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
Oct. 18, 2011 MD SB 1 Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - House (91 - 46)
April 11, 2011 LA SB 1 State Senate Redistricting Bill Passed - House (71 - 28)
April 12, 2011 GA SB 10 Alcoholic Beverage Sales on Sundays Bill Passed - House (127 - 44)
March 16, 2011 GA SB 10 Alcoholic Beverage Sales on Sundays Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 22)
Aug. 5, 2011 WV SB 1006 Redistricing State Senate Bill Passed - House (82 - 13)
Aug. 3, 2011 WV SB 1006 Redistricing State Senate Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 4)
Aug. 5, 2011 WV SB 1008 Congressional Redistricting Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 1)
Aug. 5, 2011 WV SB 1008 Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - House (90 - 5)
May 31, 2011 LA SB 108 Limits Tax and Bond Elections Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
Sept. 13, 2011 WI SB 115 Presidential Primary Date Bill Passed - House (65 - 32)
June 8, 2011 WI SB 116 Relating to Overseas Absentee Voting Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 13)
May 27, 2011 IL SB 1177 General Assembly Redistricting Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (35 - 22)
May 31, 2011 IL SB 1178 Congressional Redistricting Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (34 - 25)
Dec. 20, 2011 PA SB 1249 Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - House (136 - 61)
Dec. 14, 2011 PA SB 1249 Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 24)
Sept. 7, 2011 NH SB 129 Requiring Photo Identification to Vote Veto Override Failed - Senate (7 - 17)
May 11, 2011 KS SB 129 Amends Voter Identification Requirements Conference Report Rejected - Senate (15 - 23)
March 30, 2011 NH SB 129 Requiring Photo Identification to Vote Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 6)
May 16, 2011 TX SB 14 Voter Identification Requirements Conference Report Adopted - House (98 - 46)
May 9, 2011 TX SB 14 Voter Identification Requirements Conference Report Adopted - Senate (19 - 12)
March 24, 2011 TX SB 14 Voter Identification Requirements Bill Passed - House (101 - 48)
Jan. 26, 2011 TX SB 14 Voter Identification Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 11)
July 20, 2011 WI SB 148 Legislative Redistricting Bill Passed - House (57 - 40)
July 19, 2011 WI SB 148 Legislative Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 14)
July 20, 2011 WI SB 149 Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - House (59 - 38)
July 19, 2011 WI SB 149 Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 14)
May 20, 2011 TN SB 16 Voter Identification Requirements Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (18 - 14)
April 14, 2011 TN SB 16 Voter Identification Requirements Bill Passed - House (57 - 35)
July 14, 2011 CA SB 168 Prohibits Paid Signature-Gatherers Bill Passed - House (48 - 28)
May 9, 2011 CA SB 168 Prohibits Paid Signature-Gatherers Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15)
May 21, 2011 TN SB 1915 Increases Contribution Limits to Campaigns Bill Passed - House (65 - 20)
May 20, 2011 TN SB 1915 Increases Contribution Limits to Campaigns Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 11)
Aug. 23, 2011 GA SB 1EX State Senate Redistricting Bill Passed - House (104 - 56)
Aug. 18, 2011 GA SB 1EX State Senate Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 18)
Sept. 10, 2011 CA SB 202 Limiting Ballot Initiatives to the General Election Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 15)
Sept. 9, 2011 CA SB 202 Limiting Ballot Initiatives to the General Election Bill Passed - House (45 - 30)
June 22, 2011 TX SB 22 Establishing the Texas Congressional Redistricting Commission Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 13)
Sept. 19, 2011 NM SB 22 Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 14)
Feb. 18, 2011 MT SB 268 Election of Supreme Court Justices by District Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 20)
June 17, 2011 OR SB 270 Campaign Finance Reporting Bill Failed - House (5 - 54)
Nov. 7, 2011 NC SB 283 State Senate Redistricting Bill Passed - House (61 - 46)
Nov. 7, 2011 NC SB 283 State Senate Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 12)
Feb. 17, 2011 MO SB 3 Requires Photo Identification to Vote Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7)
Oct. 4, 2011 UT SB 3001 State Senate Redistricting Bill Passed - House (60 - 9)
Oct. 17, 2011 UT SB 3002 Congressional Redistricting Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (20 - 5)
Oct. 17, 2011 UT SB 3002 Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - House (50 - 19)
