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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov. 25, 2019 | NJ | A 1796 | Prohibits a "Gay Panic" Legal Defense | Bill Passed - House (74 - 0) |
| Nov. 25, 2019 | NJ | A 1796 | Prohibits a "Gay Panic" Legal Defense | Bill Passed - House (74 - 0) |
| June 13, 2019 | NY | A 2371 | Prohibits Exemption from Vaccinations Based on Religious Beliefs | Bill Passed - House (84 - 61) |
| June 20, 2019 | NJ | A 314 | Amends Solitary Confinement Procedures | Bill Passed - House (49 - 24) |
| June 12, 2019 | NY | A 3675 | Authorizes Driver's Licenses for Undocumented Immigrants | Bill Passed - House (87 - 61) |
| Jan. 31, 2019 | NJ | A 4135 | Establishes Procedures for Digital Parking Meters and a Fund for Encouraging Designated Drivers | Bill Passed - House (55 - 20) |
| Dec. 16, 2019 | NJ | A 4260 | Prohibits the Sale of Certain Toy Guns or Imitation Firearms | Bill Passed - House (54 - 19) |
| June 20, 2019 | NJ | A 5452 | Amends Firearm Identification and Training Requirements | Bill Passed - House (45 - 24) |
| June 20, 2019 | NJ | A 5453 | Increases Penalties for Illegal Firearm Transfers | Bill Passed - House (59 - 10) |
| June 20, 2019 | NJ | A 5455 | Amends Ammunition Sale Regulations | Bill Passed - House (51 - 18) |
| Nov. 25, 2019 | NJ | A 5816 | Reduces the Penalty for Certain Parole Violations | Bill Passed - House (47 - 24) |
| Nov. 25, 2019 | NJ | A 5823 | Authorizes Automatic Voter Registration for Individuals Released from Prison | Bill Passed - House (48 - 24) |
| Nov. 25, 2019 | NJ | A 5823 | Authorizes Automatic Voter Registration for Individuals Released from Prison | Bill Passed - House (48 - 24) |
| March 26, 2019 | NY | A 6188 | Prohibits Harassment of Rent Regulated Tenants | Bill Passed - House (108 - 39) |
| March 19, 2019 | NY | A 6449 | Increases Number of Speed Cameras in School Zones | Bill Passed - House (100 - 46) |
| June 19, 2019 | NY | A 8421 | Amends Requirements for Workplace Harassment Claims | Bill Passed - House (128 - 20) |
| Sept. 10, 2019 | CA | AB 1076 | Requires Criminal Record Expungement for Individuals Never Convicted | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (52 - 23) |
| April 8, 2019 | CA | AB 12 | Authorizes Gun Violence Restraining Orders | Bill Passed - House (53 - 13) |
| Sept. 12, 2019 | CA | AB 1215 | Prohibits Facial Recognition in Police Body-Cams | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (47 - 21) |
| Sept. 12, 2019 | CA | AB 1215 | Prohibits Facial Recognition in Police Body-Cams | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (47 - 21) |
| May 29, 2019 | CA | AB 1246 | Requires Large Group Health Plans to Cover Medically Necessary Prescription Drugs | (58 - 19) |
| May 23, 2019 | CA | AB 1254 | Prohibits Hunting of Bobcats | Bill Passed - House (54 - 21) |
| Sept. 9, 2019 | CA | AB 1282 | Prohibits Prisons from Working with ICE Contractors | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (61 - 16) |
| Sept. 9, 2019 | CA | AB 1282 | Prohibits Prisons from Working with ICE Contractors | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (61 - 16) |
| April 23, 2019 | NV | AB 153 | Prohibits the Negligent Storage of Firearms Around Minors | Bill Passed - House (32 - 9) |
| May 29, 2019 | CA | AB 1550 | Establishes the "Caution Against Racially Exploitative Non-Emergencies (CAREN) Act" | Bill Passed - House (78 - 0) |
| May 24, 2019 | CA | AB 1593 | Authorizes Certain Tax Breaks for Undocumented Families | Bill Passed - House (55 - 18) |
| May 22, 2019 | CA | AB 163 | Requires State Oversight of Unaccompanied Undocumented Minors | Bill Passed - House (60 - 5) |
| May 28, 2019 | CA | AB 1669 | Increases Firearm Purchasing Fees | Bill Passed - House (49 - 22) |
| May 22, 2019 | CA | AB 175 | Amends Foster Care Bill of Rights | Bill Passed - House (59 - 8) |
| May 22, 2019 | CA | AB 175 | Amends Foster Care Bill of Rights | Bill Passed - House (59 - 8) |
| May 15, 2019 | WI | AB 179 | Establishes Requirements for Abortions Resulting in Premature Birth | Bill Passed - House (62 - 35) |
| May 15, 2019 | WI | AB 180 | Requires Potential Abortion Reversal Drugs be made Available | Bill Passed - House (62 - 35) |
| April 23, 2019 | NV | AB 291 | Establishes Various Provisions to Increase Gun Safety | Bill Passed - House (28 - 13) |
| Nov. 7, 2019 | WI | AB 304 | Authorizes Pharmacy Distribution of Certain Hormonal Contraceptives | Bill Passed - House (82 - 13) |
| May 23, 2019 | CA | AB 32 | Prohibits Private Prisons and ICE Detention Centers | Bill Passed - House (61 - 13) |
| May 28, 2019 | CA | AB 4 | Authorizes Medi-Cal Benefits for Undocumented Immigrants | Bill Passed - House (51 - 17) |
