Key Votes
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About the Selection and Descriptions of Key Votes
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:
- The vote should be helpful in portraying how a member stands on a particular issue
- The vote should be clear for any person to understand
- The vote has received media attention
- The vote was passed or defeated by a very close margin
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 9, 2019 | SC | S 11 | Authorizes Year-Round Daylight Savings Time | Bill Passed - House (97 - 10) |
| April 27, 2019 | CO | SB 19-030 | Authorizes a Remedy for Improperly Entered Guilty Pleas | Bill Passed - House (42 - 19) |
| March 19, 2019 | NH | HB 605 | Increases Penalties for Possessing or Manufacturing Animal Fighting Paraphernalia | "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (215 - 124) |
| Feb. 14, 2019 | NH | HB 253 | Prohibits Employers from Asking Job Applicants About Criminal History | "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (213 - 142) |
| May 8, 2019 | CT | HB 7223 | Prohibits Unlocked Vehicle Storage of Firearms | Bill Passed - House (98 - 48) |
| April 10, 2019 | IL | HB 3534 | Establishes a Non-Binary Gender Option on IDs | Bill Passed - House (67 - 38) |
| April 10, 2019 | IL | HB 3534 | Establishes a Non-Binary Gender Option on IDs | Bill Passed - House (67 - 38) |
| March 26, 2019 | GA | SB 83 | Authorizes Biblical Classes be Taught in High Schools | Bill Passed - House (122 - 44) |
| June 3, 2019 | ME | LD 665 | Prohibits Restrictions of Free Speech on College Campuses | Bill Passed - House (87 - 51) |
| May 27, 2019 | IL | HB 1637 | Establishes the Keep Illinois Families Together Act | Bill Passed - House (67 - 50) |
| June 5, 2019 | OH | HB 136 | Prohibits Individuals With Serious Mental Illnesses from Being Sentenced to Death | Bill Passed - House (76 - 18) |
| May 29, 2019 | CA | AB 1550 | Establishes the "Caution Against Racially Exploitative Non-Emergencies (CAREN) Act" | Bill Passed - House (78 - 0) |
| Jan. 10, 2019 | DE | HB 1 | Establishes an Equal Rights Amendment in the State Constitution | Bill Passed - House (35 - 6) |
| June 4, 2019 | National | HR 6 | American Dream and Promise Act of 2019 | Bill Passed - House (237 - 187) |
| June 5, 2019 | OH | HB 80 | Amends Specific Sections of Ohio's Worker's Compensation Law | Bill Passed - House (56 - 38) |
| 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 12, 2019 | NY | A 3675 | Authorizes Driver's Licenses for Undocumented Immigrants | Bill Passed - House (87 - 61) |
| June 13, 2019 | NY | A 2371 | Prohibits Exemption from Vaccinations Based on Religious Beliefs | Bill Passed - House (84 - 61) |
| June 18, 2019 | OR | HB 2015 | Authorizes Driver Licenses for Undocumented Immigrants | Bill Passed - House (39 - 21) |
| June 19, 2019 | NY | A 8421 | Amends Requirements for Workplace Harassment Claims | Bill Passed - House (128 - 20) |
| June 20, 2019 | NJ | A 5452 | Amends Firearm Identification and Training Requirements | Bill Passed - House (45 - 24) |
| June 20, 2019 | NJ | A 5455 | Amends Ammunition Sale Regulations | Bill Passed - House (51 - 18) |
| June 20, 2019 | NJ | A 5453 | Increases Penalties for Illegal Firearm Transfers | Bill Passed - House (59 - 10) |
| June 20, 2019 | NJ | A 314 | Amends Solitary Confinement Procedures | Bill Passed - House (49 - 24) |
| June 25, 2019 | National | HR 3401 | Emergency Supplemental Appropriations for Humanitarian Assistance and Security at the Southern Border Act, 2019 | Bill Passed - House (230 - 195) |
| June 25, 2019 | DE | HB 77 | Amends Burglary and Home Invasion Code | Bill Passed - House (23 - 16) |
| June 26, 2019 | NC | HB 135 | Prohibits "Sanctuary" Cities | Bill Passed - House (65 - 52) |
| July 12, 2019 | National | HR 1327 | Never Forget the Heroes: Permanent Authorization of the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund Act | Bill Passed - House (402 - 12) |
| July 16, 2019 | National | H Res 489 | Condemning President Trump's Racist Comments Directed at Members of Congress | Bill Passed - House (240 - 187) |
| July 16, 2019 | National | H Res 489 | Condemning President Trump's Racist Comments Directed at Members of Congress | Bill Passed - House (240 - 187) |
| July 23, 2019 | National | H Res 246 | Opposing Efforts to Delegitimize the State of Israel and The Global Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions Movement Targeting Israel | Bill Passed - House (398 - 17) |
| July 24, 2019 | National | HR 3239 | Humanitarian Standards for Individuals in Customs and Border Protection Custody Act | Bill Passed - House (233 - 195) |
| July 25, 2019 | National | HR 549 | Venezuela TPS Act of 2019 | Bill Passed - House (272 - 158) |
