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
Feb. 12, 2009 ND HB 1453 Wheelchair Accessibility in Businesses Bill Failed - House (19 - 72)
May 27, 2009 LA HB 146 Cell Phones While Driving Bill Passed - House (57 - 41)
April 24, 2009 ND HB 1478 Children's Health Insurance Program Eligibility Expansion Conference Report Rejected - House (41 - 47)
Feb. 6, 2009 ND HB 1508 State-Sponsored Children's Savings Accounts Bill Failed - House (28 - 64)
April 22, 2009 WA HB 1517 Expediting the Restoration of Felons' Voting Rights Concurrence Vote Passed - House (52 - 44)
April 22, 2009 WA HB 1517 Expediting the Restoration of Felons' Voting Rights Concurrence Vote Passed - House (52 - 44)
April 15, 2009 WA HB 1517 Expediting the Restoration of Felons' Voting Rights Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 19)
April 15, 2009 WA HB 1517 Expediting the Restoration of Felons' Voting Rights Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 19)
Oct. 7, 2009 PA HB 1531 Tax Law Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - House (102 - 96)
Oct. 2, 2009 PA HB 1531 Tax Law Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - House (103 - 98)
Oct. 6, 2009 PA HB 1531 Tax Law Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (35 - 14)
Feb. 11, 2009 MS HB 1533 Election Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (78 - 44)
Feb. 3, 2009 MT HB 157 Children's Health Insurance Program Appropriations and Amendments Bill Passed - House (60 - 40)
April 3, 2009 ND HB 1572 Legislative Intent With Regards to the Legal Definition of Life Bill Failed - Senate (16 - 29)
Feb. 17, 2009 ND HB 1572 Legislative Intent With Regards to the Legal Definition of Life Bill Passed - House (51 - 41)
Feb. 9, 2009 ND HB 1576 Election Law Amendments Bill Failed - House (47 - 46)
April 15, 2009 IN HB 1604 Authorizing Local Tax Increases to Fund Sports and Convention Facilities Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 17)
Aug. 5, 2009 PA HB 1663 Appropriations from State Gaming Fund Bill Passed - House (110 - 87)
Jan. 29, 2009 UT HB 17 Allowing Doctors to Prescribe Antibiotics to Unnamed Sexual Partners Bill Passed - House (63 - 8)
Feb. 9, 2009 WY HB 170 State Lottery for Scholarship Funding Bill Failed - House (25 - 35)
March 9, 2009 AR HB 1700 Expanding Eligibility for Children's Health Insurance Program Bill Passed - House (82 - 14)
March 9, 2009 UT HB 171 Extending CHIP and Medicaid Coverage to Children of Documented Immigrants Bill Passed - House (50 - 23)
March 9, 2009 UT HB 171 Extending CHIP and Medicaid Coverage to Children of Documented Immigrants Bill Passed - House (50 - 23)
Feb. 25, 2009 IN HB 1729 Gaming Facility Tax Amendments Bill Passed - House (58 - 39)
May 11, 2009 TX HB 1736 Increasing Wrongful Conviction Compensation Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 4)
May 11, 2009 TX HB 1736 Increasing Wrongful Conviction Compensation Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 4)
Feb. 5, 2009 VA HB 1826 Driver's License Suspension for Unexcused School Absences Bill Passed - House (68 - 28)
Feb. 24, 2009 VA HB 1826 Driver's License Suspension for Unexcused School Absences Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 3)
Feb. 24, 2009 VA HB 1826 Driver's License Suspension for Unexcused School Absences Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 3)
Feb. 5, 2009 VA HB 1826 Driver's License Suspension for Unexcused School Absences Bill Passed - House (68 - 28)
March 3, 2009 UT HB 187 Restricting Access to Public Waters on Private Property Bill Failed - House (34 - 41)
Jan. 29, 2009 WY HB 190 Suspending Driver's Licenses for Nonpayment of Child Support Bill Passed - House (37 - 23)
April 3, 2009 GA HB 2 Citizenship Status Verification of Government Assistance Recipients Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (38 - 16)
April 3, 2009 GA HB 2 Citizenship Status Verification of Government Assistance Recipients Concurrence Vote Passed - House (121 - 47)
May 11, 2009 NC HB 2 Statewide Indoor Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 18)
