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
June 13, 2019 NY A 2371 Prohibits Exemption from Vaccinations Based on Religious Beliefs Bill Passed - House (84 - 61)
June 12, 2019 DE SB 73 Repeals Daylight Savings Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 4)
June 12, 2019 NY A 3675 Authorizes Driver's Licenses for Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - House (87 - 61)
June 11, 2019 NY S 2071 Repeals Prohibitions on Surrogacy and In Vitro Fertilization Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 21)
June 11, 2019 NY S 1637 Prohibits Possession of Certain Flamethrowers Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 13)
June 11, 2019 DE HB 5 Authorizes Judges to Impose Prison Sentences Concurrently Bill Passed - House (30 - 10)
June 11, 2019 DE HB 5 Authorizes Judges to Impose Prison Sentences Concurrently Bill Passed - House (30 - 10)
June 11, 2019 PA SB 621 Authorizes Schools to Arm Security Guards Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 17)
June 11, 2019 NY S 45 Establishes Protections for LGBTQ Veterans Bill Passed - Senate (61 - 0)
June 10, 2019 ME LD 777 Establishes a Permanent Commission on the Status of Racial and Ethnic Populations "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 14)
June 10, 2019 ME LD 1529 Prohibits Employers from Requiring Employees Sign Nondisclosure Agreements Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11)
June 5, 2019 LA HB 518 Exempts Certain Non-Violent Crimes From Habitual Offender Law Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 6)
June 5, 2019 NH SB 235 Establishes a Human Resources Office to Investigate Sexual Harassment Complaints in Legislature "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Adopted - House (207 - 139)
June 5, 2019 NH SB 263 Prohibits Discrimination in Public Schools "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (211 - 141)
June 5, 2019 CT SB 380 Requires the Release of Police Camera Video Bill Passed - House (86 - 60)
June 5, 2019 ME LD 795 Amends State Constitution to Include a Right to Food Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
June 5, 2019 WI AB 180 Requires Potential Abortion Reversal Drugs be made Available Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 13)
June 5, 2019 WI AB 179 Establishes Requirements for Abortions Resulting in Premature Birth Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 14)
June 5, 2019 OH HB 136 Prohibits Individuals With Serious Mental Illnesses from Being Sentenced to Death Bill Passed - House (76 - 18)
June 5, 2019 OH HB 80 Amends Specific Sections of Ohio's Worker's Compensation Law Bill Passed - House (56 - 38)
June 4, 2019 ME LD 665 Prohibits Restrictions of Free Speech on College Campuses Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 14)
June 4, 2019 OR SB 420 Establishes Procedures for the Expungement of Marijuana Related Convictions Bill Passed - House (41 - 16)
June 4, 2019 OR SB 910 Expands Access to Substances That Can Stop Overdoses and Treat Addiction Bill Passed - House (36 - 21)
June 4, 2019 NY S 5532 Prohibits Declawing Cats Bill Passed - House (113 - 31)
June 4, 2019 OR SB 731 Authorizes College and University Student Governments to Take Positions on Initiatives and Ballot Measures Bill Passed - House (42 - 13)
June 4, 2019 NY S 5532 Prohibits Declawing Cats Bill Passed - Senate (50 - 12)
June 4, 2019 National HR 6 American Dream and Promise Act of 2019 Bill Passed - House (237 - 187)
June 4, 2019 ME LD 795 Amends State Constitution to Include a Right to Food Bill Passed - House (93 - 47)
June 3, 2019 OR HB 3216 Prohibits Discriminatory 911 Calls Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 1)
June 3, 2019 OR HB 3216 Prohibits Discriminatory 911 Calls Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 1)
June 3, 2019 ME LD 665 Prohibits Restrictions of Free Speech on College Campuses Bill Passed - House (87 - 51)
June 2, 2019 LA SB 172 Requires Individuals to be At Least 16 Years Old to Marry Bill Passed - House (67 - 28)
June 1, 2019 IL SB 690 Expands the Number of Casinos Permitted in Illinois Bill Passed - House (87 - 27)
May 31, 2019 NV AB 291 Establishes Various Provisions to Increase Gun Safety Bill Passed - Senate (12 - 8)
May 31, 2019 CT SB 1 Establishes Paid Family and Medical Leave Bill Passed - House (79 - 69)
May 30, 2019 AL HB 225 Prohibits Pay Discrimination Based on Sex and Race Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 0)