| April 23, 2019 | NV | AB 431 | Expands Voting Rights for Convicted Individuals | Bill Passed - House (32 - 9) |
| April 23, 2019 | NV | AB 431 | Expands Voting Rights for Convicted Individuals | Bill Passed - House (32 - 9) |
| May 23, 2019 | CA | AB 44 | Prohibits the Sale and Manufacturing of Fur Products | Bill Passed - House (52 - 16) |
| April 23, 2019 | NV | AB 443 | Establishes Permanent Sales Tax for Cop Funding | Bill Passed - House (33 - 8) |
| May 23, 2019 | CA | AB 454 | Establishes Protections for Migratory Birds | Bill Passed - House (55 - 21) |
| April 29, 2019 | CA | AB 467 | Requires Competitions Held on Public Lands to Offer Equal Prize Compensation Regardless of Gender | Bill Passed - House (74 - 0) |
| April 29, 2019 | CA | AB 467 | Requires Competitions Held on Public Lands to Offer Equal Prize Compensation Regardless of Gender | Bill Passed - House (74 - 0) |
| May 28, 2019 | CA | AB 493 | Specifies Biennial LGBTQ Teacher Training be Encouraged | Bill Passed - House (61 - 0) |
| May 6, 2019 | CA | AB 61 | Amends Restraining Order Regulations | Bill Passed - House (54 - 17) |
| May 6, 2019 | CA | AB 61 | Amends Restraining Order Regulations | Bill Passed - House (54 - 17) |
| Sept. 13, 2019 | CA | AB 681 | Requires Voter Party Affiliation Notification Prior To Primary Elections | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (65 - 13) |
| May 28, 2019 | CA | AB 767 | Establishes Restitution for Victims of Police Violence | Bill Passed - House (59 - 10) |
| May 28, 2019 | CA | AB 767 | Establishes Restitution for Victims of Police Violence | Bill Passed - House (59 - 10) |
| 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) |
| March 18, 2019 | CA | AJR 5 | Urges the Federal Government to Pass Universal Firearm Safety Regulation | Bill Passed - House (54 - 21) |
| April 5, 2019 | VT | H 107 | Establishes a Paid Statewide Family and Medical Leave Program | Bill Passed - House (92 - 52) |
| March 13, 2019 | MA | H 140 | Prohibits Sexual Orientation Conversion Therapy for Minors | Bill Passed - House (148 - 8) |
| March 4, 2019 | ID | H 180 | Authorizes Syringe and Needle Exchange Program | Bill Passed - House (47 - 20) |
| March 6, 2019 | ID | H 209 | Authorizes Warrant-less Arrests for Individuals Responsible for School Threats | Bill Passed - House (47 - 22) |
| April 25, 2019 | SC | H 3020 | Prohibits Abortion After a Fetal Heartbeat is Detected | Bill Passed - House (64 - 22) |
| March 26, 2019 | SC | H 4243 | Authorizes Tax Incentives for Carolina Panthers Training Facilities | Bill Passed - House (90 - 25) |
| June 19, 2019 | RI | H 5125 | Establishes Abortion Procedures as Protected State Law | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (45 - 29) |
| March 7, 2019 | RI | H 5125 | Establishes Abortion Procedures as Protected State Law | Bill Passed - House (44 - 30) |
| Feb. 21, 2019 | VT | H 57 | Expands and Preserves Abortion Rights and Protections | Bill Passed - House (106 - 37) |
| Feb. 28, 2019 | ID | H 98 | Establishes Restrictions on Marriage Involving Minors | Bill Failed - House (28 - 39) |
| Feb. 1, 2019 | WY | HB 0140 | Establishes a 48-Hour Abortion Waiting Period | Bill Passed - House (36 - 22) |
| April 30, 2019 | TN | HB 1 | Authorizes Online Sports Betting | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (51 - 40) |
| Jan. 10, 2019 | DE | HB 1 | Establishes an Equal Rights Amendment in the State Constitution | Bill Passed - House (35 - 6) |
| April 24, 2019 | TN | HB 1 | Authorizes Online Sports Betting | Bill Passed - House (58 - 37) |
| April 24, 2019 | IN | HB 1015 | Authorizes Sports Betting | Conference Report Adopted - House (59 - 36) |
| Feb. 26, 2019 | WY | HB 103 | Requires Doctor Reporting of Abortions | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (46 - 12) |
| March 7, 2019 | NH | HB 105 | Repeals State Photo Identification Voter ID Laws | Bill Passed - House (209 - 155) |
| May 6, 2019 | PA | HB 1058 | Prohibits Abortions Based Solely on a Diagnosis of Down Syndrome | Bill Passed - House (116 - 76) |
| April 15, 2019 | TN | HB 1079 | Increases Penalties for Voter Registration Errors | Bill Passed - House (71 - 26) |
| March 12, 2019 | SD | HB 1087 | Requires Protections for All Forms of Free Speech at Public Universities | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (51 - 12) |
| Feb. 12, 2019 | SD | HB 1108 | Prohibits Gender Dysphoria Sex Education from Kindergarten through Grade 7 | Bill Passed - House (39 - 30) |
| April 11, 2019 | IL | HB 1115 | Eliminates Electronic Monitoring for People Who Have Completed Their State Prison Sentences | Bill Passed - House (62 - 49) |