Sept. 21, 2011 NM SB 33 State Senate Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 15)
Jan. 4, 2011 IL SB 3976 Rules to Govern the Redistricting Process Bill Passed - House (67 - 46)
June 20, 2011 TX SB 4 Congressional Redistricting Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (19 - 12)
June 15, 2011 TX SB 4 Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - House (93 - 47)
June 6, 2011 TX SB 4 Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 12)
July 27, 2011 NC SB 453 Congressional Redistricting Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 17)
July 27, 2011 NC SB 453 Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - House (68 - 51)
July 27, 2011 NC SB 455 State Senate Redistricting Bill Passed - House (67 - 52)
July 25, 2011 NC SB 455 State Senate Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 18)
June 2, 2011 AL SB 484 2011 Congressional Redistricting Conference Report Adopted - House (57 - 45)
June 2, 2011 AL SB 484 2011 Congressional Redistricting Conference Report Adopted - Senate (16 - 15)
May 10, 2011 NV SB 497 Congressional and Legislative Redistricting Bill Passed - House (25 - 17)
May 10, 2011 NV SB 497 Congressional and Legislative Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (11 - 10)
June 29, 2011 MI SB 498 Legislative Redistricting Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 9)
June 28, 2011 MI SB 498 Legislative Redistricting Bill Passed - House (65 - 42)
Nov. 7, 2011 NC SB 689 Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - House (62 - 46)
Nov. 7, 2011 NC SB 689 Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 12)
April 6, 2011 AR SB 871 Congressional Redistricting Plan Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 13)
March 14, 2011 OK SB 91 Proof of Presidential Candidates' Citizenship Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 10)
Jan. 24, 2011 VA SB 949 Allowing Absentee Voting For Any Reason Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 14)
April 12, 2011 AR SB 972 Congressional Redistricting Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 9)
April 12, 2011 AR SB 972 Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - House (61 - 20)
June 10, 2011 OR SB 989 State Redistricting Bill Passed - House (47 - 10)
June 10, 2011 OR SB 989 State Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 3)
April 6, 2011 MS SCR 692 Redistricting the State House and Senate Bill Passed - House (63 - 53)
Feb. 24, 2011 MO SJR 2 Constitutional Amendment Requiring Voter Photo Identification Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7)
Feb. 23, 2011 UT SJR 9 Supervision of Public Education Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (22 - 6)
Oct. 17, 2011 MO SS for HCS for HB 3 Presidential Elections Amendment Rejected - Senate (16 - 16)
Date No. Title Outcome
10/18 SB 1 Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - House (91 - 46)
4/11 SB 1 State Senate Redistricting Bill Passed - House (71 - 28)
4/12 SB 10 Alcoholic Beverage Sales on Sundays Bill Passed - House (127 - 44)
3/16 SB 10 Alcoholic Beverage Sales on Sundays Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 22)
8/05 SB 1006 Redistricing State Senate Bill Passed - House (82 - 13)
8/03 SB 1006 Redistricing State Senate Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 4)
8/05 SB 1008 Congressional Redistricting Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 1)
8/05 SB 1008 Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - House (90 - 5)
5/31 SB 108 Limits Tax and Bond Elections Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
9/13 SB 115 Presidential Primary Date Bill Passed - House (65 - 32)
6/08 SB 116 Relating to Overseas Absentee Voting Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 13)
5/27 SB 1177 General Assembly Redistricting Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (35 - 22)
5/31 SB 1178 Congressional Redistricting Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (34 - 25)
12/20 SB 1249 Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - House (136 - 61)
12/14 SB 1249 Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 24)
9/07 SB 129 Requiring Photo Identification to Vote Veto Override Failed - Senate (7 - 17)
5/11 SB 129 Amends Voter Identification Requirements Conference Report Rejected - Senate (15 - 23)
3/30 SB 129 Requiring Photo Identification to Vote Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 6)
5/16 SB 14 Voter Identification Requirements Conference Report Adopted - House (98 - 46)
5/09 SB 14 Voter Identification Requirements Conference Report Adopted - Senate (19 - 12)
3/24 SB 14 Voter Identification Requirements Bill Passed - House (101 - 48)
1/26 SB 14 Voter Identification Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 11)