May 30, 2019 IL SB 1609 Authorizes Incarcerated Persons on Bailable Offenses to Receive a Credit Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (37 - 19)
May 30, 2019 IL HB 3606 Authorizes Parental Privacy Rights for Student Data Collection Concurrence Vote Passed - House (93 - 22)
May 30, 2019 IL HB 94 Establishes Specific Rehabilitation Classes as a Means of Reducing Prison Sentences Concurrence Vote Passed - House (63 - 52)
May 30, 2019 ME LD 1050 Requires Education About African American History and the History of Genocide "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Adopted - House (87 - 54)
May 30, 2019 NH HB 637 Establishes Online Criminal Record Database "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Adopted - Senate (15 - 9)
May 30, 2019 NH HB 651 Authorizes the Use of Campaign Funds for Child Care Expenses "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Adopted - Senate (15 - 9)
May 30, 2019 NH HB 608 Expands Definition of Gender Discrimination "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Adopted - Senate (16 - 8)
May 30, 2019 NH HB 608 Expands Definition of Gender Discrimination "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Adopted - Senate (16 - 8)
May 30, 2019 IL HB 3394 Requires Women and African Americans on Corporate Boards Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 16)
May 30, 2019 CT SB 992 Limits Cooperation Between Local Law Enforcement and Federal Immigration Agencies Bill Passed - House (79 - 61)
May 30, 2019 CT SB 992 Limits Cooperation Between Local Law Enforcement and Federal Immigration Agencies Bill Passed - House (79 - 61)
May 30, 2019 IL HB 1637 Establishes the Keep Illinois Families Together Act Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 19)
May 30, 2019 NH HB 105 Repeals State Photo Identification Voter ID Laws Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 10)
May 29, 2019 IL HB 3534 Establishes a Non-Binary Gender Option on IDs Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 16)
May 29, 2019 IL HB 3534 Establishes a Non-Binary Gender Option on IDs Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 16)
May 29, 2019 IL HB 834 Requires Equal Pay Concurrence Vote Passed - House (93 - 19)
May 29, 2019 CA AB 1550 Establishes the "Caution Against Racially Exploitative Non-Emergencies (CAREN) Act" Bill Passed - House (78 - 0)
May 29, 2019 CA AB 1246 Requires Large Group Health Plans to Cover Medically Necessary Prescription Drugs (58 - 19)
May 29, 2019 CA SB 29 Expands Medi-Cal Program Eligibility to Undocumented Immigrants Ages 19-25 or 65 and Older Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11)
May 29, 2019 CA SB 144 Repeals Various Administrative Fees Within the Criminal Justice System Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 8)
May 28, 2019 AL HB 361 Authorizes Sports Betting Concurrence Vote Passed - House (82 - 16)
May 28, 2019 AL HB 361 Authorizes Sports Betting Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 8)
May 28, 2019 IL SB 1609 Authorizes Incarcerated Persons on Bailable Offenses to Receive a Credit Bill Passed - House (62 - 52)
May 28, 2019 IL SB 2090 Expands Access to Voting in Jails Bill Passed - House (69 - 45)
May 28, 2019 IL SB 2090 Expands Access to Voting in Jails Bill Passed - House (69 - 45)
May 28, 2019 CA AB 767 Establishes Restitution for Victims of Police Violence Bill Passed - House (59 - 10)
May 28, 2019 CA AB 493 Specifies Biennial LGBTQ Teacher Training be Encouraged Bill Passed - House (61 - 0)
May 28, 2019 CA AB 767 Establishes Restitution for Victims of Police Violence Bill Passed - House (59 - 10)
May 28, 2019 CA AB 4 Authorizes Medi-Cal Benefits for Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - House (51 - 17)
May 28, 2019 CT HB 7160 Authorizes Voting Access to Parolees Bill Passed - House (84 - 60)
May 28, 2019 CA AB 1669 Increases Firearm Purchasing Fees Bill Passed - House (49 - 22)
May 27, 2019 IL HB 1637 Establishes the Keep Illinois Families Together Act Bill Passed - House (67 - 50)
May 26, 2019 TX HB 3557 Increases Penalties for Pipeline Protesting Conference Report Adopted - Senate (19 - 12)
May 26, 2019 TX HB 3557 Increases Penalties for Pipeline Protesting Conference Report Adopted - House (97 - 49)
May 24, 2019 TX HB 3285 Establishes Services for Substance Use Disorders Concurrence Vote Passed - House (124 - 18)
May 24, 2019 IL HB 94 Establishes Specific Rehabilitation Classes as a Means of Reducing Prison Sentences Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 17)
