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:
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.
Date | State | Bill No. | Title | Outcome |
---|---|---|---|---|
Feb. 25, 2013 | AK | HB 69 | Exempts Firearms from Federal Regulation | Bill Passed - House (31 - 5) |
April 30, 2013 | AL | HB 162 | Amends the Voter Registration Deadline | Bill Passed - House (67 - 34) |
April 30, 2013 | AL | HB 8 | Requires Courts to Apply "Strict Scrutiny" to Certain Firearm Regulation Laws | Bill Passed - House (76 - 22) |
April 30, 2013 | AL | HB 8 | Requires Courts to Apply "Strict Scrutiny" to Certain Firearm Regulation Laws | Bill Passed - House (76 - 22) |
April 1, 2013 | AR | SB 2 | Requires Photo Identification to Vote | Veto Override Passed - House (52 - 45) |
April 17, 2013 | AR | SB 1020 | Authorizes Private Purchase of Health Insurance with Federal Funds | Bill Passed - House (70 - 23) |
March 13, 2013 | AR | SB 2 | Requires Photo Identification to Vote | Bill Passed - House (51 - 44) |
March 20, 2013 | AR | HB 1855 | Classifies the Office of Prosecuting Attorney as Nonpartisan | Bill Passed - House (63 - 24) |
April 9, 2013 | AR | HJR 1009 | Amends Campaign Contribution Laws | Joint Resolution Passed - House (71 - 12) |
April 9, 2013 | AR | HJR 1009 | Amends Campaign Contribution Laws | Joint Resolution Passed - House (71 - 12) |
Feb. 4, 2013 | AR | HB 1100 | Prohibits Abortion Coverage on the State Health Insurance Exchange | Bill Passed - House (77 - 15) |
March 20, 2013 | AR | HB 1855 | Classifies the Office of Prosecuting Attorney as Nonpartisan | Bill Passed - House (63 - 24) |
March 19, 2013 | AR | HB 1819 | Prohibits Governor from Regulating Firearms in an Emergency | Bill Passed - House (78 - 9) |
March 12, 2013 | AR | HB 1357 | Requires Special Elections to Be Held On Certain Days | Bill Passed - House (68 - 22) |
March 8, 2013 | AR | HB 1329 | Reduces Concealed Carry License Application Fee | Bill Failed - House (31 - 52) |
March 5, 2013 | AR | HB 1041 | Establishes a Spending Cap on the State Budget | Bill Failed - House (49 - 47) |
June 13, 2013 | AZ | HB 2305 | Amends Voting Procedures | Conference Report Adopted - House (33 - 26) |
April 8, 2013 | AZ | HB 2477 | Requires Photo Radar Systems To Be Necessary for Public Safety | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (42 - 16) |
June 13, 2013 | AZ | HB 2608 | Amends Retirement Plans for Elected Officials | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (35 - 24) |
June 13, 2013 | AZ | HB 2608 | Amends Retirement Plans for Elected Officials | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (35 - 24) |
June 13, 2013 | AZ | HB 2608 | Amends Retirement Plans for Elected Officials | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (35 - 24) |
April 8, 2013 | AZ | SB 1439 | Authorizes the Use of Gold and Silver as Legal Tender | Bill Passed - House (36 - 22) |
March 7, 2013 | AZ | HB 2282 | Requires a Primary During Recall Elections | Bill Passed - House (36 - 23) |
Feb. 28, 2013 | AZ | HB 2593 | Amends Campaign Finance Limits | Bill Passed - House (32 - 23) |
March 4, 2013 | AZ | HB 2280 | Prohibits Local Governments from Establishing Employee Pay Requirements | Bill Passed - House (32 - 27) |
Sept. 11, 2013 | CA | AB 484 | Amends State School Testing Programs | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (54 - 22) |
June 14, 2013 | CA | AB 76 | Specifies that Compliance with the California Public Records Act is Optional | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (53 - 25) |
Aug. 8, 2013 | CA | AB 817 | Amends Poll Worker Eligibility Requirements | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (49 - 25) |
April 18, 2013 | CA | SB 140 | Appropriates Funds to the Armed Prohibited Persons System | Bill Passed - House (65 - 10) |
May 23, 2013 | CA | AB 817 | Amends Poll Worker Eligibility Requirements | Bill Passed - House (49 - 23) |
March 7, 2013 | CA | AB 1-1 | Expands Eligibility for Medi-Cal Program | Bill Passed - House (54 - 22) |
April 4, 2013 | CA | AB 131 | Amends Voter Registration Requirements | Bill Passed - House (47 - 23) |
April 25, 2013 | CA | AB 1401 | Authorizes Non-United States Citizens to Serve on Juries | Bill Passed - House (45 - 26) |
May 3, 2013 | CO | HB 1303 | Authorizes Same-Day Voter Registration | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (37 - 28) |
April 17, 2013 | CT | HJR 36 | Authorizes Early and Absentee Voting | Bill Passed - House (90 - 49) |
May 31, 2013 | CT | HB 6580 | Authorizes Unlimited Spending in State Legislative Elections | Bill Passed - House (71 - 59) |
