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
Dec. 16, 2019 NJ A 5823 Authorizes Automatic Voter Registration for Individuals Released from Prison Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 17)
Nov. 5, 2019 WI SB 49 Prohibits Prostitution Charges Against Minors Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 14)
Sept. 11, 2019 CA SB 310 Authorizes Felons to Serve on Juries Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 10)
Sept. 11, 2019 CA AB 1215 Prohibits Facial Recognition in Police Body-Cams Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 15)
Sept. 10, 2019 CA AB 681 Requires Voter Party Affiliation Notification Prior To Primary Elections Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 11)
Sept. 10, 2019 CA AB 963 Establishes a Student Civic and Voter Empowerment Program at Public Post-Secondary Schools Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 9)
Aug. 19, 2019 CA AB 467 Requires Competitions Held on Public Lands to Offer Equal Prize Compensation Regardless of Gender Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 0)
July 8, 2019 CA AB 392 Increases Public Oversight and Police Accountability when Deadly Use of Force is Used Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 3)
July 1, 2019 DE HB 73 Amends the Delaware Constitution to Authorize the General Assembly to Pass Laws On Absentee Voting Bill Failed - Senate (11 - 8)
June 19, 2019 NY S 3909 Establishes a Hate Crimes Training Program for Law Enforcement Bill Passed - Senate (62 - 0)
June 17, 2019 NY S 6209 Expands the Definition of Race and Prohibits Racial Discrimination Bill Passed - Senate (46 - 16)
June 14, 2019 NY S 5864 Establishes the Television Diversity Tax Credit Bill Passed - Senate (44 - 18)
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 ME LD 795 Amends State Constitution to Include a Right to Food Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
June 5, 2019 ME LD 795 Amends State Constitution to Include a Right to Food Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
June 4, 2019 ME LD 665 Prohibits Restrictions of Free Speech on College Campuses Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 14)
June 3, 2019 OR HB 3216 Prohibits Discriminatory 911 Calls Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 1)
May 30, 2019 AL HB 225 Prohibits Pay Discrimination Based on Sex and Race Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 0)
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 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 23, 2019 IL HB 246 Requires Public Schools to Teach about Prominent LGBTQ Figures Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 17)
May 23, 2019 CA SB 329 Prohibits Discrimination Against Section 8 Housing Renters Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11)
May 22, 2019 IL HB 834 Requires Equal Pay Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 14)
May 22, 2019 NV AB 431 Expands Voting Rights for Convicted Individuals Bill Passed - Senate (13 - 8)
May 21, 2019 ME LD 1025 Prohibits the Practice of Conversion Therapy Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 9)
May 21, 2019 IL HB 1613 Requires Police Keep Racial Profiling Records Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 18)
May 15, 2019 MO HB 126 Prohibits Abortion if Roe v Wade is Overturned by the Supreme Court Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 10)
May 15, 2019 NV SB 312 Requires Employers Provide Paid Sick Leave Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 0)
May 2, 2019 FL SB 7066 Requires Felons Pay Outstanding Court Fees Prior to Voting Rights Restoration Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 17)
May 2, 2019 CO HB 19-1289 Increases State Consumer Protection Laws Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
April 30, 2019 CO SB 19-085 Establishes the Equal Pay for Equal Work Act Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
April 29, 2019 FL HB 741 Prohibits "Anti-Semitic Speech" at Public Schools, Colleges, and Universities Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 0)
April 29, 2019 FL HB 741 Prohibits "Anti-Semitic Speech" at Public Schools, Colleges, and Universities Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 0)
April 26, 2019 ND SB 2148 Establishes the Creation of an Ethics Commission Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (42 - 5)
April 25, 2019 TN HB 1079 Increases Penalties for Voter Registration Errors Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 6)
April 25, 2019 AL SB 220 Establishes a Constitutional Amendment to Create a State Lottery Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12)
April 24, 2019 CO SB 19-235 Expands Automatic Voter Registration System Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 16)
April 18, 2019 OR SB 250 Prohibits Health Benefit Plans from Discrimination Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 5)
April 10, 2019 NY A 6188 Prohibits Harassment of Rent Regulated Tenants Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 17)
April 10, 2019 NC SB 250 Amends Voting Rolls to Correlate with Jury Selection Excusals Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 19)
April 10, 2019 IL SB 2090 Expands Access to Voting in Jails Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 17)
April 8, 2019 AR HJR 1008 Establishes Stricter Requirements for Ballot Initiatives Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 10)
April 3, 2019 TX SB 17 Authorizes Protections for Lawyers that Deny Clients Based on Religious Exemptions Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 12)
March 29, 2019 GA HB 345 Establishes Rights for Pregnant Inmates Bill Passed - Senate (52 - 1)
March 12, 2019 UT HB 57 Requires Search Warrants for Electronic Information Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 0)
March 11, 2019 IA SF 274 Amends Free Speech Regulations on College Campuses Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 11)
March 7, 2019 SD SB 189 Establishes "Riot Boosting" as a Civil Offense Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 4)
March 6, 2019 MS HB 761 Prohibits Contracts with Businesses That Boycott Israel Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 8)
Feb. 26, 2019 WA SB 5165 Prohibits Discrimination Based on Citizenship or Immigration Status Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 20)
Feb. 21, 2019 NJ S 758 Requires Incarcerated Individuals Count in Legislative Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 10)
Jan. 23, 2019 DE HB 2 Establishes Protections for Federal Workers During a Shutdown Bill Passed - Senate (13 - 6)
