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.


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Date State Bill No. Title Outcome
April 20, 2009 MN Permitting Slot Machines at Race Tracks Amendment Rejected - Senate (25 - 41)
March 23, 2009 VT Same-Sex Marriage Ballot Question Amendment Rejected - Senate (11 - 19)
March 23, 2009 VT Same-Sex Marriage Ballot Question Amendment Rejected - Senate (11 - 19)
June 25, 2009 NJ A2653 Fur Labeling Concurrence Vote Passed - House (52 - 27)
Dec. 10, 2009 NJ A 2762 Authorizing Reduction of Mandatory Minimum Sentences for Drug Offenses in School Zones Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 11)
Dec. 10, 2009 NJ A 2762 Authorizing Reduction of Mandatory Minimum Sentences for Drug Offenses in School Zones Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 11)
Dec. 10, 2009 NJ A 2762 Authorizing Reduction of Mandatory Minimum Sentences for Drug Offenses in School Zones Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 11)
June 25, 2009 NJ A 3101 Creating Homelessness Trust Funds Concurrence Vote Passed - House (52 - 27)
June 18, 2009 NJ A 3101 Creating Homelessness Trust Funds Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 7)
June 26, 2009 NJ A 339 Handgun Purchasing Limitations Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 15)
Dec. 2, 2009 NY A 40003 Legalizing Same-Sex Marriage Bill Passed - House (88 - 51)
Dec. 2, 2009 NY A 40003 Legalizing Same-Sex Marriage Bill Failed - Senate (24 - 38)
Dec. 2, 2009 NY A 40003 Legalizing Same-Sex Marriage Bill Passed - House (88 - 51)
Dec. 2, 2009 NY A 40003 Legalizing Same-Sex Marriage Bill Failed - Senate (24 - 38)
April 28, 2009 NY A 6468 Microstamping Requirement for Semiautomatic Pistols Bill Passed - House (94 - 47)
April 22, 2009 PA A771 Requiring Hands Free Devices for Cell Phones in Cars Amendment Rejected - House (95 - 100)
May 12, 2009 NY A 7732 Legalizing Same-Sex Marriage Bill Passed - House (89 - 52)
May 12, 2009 NY A 7732 Legalizing Same-Sex Marriage Bill Passed - House (89 - 52)
April 28, 2009 NY A 801 Renewal Requirement for Pistol and Revolver Licenses Bill Passed - House (87 - 58)
Sept. 2, 2009 CA AB 1422 Medi-Cal and Healthy Families Program Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 8)
Nov. 5, 2009 WI AB 458 Sex Education Curriculum Requirements Bill Passed - House (48 - 43)
Nov. 5, 2009 WI AB 458 Sex Education Curriculum Requirements Bill Passed - House (48 - 43)
Sept. 10, 2009 CA AB 524 Privacy Law Expansion Concurrence Vote Passed - House (57 - 20)
Sept. 8, 2009 CA AB 524 Privacy Law Expansion Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 15)
Sept. 4, 2009 CA AB 793 Clarifying Statute of Limitations for Wage Discrimination Lawsuits Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 16)
Sept. 10, 2009 CA AB 98 Required Maternity Services Coverage Concurrence Vote Passed - House (51 - 27)
Sept. 9, 2009 CA AB 98 Required Maternity Services Coverage Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 11)
Aug. 20, 2009 CA ABx3 14 Correctional Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
July 24, 2009 CA ABX4 19 Fiscal Year 2010 Budget Revisions: In-Home Supportive Services Fraud Concurrence Vote Passed - House (42 - 33)
July 24, 2009 CA ABX4 19 Fiscal Year 2010 Budget Revisions: In-Home Supportive Services Fraud Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 15)
April 15, 2009 NV AJR 7 Allowing for State Lottery Joint Resolution Passed - House (31 - 11)
April 28, 2009 MO Amdt 1 Allowing Pharmacists to Refuse to Provide "Abortifacients" Amendment Adopted - House (115 - 43)
April 28, 2009 MO Amdt 1 Allowing Pharmacists to Refuse to Provide "Abortifacients" Amendment Adopted - House (115 - 43)
Feb. 24, 2009 SC Amdt 2 Exempting Cases of Rape from Abortion Waiting Period Amendment Tabled - House (69 - 45)
Jan. 30, 2009 WY Amdt 2001 to HB 31 Exempting 21+ Establishments from Smoking Ban Amendment Adopted - House (34 - 25)
