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.


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Date State Bill No. Title Outcome
June 6, 2007 ME LD 203 Student Voter Registration Bill "Ought Not to Pass" Report Adopted - House (90 - 49)
April 10, 2006 MD HB 1674 Restrictions on Campaign Fund-Raising Activities by Members of the Board of Regents Veto Override Passed - Senate (29 - 18)
April 10, 2006 MD HB 1368 Election Changes Veto Override Passed - Senate (30 - 17)
April 8, 2006 MD HB 1368 Election Changes Veto Override Passed - House (93 - 45)
July 13, 2006 MA H 126 Unsigned Political Posters Veto Override Passed - Senate (30 - 6)
June 13, 2006 RI H 6874 Ballot Questions from Governor Veto Override Passed - Senate (28 - 9)
June 6, 2006 RI H 6874 Ballot Questions from Governor Veto Override Passed - House (50 - 23)
April 8, 2006 MD HB 1674 Restrictions on Campaign Fund-Raising Activities by Members of the Board of Regents Veto Override Passed - House (88 - 49)
June 19, 2007 SC S 99 Presidential Primaries Conducted by the State Election Commission Veto Override Passed - Senate (36 - 7)
June 19, 2007 SC S 99 Presidential Primaries Conducted by the State Election Commission Veto Override Passed - House (87 - 18)
April 22, 2008 VT S 278 Campaign Finance Limitations Veto Override Passed - Senate (26 - 4)
Feb. 19, 2008 CA GN Borucki Confirmation of Joan Borucki as State Lottery Director Nomination Confirmed - Senate (32 - 3)
April 26, 2007 TN SA 3 PAC-to-PAC Contribution Limits Bill Tabled - Senate (16 - 13)
July 20, 1998 National H Amdt 716 Noncitizen Campaign Contribution Amendment Amendment Adopted - House (267 - 131)
March 15, 2007 KS Amend HB 2542 Presidential Primary Funding Amendment Adopted - House (85 - 34)
Sept. 14, 2009 National S Amdt 2355 Prohibiting Funding for ACORN Amendment Adopted - Senate (83 - 7)
March 20, 2001 National S Amdt 115 Campaign Reform Act of 2001 Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (70 - 30)
Sept. 17, 2009 National HR 3221 Prohibiting Federal Assistance to ACORN Motion Agreed - House (345 - 75)
June 16, 2006 LA SB 382 Gift Ban on Cultural and Sporting Events for Elected Officials Motion Agreed - House (49 - 43)
March 26, 2001 National S Amdt 145 Campaign Reform Act of 2001 Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (51 - 46)
Feb. 19, 2008 KY SFA 1 Presidential Primaries Amendment Adopted - Senate (24 - 12)
March 21, 2001 National S Amdt 134 Campaign Reform Act - Union Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (69 - 31)
May 26, 2006 TN HA 1609 to HB 1114 Primary Election Regulations Amendment Amendment Adopted - House (48 - 45)
July 16, 1998 National H Amdt 723 Increase FEC Funding Amendment Adopted - House (214 - 210)
Aug. 3, 1998 National H Amdt 690 Shays Amendment Amendment Adopted - House (237 - 186)
May 5, 2008 MN Severson Amendment: Income Tax Refund Amendment Adopted - House (75 - 54)
May 11, 2006 MO CCS SS HCS HB 1900 Campaign Finance and Lobbying Conference Report Adopted - Senate (28 - 5)
March 3, 2007 SD HB 1048 Campaign Contribution Reform Conference Report Adopted - Senate (19 - 16)
March 3, 2007 SD HB 1048 Campaign Contribution Reform Conference Report Adopted - House (45 - 22)
Feb. 15, 2006 PA HB 1318 Voter Identification Requirements Conference Report Adopted - Senate (27 - 20)
May 11, 2006 MO CCS SS HCS HB 1900 Campaign Finance and Lobbying Conference Report Adopted - House (88 - 67)
May 6, 2008 KS HB 2019 Voter Identification Conference Report Adopted - House (67 - 56)
April 29, 2009 IN HB 1491 St. Joseph Superior Court Judges Conference Report Adopted - Senate (32 - 18)
April 29, 2009 IN HB 1491 St. Joseph Superior Court Judges Conference Report Adopted - House (68 - 22)
May 6, 2008 KS HB 2019 Voter Identification Conference Report Adopted - Senate (27 - 3)
May 10, 2006 KS SB 142 Campaign Finance Conference Report Adopted - Senate (28 - 11)
May 8, 2006 KS SB 142 Campaign Finance Conference Report Adopted - House (75 - 45)
May 12, 2006 MO CCS2 HCS SS2 SCS SB 1014 Voter Identification and Poll Regulation Conference Report Adopted - House (84 - 73)
June 2, 2010 NH HB 1459 Campaign Finance Amendments Conference Report Adopted - Senate (14 - 10)
