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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:
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Date State Bill No. Title Outcome
May 4, 2023 SC S 120 Authorizes the State to Buy Lethal Injection Drugs Without Disclosing Manufacturer Company Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 6)
May 4, 2023 IL HB 3762 Repeals the Death Penalty for First Degree Murder Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 19)
March 20, 2023 ID H 186 Authorizes Execution by Firing Squad Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11)
March 2, 2021 SC S 200 Establishes the Electric Chair as the Default Method of Execution Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 11)
Feb. 3, 2021 VA SB 1165 Repeals the Death Penalty Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 17)
Aug. 13, 2020 NE LB 238 Requires Witnesses of Executions to Watch the Entire Proceeding Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 10)
Jan. 31, 2020 CO SB 20-100 Repeals the Death Penalty Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 13)
May 21, 2019 OR SB 1013 Redefines the Crime of Aggravated Murder Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 9)
April 11, 2019 NH HB 455 Repeals the Death Penalty Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 6)
Jan. 29, 2019 SC S 176 Authorizes Death Penalty by Firing Squad Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 13)
April 18, 2017 AL SB 12 Authorizes Use of Nitrogen in Death Penalty Executions Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 7)
April 20, 2016 VA HB 815 Amends Death Penalty Procedures Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 16)
April 7, 2016 AL SB 237 Establishes Innocence Inquiry Commission Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 6)
March 11, 2016 VA HB 815 Amends Death Penalty Procedures Conference Report Adopted - Senate (22 - 17)
March 2, 2016 UT SB 189 Repeals Death Penalty Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 12)
March 1, 2016 MS SB 2237 Establishes Identity Protections for Execution Teams Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 18)
July 27, 2015 NC HB 774 Authorizes Certain Medical Professionals to Monitor Executions Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 16)
May 27, 2015 NE LB 268 Repeals the Death Penalty Veto Override Passed - Senate (30 - 19)
April 2, 2015 DE SB 40 Repeals the Death Penalty Bill Passed - Senate (11 - 9)
March 10, 2015 UT HB 11 Authorizes Execution by Firing Squad Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 10)
Feb. 12, 2015 WY SF 13 Authorizes Firing Squads as an Alternative Method of Execution Concurrence Vote Failed - Senate (14 - 12)
Feb. 10, 2015 VA SB 1393 Authorizes Changes to Lethal Injection Drug Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 14)
Jan. 16, 2015 WY SF 13 Authorizes Firing Squads as an Alternative Method of Execution Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 12)
Dec. 11, 2014 OH HB 663 Requires Confidentiality of Death Penalty Information Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 10)
April 17, 2014 TN SB 2580 Authorizes the Use of Certain Execution Methods Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 4)
April 17, 2014 NH HB 1170 Repeals the Death Penalty Bill Failed - Senate (12 - 12)
Feb. 13, 2014 KS HB 2389 Establishes Time Limits on Death Penalty Appeals Process Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 13)
June 12, 2013 NC SB 306 Repeals the Racial Justice Act Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (33 - 16)
April 29, 2013 FL HB 7083 Limits Post-Conviction Death Penalty Appeals Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 10)
April 3, 2013 NC SB 306 Repeals the Racial Justice Act Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 14)
March 26, 2013 DE SB 19 Repeals the Death Penalty Bill Passed - Senate (11 - 10)
March 6, 2013 MD SB 276 Repeals the Death Penalty Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 20)
July 2, 2012 NC SB 416 Death Penalty Discrimination Veto Override Passed - Senate (31 - 11)
June 20, 2012 NC SB 416 Death Penalty Discrimination Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 18)
April 4, 2012 CT SB 280 Repeals the Death Penalty Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 16)
Jan. 4, 2012 NC SB 9 Death Penalty Discrimination Veto Override Passed - Senate (31 - 19)
Nov. 28, 2011 NC SB 9 Death Penalty Discrimination Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 17)
Feb. 15, 2011 MT SB 185 Abolish the Death Penalty Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 24)
Jan. 11, 2011 IL SB 3539 Abolishing the Death Penalty Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 25)
March 25, 2010 NE LB 1105 Death Penalty Cost Study Motion Rejected - Senate (22 - 22)