Jan. 30, 2009 WY Amdt 2002 to HB 31 Allowing Counties and Municipalities to Opt Out of Smoking Ban Amendment Adopted - House (41 - 18)
April 1, 2009 NC Amdt 2 to HB 2 Exempting 18+ Establishments from Smoking Ban Amendment Adopted - House (70 - 46)
Feb. 24, 2009 SC Amdt 5 Prohibiting Employment Termination Due to Abortion Waiting Period Amendment Rejected - House (54 - 60)
May 27, 2009 LA Amdt B-200 Cell Phone Secondary Offense Amendment Adopted - House (56 - 40)
May 27, 2009 LA Amendment # 1874 Video Draw Poker Device Location Restriction Amendment Adopted - Senate (18 - 16)
April 7, 2009 ID H 138 Allowing Lawsuits for Nonnative Species Attacks Bill Passed - House (46 - 24)
April 15, 2009 VT H 147 Primary Seat Belt Enforcement Bill Passed - House (104 - 40)
March 20, 2009 ID H 214 Voluntary Death Certificates for Miscarriages Bill Failed - House (31 - 32)
Feb. 26, 2009 SC H 3245 24-Hour Waiting Period for Abortions Bill Passed - House (87 - 24)
March 3, 2009 SC H 3418 Requiring Photo Identification to Vote Bill Passed - House (67 - 44)
May 12, 2009 RI H 5143 E-Verify Bill Bill Passed - House (38 - 33)
May 19, 2009 RI H 5769 Boxing Rule Changes Bill Passed - House (53 - 13)
June 3, 2009 MA H Amendment 2 Eliminate Evacuation Day and Bunker Hill Day Amendment Rejected - House (78 - 78)
July 13, 2009 OH HB 1 2009-2011 Biennium Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (54 - 44)
July 13, 2009 OH HB 1 2009-2011 Biennium Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (17 - 15)
March 6, 2009 UT HB 100 Prison Education and Medical Financing Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 7)
May 12, 2009 DE HB 100 Reestablishing a Sports Lottery Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 2)
May 8, 2009 DE HB 100 Reestablishing a Sports Lottery Bill Passed - House (30 - 4)
Feb. 2, 2009 SD HB 1004 Legalizing the Killing of Threatening Mountain Lions Bill Passed - House (37 - 32)
Jan. 29, 2009 AR HB 1013 Prohibiting Text Messaging While Driving Bill Passed - House (78 - 12)
June 2, 2009 WV HB 102 Racetrack Table Games Bill Passed - House (74 - 23)
March 11, 2009 OK HB 1037 Voter Identification Bill Passed - House (59 - 39)
Jan. 26, 2009 CO HB 1042 Amending Minimum Traffic Speed Regulations Bill Passed - House (37 - 27)
Jan. 26, 2009 CO HB 1042 Amending Minimum Traffic Speed Regulations Bill Passed - House (37 - 27)
Jan. 27, 2009 AR HB 1050 Freedom of Information Act Exemption Specifications Bill Passed - House (57 - 31)
May 4, 2009 CO HB 1057 Mandatory Unpaid Parental Work Leave for Education Activities Conference Report Adopted - House (39 - 26)
April 27, 2009 CO HB 1057 Mandatory Unpaid Parental Work Leave for Education Activities Conference Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 13)
Feb. 9, 2009 CO HB 1057 Mandatory Unpaid Parental Work Leave for Education Activities Bill Passed - House (35 - 30)
June 16, 2009 LA HB 11 Designating Driver's Licenses for Drug Dealers Bill Failed - House (68 - 23)
June 16, 2009 LA HB 11 Designating Driver's Licenses for Drug Dealers Bill Failed - House (68 - 23)
June 16, 2009 LA HB 11 Designating Driver's Licenses for Drug Dealers Bill Failed - House (68 - 23)
Jan. 28, 2009 AR HB 1119 Prohibiting Cell Phone Use While Driving for Specific Age Groups Bill Passed - House (62 - 27)
Jan. 28, 2009 AR HB 1119 Prohibiting Cell Phone Use While Driving for Specific Age Groups Bill Passed - House (62 - 27)
April 10, 2009 ND HB 1171 Home School Deregulation Concurrence Vote Passed - House (51 - 38)
April 6, 2009 ND HB 1171 Home School Deregulation Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 20)
March 3, 2009 ND HB 1182 Point Reduction for Seat Belt Use Bill Failed - Senate (18 - 25)
March 3, 2009 ND HB 1182 Point Reduction for Seat Belt Use Bill Failed - Senate (18 - 25)
Jan. 29, 2009 ND HB 1182 Point Reduction for Seat Belt Use Bill Passed - House (56 - 38)