May 24, 2019 CA AB 1593 Authorizes Certain Tax Breaks for Undocumented Families Bill Passed - House (55 - 18)
May 24, 2019 MI HB 4434 Amends Fines and Sentences for Conceal Carry Violations Bill Passed - House (90 - 19)
May 23, 2019 OK HB 1269 Amends Criminal Sentencing Laws Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (34 - 11)
Date No. Title Outcome
6/13 A 2371 Prohibits Exemption from Vaccinations Based on Religious Beliefs Bill Passed - House (84 - 61)
6/12 SB 73 Repeals Daylight Savings Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 4)
6/12 A 3675 Authorizes Driver's Licenses for Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - House (87 - 61)
6/11 S 2071 Repeals Prohibitions on Surrogacy and In Vitro Fertilization Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 21)
6/11 S 1637 Prohibits Possession of Certain Flamethrowers Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 13)
6/11 HB 5 Authorizes Judges to Impose Prison Sentences Concurrently Bill Passed - House (30 - 10)
6/11 HB 5 Authorizes Judges to Impose Prison Sentences Concurrently Bill Passed - House (30 - 10)
6/11 SB 621 Authorizes Schools to Arm Security Guards Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 17)
6/11 S 45 Establishes Protections for LGBTQ Veterans Bill Passed - Senate (61 - 0)
6/10 LD 777 Establishes a Permanent Commission on the Status of Racial and Ethnic Populations "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 14)
6/10 LD 1529 Prohibits Employers from Requiring Employees Sign Nondisclosure Agreements Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11)
6/05 HB 518 Exempts Certain Non-Violent Crimes From Habitual Offender Law Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 6)
6/05 SB 235 Establishes a Human Resources Office to Investigate Sexual Harassment Complaints in Legislature "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Adopted - House (207 - 139)
6/05 SB 263 Prohibits Discrimination in Public Schools "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (211 - 141)
6/05 SB 380 Requires the Release of Police Camera Video Bill Passed - House (86 - 60)
6/05 LD 795 Amends State Constitution to Include a Right to Food Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
6/05 AB 180 Requires Potential Abortion Reversal Drugs be made Available Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 13)
6/05 AB 179 Establishes Requirements for Abortions Resulting in Premature Birth Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 14)
6/05 HB 136 Prohibits Individuals With Serious Mental Illnesses from Being Sentenced to Death Bill Passed - House (76 - 18)
6/05 HB 80 Amends Specific Sections of Ohio's Worker's Compensation Law Bill Passed - House (56 - 38)
6/04 LD 665 Prohibits Restrictions of Free Speech on College Campuses Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 14)
6/04 SB 420 Establishes Procedures for the Expungement of Marijuana Related Convictions Bill Passed - House (41 - 16)
6/04 SB 910 Expands Access to Substances That Can Stop Overdoses and Treat Addiction Bill Passed - House (36 - 21)
6/04 S 5532 Prohibits Declawing Cats Bill Passed - House (113 - 31)
6/04 SB 731 Authorizes College and University Student Governments to Take Positions on Initiatives and Ballot Measures Bill Passed - House (42 - 13)
6/04 S 5532 Prohibits Declawing Cats Bill Passed - Senate (50 - 12)
6/04 HR 6 American Dream and Promise Act of 2019 Bill Passed - House (237 - 187)
6/04 LD 795 Amends State Constitution to Include a Right to Food Bill Passed - House (93 - 47)
6/03 HB 3216 Prohibits Discriminatory 911 Calls Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 1)
6/03 HB 3216 Prohibits Discriminatory 911 Calls Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 1)
6/03 LD 665 Prohibits Restrictions of Free Speech on College Campuses Bill Passed - House (87 - 51)
6/02 SB 172 Requires Individuals to be At Least 16 Years Old to Marry Bill Passed - House (67 - 28)
6/01 SB 690 Expands the Number of Casinos Permitted in Illinois Bill Passed - House (87 - 27)
5/31 AB 291 Establishes Various Provisions to Increase Gun Safety Bill Passed - Senate (12 - 8)
5/31 SB 1 Establishes Paid Family and Medical Leave Bill Passed - House (79 - 69)
5/30 HB 225 Prohibits Pay Discrimination Based on Sex and Race Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 0)
