Key Votes

Chamber

Keyword Search

Search string must be longer than 3 characters.

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
April 11, 2012 NH SB 202 Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - House (239 - 95)
April 9, 2012 AZ HB 2434 Requires Federal Agents to Notify Local Law Enforcement Prior to Taking Action Concurrence Vote Passed - House (38 - 17)
April 4, 2012 AZ HB 2434 Requires Federal Agents to Notify Local Law Enforcement Prior to Taking Action Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 8)
April 5, 2012 MN HF 2738 Requires Photo Identification to Vote Conference Report Adopted - Senate (35 - 29)
April 5, 2012 MN HF 2738 Requires Photo Identification to Vote Conference Report Adopted - Senate (35 - 29)
April 3, 2012 MN HF 2738 Requires Photo Identification to Vote Conference Report Adopted - House (72 - 57)
April 3, 2012 MN HF 2738 Requires Photo Identification to Vote Conference Report Adopted - House (72 - 57)
June 13, 2012 MI SB 754 Requires Photo Identification for Voter Registration Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 11)
June 12, 2012 MI SB 754 Requires Photo Identification for Voter Registration Bill Passed - House (66 - 43)
Feb. 14, 2012 MI SB 754 Requires Photo Identification for Voter Registration Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 12)
May 8, 2012 OH SB 295 Repealing Provisions of the Election Revision Code Bill Passed - House (54 - 42)
March 28, 2012 OH SB 295 Repealing Provisions of the Election Revision Code Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 10)
April 26, 2012 TN SJR 710 Amends Judicial Appointment Process Joint Resolution Passed - House (70 - 27)
April 23, 2012 TN SJR 710 Amends Judicial Appointment Process Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (22 - 9)
May 2, 2012 AZ HCR 2004 Establishes State Sovereignty Over Certain Natural Resources Concurrence Vote Passed - House (38 - 20)
April 30, 2012 AZ HCR 2004 Establishes State Sovereignty Over Certain Natural Resources Resolution Passed - Senate (16 - 14)
April 25, 2012 AZ SB 1332 Requires the Federal Government to Give Back Land to Arizona Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (19 - 9)
April 23, 2012 AZ SB 1332 Requires the Federal Government to Give Back Land to Arizona Bill Passed - House (35 - 15)
April 24, 2012 AZ SB 1182 Prohibits Enforcement of Certain Provisions in the National Defense Authorization Act Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (20 - 8)
April 19, 2012 AZ SB 1182 Prohibits Enforcement of Certain Provisions in the National Defense Authorization Act Bill Passed - House (34 - 22)
April 27, 2012 CO SM 3 Urges Congress to Authorize Religious Exemptions to Providing Birth Control Bill Failed - Senate (15 - 20)
May 10, 2012 National HR 5652 Sequester Replacement Reconciliation Act of 2012 Bill Passed - House (218 - 199)
May 3, 2012 MS JR 201 State Senate Redistricting Bill Passed - House (70 - 50)
May 3, 2012 MS JR 201 State Senate Redistricting Bill Passed - House (70 - 50)
May 2, 2012 MS JR 201 State Senate Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (46 - 5)
May 2, 2012 MS JR 201 State Senate Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (46 - 5)
May 3, 2012 MN HF 2337 Amends Property Taxes Conference Report Adopted - Senate (41 - 25)
May 1, 2012 MN HF 2337 Amends Property Taxes Conference Report Adopted - House (73 - 57)
May 24, 2012 AL HB 19 State House Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
May 24, 2012 AL HB 19 State House Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
May 21, 2012 AL HB 19 State House Redistricting Bill Passed - House (66 - 35)
May 21, 2012 AL HB 19 State House Redistricting Bill Passed - House (66 - 35)
May 24, 2012 AL SB 25 State Senate Redistricting Bill Passed - House (65 - 36)
May 24, 2012 AL SB 25 State Senate Redistricting Bill Passed - House (65 - 36)
May 22, 2012 AL SB 25 State Senate Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12)
May 22, 2012 AL SB 25 State Senate Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12)
May 2, 2012 MS JR 1 State House Redistricting Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (38 - 14)
May 2, 2012 MS JR 1 State House Redistricting Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (38 - 14)