April 2, 2009 NC HB 2 Statewide Indoor Smoking Ban Bill Passed - House (72 - 45)
July 31, 2009 AZ HB 2010 Budget Reconciliation (Criminal Justice) Bill Passed - House (31 - 15)
Aug. 12, 2009 AZ HB 2010 Budget Reconciliation (Criminal Justice) Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 8)
Aug. 12, 2009 AZ HB 2013 Budget Reconciliation (Health and Welfare) Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 8)
July 31, 2009 AZ HB 2013 Budget Reconciliation (Health and Welfare) Bill Passed - House (35 - 11)
Feb. 3, 2009 UT HB 222 Offering Anesthetics to Women Undergoing Abortions Bill Passed - House (56 - 15)
March 25, 2009 KS HB 2275 Drug Testing for Cash Assistance Recipients Bill Passed - House (99 - 26)
March 25, 2009 KS HB 2275 Drug Testing for Cash Assistance Recipients Bill Passed - House (99 - 26)
April 9, 2009 MT HB 228 Amending Concealed Weapons and Self-Defense Statutes Conference Report Adopted - House (85 - 14)
April 9, 2009 MT HB 228 Amending Concealed Weapons and Self-Defense Statutes Conference Report Adopted - House (85 - 14)
April 9, 2009 MT HB 228 Amending Concealed Weapons and Self-Defense Statutes Conference Report Adopted - Senate (40 - 10)
April 9, 2009 MT HB 228 Amending Concealed Weapons and Self-Defense Statutes Conference Report Adopted - Senate (40 - 10)
Feb. 10, 2009 MT HB 228 Amending Concealed Weapons and Self-Defense Statutes Bill Passed - House (60 - 40)
Feb. 10, 2009 MT HB 228 Amending Concealed Weapons and Self-Defense Statutes Bill Passed - House (60 - 40)
March 12, 2009 GA HB 23 Age-Specific Ban on Wireless Communication While Driving Bill Passed - House (138 - 34)
March 12, 2009 GA HB 23 Age-Specific Ban on Wireless Communication While Driving Bill Passed - House (138 - 34)
Feb. 4, 2009 VA HB 2314 Allowing Police Chaplains to Conduct Sectarian Prayer Bill Passed - House (66 - 30)
Feb. 12, 2009 MS HB 234 Sex Education Pilot Program Bill Passed - House (79 - 40)
June 23, 2009 OR HB 2377 Prohibiting Handheld Cell Phone Use While Driving Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 13)
April 28, 2009 OR HB 2377 Prohibiting Handheld Cell Phone Use While Driving Bill Passed - House (38 - 22)
March 11, 2009 AZ HB 2400 Specifying Partial-Birth/Late-Term Abortion Penalty Bill Passed - House (37 - 19)
March 11, 2009 AZ HB 2400 Specifying Partial-Birth/Late-Term Abortion Penalty Bill Passed - House (37 - 19)
May 18, 2009 OR HB 2509 Sexual Education Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 9)
March 11, 2009 OR HB 2509 Sexual Education Bill Passed - House (41 - 19)
March 11, 2009 OR HB 2509 Sexual Education Bill Passed - House (41 - 19)
May 18, 2009 OR HB 2509 Sexual Education Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 9)
March 12, 2009 TN HB 254 Eliminating Thumbprint Requirement for Gun Purchases Bill Passed - House (82 - 11)
May 22, 2009 IL HB 255 Video Gambling in Various Establishments Concurrence Vote Passed - House (86 - 30)
May 20, 2009 IL HB 255 Video Gambling in Various Establishments Bill Passed - Senate (47 - 12)
March 11, 2009 AZ HB 2564 Abortion Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (36 - 19)
March 25, 2009 OR HB 2599 Expanding School Bullying Law Bill Passed - House (50 - 9)
May 27, 2009 OR HB 2599 Expanding School Bullying Law Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 2)
March 27, 2009 WV HB 2621 Prohibiting the Use of Cell Phones While Driving Bill Passed - House (80 - 18)
July 14, 2009 PA HB 264 Expungement of Criminal Records and Juvenile Records Bill Passed - House (104 - 91)
June 15, 2009 OR HB 2672 Increasing Moist Snuff Tobacco Tax and Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 9)
June 4, 2009 OR HB 2794 Mandatory HPV Vaccination Coverage Concurrence Vote Passed - House (40 - 17)
June 4, 2009 OR HB 2794 Mandatory HPV Vaccination Coverage Concurrence Vote Passed - House (40 - 17)
June 3, 2009 OR HB 2794 Mandatory HPV Vaccination Coverage Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 6)
June 3, 2009 OR HB 2794 Mandatory HPV Vaccination Coverage Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 6)