Aug. 5, 2009 NC SB 461 Racial Discrimination in Capital Sentences Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 18)
May 28, 2009 NE LB 36 Requiring Lethal Injection Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 12)
May 14, 2009 NC SB 461 Racial Discrimination in Capital Sentences Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 10)
May 6, 2009 CO HB 1274 Repeals Death Penalty Conference Report Rejected - Senate (17 - 18)
April 29, 2009 NH HB 556 Abolishing the Death Penalty Bill Tabled - Senate (13 - 11)
March 13, 2009 NM HB 285 Abolishing the Death Penalty Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 18)
March 5, 2009 MD SB 279 Capital Punishment Restrictions Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 13)
March 2, 2009 UT SJR 14 Legislative Regulation of Death Row Appeals Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (23 - 6)
Feb. 17, 2009 MT SB 236 Abolition of Death Penalty Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 23)
Jan. 27, 2009 VA SB 961 Expanding Death Penalty Eligibility to Accomplices Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 16)
June 18, 2008 NY S 4632 Reinstate the Death Penalty Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 21)
March 25, 2008 NE LB 1063 Abolishing the Death Penalty Motion Rejected - Senate (20 - 28)
Feb. 25, 2008 VA HB 933 "Triggerman Rule" in Capital Murder Cases Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 16)
Dec. 10, 2007 NJ S 171 Eliminating the Death Penalty Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 16)
July 20, 2007 National HR 2669 Student Loan Lender Subsidy Cuts and Student Grants Bill Passed - Senate (78 - 18)
May 14, 2007 NY S 319 Death Penalty For Certain Murders Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 24)
April 4, 2007 VA HB 2347 Capital Murder of a Witness Veto Override Passed - Senate (29 - 10)
April 4, 2007 VA Sub HB 2348 Extension of "Triggerman Rule" Veto Override Failed - Senate (24 - 14)
March 20, 2007 NE LB 476 Elimination of the Death Penalty Bill Failed - Senate (24 - 25)
Feb. 24, 2007 MT SB 306 Eliminate Death Penalty Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 22)
Feb. 14, 2007 SD HB 1175 Lethal Injection Reform Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7)
Feb. 14, 2007 SD HB 1160 Physician Presence at Executions Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 3)
Jan. 23, 2007 VA Sub SB 1116 Capital Murder of a Judge or Witness Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 10)
April 17, 1996 National S 735 Comprehensive Terrorism Prevention Act Conference Report Adopted - Senate (91 - 8)
June 7, 1995 National S 735 Comprehensive Terrorism Prevention Act Bill Passed - Senate (91 - 8)
Nov. 17, 1993 National S Amdt 1204 Replacing the Death Penalty with Life Imprisonment Amendment Rejected - Senate (25 - 74)
Nov. 8, 1993 National S Amdt 1132 Prohibiting the Death Penalty for Minors Amendment Tabled - Senate (52 - 41)
Date No. Title Outcome
5/04 S 120 Authorizes the State to Buy Lethal Injection Drugs Without Disclosing Manufacturer Company Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 6)
5/04 HB 3762 Repeals the Death Penalty for First Degree Murder Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 19)
3/20 H 186 Authorizes Execution by Firing Squad Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11)
3/02 S 200 Establishes the Electric Chair as the Default Method of Execution Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 11)
2/03 SB 1165 Repeals the Death Penalty Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 17)
8/13 LB 238 Requires Witnesses of Executions to Watch the Entire Proceeding Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 10)
1/31 SB 20-100 Repeals the Death Penalty Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 13)
5/21 SB 1013 Redefines the Crime of Aggravated Murder Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 9)
4/11 HB 455 Repeals the Death Penalty Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 6)
1/29 S 176 Authorizes Death Penalty by Firing Squad Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 13)
4/18 SB 12 Authorizes Use of Nitrogen in Death Penalty Executions Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 7)
4/20 HB 815 Amends Death Penalty Procedures Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 16)
4/07 SB 237 Establishes Innocence Inquiry Commission Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 6)
3/11 HB 815 Amends Death Penalty Procedures Conference Report Adopted - Senate (22 - 17)
3/02 SB 189 Repeals Death Penalty Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 12)
3/01 SB 2237 Establishes Identity Protections for Execution Teams Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 18)
7/27 HB 774 Authorizes Certain Medical Professionals to Monitor Executions Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 16)