| Sept. 25, 2019 | National | HR 2203 | Homeland Security Improvement Act | Bill Passed - House (230 - 194) |
| Sept. 26, 2019 | National | HR 3525 | US Border Patrol Medical Screening Standards Act | Bill Passed - House (230 - 184) |
| Oct. 29, 2019 | National | H Res 296 | Affirming the United States record on the Armenian Genocide | Bill Passed - House (405 - 11) |
| Oct. 30, 2019 | MI | HB 4916 | Authorizes Sports Betting | Bill Passed - House (63 - 45) |
| Oct. 30, 2019 | IL | HB 3904 | Authorizes Student Athletes to Receive Compensation for Use of Their Name, Image, or Likeness | Bill Passed - House (86 - 25) |
| Nov. 5, 2019 | MI | HB 4687 | Repeals Prohibition of Deer-Baiting | Bill Passed - House (57 - 49) |
| Nov. 5, 2019 | MI | HB 4687 | Repeals Prohibition of Deer-Baiting | Bill Passed - House (57 - 49) |
| Nov. 5, 2019 | MI | HB 5120 | Authorizes Criminal Records Expungement for Certain Crimes | Bill Passed - House (100 - 8) |
| Nov. 7, 2019 | WI | AB 304 | Authorizes Pharmacy Distribution of Certain Hormonal Contraceptives | Bill Passed - House (82 - 13) |
| Nov. 12, 2019 | WI | AJR 106 | Amends the State Capital Holiday Tree Name to the Christmas Tree | Bill Passed - House (64 - 30) |
| Nov. 12, 2019 | WI | AJR 106 | Amends the State Capital Holiday Tree Name to the Christmas Tree | Bill Passed - House (64 - 30) |
| Nov. 13, 2019 | OH | HB 164 | Authorizes Religious Expression in Public Schools | Bill Passed - House (61 - 31) |
| June 4, 2019 | ME | LD 795 | Amends State Constitution to Include a Right to Food | Bill Passed - House (93 - 47) |
| Jan. 15, 2019 | National | H Res 41 | Rejecting White Nationalism and White Supremacy | Bill Passed - House (424 - 1) |
| Jan. 28, 2019 | ND | HB 1336 | Requires Potential Abortion Reversal Drugs be made Available | Bill Passed - House (73 - 16) |
| Jan. 31, 2019 | NJ | A 4135 | Establishes Procedures for Digital Parking Meters and a Fund for Encouraging Designated Drivers | Bill Passed - House (55 - 20) |
| Feb. 1, 2019 | WY | HB 0140 | Establishes a 48-Hour Abortion Waiting Period | Bill Passed - House (36 - 22) |
| Feb. 6, 2019 | NM | HB 51 | Amends State Law to Decriminalize Abortion | Bill Passed - House (40 - 29) |
| Feb. 8, 2019 | NM | HB 8 | Requires Background Checks for Gun Sales | Bill Passed - House (41 - 25) |
| Feb. 11, 2019 | OK | HB 2591 | Requires Healthcare Providers Report Statutory Rape | Bill Passed - House (79 - 20) |
| Feb. 12, 2019 | SD | HB 1108 | Prohibits Gender Dysphoria Sex Education from Kindergarten through Grade 7 | Bill Passed - House (39 - 30) |
| Feb. 12, 2019 | MT | HB 146 | Prohibits Cities from Passing Sanctuary Laws | Bill Passed - House (58 - 41) |
| Feb. 13, 2019 | OK | HB 2597 | Authorizes State Constitutional Carry | Bill Passed - House (70 - 30) |
| Feb. 14, 2019 | IN | HB 1615 | Increases Penalties for Animal Abuse | Bill Passed - House (81 - 13) |
| Feb. 14, 2019 | IN | HB 1615 | Increases Penalties for Animal Abuse | Bill Passed - House (81 - 13) |
| Feb. 15, 2019 | CO | HB 19-1039 | Amends Birth Certificate Regulations | Bill Passed - House (41 - 22) |
| Feb. 18, 2019 | NM | HB 89 | Requires Insurance Companies Provide Coverage for Contraceptives | Bill Passed - House (40 - 24) |
| Feb. 18, 2019 | IN | HB 1253 | Authorizes Firearm Training for Teachers and School Staff | Bill Passed - House (72 - 25) |
| Feb. 19, 2019 | ND | HB 1381 | Prohibits Government Funded Gun Buyback Programs | Bill Passed - House (66 - 26) |
| Feb. 19, 2019 | CO | HB 19-1129 | Prohibits Conversion Therapy | Bill Passed - House (42 - 20) |
| Feb. 19, 2019 | CO | HB 19-1148 | Reduces Maximum Criminal Penalty for Certain Crimes to 364 Days | Bill Passed - House (41 - 21) |
| Feb. 19, 2019 | CO | HB 19-1148 | Reduces Maximum Criminal Penalty for Certain Crimes to 364 Days | Bill Passed - House (41 - 21) |
| Feb. 20, 2019 | IA | HF 262 | Prohibits Pyramid Promotional Schemes | Bill Passed - House (88 - 10) |
| Feb. 20, 2019 | ND | HB 1254 | Authorizes Sports Betting | Bill Passed - House (58 - 32) |
| Feb. 21, 2019 | VT | H 57 | Expands and Preserves Abortion Rights and Protections | Bill Passed - House (106 - 37) |
| Feb. 21, 2019 | IN | HB 1211 | Prohibits Dilation and Evacuation Abortions | Bill Passed - House (71 - 25) |
| Feb. 22, 2019 | WV | HB 2934 | Authorizes Online Sports Gambling | Bill Passed - House (72 - 22) |
| Feb. 24, 2019 | NM | HB 564 | Amends Probation and Parole Procedures | Bill Passed - House (51 - 16) |
| Feb. 25, 2019 | AZ | HCR 2009 | Classifies Pornography as a Public Health Crises | Bill Passed - House (32 - 28) |
| Feb. 26, 2019 | CO | HB 19-1119 | Requires Law Enforcement Internal Investigations to Become Public | Bill Passed - House (33 - 29) |
| Feb. 27, 2019 | National | HR 8 | Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2019 | Bill Passed - House (240 - 190) |