5/30 SB 1609 Authorizes Incarcerated Persons on Bailable Offenses to Receive a Credit Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (37 - 19)
5/30 HB 3606 Authorizes Parental Privacy Rights for Student Data Collection Concurrence Vote Passed - House (93 - 22)
5/30 HB 94 Establishes Specific Rehabilitation Classes as a Means of Reducing Prison Sentences Concurrence Vote Passed - House (63 - 52)
5/30 LD 1050 Requires Education About African American History and the History of Genocide "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Adopted - House (87 - 54)
5/30 HB 637 Establishes Online Criminal Record Database "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Adopted - Senate (15 - 9)
5/30 HB 651 Authorizes the Use of Campaign Funds for Child Care Expenses "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Adopted - Senate (15 - 9)
5/30 HB 608 Expands Definition of Gender Discrimination "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Adopted - Senate (16 - 8)
5/30 HB 608 Expands Definition of Gender Discrimination "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Adopted - Senate (16 - 8)
5/30 HB 3394 Requires Women and African Americans on Corporate Boards Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 16)
5/30 SB 992 Limits Cooperation Between Local Law Enforcement and Federal Immigration Agencies Bill Passed - House (79 - 61)
5/30 SB 992 Limits Cooperation Between Local Law Enforcement and Federal Immigration Agencies Bill Passed - House (79 - 61)
5/30 HB 1637 Establishes the Keep Illinois Families Together Act Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 19)
5/30 HB 105 Repeals State Photo Identification Voter ID Laws Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 10)
5/29 HB 3534 Establishes a Non-Binary Gender Option on IDs Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 16)
5/29 HB 3534 Establishes a Non-Binary Gender Option on IDs Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 16)
5/29 HB 834 Requires Equal Pay Concurrence Vote Passed - House (93 - 19)
5/29 AB 1550 Establishes the "Caution Against Racially Exploitative Non-Emergencies (CAREN) Act" Bill Passed - House (78 - 0)
5/29 AB 1246 Requires Large Group Health Plans to Cover Medically Necessary Prescription Drugs (58 - 19)
5/29 SB 29 Expands Medi-Cal Program Eligibility to Undocumented Immigrants Ages 19-25 or 65 and Older Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11)
5/29 SB 144 Repeals Various Administrative Fees Within the Criminal Justice System Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 8)
5/28 HB 361 Authorizes Sports Betting Concurrence Vote Passed - House (82 - 16)
5/28 HB 361 Authorizes Sports Betting Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 8)
5/28 SB 1609 Authorizes Incarcerated Persons on Bailable Offenses to Receive a Credit Bill Passed - House (62 - 52)
5/28 SB 2090 Expands Access to Voting in Jails Bill Passed - House (69 - 45)
5/28 SB 2090 Expands Access to Voting in Jails Bill Passed - House (69 - 45)
5/28 AB 767 Establishes Restitution for Victims of Police Violence Bill Passed - House (59 - 10)
5/28 AB 493 Specifies Biennial LGBTQ Teacher Training be Encouraged Bill Passed - House (61 - 0)
5/28 AB 767 Establishes Restitution for Victims of Police Violence Bill Passed - House (59 - 10)
5/28 AB 4 Authorizes Medi-Cal Benefits for Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - House (51 - 17)
5/28 HB 7160 Authorizes Voting Access to Parolees Bill Passed - House (84 - 60)
5/28 AB 1669 Increases Firearm Purchasing Fees Bill Passed - House (49 - 22)
5/27 HB 1637 Establishes the Keep Illinois Families Together Act Bill Passed - House (67 - 50)
5/26 HB 3557 Increases Penalties for Pipeline Protesting Conference Report Adopted - Senate (19 - 12)
5/26 HB 3557 Increases Penalties for Pipeline Protesting Conference Report Adopted - House (97 - 49)
5/24 HB 3285 Establishes Services for Substance Use Disorders Concurrence Vote Passed - House (124 - 18)
5/24 HB 94 Establishes Specific Rehabilitation Classes as a Means of Reducing Prison Sentences Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 17)
5/24 AB 1593 Authorizes Certain Tax Breaks for Undocumented Families Bill Passed - House (55 - 18)
5/24 HB 4434 Amends Fines and Sentences for Conceal Carry Violations Bill Passed - House (90 - 19)
5/23 HB 1269 Amends Criminal Sentencing Laws Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (34 - 11)

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