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
Dec. 4, 2006 NJ S 2193 Presidential Primaries Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 5)
Sept. 20, 2006 National HR 4844 Federal Election Integrity Act of 2006 Bill Passed - House (228 - 196)
Aug. 16, 2006 CA SCA 3 Redistricting Commission Resolution Passed - Senate (27 - 11)
July 26, 2006 NC HB 1024 Instant Runoff Voting Concurrence Vote Passed - House (59 - 52)
July 19, 2006 NC HB 1024 Instant Runoff Voting Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 18)
July 13, 2006 MA H 126 Unsigned Political Posters Veto Override Passed - Senate (30 - 6)
July 13, 2006 National HR 9 Voting Rights Act Reauthorization Bill Passed - House (390 - 33)
June 16, 2006 LA SB 382 Gift Ban on Cultural and Sporting Events for Elected Officials Motion Agreed - House (49 - 43)
June 15, 2006 RI LCO # 2223/6 Campaign Contributions and Expenditures Amendment Amendment Rejected - House (25 - 36)
June 14, 2006 SC H 4410 Campaign Finance Reporting Requirements Bill Veto Override Failed - Senate (8 - 29)
June 14, 2006 SC H 4410 Campaign Finance Reporting Requirements Bill Veto Override Failed - House (73 - 40)
June 13, 2006 RI H 6874 Ballot Questions from Governor Veto Override Passed - Senate (28 - 9)
June 6, 2006 RI H 6874 Ballot Questions from Governor Veto Override Passed - House (50 - 23)
May 30, 2006 CA AB 2948 Electoral College: Interstate Compact Bill Passed - House (49 - 31)
May 26, 2006 TN HA 1609 to HB 1114 Primary Election Regulations Amendment Amendment Adopted - House (48 - 45)
May 25, 2006 OH HJR 13 Redistricting Commission Joint Resolution Failed - House (53 - 42)
May 25, 2006 OH HJR 13 Redistricting Commission Joint Resolution Failed - House (58 - 37)
May 12, 2006 MO CCS2 HCS SS2 SCS SB 1014 Voter Identification and Poll Regulation Conference Report Adopted - House (84 - 73)
May 11, 2006 MO CCS SS HCS HB 1900 Campaign Finance and Lobbying Conference Report Adopted - Senate (28 - 5)
May 11, 2006 MO CCS2 HCS SS2 SCS SB 1014 Voter Identification and Poll Regulation Conference Report Adopted - Senate (23 - 10)
May 11, 2006 MO CCS SS HCS HB 1900 Campaign Finance and Lobbying Conference Report Adopted - House (88 - 67)
May 11, 2006 TN SB 1678 Establishing Voting Rights Guidelines for Convicted Felons Bill Passed - House (57 - 40)
May 10, 2006 KS SB 142 Campaign Finance Conference Report Adopted - Senate (28 - 11)
May 9, 2006 MN HF 1443 Voter Registration Photo ID Bill Passed - House (71 - 62)
May 8, 2006 KS SB 142 Campaign Finance Conference Report Adopted - House (75 - 45)
May 4, 2006 LA HB 669 Special Tax Election Requirements Bill Failed - House (51 - 51)
May 4, 2006 IL HB 1918 Support Horseracing Through Riverboat Casinos in Chicago Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 16)
May 4, 2006 MO HCS SS2 SCS SB 1014 Voter Identification and Poll Regulation Bill Passed - House (94 - 65)
May 3, 2006 PA SB 999 Voting Standards Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (36 - 13)
May 3, 2006 National HR 4975 527 Reform Act of 2006 Bill Passed - House (217 - 213)
May 3, 2006 RI S 2486 Ex-Felon's Voting Eligibility Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 4)
May 3, 2006 PA SB 999 Voting Standards Bill Passed - House (139 - 59)
May 2, 2006 WI SB 1 Ethics Bill Motion Rejected - House (45 - 51)
May 2, 2006 FL HB 1037 Campaign Financing Bill Passed - House (81 - 36)
May 1, 2006 IL SB 1445 Election Code Revisions Bill Passed - House (61 - 40)
April 24, 2006 MO SS2 SCS SB 1014 Voter Identification and Poll Regulation Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 9)
April 19, 2006 VA Governor's Recommendation: Campaign Finance Reporting Requirements Amendment Rejected - House (42 - 52)
April 17, 2006 AZ SB 1099 Campaign Finance Reports; Disclosure; Exemption Bill Failed - House (29 - 26)
April 17, 2006 CO SB 223 Interstate Compact for the Election of the President of the United States by National Popular Vote Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