April 26, 2012 MS JR 1 State House Redistricting Joint Resolution Passed - House (70 - 50)
April 26, 2012 MS JR 1 State House Redistricting Joint Resolution Passed - House (70 - 50)
May 7, 2012 IA HF 2475 Reduces Certain Business Property Taxes Bill Passed - House (71 - 26)
April 10, 2012 AZ SB 1449 Establishes a Recall Primary Election for a Recall Election Bill Passed - House (36 - 22)
March 5, 2012 AZ SB 1449 Establishes a Recall Primary Election for a Recall Election Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 11)
May 24, 2012 LA SB 303 Limits Gun Regulations Bill Passed - House (77 - 22)
May 8, 2012 CT HB 5556 Requires Corporations to Identify Top Donors for Campaign Contributions Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
May 8, 2012 CT HB 5556 Requires Corporations to Identify Top Donors for Campaign Contributions Bill Passed - House (94 - 54)
May 5, 2012 CT HB 5024 Authorizes Election Day Registration Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 16)
April 30, 2012 CT HB 5024 Authorizes Election Day Registration Bill Passed - House (83 - 59)
May 2, 2012 MS HB 211 Authorizes Certian Officials to Hire Their Own Lawyers Conference Report Adopted - Senate (34 - 18)
May 1, 2012 MS HB 211 Authorizes Certian Officials to Hire Their Own Lawyers Conference Report Adopted - House (63 - 56)
May 10, 2012 IL SB 1313 Limits Health Care Coverage for Retired State Employees Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 20)
May 9, 2012 IL SB 1313 Limits Health Care Coverage for Retired State Employees Bill Passed - House (74 - 43)
May 17, 2012 DE SB 185 Requires Lobbyists to Report Their Activities in the Legislature Bill Passed - House (26 - 12)
May 29, 2012 LA HB 209 Reduces Voting Hours Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 11)
April 4, 2012 LA HB 209 Reduces Voting Hours Bill Passed - House (60 - 41)
May 22, 2012 LA HB 292 School Board Member Term Limits Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 16)
May 10, 2012 KS SB 102 State Senate Redistricting Bill Passed - House (67 - 50)
May 10, 2012 KS SB 102 State Senate Redistricting Bill Passed - House (67 - 50)
June 6, 2012 NH SB 289 Requires Photo Identification to Vote Conference Report Adopted - Senate (17 - 6)
June 6, 2012 NH SB 289 Requires Photo Identification to Vote Conference Report Adopted - House (255 - 103)
April 19, 2012 MO HB 1534 Prohibits Implementation of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act Bill Passed - House (108 - 44)
June 6, 2012 PA SB 1310 Authorizes Repayment of Unemployment Debt to the Federal Government Concurrence Vote Passed - House (129 - 67)
June 5, 2012 PA SB 1310 Authorizes Repayment of Unemployment Debt to the Federal Government Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 19)
April 25, 2012 OK HB 3061 Reduces Income Tax Rates Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 16)
May 31, 2012 IL SB 3442 Requires Recycling of Plastic Bags Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (38 - 15)
May 30, 2012 IL SB 3442 Requires Recycling of Plastic Bags Bill Passed - House (72 - 44)
June 12, 2012 NC HB 819 Requirements for Calculating Sea Level Rise Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 12)
May 16, 2012 NH CACR 26 Authorizes the Legislature to Amend Supreme Court Rules Resolution Passed - Senate (19 - 5)
May 16, 2012 NH CACR 26 Authorizes the Legislature to Amend Supreme Court Rules Resolution Passed - Senate (19 - 5)
Aug. 27, 2012 CA AB 1436 Authorizes Same-Day Voter Registration Concurrence Vote Passed - House (50 - 29)
Aug. 23, 2012 CA AB 1436 Authorizes Same-Day Voter Registration Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 13)
May 31, 2012 CA AB 1436 Authorizes Same-Day Voter Registration Bill Passed - House (47 - 26)
June 27, 2012 NH HB 1666 Requires Legislative Approval of Collective Bargaining Agreements Veto Override Failed - House (225 - 124)
June 6, 2012 NH HB 1666 Requires Legislative Approval of Collective Bargaining Agreements Conference Report Adopted - House (203 - 77)
May 31, 2012 MA H Amdt 11 Requires Photo Identification to Vote Amendment Adopted - House (105 - 43)
May 9, 2012 IA SF 2315 Amends the Mental Health and Disability Services Program Conference Report Adopted - House (66 - 31)