Jan. 29, 2009 ND HB 1182 Point Reduction for Seat Belt Use Bill Passed - House (56 - 38)
July 15, 2009 NC HB 1185 Habitual DWI Reinstatement after Ten Years Concurrence Vote Passed - House (87 - 29)
July 15, 2009 NC HB 1185 Habitual DWI Reinstatement after Ten Years Concurrence Vote Passed - House (87 - 29)
July 15, 2009 NC HB 1185 Habitual DWI Reinstatement after Ten Years Concurrence Vote Passed - House (87 - 29)
Feb. 16, 2009 ND HB 1197 Seat Belt Violation as Primary Offense Bill Failed - House (34 - 58)
Feb. 16, 2009 ND HB 1197 Seat Belt Violation as Primary Offense Bill Failed - House (34 - 58)
Feb. 19, 2009 ND HB 1213 Prohibiting Smoking in Bars and Hotels Bill Failed - House (33 - 59)
Feb. 17, 2009 IN HB 1213 Statewide Indoor Smoking Ban Bill Passed - House (70 - 26)
Feb. 24, 2009 IN HB 1215 Increasing Traffic Fines to Fund Trauma Centers Bill Passed - House (53 - 42)
Feb. 18, 2009 UT HB 122 Restricting Access to Government Litigation Records Bill Passed - House (43 - 27)
Feb. 11, 2009 AR HB 1237 Allowing Concealed Weapons in Churches Bill Passed - House (57 - 42)
March 9, 2009 SD HB 1240 Smoking Ban Concurrence Vote Passed - House (46 - 23)
March 4, 2009 SD HB 1240 Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
Feb. 23, 2009 SD HB 1240 Smoking Ban Bill Passed - House (43 - 27)
March 23, 2009 CO HB 1260 Designated Beneficiary Agreements Between Unmarried Adults Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 10)
Feb. 24, 2009 CO HB 1260 Designated Beneficiary Agreements Between Unmarried Adults Bill Passed - House (41 - 24)
Feb. 17, 2009 SD HB 1278 Ban on Local Firearm Restrictions Bill Passed - House (46 - 20)
July 20, 2009 NC HB 1289 Lottery Sales Ban at Check Cashing Sites Motion Rejected - Senate (20 - 23)
May 12, 2009 NC HB 1289 Lottery Sales Ban at Check Cashing Sites Bill Passed - House (84 - 29)
April 23, 2009 OK HB 1326 Ban on Certain Types of Stem Cell Research Veto Override Failed - Senate (26 - 19)
April 23, 2009 OK HB 1326 Ban on Certain Types of Stem Cell Research Veto Override Passed - House (68 - 26)
March 4, 2009 WA HB 1329 Child Care Center Unionization Bill Passed - House (65 - 31)
April 22, 2009 OK HB 1332 Increased Regulation of Pet Breeders Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 16)
March 4, 2009 OK HB 1332 Increased Regulation of Pet Breeders Bill Passed - House (74 - 26)
Feb. 18, 2009 ND HB 1348 Allowing Concealed Firearms on Campuses Bill Passed - House (48 - 46)
Jan. 30, 2009 WY HB 141 Amending DUI Statutes Bill Passed - House (49 - 10)
Jan. 30, 2009 WY HB 141 Amending DUI Statutes Bill Passed - House (49 - 10)
Date No. Title Outcome
4/20 Permitting Slot Machines at Race Tracks Amendment Rejected - Senate (25 - 41)
3/23 Same-Sex Marriage Ballot Question Amendment Rejected - Senate (11 - 19)
3/23 Same-Sex Marriage Ballot Question Amendment Rejected - Senate (11 - 19)
6/25 A2653 Fur Labeling Concurrence Vote Passed - House (52 - 27)
12/10 A 2762 Authorizing Reduction of Mandatory Minimum Sentences for Drug Offenses in School Zones Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 11)
12/10 A 2762 Authorizing Reduction of Mandatory Minimum Sentences for Drug Offenses in School Zones Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 11)
12/10 A 2762 Authorizing Reduction of Mandatory Minimum Sentences for Drug Offenses in School Zones Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 11)
6/25 A 3101 Creating Homelessness Trust Funds Concurrence Vote Passed - House (52 - 27)
6/18 A 3101 Creating Homelessness Trust Funds Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 7)
6/26 A 339 Handgun Purchasing Limitations Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 15)
12/02 A 40003 Legalizing Same-Sex Marriage Bill Passed - House (88 - 51)
12/02 A 40003 Legalizing Same-Sex Marriage Bill Failed - Senate (24 - 38)
12/02 A 40003 Legalizing Same-Sex Marriage Bill Passed - House (88 - 51)
