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
Jan. 27, 2009 IA SF 44 Expediting Local-Option Tax Approval in Disaster Areas Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 18)
Jan. 27, 2009 IA SF 44 Expediting Local-Option Tax Approval in Disaster Areas Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 18)
March 19, 2009 IA SF 389 Health Insurance Expansion Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 18)
Feb. 24, 2009 IA SF 218 Growth Percentage for State School Foundation Program Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 18)
May 8, 2009 ID H 376 Transportation Funding Package Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 7)
April 21, 2009 ID H 262 Teacher Compensation Adjustments Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 8)
May 8, 2009 ID H 374 Allowing Diversion of Funds to Virtual Education Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 9)
April 3, 2009 ID H 173 Restricting Eligibility for State Retiree Health Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 8)
April 7, 2009 ID S 1186 Highway Project Financing Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 6)
April 16, 2009 ID S 1166 Workers' Compensation Dividend Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 7)
March 26, 2009 ID S 1148 Alcohol Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
July 15, 2009 IL SB 1216 2009-2010 Budget Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (45 - 10)
June 30, 2009 IL SB 415 Bond Approval Concurrence Vote Failed - Senate (32 - 21)
July 15, 2009 IL SB 1292 Issuing of Bonds for Revenue Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (43 - 12)
May 28, 2009 IL HB 7 Campaign Contribution Limits Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 22)
May 20, 2009 IL HB 255 Video Gambling in Various Establishments Bill Passed - Senate (47 - 12)
May 30, 2009 IL HB 174 Income Tax Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 27)
Oct. 15, 2009 IL HJRCA 31 Authorizing Governor Recall Elections Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (56 - 1)
Oct. 15, 2009 IL HJRCA 31 Authorizing Governor Recall Elections Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (56 - 1)
June 30, 2009 IN HB 1001 2010 Budget Bill Conference Report Adopted - Senate (34 - 16)
April 29, 2009 IN HB 1491 St. Joseph Superior Court Judges Conference Report Adopted - Senate (32 - 18)
April 29, 2009 IN HB 1491 St. Joseph Superior Court Judges Conference Report Adopted - Senate (32 - 18)
April 15, 2009 IN HB 1607 West Lake Commuter Rail Project Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 7)
March 24, 2009 IN HB 1379 Unemployment Benefit Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 20)
April 15, 2009 IN HB 1604 Authorizing Local Tax Increases to Fund Sports and Convention Facilities Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 17)
April 15, 2009 IN HB 1604 Authorizing Local Tax Increases to Fund Sports and Convention Facilities Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 17)
Feb. 24, 2009 IN SB 512 Eliminating Township Boards in Counties Without a Consolidated City Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 22)
Feb. 9, 2009 IN SJR 1 Constitutional Property Tax Cap Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (34 - 16)
Feb. 24, 2009 IN SB 512 Eliminating Township Boards in Counties Without a Consolidated City Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 22)
March 31, 2009 KS HB 2354 2009-2010 Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (35 - 5)
March 24, 2009 KS HB 2354 2009-2010 Budget Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 14)
Feb. 12, 2009 KS SB 23 2008-2009, 2009-2010, and 2010-2011Budget Amendments Conference Report Adopted - Senate (27 - 11)
May 5, 2009 KS HB 2373 2009-2011 Biennium Budget Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 17)
Jan. 29, 2009 KS SB 23 2008-2009, 2009-2010, and 2010-2011 Budget Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 14)
Feb. 13, 2009 KY HB 144 Alcohol and Tobacco Sales Tax Increase Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 12)
March 13, 2009 KY HB 374 Gasoline Tax Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 7)
June 24, 2009 LA SB 278 Governor Records Disclosed Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 8)
June 21, 2009 LA HB 866 Publishing Legal Records Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 8)
June 17, 2009 LA HB 689 Louisiana Statewide Education Facilities Fund Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 6)
June 16, 2009 LA HB 782 Wireless Phone Card Fees Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 6)
June 15, 2009 LA HB 504 Jefferson Parish School Board Elections Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 13)
June 22, 2009 LA HB 877 Bluebonnet-Perkins Conference Hotel Taxing District Bill Failed - Senate (15 - 17)
June 15, 2009 LA HB 504 Jefferson Parish School Board Elections Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 13)
May 28, 2009 LA SB 296 Retirement Debt Payment Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 10)
Sept. 22, 2009 MA H 4246 Authorizing Governor to Appoint Interim U.S. Senator Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 16)
Sept. 22, 2009 MA H 4246 Authorizing Governor to Appoint Interim U.S. Senator Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 16)