7/20 SB 148 Legislative Redistricting Bill Passed - House (57 - 40)
7/19 SB 148 Legislative Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 14)
7/20 SB 149 Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - House (59 - 38)
7/19 SB 149 Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 14)
5/20 SB 16 Voter Identification Requirements Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (18 - 14)
4/14 SB 16 Voter Identification Requirements Bill Passed - House (57 - 35)
7/14 SB 168 Prohibits Paid Signature-Gatherers Bill Passed - House (48 - 28)
5/09 SB 168 Prohibits Paid Signature-Gatherers Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15)
5/21 SB 1915 Increases Contribution Limits to Campaigns Bill Passed - House (65 - 20)
5/20 SB 1915 Increases Contribution Limits to Campaigns Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 11)
8/23 SB 1EX State Senate Redistricting Bill Passed - House (104 - 56)
8/18 SB 1EX State Senate Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 18)
9/10 SB 202 Limiting Ballot Initiatives to the General Election Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 15)
9/09 SB 202 Limiting Ballot Initiatives to the General Election Bill Passed - House (45 - 30)
6/22 SB 22 Establishing the Texas Congressional Redistricting Commission Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 13)
9/19 SB 22 Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 14)
2/18 SB 268 Election of Supreme Court Justices by District Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 20)
6/17 SB 270 Campaign Finance Reporting Bill Failed - House (5 - 54)
11/07 SB 283 State Senate Redistricting Bill Passed - House (61 - 46)
11/07 SB 283 State Senate Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 12)
2/17 SB 3 Requires Photo Identification to Vote Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7)
10/04 SB 3001 State Senate Redistricting Bill Passed - House (60 - 9)
10/17 SB 3002 Congressional Redistricting Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (20 - 5)
10/17 SB 3002 Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - House (50 - 19)
9/21 SB 33 State Senate Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 15)
1/04 SB 3976 Rules to Govern the Redistricting Process Bill Passed - House (67 - 46)
6/20 SB 4 Congressional Redistricting Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (19 - 12)
6/15 SB 4 Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - House (93 - 47)
6/06 SB 4 Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 12)
7/27 SB 453 Congressional Redistricting Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 17)
7/27 SB 453 Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - House (68 - 51)
7/27 SB 455 State Senate Redistricting Bill Passed - House (67 - 52)
7/25 SB 455 State Senate Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 18)
6/02 SB 484 2011 Congressional Redistricting Conference Report Adopted - House (57 - 45)
6/02 SB 484 2011 Congressional Redistricting Conference Report Adopted - Senate (16 - 15)
5/10 SB 497 Congressional and Legislative Redistricting Bill Passed - House (25 - 17)
5/10 SB 497 Congressional and Legislative Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (11 - 10)
6/29 SB 498 Legislative Redistricting Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 9)
6/28 SB 498 Legislative Redistricting Bill Passed - House (65 - 42)
11/07 SB 689 Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - House (62 - 46)
11/07 SB 689 Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 12)
4/06 SB 871 Congressional Redistricting Plan Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 13)
3/14 SB 91 Proof of Presidential Candidates' Citizenship Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 10)
1/24 SB 949 Allowing Absentee Voting For Any Reason Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 14)
4/12 SB 972 Congressional Redistricting Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 9)
4/12 SB 972 Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - House (61 - 20)
6/10 SB 989 State Redistricting Bill Passed - House (47 - 10)
6/10 SB 989 State Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 3)
4/06 SCR 692 Redistricting the State House and Senate Bill Passed - House (63 - 53)
2/24 SJR 2 Constitutional Amendment Requiring Voter Photo Identification Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7)
2/23 SJR 9 Supervision of Public Education Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (22 - 6)
10/17 SS for HCS for HB 3 Presidential Elections Amendment Rejected - Senate (16 - 16)

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