12/02 A 40003 Legalizing Same-Sex Marriage Bill Failed - Senate (24 - 38)
4/28 A 6468 Microstamping Requirement for Semiautomatic Pistols Bill Passed - House (94 - 47)
4/22 A771 Requiring Hands Free Devices for Cell Phones in Cars Amendment Rejected - House (95 - 100)
5/12 A 7732 Legalizing Same-Sex Marriage Bill Passed - House (89 - 52)
5/12 A 7732 Legalizing Same-Sex Marriage Bill Passed - House (89 - 52)
4/28 A 801 Renewal Requirement for Pistol and Revolver Licenses Bill Passed - House (87 - 58)
9/02 AB 1422 Medi-Cal and Healthy Families Program Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 8)
11/05 AB 458 Sex Education Curriculum Requirements Bill Passed - House (48 - 43)
11/05 AB 458 Sex Education Curriculum Requirements Bill Passed - House (48 - 43)
9/10 AB 524 Privacy Law Expansion Concurrence Vote Passed - House (57 - 20)
9/08 AB 524 Privacy Law Expansion Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 15)
9/04 AB 793 Clarifying Statute of Limitations for Wage Discrimination Lawsuits Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 16)
9/10 AB 98 Required Maternity Services Coverage Concurrence Vote Passed - House (51 - 27)
9/09 AB 98 Required Maternity Services Coverage Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 11)
8/20 ABx3 14 Correctional Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
7/24 ABX4 19 Fiscal Year 2010 Budget Revisions: In-Home Supportive Services Fraud Concurrence Vote Passed - House (42 - 33)
7/24 ABX4 19 Fiscal Year 2010 Budget Revisions: In-Home Supportive Services Fraud Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 15)
4/15 AJR 7 Allowing for State Lottery Joint Resolution Passed - House (31 - 11)
4/28 Amdt 1 Allowing Pharmacists to Refuse to Provide "Abortifacients" Amendment Adopted - House (115 - 43)
4/28 Amdt 1 Allowing Pharmacists to Refuse to Provide "Abortifacients" Amendment Adopted - House (115 - 43)
2/24 Amdt 2 Exempting Cases of Rape from Abortion Waiting Period Amendment Tabled - House (69 - 45)
1/30 Amdt 2001 to HB 31 Exempting 21+ Establishments from Smoking Ban Amendment Adopted - House (34 - 25)
1/30 Amdt 2002 to HB 31 Allowing Counties and Municipalities to Opt Out of Smoking Ban Amendment Adopted - House (41 - 18)
4/01 Amdt 2 to HB 2 Exempting 18+ Establishments from Smoking Ban Amendment Adopted - House (70 - 46)
2/24 Amdt 5 Prohibiting Employment Termination Due to Abortion Waiting Period Amendment Rejected - House (54 - 60)
5/27 Amdt B-200 Cell Phone Secondary Offense Amendment Adopted - House (56 - 40)
5/27 Amendment # 1874 Video Draw Poker Device Location Restriction Amendment Adopted - Senate (18 - 16)
4/07 H 138 Allowing Lawsuits for Nonnative Species Attacks Bill Passed - House (46 - 24)
4/15 H 147 Primary Seat Belt Enforcement Bill Passed - House (104 - 40)
3/20 H 214 Voluntary Death Certificates for Miscarriages Bill Failed - House (31 - 32)
2/26 H 3245 24-Hour Waiting Period for Abortions Bill Passed - House (87 - 24)
3/03 H 3418 Requiring Photo Identification to Vote Bill Passed - House (67 - 44)
5/12 H 5143 E-Verify Bill Bill Passed - House (38 - 33)
5/19 H 5769 Boxing Rule Changes Bill Passed - House (53 - 13)
6/03 H Amendment 2 Eliminate Evacuation Day and Bunker Hill Day Amendment Rejected - House (78 - 78)
7/13 HB 1 2009-2011 Biennium Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (54 - 44)
7/13 HB 1 2009-2011 Biennium Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (17 - 15)
3/06 HB 100 Prison Education and Medical Financing Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 7)
5/12 HB 100 Reestablishing a Sports Lottery Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 2)
5/08 HB 100 Reestablishing a Sports Lottery Bill Passed - House (30 - 4)
2/02 HB 1004 Legalizing the Killing of Threatening Mountain Lions Bill Passed - House (37 - 32)
1/29 HB 1013 Prohibiting Text Messaging While Driving Bill Passed - House (78 - 12)
6/02 HB 102 Racetrack Table Games Bill Passed - House (74 - 23)