Sept. 22, 2009 MA H 4246 Authorizing Governor to Appoint Interim U.S. Senator Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 16)
April 13, 2009 MD SB 785 Inheritance Tax Exemption for Domestic Partners Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 18)
April 10, 2009 MD HB 310 Extending Unemployment Benefits to Part-Time Employees Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 9)
March 5, 2009 MD SB 279 Capital Punishment Restrictions Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 13)
June 4, 2009 ME LD 977 Repealing School District Consolidation "Ought Not to Pass" Report Rejected - Senate (16 - 19)
June 4, 2009 ME LD 977 Repealing School District Consolidation "Ought Not to Pass" Report Rejected - Senate (16 - 19)
June 5, 2009 ME LD 1088 Income and Sales Tax Reform Bill Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 15)
June 23, 2009 MI HB 4441 2009-2010 Higher Education Budget Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 17)
June 24, 2009 MI HB 4436 2009-2010 Department of Community Health Budget Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 16)
May 27, 2009 MI SB 585 Cobo Convention Center Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 16)
May 27, 2009 MI SB 585 Cobo Convention Center Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 16)
June 18, 2009 MI SB 248 2010 Human Services Budget Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 15)
May 27, 2009 MI SB 587 Cobo Convention Center Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 16)
March 12, 2009 MI SB 69 Alternative Business Tax Eligibility Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 14)
May 27, 2009 MI SB 587 Cobo Convention Center Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 16)
Oct. 8, 2009 MI HB 4447 2009-2010 Education Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (20 - 13)
Sept. 30, 2009 MI HB 4437 2009-2010 Department of Corrections Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (23 - 14)
Sept. 29, 2009 MI SB 245 2009-2010 Executive and Legislative Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 16)
June 24, 2009 MI HB 4447 2009-2010 Education Budget Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
March 12, 2009 MI SB 201 Vehicle Sales Tax Modification Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 7)
Oct. 13, 2009 MI SB 884 Tax Amnesty Period Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 12)
April 20, 2009 MN Permitting Slot Machines at Race Tracks Amendment Rejected - Senate (25 - 41)
May 11, 2009 MN HF 1362 Health Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (47 - 18)
May 4, 2009 MN SF 2081 2010-2011 Economic Development Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (38 - 28)
May 8, 2009 MN HF 885 Tax Law Amendments Conference Report Adopted - Senate (44 - 20)
May 11, 2009 MN SF 1331 Changing Early Voting and Special Election Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 27)
April 17, 2009 MN SF 2083 2009-2011 Biennium Higher Education Budget Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 23)
April 7, 2009 MN SF 1328 2009-2011 Biennium Education Budget Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 29)
April 27, 2009 MN Ban on State Funds for Abortions Amendment Rejected - Senate (26 - 39)
May 4, 2009 MN SF 341 Domestic Partner Death Rights Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 24)
April 20, 2009 MN SF 802 2009-2011 Biennium Public Safety and Corrections Budget Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 31)
April 20, 2009 MN SF 802 2009-2011 Biennium Public Safety and Corrections Budget Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 31)
May 7, 2009 MO HB 11 2009-2010 Social Services Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (26 - 7)
April 14, 2009 MO HB 11 2009-2010 Social Services Budget Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 6)
April 14, 2009 MO HB 10 2009-10 Health Budget Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7)
April 16, 2009 MO SB 306 State Health Care Expansion Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 7)
May 7, 2009 MO HB 22 Capital Improvements Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 8)
May 15, 2009 MO HB 191 Law Changes Regarding Taxation Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 8)
Jan. 29, 2009 MS HB 364 Cigarette Tax Increase Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 7)
Feb. 4, 2009 MS SB 2548 Identification Requirements to Vote Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 17)
April 28, 2009 MT HB 2 2009-2011 Biennium Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (27 - 23)
April 14, 2009 MT HB 2 2009-2011 Biennium Budget Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 24)
Feb. 20, 2009 MT SB 394 Expanding Mail Ballot Elections Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 17)
Feb. 10, 2009 MT SB 243 Majority Vote Requirement for General Elections Bill Failed - Senate (23 - 27)
Feb. 6, 2009 MT SB 187 Limitations on Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 23)
Feb. 6, 2009 MT SB 187 Limitations on Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 23)
Feb. 2, 2009 MT SJ 7 Statement of Opposition to Expansion of EPA Jurisdiction (H.R. 2421) Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (32 - 18)
Feb. 2, 2009 MT SJ 7 Statement of Opposition to Expansion of EPA Jurisdiction (H.R. 2421) Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (32 - 18)