April 17, 2013 | CT | HJR 36 | Authorizes Early and Absentee Voting | Bill Passed - House (90 - 49) |
March 4, 2013 | GA | HB 125 | Amends State Immigration Policy | Bill Passed - House (116 - 49) |
April 30, 2013 | HI | SB 1084 | Authorizes the Use of Public Funds for Private Preschools | Conference Report Adopted - House (37 - 14) |
May 23, 2013 | IA | SF 446 | 2013-2014 Health and Human Services Budget | Conference Report Adopted - House (80 - 17) |
May 1, 2013 | IA | SF 446 | 2013-2014 Health and Human Services Budget | Bill Passed - House (52 - 46) |
April 23, 2013 | IA | SF 447 | 2013-2014 Justice Department Budget | Bill Passed - House (51 - 46) |
Feb. 19, 2013 | IA | HF 215 | Appropriates Education Funding and Establishes New Programs | Bill Passed - House (52 - 44) |
March 22, 2013 | ID | S 1108 | Increases Petition Signature Requirements | Bill Passed - House (45 - 21) |
March 22, 2013 | ID | S 1108 | Increases Petition Signature Requirements | Bill Passed - House (45 - 21) |
March 13, 2013 | ID | H 248 | Establishes Health Insurance Exchange | Bill Passed - House (41 - 29) |
Dec. 3, 2013 | IL | SB 1 | Amends State Employee Pension Plans | Conference Report Adopted - House (62 - 53) |
Dec. 3, 2013 | IL | SB 1 | Amends State Employee Pension Plans | Conference Report Adopted - House (62 - 53) |
Dec. 3, 2013 | IL | SB 1 | Amends State Employee Pension Plans | Conference Report Adopted - House (62 - 53) |
Nov. 6, 2013 | IL | SB 1523 | Amends Pension Code | Bill Passed - House (87 - 26) |
Nov. 6, 2013 | IL | SB 1523 | Amends Pension Code | Bill Passed - House (87 - 26) |
Nov. 6, 2013 | IL | SB 1523 | Amends Pension Code | Bill Passed - House (87 - 26) |
May 27, 2013 | IL | SB 26 | Expands Medicaid Eligibility | Bill Passed - House (63 - 55) |
April 11, 2013 | IL | HJRCA 18 | Repeals the Position of Lieutenant Governor | Joint Resolution Passed - House (83 - 28) |
March 21, 2013 | IL | HB 1165 | Establishes Cost of Living Adjustments in Pensions | Bill Passed - House (66 - 50) |
April 17, 2013 | IL | HB 226 | Authorizes 17 Year Olds to Vote in Primary Elections | Bill Passed - House (95 - 22) |
April 11, 2013 | IL | HJRCA 18 | Repeals the Position of Lieutenant Governor | Joint Resolution Passed - House (83 - 28) |
April 15, 2013 | IN | SB 225 | Establishes Procedures to Appoint Constitutional Convention Delegates | Bill Passed - House (64 - 29) |
April 15, 2013 | IN | SB 224 | Establishes the Duties of Constitutional Convention Delegates | Bill Passed - House (64 - 28) |
March 25, 2013 | IN | SB 213 | Prohibits Localities From Requiring Certain Employment Benefits | Bill Passed - House (55 - 39) |
Feb. 25, 2013 | IN | HB 1011 | Authorizes a Metropolitan Transit District | Bill Passed - House (56 - 39) |
April 5, 2013 | KS | HB 2234 | Requires the Secretary of Transportation to Direct the Kansas Turnpike Authority | Conference Report Adopted - House (76 - 44) |
April 5, 2013 | KS | SB 102 | Prohibits the Enforcement of Federal Firearm Regulations | Conference Report Adopted - House (96 - 24) |
April 5, 2013 | KS | HB 2069 | Prohibits Local Governments from Enforcing a Union Wage | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (88 - 32) |
Jan. 31, 2013 | KS | HB 2023 | Prohibits Manditory Labor Organizational Fees for Political Purposes | Bill Passed - House (68 - 56) |
Jan. 31, 2013 | KS | HB 2023 | Prohibits Manditory Labor Organizational Fees for Political Purposes | Bill Passed - House (68 - 56) |
March 1, 2013 | KS | HB 2019 | Authorizes Governor to Appoint Judges to Kansas Court of Appeals | Bill Passed - House (73 - 50) |
March 1, 2013 | KS | HB 2019 | Authorizes Governor to Appoint Judges to Kansas Court of Appeals | Bill Passed - House (73 - 50) |
March 14, 2013 | KS | HB 2199 | Prohibits Enforcement of Federal Firearms Laws Within the State of Kansas | Bill Passed - House (94 - 29) |
March 11, 2013 | KS | HB 2234 | Specifies Contract Powers of the Kansas Secretary of Transportation and the Kansas Turnpike Authority | Bill Passed - House (81 - 41) |
March 1, 2013 | KS | HB 2019 | Authorizes Governor to Appoint Judges to Kansas Court of Appeals | Bill Passed - House (73 - 50) |
Aug. 23, 2013 | KY | HB 1 | State Legislative Redistricting | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (79 - 18) |
Aug. 23, 2013 | KY | HB 1 | State Legislative Redistricting | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (79 - 18) |
March 26, 2013 | KY | SB 13 | Authorizes the Sale of Alcohol on Election Days | Bill Passed - House (50 - 46) |
March 11, 2013 | KY | SB 1 | Establishes an Electronic Ballot Transmission System for Military and Overseas Voters | Bill Passed - House (57 - 42) |