3/11 HB 1037 Voter Identification Bill Passed - House (59 - 39)
1/26 HB 1042 Amending Minimum Traffic Speed Regulations Bill Passed - House (37 - 27)
1/26 HB 1042 Amending Minimum Traffic Speed Regulations Bill Passed - House (37 - 27)
1/27 HB 1050 Freedom of Information Act Exemption Specifications Bill Passed - House (57 - 31)
5/04 HB 1057 Mandatory Unpaid Parental Work Leave for Education Activities Conference Report Adopted - House (39 - 26)
4/27 HB 1057 Mandatory Unpaid Parental Work Leave for Education Activities Conference Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 13)
2/09 HB 1057 Mandatory Unpaid Parental Work Leave for Education Activities Bill Passed - House (35 - 30)
6/16 HB 11 Designating Driver's Licenses for Drug Dealers Bill Failed - House (68 - 23)
6/16 HB 11 Designating Driver's Licenses for Drug Dealers Bill Failed - House (68 - 23)
6/16 HB 11 Designating Driver's Licenses for Drug Dealers Bill Failed - House (68 - 23)
1/28 HB 1119 Prohibiting Cell Phone Use While Driving for Specific Age Groups Bill Passed - House (62 - 27)
1/28 HB 1119 Prohibiting Cell Phone Use While Driving for Specific Age Groups Bill Passed - House (62 - 27)
4/10 HB 1171 Home School Deregulation Concurrence Vote Passed - House (51 - 38)
4/06 HB 1171 Home School Deregulation Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 20)
3/03 HB 1182 Point Reduction for Seat Belt Use Bill Failed - Senate (18 - 25)
3/03 HB 1182 Point Reduction for Seat Belt Use Bill Failed - Senate (18 - 25)
1/29 HB 1182 Point Reduction for Seat Belt Use Bill Passed - House (56 - 38)
1/29 HB 1182 Point Reduction for Seat Belt Use Bill Passed - House (56 - 38)
7/15 HB 1185 Habitual DWI Reinstatement after Ten Years Concurrence Vote Passed - House (87 - 29)
7/15 HB 1185 Habitual DWI Reinstatement after Ten Years Concurrence Vote Passed - House (87 - 29)
7/15 HB 1185 Habitual DWI Reinstatement after Ten Years Concurrence Vote Passed - House (87 - 29)
2/16 HB 1197 Seat Belt Violation as Primary Offense Bill Failed - House (34 - 58)
2/16 HB 1197 Seat Belt Violation as Primary Offense Bill Failed - House (34 - 58)
2/19 HB 1213 Prohibiting Smoking in Bars and Hotels Bill Failed - House (33 - 59)
2/17 HB 1213 Statewide Indoor Smoking Ban Bill Passed - House (70 - 26)
2/24 HB 1215 Increasing Traffic Fines to Fund Trauma Centers Bill Passed - House (53 - 42)
2/18 HB 122 Restricting Access to Government Litigation Records Bill Passed - House (43 - 27)
2/11 HB 1237 Allowing Concealed Weapons in Churches Bill Passed - House (57 - 42)
3/09 HB 1240 Smoking Ban Concurrence Vote Passed - House (46 - 23)
3/04 HB 1240 Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
2/23 HB 1240 Smoking Ban Bill Passed - House (43 - 27)
3/23 HB 1260 Designated Beneficiary Agreements Between Unmarried Adults Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 10)
2/24 HB 1260 Designated Beneficiary Agreements Between Unmarried Adults Bill Passed - House (41 - 24)
2/17 HB 1278 Ban on Local Firearm Restrictions Bill Passed - House (46 - 20)
7/20 HB 1289 Lottery Sales Ban at Check Cashing Sites Motion Rejected - Senate (20 - 23)
5/12 HB 1289 Lottery Sales Ban at Check Cashing Sites Bill Passed - House (84 - 29)
4/23 HB 1326 Ban on Certain Types of Stem Cell Research Veto Override Failed - Senate (26 - 19)
4/23 HB 1326 Ban on Certain Types of Stem Cell Research Veto Override Passed - House (68 - 26)
3/04 HB 1329 Child Care Center Unionization Bill Passed - House (65 - 31)
4/22 HB 1332 Increased Regulation of Pet Breeders Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 16)
3/04 HB 1332 Increased Regulation of Pet Breeders Bill Passed - House (74 - 26)
2/18 HB 1348 Allowing Concealed Firearms on Campuses Bill Passed - House (48 - 46)
1/30 HB 141 Amending DUI Statutes Bill Passed - House (49 - 10)
1/30 HB 141 Amending DUI Statutes Bill Passed - House (49 - 10)

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