joint Resolution Passed - House (70 - 25)
1/24 S 286 Appointment of the Superintendent of Education Joint Resolution Failed - Senate (27 - 19)
1/24 S 285 The Appointment of the Comptroller General Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (32 - 11)
1/24 S 288 Appointment of the Secretary of State Joint Resolution Failed - Senate (30 - 13)
1/24 S 284 The Appointment of the Adjutant General Joint Resolution Failed - Senate (27 - 18)
1/24 S 101 Reorganization of the State Government Joint Resolution Failed - Senate (22 - 23)
1/24 S 287 The Appointment of the Commissioner of Agriculture Joint Resolution Failed - Senate (30 - 15)
9/28 S Amdt 5104 Military Commissions Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (47 - 52)
6/23 H 6885 International Trade Agreements Veto Override Passed - House (49 - 15)
6/23 H 6885 International Trade Agreements Veto Override Passed - Senate (26 - 4)
6/22 HR 4890 Line Item Veto Bill Bill Passed - House (247 - 172)
3/09 HB 2701 National Guard Mobilization; Border; Appropriation Concurrence Vote Passed - House (39 - 21)

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