Feb. 2, 2009 MT SB 80 Board of Regents Elections Bill Failed - Senate (20 - 30)
Feb. 2, 2009 MT SB 80 Board of Regents Elections Bill Failed - Senate (20 - 30)
Feb. 2, 2009 MT SB 81 Board of Public Education Elections Bill Failed - Senate (21 - 29)
Feb. 2, 2009 MT SB 81 Board of Public Education Elections Bill Failed - Senate (21 - 29)
Jan. 21, 2009 MT SB 31 Revising Fish, Wildlife, and Parks Commission Membership Qualifications Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 20)
Aug. 6, 2009 National PN 506 Sonia Sotomayor, Associate Justice Nomination Confirmed - Senate (68 - 31)
Date No. Title Outcome
1/27 SF 44 Expediting Local-Option Tax Approval in Disaster Areas Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 18)
1/27 SF 44 Expediting Local-Option Tax Approval in Disaster Areas Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 18)
3/19 SF 389 Health Insurance Expansion Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 18)
2/24 SF 218 Growth Percentage for State School Foundation Program Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 18)
5/08 H 376 Transportation Funding Package Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 7)
4/21 H 262 Teacher Compensation Adjustments Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 8)
5/08 H 374 Allowing Diversion of Funds to Virtual Education Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 9)
4/03 H 173 Restricting Eligibility for State Retiree Health Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 8)
4/07 S 1186 Highway Project Financing Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 6)
4/16 S 1166 Workers' Compensation Dividend Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 7)
3/26 S 1148 Alcohol Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
7/15 SB 1216 2009-2010 Budget Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (45 - 10)
6/30 SB 415 Bond Approval Concurrence Vote Failed - Senate (32 - 21)
7/15 SB 1292 Issuing of Bonds for Revenue Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (43 - 12)
5/28 HB 7 Campaign Contribution Limits Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 22)
5/20 HB 255 Video Gambling in Various Establishments Bill Passed - Senate (47 - 12)
5/30 HB 174 Income Tax Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 27)
10/15 HJRCA 31 Authorizing Governor Recall Elections Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (56 - 1)
10/15 HJRCA 31 Authorizing Governor Recall Elections Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (56 - 1)
6/30 HB 1001 2010 Budget Bill Conference Report Adopted - Senate (34 - 16)
4/29 HB 1491 St. Joseph Superior Court Judges Conference Report Adopted - Senate (32 - 18)
4/29 HB 1491 St. Joseph Superior Court Judges Conference Report Adopted - Senate (32 - 18)
4/15 HB 1607 West Lake Commuter Rail Project Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 7)
3/24 HB 1379 Unemployment Benefit Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 20)
4/15 HB 1604 Authorizing Local Tax Increases to Fund Sports and Convention Facilities Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 17)
4/15 HB 1604 Authorizing Local Tax Increases to Fund Sports and Convention Facilities Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 17)
2/24 SB 512 Eliminating Township Boards in Counties Without a Consolidated City Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 22)
2/09 SJR 1 Constitutional Property Tax Cap Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (34 - 16)
2/24 SB 512 Eliminating Township Boards in Counties Without a Consolidated City Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 22)
3/31 HB 2354 2009-2010 Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (35 - 5)
3/24 HB 2354 2009-2010 Budget Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 14)
2/12 SB 23 2008-2009, 2009-2010, and 2010-2011Budget Amendments Conference Report Adopted - Senate (27 - 11)
5/05 HB 2373 2009-2011 Biennium Budget Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 17)
1/29 SB 23 2008-2009, 2009-2010, and 2010-2011 Budget Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 14)
2/13 HB 144 Alcohol and Tobacco Sales Tax Increase Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 12)
3/13 HB 374 Gasoline Tax Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 7)
6/24 SB 278 Governor Records Disclosed Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 8)
6/21 HB 866 Publishing Legal Records Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 8)
6/17 HB 689 Louisiana Statewide Education Facilities Fund Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 6)
6/16 HB 782 Wireless Phone Card Fees Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 6)
6/15 HB 504 Jefferson Parish School Board Elections Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 13)
6/22 HB 877 Bluebonnet-Perkins Conference Hotel Taxing District Bill Failed - Senate (15 - 17)
6/15 HB 504 Jefferson Parish School Board Elections Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 13)
5/28 SB 296 Retirement Debt Payment Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 10)
9/22 H 4246 Authorizing Governor to Appoint Interim U.S. Senator Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 16)
9/22 H 4246 Authorizing Governor to Appoint Interim U.S. Senator Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 16)