April 15, 2009 OR HB 2794 Mandatory HPV Vaccination Coverage Bill Passed - House (48 - 12)
Feb. 25, 2009 NM HB 28 Increasing Penalties for Intimidation of Judges Bill Passed - House (43 - 21)
May 4, 2009 OR HB 2821 Employee Vacation Use Amendments Bill Passed - House (34 - 23)
March 12, 2009 UT HB 290 Prohibiting Text Messaging While Driving Concurrence Vote Passed - House (45 - 29)
May 15, 2009 TX HB 2962 Childrens' Health Care Bill Passed - House (87 - 55)
March 17, 2009 MD HB 302 Allowing Judges to Confiscate Firearms from Domestic Abuse Suspects Bill Passed - House (92 - 45)
April 6, 2009 MD HB 302 Allowing Judges to Confiscate Firearms from Domestic Abuse Suspects Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 15)
April 6, 2009 MD HB 302 Allowing Judges to Confiscate Firearms from Domestic Abuse Suspects Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 15)
March 17, 2009 MD HB 302 Allowing Judges to Confiscate Firearms from Domestic Abuse Suspects Bill Passed - House (92 - 45)
Feb. 3, 2009 WY HB 31 Statewide Indoor Smoking Ban Bill Passed - House (31 - 29)
Feb. 11, 2009 WY HB 32 Gray Wolf Management Plan Amendments Bill Failed - House (7 - 52)
March 24, 2009 NH HB 34 Banning Text Messaging While Driving Bill Passed - House (222 - 137)
June 18, 2009 LA HB 340 Religious Freedom Constitutional Amendment Concurrence Vote Failed - House (53 - 26)
April 2, 2009 AK HB 35 Parental Consent for Underage Abortions Bill Passed - House (22 - 14)
April 2, 2009 AK HB 35 Parental Consent for Underage Abortions Bill Passed - House (22 - 14)
June 27, 2009 OR HB 3508 Implementing Measure 57 Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 8)
June 26, 2009 OR HB 3508 Implementing Measure 57 Bill Passed - House (40 - 19)
March 17, 2009 MD HB 359 Handgun Permit Eligibility for Domestic Abuse Victims Bill Failed - House (51 - 86)
March 17, 2009 MD HB 359 Handgun Permit Eligibility for Domestic Abuse Victims Bill Failed - House (51 - 86)
April 29, 2009 NH HB 383 Mandating Seat Belt Usage Bill Tabled - Senate (13 - 11)
April 29, 2009 NH HB 383 Mandating Seat Belt Usage Bill Tabled - Senate (13 - 11)
Feb. 18, 2009 NH HB 383 Mandating Seat Belt Usage Bill Passed - House (197 - 155)
Feb. 18, 2009 NH HB 383 Mandating Seat Belt Usage Bill Passed - House (197 - 155)
April 13, 2009 MD HB 387 "Lawful Status" Requirements for ID Cards, Vehicle Licenses and Permits Conference Report Adopted - House (76 - 60)
April 13, 2009 MD HB 387 "Lawful Status" Requirements for ID Cards, Vehicle Licenses and Permits Conference Report Adopted - House (76 - 60)
March 19, 2009 TN HB 390 Allowing Loaded "Long Guns" in Vehicles Bill Passed - House (82 - 10)
Date No. Title Outcome
2/12 HB 1453 Wheelchair Accessibility in Businesses Bill Failed - House (19 - 72)
5/27 HB 146 Cell Phones While Driving Bill Passed - House (57 - 41)
4/24 HB 1478 Children's Health Insurance Program Eligibility Expansion Conference Report Rejected - House (41 - 47)
2/06 HB 1508 State-Sponsored Children's Savings Accounts Bill Failed - House (28 - 64)
4/22 HB 1517 Expediting the Restoration of Felons' Voting Rights Concurrence Vote Passed - House (52 - 44)
4/22 HB 1517 Expediting the Restoration of Felons' Voting Rights Concurrence Vote Passed - House (52 - 44)
4/15 HB 1517 Expediting the Restoration of Felons' Voting Rights Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 19)
4/15 HB 1517 Expediting the Restoration of Felons' Voting Rights Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 19)
10/07 HB 1531 Tax Law Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - House (102 - 96)
10/02 HB 1531 Tax Law Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - House (103 - 98)
10/06 HB 1531 Tax Law Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (35 - 14)
2/11 HB 1533 Election Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (78 - 44)
2/03 HB 157 Children's Health Insurance Program Appropriations and Amendments Bill Passed - House (60 - 40)
4/03 HB 1572 Legislative Intent With Regards to the Legal Definition of Life Bill Failed - Senate (16 - 29)
2/17 HB 1572 Legislative Intent With Regards to the Legal Definition of Life Bill Passed - House (51 - 41)