5/27 LB 268 Repeals the Death Penalty Veto Override Passed - Senate (30 - 19)
4/02 SB 40 Repeals the Death Penalty Bill Passed - Senate (11 - 9)
3/10 HB 11 Authorizes Execution by Firing Squad Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 10)
2/12 SF 13 Authorizes Firing Squads as an Alternative Method of Execution Concurrence Vote Failed - Senate (14 - 12)
2/10 SB 1393 Authorizes Changes to Lethal Injection Drug Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 14)
1/16 SF 13 Authorizes Firing Squads as an Alternative Method of Execution Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 12)
12/11 HB 663 Requires Confidentiality of Death Penalty Information Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 10)
4/17 SB 2580 Authorizes the Use of Certain Execution Methods Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 4)
4/17 HB 1170 Repeals the Death Penalty Bill Failed - Senate (12 - 12)
2/13 HB 2389 Establishes Time Limits on Death Penalty Appeals Process Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 13)
6/12 SB 306 Repeals the Racial Justice Act Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (33 - 16)
4/29 HB 7083 Limits Post-Conviction Death Penalty Appeals Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 10)
4/03 SB 306 Repeals the Racial Justice Act Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 14)
3/26 SB 19 Repeals the Death Penalty Bill Passed - Senate (11 - 10)
3/06 SB 276 Repeals the Death Penalty Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 20)
7/02 SB 416 Death Penalty Discrimination Veto Override Passed - Senate (31 - 11)
6/20 SB 416 Death Penalty Discrimination Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 18)
4/04 SB 280 Repeals the Death Penalty Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 16)
1/04 SB 9 Death Penalty Discrimination Veto Override Passed - Senate (31 - 19)
11/28 SB 9 Death Penalty Discrimination Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 17)
2/15 SB 185 Abolish the Death Penalty Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 24)
1/11 SB 3539 Abolishing the Death Penalty Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 25)
3/25 LB 1105 Death Penalty Cost Study Motion Rejected - Senate (22 - 22)
8/05 SB 461 Racial Discrimination in Capital Sentences Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 18)
5/28 LB 36 Requiring Lethal Injection Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 12)
5/14 SB 461 Racial Discrimination in Capital Sentences Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 10)
5/06 HB 1274 Repeals Death Penalty Conference Report Rejected - Senate (17 - 18)
4/29 HB 556 Abolishing the Death Penalty Bill Tabled - Senate (13 - 11)
3/13 HB 285 Abolishing the Death Penalty Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 18)
3/05 SB 279 Capital Punishment Restrictions Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 13)
3/02 SJR 14 Legislative Regulation of Death Row Appeals Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (23 - 6)
2/17 SB 236 Abolition of Death Penalty Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 23)
1/27 SB 961 Expanding Death Penalty Eligibility to Accomplices Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 16)
6/18 S 4632 Reinstate the Death Penalty Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 21)
3/25 LB 1063 Abolishing the Death Penalty Motion Rejected - Senate (20 - 28)
2/25 HB 933 "Triggerman Rule" in Capital Murder Cases Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 16)
12/10 S 171 Eliminating the Death Penalty Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 16)
7/20 HR 2669 Student Loan Lender Subsidy Cuts and Student Grants Bill Passed - Senate (78 - 18)
5/14 S 319 Death Penalty For Certain Murders Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 24)
4/04 HB 2347 Capital Murder of a Witness Veto Override Passed - Senate (29 - 10)
4/04 Sub HB 2348 Extension of "Triggerman Rule" Veto Override Failed - Senate (24 - 14)
3/20 LB 476 Elimination of the Death Penalty Bill Failed - Senate (24 - 25)
2/24 SB 306 Eliminate Death Penalty Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 22)
2/14 HB 1175 Lethal Injection Reform Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7)
2/14 HB 1160 Physician Presence at Executions Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 3)
1/23 Sub SB 1116 Capital Murder of a Judge or Witness Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 10)
4/17 S 735 Comprehensive Terrorism Prevention Act Conference Report Adopted - Senate (91 - 8)
6/07 S 735 Comprehensive Terrorism Prevention Act Bill Passed - Senate (91 - 8)
11/17 S Amdt 1204 Replacing the Death Penalty with Life Imprisonment Amendment Rejected - Senate (25 - 74)
11/08 S Amdt 1132 Prohibiting the Death Penalty for Minors Amendment Tabled - Senate (52 - 41)
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