April 13, 2006 NH HB 345 Photo ID for Voting Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 9)
April 12, 2006 NE LR 449 Impeachment of C. David Hergert Resolution Passed - Senate (25 - 22)
April 10, 2006 MD HB 1368 Election Changes Veto Override Passed - Senate (30 - 17)
April 10, 2006 MD HB 1674 Restrictions on Campaign Fund-Raising Activities by Members of the Board of Regents Veto Override Passed - Senate (29 - 18)
April 10, 2006 LA HB 850 Campaign Contributions Bill Passed - House (63 - 31)
April 8, 2006 MD HB 1674 Restrictions on Campaign Fund-Raising Activities by Members of the Board of Regents Veto Override Passed - House (88 - 49)
April 8, 2006 MD HB 1368 Election Changes Veto Override Passed - House (93 - 45)
April 5, 2006 National HR 513 527 Reform Act of 2005 Bill Passed - House (218 - 209)
April 5, 2006 AL HB 51 Presidential Primary Date Bill Passed - House (79 - 14)
April 4, 2006 MD HB 1054 Public Campaign Financing Act for Candidates for the General Assembly Bill Passed - House (79 - 56)
April 3, 2006 NE LB 188 Campaign Finance Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 10)
March 31, 2006 MD HB 1674 Restrictions on Campaign Fund-Raising Activities by Members of the Board of Regents Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 17)
March 28, 2006 ME LD 1912 Maine House of Representative’s Age Requirement Resolution Failed - House (77 - 65)
March 25, 2006 MD HB 1674 Restrictions on Campaign Fund-Raising Activities by Members of the Board of Regents Bill Passed - House (87 - 47)
March 22, 2006 IA HF 2597 Voter Identification Act Bill Passed - House (51 - 48)
March 21, 2006 OH HCR 36 Apportioning U.S. House Seats Resolution Passed - House (71 - 23)
March 17, 2006 VT S 164 Same-Day Voter Registration Bill Passed - House (63 - 45)
March 14, 2006 OK HCS HB 3119 Voter ID, Repealing Tuition Assistance, and Reporting of Illegal Immigrants Bill Passed - House (63 - 24)
March 8, 2006 IN HB 1011 Miscellaneous Election Law Matters Concurrence Vote Passed - House (52 - 47)
Feb. 28, 2006 IN HB 1011 Miscellaneous Election Law Matters Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 15)
Feb. 22, 2006 SD S Amdt 1215re Abortion Ban to Public Vote Amendment Rejected - Senate (15 - 20)
Feb. 15, 2006 PA HB 1318 Voter Identification Requirements Conference Report Adopted - Senate (27 - 20)
Feb. 15, 2006 LA HB 12 Elections; Voting; State of Emergency Concurrence Vote Passed - House (66 - 32)
Feb. 15, 2006 LA SB 22 State of Emergency Voting Reform Bill Passed - House (72 - 29)
Feb. 14, 2006 PA HB 1318 Voter Identification Requirements Conference Report Adopted - House (106 - 91)
Feb. 14, 2006 LA HB 12 Elections; Voting; State of Emergency Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 16)
Feb. 9, 2006 MS SB 2309 Voter Identification Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 18)
Feb. 9, 2006 NM SB 344 Campaign Contributions by Procurement Contractors Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 4)
Feb. 6, 2006 MS SB 2119 School Board Elections, Superintendent Appointments, and Consolidation Issues Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 20)
Feb. 6, 2006 VA Sub SB 313 DMV Reporting Requirements for Non-citizens Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 15)
Feb. 1, 2006 NH HB 621 Disclosure of Campaign Contributions by Lobbyists "Inexpedient to Legislate" Vote Failed - House (168 - 169)
Feb. 1, 2006 NH HB 621 Disclosure of Campaign Contributions by Lobbyists Bill Passed - House (198 - 144)
Feb. 1, 2006 PA HB 1318 Voter Identification Requirements Bill Passed - House (106 - 85)
Feb. 1, 2006 NH HB 345 Photo ID for Voting Bill Passed - House (211 - 149)
Jan. 31, 2006 OH HB 3 Election Law Reform Bill Conference Report Adopted - House (57 - 40)
Jan. 31, 2006 OH HB 3 Election Law Reform Bill Conference Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 12)
Jan. 31, 2006 GA SB 386 State Senatorial District Composition Bill Passed - House (100 - 69)
Jan. 30, 2006 CA AB 583 California Clean Money and Fair Elections Act of 2006 Bill Passed - House (47 - 31)