June 6, 2012 NH SB 318 Requires In-State Residency to Vote Conference Report Adopted - House (260 - 101)
June 6, 2012 NH SB 318 Requires In-State Residency to Vote Conference Report Adopted - Senate (18 - 5)
June 12, 2012 MI SB 803 Requires Proof of Citizenship to Vote Bill Passed - House (67 - 43)
June 25, 2012 NJ A 763 Increases Fees to Fund the E-Court Information System Concurrence Vote Passed - House (48 - 30)
June 25, 2012 NJ A 763 Increases Fees to Fund the E-Court Information System Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11)
June 6, 2012 NH CACR 12 Legislative Authority of Education Requirements Conference Report Rejected - House (224 - 144)
June 6, 2012 NH CACR 12 Legislative Authority of Education Requirements Conference Report Rejected - House (224 - 144)
June 6, 2012 NH CACR 12 Legislative Authority of Education Requirements Conference Report Adopted - Senate (17 - 6)
June 6, 2012 NH CACR 12 Legislative Authority of Education Requirements Conference Report Adopted - Senate (17 - 6)
June 27, 2012 NH SB 289 Requires Photo Identification to Vote Veto Override Passed - House (231 - 112)
June 27, 2012 NH SB 289 Requires Photo Identification to Vote Veto Override Passed - Senate (18 - 5)
June 27, 2012 NH SB 318 Requires In-State Residency to Vote Veto Override Passed - House (232 - 110)
June 27, 2012 NH SB 318 Requires In-State Residency to Vote Veto Override Passed - Senate (18 - 5)
June 6, 2012 NH HB 1490 Authorizes New Hamshire to Leave the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative Conference Report Adopted - House (211 - 74)
June 6, 2012 NH HB 1490 Authorizes New Hamshire to Leave the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative Conference Report Adopted - Senate (17 - 6)
June 19, 2012 National HR 2578 Conservation and Economic Growth Act Bill Passed - House (232 - 188)
June 6, 2012 NH CACR 6 Requires a Supermajority for Budget Increases Conference Report Rejected - House (220 - 132)
June 6, 2012 NH CACR 6 Requires a Supermajority for Budget Increases Conference Report Rejected - House (220 - 132)
June 6, 2012 NH CACR 6 Requires a Supermajority for Budget Increases Conference Report Adopted - Senate (14 - 9)
June 6, 2012 NH CACR 6 Requires a Supermajority for Budget Increases Conference Report Adopted - Senate (14 - 9)
June 28, 2012 PA HB 1307 Authorizes State Control of Financially Distressed Schools Concurrence Vote Passed - House (106 - 95)
June 19, 2012 PA HB 1307 Authorizes State Control of Financially Distressed Schools Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 21)
June 30, 2012 PA SB 1263 Prohibits Gas Drilling in Certain Areas Bill Passed - House (123 - 74)
June 30, 2012 PA HB 254 Expands Use of Red-Light Cameras Concurrence Vote Passed - House (113 - 72)
Date No. Title Outcome
4/11 SB 202 Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - House (239 - 95)
4/09 HB 2434 Requires Federal Agents to Notify Local Law Enforcement Prior to Taking Action Concurrence Vote Passed - House (38 - 17)
4/04 HB 2434 Requires Federal Agents to Notify Local Law Enforcement Prior to Taking Action Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 8)
4/05 HF 2738 Requires Photo Identification to Vote Conference Report Adopted - Senate (35 - 29)
4/05 HF 2738 Requires Photo Identification to Vote Conference Report Adopted - Senate (35 - 29)
4/03 HF 2738 Requires Photo Identification to Vote Conference Report Adopted - House (72 - 57)
4/03 HF 2738 Requires Photo Identification to Vote Conference Report Adopted - House (72 - 57)
6/13 SB 754 Requires Photo Identification for Voter Registration Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 11)
6/12 SB 754 Requires Photo Identification for Voter Registration Bill Passed - House (66 - 43)
2/14 SB 754 Requires Photo Identification for Voter Registration Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 12)
5/08 SB 295 Repealing Provisions of the Election Revision Code Bill Passed - House (54 - 42)
3/28 SB 295 Repealing Provisions of the Election Revision Code Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 10)
4/26 SJR 710 Amends Judicial Appointment Process Joint Resolution Passed - House (70 - 27)
4/23 SJR 710 Amends Judicial Appointment Process Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (22 - 9)