2/09 HB 1576 Election Law Amendments Bill Failed - House (47 - 46)
4/15 HB 1604 Authorizing Local Tax Increases to Fund Sports and Convention Facilities Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 17)
8/05 HB 1663 Appropriations from State Gaming Fund Bill Passed - House (110 - 87)
1/29 HB 17 Allowing Doctors to Prescribe Antibiotics to Unnamed Sexual Partners Bill Passed - House (63 - 8)
2/09 HB 170 State Lottery for Scholarship Funding Bill Failed - House (25 - 35)
3/09 HB 1700 Expanding Eligibility for Children's Health Insurance Program Bill Passed - House (82 - 14)
3/09 HB 171 Extending CHIP and Medicaid Coverage to Children of Documented Immigrants Bill Passed - House (50 - 23)
3/09 HB 171 Extending CHIP and Medicaid Coverage to Children of Documented Immigrants Bill Passed - House (50 - 23)
2/25 HB 1729 Gaming Facility Tax Amendments Bill Passed - House (58 - 39)
5/11 HB 1736 Increasing Wrongful Conviction Compensation Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 4)
5/11 HB 1736 Increasing Wrongful Conviction Compensation Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 4)
2/05 HB 1826 Driver's License Suspension for Unexcused School Absences Bill Passed - House (68 - 28)
2/24 HB 1826 Driver's License Suspension for Unexcused School Absences Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 3)
2/24 HB 1826 Driver's License Suspension for Unexcused School Absences Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 3)
2/05 HB 1826 Driver's License Suspension for Unexcused School Absences Bill Passed - House (68 - 28)
3/03 HB 187 Restricting Access to Public Waters on Private Property Bill Failed - House (34 - 41)
1/29 HB 190 Suspending Driver's Licenses for Nonpayment of Child Support Bill Passed - House (37 - 23)
4/03 HB 2 Citizenship Status Verification of Government Assistance Recipients Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (38 - 16)
4/03 HB 2 Citizenship Status Verification of Government Assistance Recipients Concurrence Vote Passed - House (121 - 47)
5/11 HB 2 Statewide Indoor Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 18)
4/02 HB 2 Statewide Indoor Smoking Ban Bill Passed - House (72 - 45)
7/31 HB 2010 Budget Reconciliation (Criminal Justice) Bill Passed - House (31 - 15)
8/12 HB 2010 Budget Reconciliation (Criminal Justice) Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 8)
8/12 HB 2013 Budget Reconciliation (Health and Welfare) Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 8)
7/31 HB 2013 Budget Reconciliation (Health and Welfare) Bill Passed - House (35 - 11)
2/03 HB 222 Offering Anesthetics to Women Undergoing Abortions Bill Passed - House (56 - 15)
3/25 HB 2275 Drug Testing for Cash Assistance Recipients Bill Passed - House (99 - 26)
3/25 HB 2275 Drug Testing for Cash Assistance Recipients Bill Passed - House (99 - 26)
4/09 HB 228 Amending Concealed Weapons and Self-Defense Statutes Conference Report Adopted - House (85 - 14)
4/09 HB 228 Amending Concealed Weapons and Self-Defense Statutes Conference Report Adopted - House (85 - 14)
4/09 HB 228 Amending Concealed Weapons and Self-Defense Statutes Conference Report Adopted - Senate (40 - 10)
4/09 HB 228 Amending Concealed Weapons and Self-Defense Statutes Conference Report Adopted - Senate (40 - 10)
2/10 HB 228 Amending Concealed Weapons and Self-Defense Statutes Bill Passed - House (60 - 40)
2/10 HB 228 Amending Concealed Weapons and Self-Defense Statutes Bill Passed - House (60 - 40)
3/12 HB 23 Age-Specific Ban on Wireless Communication While Driving Bill Passed - House (138 - 34)
3/12 HB 23 Age-Specific Ban on Wireless Communication While Driving Bill Passed - House (138 - 34)
2/04 HB 2314 Allowing Police Chaplains to Conduct Sectarian Prayer Bill Passed - House (66 - 30)
2/12 HB 234 Sex Education Pilot Program Bill Passed - House (79 - 40)
6/23 HB 2377 Prohibiting Handheld Cell Phone Use While Driving Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 13)
4/28 HB 2377 Prohibiting Handheld Cell Phone Use While Driving Bill Passed - House (38 - 22)