Jan. 25, 2006 GA SB 84 Voter Identification Concurrence Vote Passed - House (111 - 60)
Jan. 24, 2006 GA SB 84 Voter Identification Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 22)
Jan. 17, 2006 MS HB 519 Campaign Finance Reform Bill Passed - House (99 - 22)
Jan. 12, 2006 GA SB 84 Voter Identification Bill Passed - House (110 - 64)
Jan. 12, 2006 GA SB 386 State Senatorial District Composition Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 18)
Date No. Title Outcome
12/04 S 2193 Presidential Primaries Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 5)
9/20 HR 4844 Federal Election Integrity Act of 2006 Bill Passed - House (228 - 196)
8/16 SCA 3 Redistricting Commission Resolution Passed - Senate (27 - 11)
7/26 HB 1024 Instant Runoff Voting Concurrence Vote Passed - House (59 - 52)
7/19 HB 1024 Instant Runoff Voting Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 18)
7/13 H 126 Unsigned Political Posters Veto Override Passed - Senate (30 - 6)
7/13 HR 9 Voting Rights Act Reauthorization Bill Passed - House (390 - 33)
6/16 SB 382 Gift Ban on Cultural and Sporting Events for Elected Officials Motion Agreed - House (49 - 43)
6/15 LCO # 2223/6 Campaign Contributions and Expenditures Amendment Amendment Rejected - House (25 - 36)
6/14 H 4410 Campaign Finance Reporting Requirements Bill Veto Override Failed - Senate (8 - 29)
6/14 H 4410 Campaign Finance Reporting Requirements Bill Veto Override Failed - House (73 - 40)
6/13 H 6874 Ballot Questions from Governor Veto Override Passed - Senate (28 - 9)
6/06 H 6874 Ballot Questions from Governor Veto Override Passed - House (50 - 23)
5/30 AB 2948 Electoral College: Interstate Compact Bill Passed - House (49 - 31)
5/26 HA 1609 to HB 1114 Primary Election Regulations Amendment Amendment Adopted - House (48 - 45)
5/25 HJR 13 Redistricting Commission Joint Resolution Failed - House (53 - 42)
5/25 HJR 13 Redistricting Commission Joint Resolution Failed - House (58 - 37)
5/12 CCS2 HCS SS2 SCS SB 1014 Voter Identification and Poll Regulation Conference Report Adopted - House (84 - 73)
5/11 CCS SS HCS HB 1900 Campaign Finance and Lobbying Conference Report Adopted - Senate (28 - 5)
5/11 CCS2 HCS SS2 SCS SB 1014 Voter Identification and Poll Regulation Conference Report Adopted - Senate (23 - 10)
5/11 CCS SS HCS HB 1900 Campaign Finance and Lobbying Conference Report Adopted - House (88 - 67)
5/11 SB 1678 Establishing Voting Rights Guidelines for Convicted Felons Bill Passed - House (57 - 40)
5/10 SB 142 Campaign Finance Conference Report Adopted - Senate (28 - 11)
5/09 HF 1443 Voter Registration Photo ID Bill Passed - House (71 - 62)
5/08 SB 142 Campaign Finance Conference Report Adopted - House (75 - 45)
5/04 HB 669 Special Tax Election Requirements Bill Failed - House (51 - 51)
5/04 HB 1918 Support Horseracing Through Riverboat Casinos in Chicago Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 16)
5/04 HCS SS2 SCS SB 1014 Voter Identification and Poll Regulation Bill Passed - House (94 - 65)
5/03 SB 999 Voting Standards Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (36 - 13)
5/03 HR 4975 527 Reform Act of 2006 Bill Passed - House (217 - 213)
5/03 S 2486 Ex-Felon's Voting Eligibility Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 4)
5/03 SB 999 Voting Standards Bill Passed - House (139 - 59)
5/02 SB 1 Ethics Bill Motion Rejected - House (45 - 51)
5/02 HB 1037 Campaign Financing Bill Passed - House (81 - 36)
5/01 SB 1445 Election Code Revisions Bill Passed - House (61 - 40)
4/24 SS2 SCS SB 1014 Voter Identification and Poll Regulation Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 9)
4/19 Governor's Recommendation: Campaign Finance Reporting Requirements Amendment Rejected - House (42 - 52)
4/17 SB 1099 Campaign Finance Reports; Disclosure; Exemption Bill Failed - House (29 - 26)
4/17 SB 223 Interstate Compact for the Election of the President of the United States by National Popular Vote Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