5/02 HCR 2004 Establishes State Sovereignty Over Certain Natural Resources Concurrence Vote Passed - House (38 - 20)
4/30 HCR 2004 Establishes State Sovereignty Over Certain Natural Resources Resolution Passed - Senate (16 - 14)
4/25 SB 1332 Requires the Federal Government to Give Back Land to Arizona Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (19 - 9)
4/23 SB 1332 Requires the Federal Government to Give Back Land to Arizona Bill Passed - House (35 - 15)
4/24 SB 1182 Prohibits Enforcement of Certain Provisions in the National Defense Authorization Act Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (20 - 8)
4/19 SB 1182 Prohibits Enforcement of Certain Provisions in the National Defense Authorization Act Bill Passed - House (34 - 22)
4/27 SM 3 Urges Congress to Authorize Religious Exemptions to Providing Birth Control Bill Failed - Senate (15 - 20)
5/10 HR 5652 Sequester Replacement Reconciliation Act of 2012 Bill Passed - House (218 - 199)
5/03 JR 201 State Senate Redistricting Bill Passed - House (70 - 50)
5/03 JR 201 State Senate Redistricting Bill Passed - House (70 - 50)
5/02 JR 201 State Senate Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (46 - 5)
5/02 JR 201 State Senate Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (46 - 5)
5/03 HF 2337 Amends Property Taxes Conference Report Adopted - Senate (41 - 25)
5/01 HF 2337 Amends Property Taxes Conference Report Adopted - House (73 - 57)
5/24 HB 19 State House Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
5/24 HB 19 State House Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
5/21 HB 19 State House Redistricting Bill Passed - House (66 - 35)
5/21 HB 19 State House Redistricting Bill Passed - House (66 - 35)
5/24 SB 25 State Senate Redistricting Bill Passed - House (65 - 36)
5/24 SB 25 State Senate Redistricting Bill Passed - House (65 - 36)
5/22 SB 25 State Senate Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12)
5/22 SB 25 State Senate Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12)
5/02 JR 1 State House Redistricting Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (38 - 14)
5/02 JR 1 State House Redistricting Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (38 - 14)
4/26 JR 1 State House Redistricting Joint Resolution Passed - House (70 - 50)
4/26 JR 1 State House Redistricting Joint Resolution Passed - House (70 - 50)
5/07 HF 2475 Reduces Certain Business Property Taxes Bill Passed - House (71 - 26)
4/10 SB 1449 Establishes a Recall Primary Election for a Recall Election Bill Passed - House (36 - 22)
3/05 SB 1449 Establishes a Recall Primary Election for a Recall Election Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 11)
5/24 SB 303 Limits Gun Regulations Bill Passed - House (77 - 22)
5/08 HB 5556 Requires Corporations to Identify Top Donors for Campaign Contributions Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
5/08 HB 5556 Requires Corporations to Identify Top Donors for Campaign Contributions Bill Passed - House (94 - 54)
5/05 HB 5024 Authorizes Election Day Registration Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 16)
4/30 HB 5024 Authorizes Election Day Registration Bill Passed - House (83 - 59)
5/02 HB 211 Authorizes Certian Officials to Hire Their Own Lawyers Conference Report Adopted - Senate (34 - 18)
5/01 HB 211 Authorizes Certian Officials to Hire Their Own Lawyers Conference Report Adopted - House (63 - 56)
5/10 SB 1313 Limits Health Care Coverage for Retired State Employees Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 20)
5/09 SB 1313 Limits Health Care Coverage for Retired State Employees Bill Passed - House (74 - 43)
5/17 SB 185 Requires Lobbyists to Report Their Activities in the Legislature Bill Passed - House (26 - 12)
5/29 HB 209 Reduces Voting Hours Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 11)
4/04 HB 209 Reduces Voting Hours Bill Passed - House (60 - 41)
5/22 HB 292 School Board Member Term Limits Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 16)
5/10 SB 102 State Senate Redistricting Bill Passed - House (67 - 50)
5/10 SB 102 State Senate Redistricting Bill Passed - House (67 - 50)
6/06 SB 289 Requires Photo Identification to Vote Conference Report Adopted - Senate (17 - 6)