3/11 HB 2400 Specifying Partial-Birth/Late-Term Abortion Penalty Bill Passed - House (37 - 19)
3/11 HB 2400 Specifying Partial-Birth/Late-Term Abortion Penalty Bill Passed - House (37 - 19)
5/18 HB 2509 Sexual Education Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 9)
3/11 HB 2509 Sexual Education Bill Passed - House (41 - 19)
3/11 HB 2509 Sexual Education Bill Passed - House (41 - 19)
5/18 HB 2509 Sexual Education Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 9)
3/12 HB 254 Eliminating Thumbprint Requirement for Gun Purchases Bill Passed - House (82 - 11)
5/22 HB 255 Video Gambling in Various Establishments Concurrence Vote Passed - House (86 - 30)
5/20 HB 255 Video Gambling in Various Establishments Bill Passed - Senate (47 - 12)
3/11 HB 2564 Abortion Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (36 - 19)
3/25 HB 2599 Expanding School Bullying Law Bill Passed - House (50 - 9)
5/27 HB 2599 Expanding School Bullying Law Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 2)
3/27 HB 2621 Prohibiting the Use of Cell Phones While Driving Bill Passed - House (80 - 18)
7/14 HB 264 Expungement of Criminal Records and Juvenile Records Bill Passed - House (104 - 91)
6/15 HB 2672 Increasing Moist Snuff Tobacco Tax and Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 9)
6/04 HB 2794 Mandatory HPV Vaccination Coverage Concurrence Vote Passed - House (40 - 17)
6/04 HB 2794 Mandatory HPV Vaccination Coverage Concurrence Vote Passed - House (40 - 17)
6/03 HB 2794 Mandatory HPV Vaccination Coverage Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 6)
6/03 HB 2794 Mandatory HPV Vaccination Coverage Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 6)
4/15 HB 2794 Mandatory HPV Vaccination Coverage Bill Passed - House (48 - 12)
2/25 HB 28 Increasing Penalties for Intimidation of Judges Bill Passed - House (43 - 21)
5/04 HB 2821 Employee Vacation Use Amendments Bill Passed - House (34 - 23)
3/12 HB 290 Prohibiting Text Messaging While Driving Concurrence Vote Passed - House (45 - 29)
5/15 HB 2962 Childrens' Health Care Bill Passed - House (87 - 55)
3/17 HB 302 Allowing Judges to Confiscate Firearms from Domestic Abuse Suspects Bill Passed - House (92 - 45)
4/06 HB 302 Allowing Judges to Confiscate Firearms from Domestic Abuse Suspects Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 15)
4/06 HB 302 Allowing Judges to Confiscate Firearms from Domestic Abuse Suspects Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 15)
3/17 HB 302 Allowing Judges to Confiscate Firearms from Domestic Abuse Suspects Bill Passed - House (92 - 45)
2/03 HB 31 Statewide Indoor Smoking Ban Bill Passed - House (31 - 29)
2/11 HB 32 Gray Wolf Management Plan Amendments Bill Failed - House (7 - 52)
3/24 HB 34 Banning Text Messaging While Driving Bill Passed - House (222 - 137)
6/18 HB 340 Religious Freedom Constitutional Amendment Concurrence Vote Failed - House (53 - 26)
4/02 HB 35 Parental Consent for Underage Abortions Bill Passed - House (22 - 14)
4/02 HB 35 Parental Consent for Underage Abortions Bill Passed - House (22 - 14)
6/27 HB 3508 Implementing Measure 57 Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 8)
6/26 HB 3508 Implementing Measure 57 Bill Passed - House (40 - 19)
3/17 HB 359 Handgun Permit Eligibility for Domestic Abuse Victims Bill Failed - House (51 - 86)
3/17 HB 359 Handgun Permit Eligibility for Domestic Abuse Victims Bill Failed - House (51 - 86)
4/29 HB 383 Mandating Seat Belt Usage Bill Tabled - Senate (13 - 11)
4/29 HB 383 Mandating Seat Belt Usage Bill Tabled - Senate (13 - 11)
2/18 HB 383 Mandating Seat Belt Usage Bill Passed - House (197 - 155)
2/18 HB 383 Mandating Seat Belt Usage Bill Passed - House (197 - 155)
4/13 HB 387 "Lawful Status" Requirements for ID Cards, Vehicle Licenses and Permits Conference Report Adopted - House (76 - 60)
4/13 HB 387 "Lawful Status" Requirements for ID Cards, Vehicle Licenses and Permits Conference Report Adopted - House (76 - 60)
3/19 HB 390 Allowing Loaded "Long Guns" in Vehicles Bill Passed - House (82 - 10)

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