4/13 HB 345 Photo ID for Voting Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 9)
4/12 LR 449 Impeachment of C. David Hergert Resolution Passed - Senate (25 - 22)
4/10 HB 1368 Election Changes Veto Override Passed - Senate (30 - 17)
4/10 HB 1674 Restrictions on Campaign Fund-Raising Activities by Members of the Board of Regents Veto Override Passed - Senate (29 - 18)
4/10 HB 850 Campaign Contributions Bill Passed - House (63 - 31)
4/08 HB 1674 Restrictions on Campaign Fund-Raising Activities by Members of the Board of Regents Veto Override Passed - House (88 - 49)
4/08 HB 1368 Election Changes Veto Override Passed - House (93 - 45)
4/05 HR 513 527 Reform Act of 2005 Bill Passed - House (218 - 209)
4/05 HB 51 Presidential Primary Date Bill Passed - House (79 - 14)
4/04 HB 1054 Public Campaign Financing Act for Candidates for the General Assembly Bill Passed - House (79 - 56)
4/03 LB 188 Campaign Finance Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 10)
3/31 HB 1674 Restrictions on Campaign Fund-Raising Activities by Members of the Board of Regents Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 17)
3/28 LD 1912 Maine House of Representative’s Age Requirement Resolution Failed - House (77 - 65)
3/25 HB 1674 Restrictions on Campaign Fund-Raising Activities by Members of the Board of Regents Bill Passed - House (87 - 47)
3/22 HF 2597 Voter Identification Act Bill Passed - House (51 - 48)
3/21 HCR 36 Apportioning U.S. House Seats Resolution Passed - House (71 - 23)
3/17 S 164 Same-Day Voter Registration Bill Passed - House (63 - 45)
3/14 HCS HB 3119 Voter ID, Repealing Tuition Assistance, and Reporting of Illegal Immigrants Bill Passed - House (63 - 24)
3/08 HB 1011 Miscellaneous Election Law Matters Concurrence Vote Passed - House (52 - 47)
2/28 HB 1011 Miscellaneous Election Law Matters Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 15)
2/22 S Amdt 1215re Abortion Ban to Public Vote Amendment Rejected - Senate (15 - 20)
2/15 HB 1318 Voter Identification Requirements Conference Report Adopted - Senate (27 - 20)
2/15 HB 12 Elections; Voting; State of Emergency Concurrence Vote Passed - House (66 - 32)
2/15 SB 22 State of Emergency Voting Reform Bill Passed - House (72 - 29)
2/14 HB 1318 Voter Identification Requirements Conference Report Adopted - House (106 - 91)
2/14 HB 12 Elections; Voting; State of Emergency Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 16)
2/09 SB 2309 Voter Identification Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 18)
2/09 SB 344 Campaign Contributions by Procurement Contractors Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 4)
2/06 SB 2119 School Board Elections, Superintendent Appointments, and Consolidation Issues Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 20)
2/06 Sub SB 313 DMV Reporting Requirements for Non-citizens Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 15)
2/01 HB 621 Disclosure of Campaign Contributions by Lobbyists "Inexpedient to Legislate" Vote Failed - House (168 - 169)
2/01 HB 621 Disclosure of Campaign Contributions by Lobbyists Bill Passed - House (198 - 144)
2/01 HB 1318 Voter Identification Requirements Bill Passed - House (106 - 85)
2/01 HB 345 Photo ID for Voting Bill Passed - House (211 - 149)
1/31 HB 3 Election Law Reform Bill Conference Report Adopted - House (57 - 40)
1/31 HB 3 Election Law Reform Bill Conference Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 12)
1/31 SB 386 State Senatorial District Composition Bill Passed - House (100 - 69)
1/30 AB 583 California Clean Money and Fair Elections Act of 2006 Bill Passed - House (47 - 31)
1/25 SB 84 Voter Identification Concurrence Vote Passed - House (111 - 60)
1/24 SB 84 Voter Identification Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 22)
1/17 HB 519 Campaign Finance Reform Bill Passed - House (99 - 22)
1/12 SB 84 Voter Identification Bill Passed - House (110 - 64)
1/12 SB 386 State Senatorial District Composition Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 18)

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