6/06 SB 289 Requires Photo Identification to Vote Conference Report Adopted - House (255 - 103)
4/19 HB 1534 Prohibits Implementation of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act Bill Passed - House (108 - 44)
6/06 SB 1310 Authorizes Repayment of Unemployment Debt to the Federal Government Concurrence Vote Passed - House (129 - 67)
6/05 SB 1310 Authorizes Repayment of Unemployment Debt to the Federal Government Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 19)
4/25 HB 3061 Reduces Income Tax Rates Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 16)
5/31 SB 3442 Requires Recycling of Plastic Bags Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (38 - 15)
5/30 SB 3442 Requires Recycling of Plastic Bags Bill Passed - House (72 - 44)
6/12 HB 819 Requirements for Calculating Sea Level Rise Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 12)
5/16 CACR 26 Authorizes the Legislature to Amend Supreme Court Rules Resolution Passed - Senate (19 - 5)
5/16 CACR 26 Authorizes the Legislature to Amend Supreme Court Rules Resolution Passed - Senate (19 - 5)
8/27 AB 1436 Authorizes Same-Day Voter Registration Concurrence Vote Passed - House (50 - 29)
8/23 AB 1436 Authorizes Same-Day Voter Registration Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 13)
5/31 AB 1436 Authorizes Same-Day Voter Registration Bill Passed - House (47 - 26)
6/27 HB 1666 Requires Legislative Approval of Collective Bargaining Agreements Veto Override Failed - House (225 - 124)
6/06 HB 1666 Requires Legislative Approval of Collective Bargaining Agreements Conference Report Adopted - House (203 - 77)
5/31 H Amdt 11 Requires Photo Identification to Vote Amendment Adopted - House (105 - 43)
5/09 SF 2315 Amends the Mental Health and Disability Services Program Conference Report Adopted - House (66 - 31)
6/06 SB 318 Requires In-State Residency to Vote Conference Report Adopted - House (260 - 101)
6/06 SB 318 Requires In-State Residency to Vote Conference Report Adopted - Senate (18 - 5)
6/12 SB 803 Requires Proof of Citizenship to Vote Bill Passed - House (67 - 43)
6/25 A 763 Increases Fees to Fund the E-Court Information System Concurrence Vote Passed - House (48 - 30)
6/25 A 763 Increases Fees to Fund the E-Court Information System Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11)
6/06 CACR 12 Legislative Authority of Education Requirements Conference Report Rejected - House (224 - 144)
6/06 CACR 12 Legislative Authority of Education Requirements Conference Report Rejected - House (224 - 144)
6/06 CACR 12 Legislative Authority of Education Requirements Conference Report Adopted - Senate (17 - 6)
6/06 CACR 12 Legislative Authority of Education Requirements Conference Report Adopted - Senate (17 - 6)
6/27 SB 289 Requires Photo Identification to Vote Veto Override Passed - House (231 - 112)
6/27 SB 289 Requires Photo Identification to Vote Veto Override Passed - Senate (18 - 5)
6/27 SB 318 Requires In-State Residency to Vote Veto Override Passed - House (232 - 110)
6/27 SB 318 Requires In-State Residency to Vote Veto Override Passed - Senate (18 - 5)
6/06 HB 1490 Authorizes New Hamshire to Leave the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative Conference Report Adopted - House (211 - 74)
6/06 HB 1490 Authorizes New Hamshire to Leave the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative Conference Report Adopted - Senate (17 - 6)
6/19 HR 2578 Conservation and Economic Growth Act Bill Passed - House (232 - 188)
6/06 CACR 6 Requires a Supermajority for Budget Increases Conference Report Rejected - House (220 - 132)
6/06 CACR 6 Requires a Supermajority for Budget Increases Conference Report Rejected - House (220 - 132)
6/06 CACR 6 Requires a Supermajority for Budget Increases Conference Report Adopted - Senate (14 - 9)
6/06 CACR 6 Requires a Supermajority for Budget Increases Conference Report Adopted - Senate (14 - 9)
6/28 HB 1307 Authorizes State Control of Financially Distressed Schools Concurrence Vote Passed - House (106 - 95)
6/19 HB 1307 Authorizes State Control of Financially Distressed Schools Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 21)
6/30 SB 1263 Prohibits Gas Drilling in Certain Areas Bill Passed - House (123 - 74)
6/30 HB 254 Expands Use of Red-Light Cameras Concurrence Vote Passed - House (113 - 72)

arrow_upward