Jan. 15, 2019 NY A 576 Prohibits Conversion Therapy Bill Passed - Senate (57 - 4)
Jan. 15, 2019 NY S 1047 Prohibits Discrimination Based on Gender Identity or Expression Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 19)
Date No. Title Outcome
12/16 A 5823 Authorizes Automatic Voter Registration for Individuals Released from Prison Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 17)
11/05 SB 49 Prohibits Prostitution Charges Against Minors Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 14)
9/11 SB 310 Authorizes Felons to Serve on Juries Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 10)
9/11 AB 1215 Prohibits Facial Recognition in Police Body-Cams Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 15)
9/10 AB 681 Requires Voter Party Affiliation Notification Prior To Primary Elections Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 11)
9/10 AB 963 Establishes a Student Civic and Voter Empowerment Program at Public Post-Secondary Schools Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 9)
8/19 AB 467 Requires Competitions Held on Public Lands to Offer Equal Prize Compensation Regardless of Gender Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 0)
7/08 AB 392 Increases Public Oversight and Police Accountability when Deadly Use of Force is Used Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 3)
7/01 HB 73 Amends the Delaware Constitution to Authorize the General Assembly to Pass Laws On Absentee Voting Bill Failed - Senate (11 - 8)
6/19 S 3909 Establishes a Hate Crimes Training Program for Law Enforcement Bill Passed - Senate (62 - 0)
6/17 S 6209 Expands the Definition of Race and Prohibits Racial Discrimination Bill Passed - Senate (46 - 16)
6/14 S 5864 Establishes the Television Diversity Tax Credit Bill Passed - Senate (44 - 18)
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 LD 795 Amends State Constitution to Include a Right to Food Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
6/05 LD 795 Amends State Constitution to Include a Right to Food Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
6/04 LD 665 Prohibits Restrictions of Free Speech on College Campuses Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 14)
6/03 HB 3216 Prohibits Discriminatory 911 Calls Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 1)
5/30 HB 225 Prohibits Pay Discrimination Based on Sex and Race Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 0)
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 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)
5/23 HB 246 Requires Public Schools to Teach about Prominent LGBTQ Figures Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 17)
5/23 SB 329 Prohibits Discrimination Against Section 8 Housing Renters Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11)
5/22 HB 834 Requires Equal Pay Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 14)
5/22 AB 431 Expands Voting Rights for Convicted Individuals Bill Passed - Senate (13 - 8)
5/21 LD 1025 Prohibits the Practice of Conversion Therapy Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 9)
5/21 HB 1613 Requires Police Keep Racial Profiling Records Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 18)
5/15 HB 126 Prohibits Abortion if Roe v Wade is Overturned by the Supreme Court Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 10)
5/15 SB 312 Requires Employers Provide Paid Sick Leave Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 0)
5/02 SB 7066 Requires Felons Pay Outstanding Court Fees Prior to Voting Rights Restoration Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 17)
5/02 HB 19-1289 Increases State Consumer Protection Laws Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
4/30 SB 19-085 Establishes the Equal Pay for Equal Work Act Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
4/29 HB 741 Prohibits "Anti-Semitic Speech" at Public Schools, Colleges, and Universities Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 0)
4/29 HB 741 Prohibits "Anti-Semitic Speech" at Public Schools, Colleges, and Universities Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 0)
4/26 SB 2148 Establishes the Creation of an Ethics Commission Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (42 - 5)
4/25 HB 1079 Increases Penalties for Voter Registration Errors Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 6)
4/25 SB 220 Establishes a Constitutional Amendment to Create a State Lottery Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12)
4/24 SB 19-235 Expands Automatic Voter Registration System Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 16)
4/18 SB 250 Prohibits Health Benefit Plans from Discrimination Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 5)
4/10 A 6188 Prohibits Harassment of Rent Regulated Tenants Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 17)
4/10 SB 250 Amends Voting Rolls to Correlate with Jury Selection Excusals Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 19)
4/10 SB 2090 Expands Access to Voting in Jails Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 17)
4/08 HJR 1008 Establishes Stricter Requirements for Ballot Initiatives Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 10)
4/03 SB 17 Authorizes Protections for Lawyers that Deny Clients Based on Religious Exemptions Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 12)
3/29 HB 345 Establishes Rights for Pregnant Inmates Bill Passed - Senate (52 - 1)
3/12 HB 57 Requires Search Warrants for Electronic Information Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 0)
3/11 SF 274 Amends Free Speech Regulations on College Campuses Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 11)
3/07 SB 189 Establishes "Riot Boosting" as a Civil Offense Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 4)
3/06 HB 761 Prohibits Contracts with Businesses That Boycott Israel Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 8)
2/26 SB 5165 Prohibits Discrimination Based on Citizenship or Immigration Status Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 20)
2/21 S 758 Requires Incarcerated Individuals Count in Legislative Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 10)
1/23 HB 2 Establishes Protections for Federal Workers During a Shutdown Bill Passed - Senate (13 - 6)
1/15 A 576 Prohibits Conversion Therapy Bill Passed - Senate (57 - 4)
1/15 S 1047 Prohibits Discrimination Based on Gender Identity or Expression Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 19)

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