9/22 H 4246 Authorizing Governor to Appoint Interim U.S. Senator Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 16)
4/13 SB 785 Inheritance Tax Exemption for Domestic Partners Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 18)
4/10 HB 310 Extending Unemployment Benefits to Part-Time Employees Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 9)
3/05 SB 279 Capital Punishment Restrictions Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 13)
6/04 LD 977 Repealing School District Consolidation "Ought Not to Pass" Report Rejected - Senate (16 - 19)
6/04 LD 977 Repealing School District Consolidation "Ought Not to Pass" Report Rejected - Senate (16 - 19)
6/05 LD 1088 Income and Sales Tax Reform Bill Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 15)
6/23 HB 4441 2009-2010 Higher Education Budget Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 17)
6/24 HB 4436 2009-2010 Department of Community Health Budget Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 16)
5/27 SB 585 Cobo Convention Center Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 16)
5/27 SB 585 Cobo Convention Center Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 16)
6/18 SB 248 2010 Human Services Budget Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 15)
5/27 SB 587 Cobo Convention Center Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 16)
3/12 SB 69 Alternative Business Tax Eligibility Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 14)
5/27 SB 587 Cobo Convention Center Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 16)
10/08 HB 4447 2009-2010 Education Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (20 - 13)
9/30 HB 4437 2009-2010 Department of Corrections Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (23 - 14)
9/29 SB 245 2009-2010 Executive and Legislative Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 16)
6/24 HB 4447 2009-2010 Education Budget Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
3/12 SB 201 Vehicle Sales Tax Modification Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 7)
10/13 SB 884 Tax Amnesty Period Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 12)
4/20 Permitting Slot Machines at Race Tracks Amendment Rejected - Senate (25 - 41)
5/11 HF 1362 Health Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (47 - 18)
5/04 SF 2081 2010-2011 Economic Development Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (38 - 28)
5/08 HF 885 Tax Law Amendments Conference Report Adopted - Senate (44 - 20)
5/11 SF 1331 Changing Early Voting and Special Election Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 27)
4/17 SF 2083 2009-2011 Biennium Higher Education Budget Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 23)
4/07 SF 1328 2009-2011 Biennium Education Budget Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 29)
4/27 Ban on State Funds for Abortions Amendment Rejected - Senate (26 - 39)
5/04 SF 341 Domestic Partner Death Rights Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 24)
4/20 SF 802 2009-2011 Biennium Public Safety and Corrections Budget Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 31)
4/20 SF 802 2009-2011 Biennium Public Safety and Corrections Budget Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 31)
5/07 HB 11 2009-2010 Social Services Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (26 - 7)
4/14 HB 11 2009-2010 Social Services Budget Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 6)
4/14 HB 10 2009-10 Health Budget Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7)
4/16 SB 306 State Health Care Expansion Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 7)
5/07 HB 22 Capital Improvements Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 8)
5/15 HB 191 Law Changes Regarding Taxation Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 8)
1/29 HB 364 Cigarette Tax Increase Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 7)
2/04 SB 2548 Identification Requirements to Vote Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 17)
4/28 HB 2 2009-2011 Biennium Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (27 - 23)
4/14 HB 2 2009-2011 Biennium Budget Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 24)
2/20 SB 394 Expanding Mail Ballot Elections Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 17)
2/10 SB 243 Majority Vote Requirement for General Elections Bill Failed - Senate (23 - 27)
2/06 SB 187 Limitations on Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 23)
2/06 SB 187 Limitations on Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 23)
2/02 SJ 7 Statement of Opposition to Expansion of EPA Jurisdiction (H.R. 2421) Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (32 - 18)
2/02 SJ 7 Statement of Opposition to Expansion of EPA Jurisdiction (H.R. 2421) Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (32 - 18)
2/02 SB 80 Board of Regents Elections Bill Failed - Senate (20 - 30)
2/02 SB 80 Board of Regents Elections Bill Failed - Senate (20 - 30)
2/02 SB 81 Board of Public Education Elections Bill Failed - Senate (21 - 29)
2/02 SB 81 Board of Public Education Elections Bill Failed - Senate (21 - 29)
1/21 SB 31 Revising Fish, Wildlife, and Parks Commission Membership Qualifications Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 20)
8/06 PN 506 Sonia Sotomayor, Associate Justice Nomination Confirmed - Senate (68 - 31)

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