May 11, 1993 National HR 2 Motor Voter Registration Conference Report Adopted - Senate (62 - 36)
May 5, 1993 National HR 2 Motor Voter Registration Conference Report Adopted - House (259 - 164)
Jan. 31, 2006 OH HB 3 Election Law Reform Bill Conference Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 12)
Oct. 10, 2002 National HR 3295 Help America Vote Act of 2002 Conference Report Adopted - House (357 - 48)
Oct. 16, 2002 National HR 3295 Help America Vote Act of 2002 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (92 - 2)
May 11, 2006 MO CCS2 HCS SS2 SCS SB 1014 Voter Identification and Poll Regulation Conference Report Adopted - Senate (23 - 10)
Jan. 31, 2006 OH HB 3 Election Law Reform Bill Conference Report Adopted - House (57 - 40)
May 6, 2008 CO HB 1329 Voter Registration Confirmation Card Conference Report Adopted - House (49 - 15)
May 5, 2008 CO HB 1329 Voter Registration Confirmation Card Conference Report Adopted - Senate (19 - 16)
Feb. 14, 2006 PA HB 1318 Voter Identification Requirements Conference Report Adopted - House (106 - 91)
April 11, 2022 MD HB 862 Amends Ballot Counting Process Concurrence Vote Passed - House (92 - 41)
Aug. 30, 2008 CA AB 583 Public Financing of Elections Concurrence Vote Passed - House (42 - 32)
Nov. 9, 2011 MI HB 4005 School Board Election Dates Concurrence Vote Passed - House (69 - 39)
July 26, 2006 NC HB 1024 Instant Runoff Voting Concurrence Vote Passed - House (59 - 52)
April 22, 2009 WA HB 1517 Expediting the Restoration of Felons' Voting Rights Concurrence Vote Passed - House (52 - 44)
May 12, 2007 AK SCS CSHB 109 Disclosure & Ethics Bill Concurrence Vote Passed - House (39 - 0)
Sept. 15, 2020 SC H 5305 Authorizes Absentee Voting Due to the Declared State of Emergency Concurrence Vote Passed - House (115 - 1)
Feb. 15, 2006 LA HB 12 Elections; Voting; State of Emergency Concurrence Vote Passed - House (66 - 32)
May 21, 2009 NJ A 2451 Vote by Mail Concurrence Vote Passed - House (45 - 29)
May 31, 2009 IL HB 7 Campaign Contribution Limits Concurrence Vote Passed - House (64 - 46)
June 18, 2007 OR SB 863 Regulating Automated Phone Calls Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (22 - 8)
Aug. 2, 2007 National S 1 Lobbying and Donation Regulations Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (83 - 14)
March 8, 2006 IN HB 1011 Miscellaneous Election Law Matters Concurrence Vote Passed - House (52 - 47)
Jan. 9, 2008 IL HB 1685 National Popular Vote Act Concurrence Vote Passed - House (64 - 50)
May 3, 2006 PA SB 999 Voting Standards Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (36 - 13)
May 6, 2008 CO HB 1378 Allowing Ranked Voting Methods Concurrence Vote Passed - House (37 - 27)
Jan. 25, 2006 GA SB 84 Voter Identification Concurrence Vote Passed - House (111 - 60)
Jan. 24, 2006 GA SB 84 Voter Identification Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 22)
June 28, 2008 WV HB 219 Nonbroadcast Political Advertisements Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 9)
Jan. 12, 2006 GA SB 84 Voter Identification Bill Passed - House (110 - 64)
Aug. 29, 2008 CA AB 583 Public Financing of Elections Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 18)
Nov. 3, 2011 MI HB 4005 School Board Election Dates Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 14)
Feb. 22, 2007 SD HB 1048 Campaign Contribution Reform Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11)
Dec. 16, 2008 OH SB 380 Election Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (55 - 43)
Oct. 20, 2011 OH HB 318 Establishing New Dates for Primaries Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 10)
Feb. 5, 2009 UT SB 25 Online Voter Registration Bill Passed - House (58 - 14)
April 15, 2009 WA HB 1517 Expediting the Restoration of Felons' Voting Rights Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 19)
May 21, 2009 NJ A 2451 Vote by Mail Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 14)
May 28, 2009 IL HB 7 Campaign Contribution Limits Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 22)
March 28, 2007 KS HB 2019 Voter Identification Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 14)
July 20, 1993 National HR 20 Hatch Act Reform Bill Bill Passed - Senate (68 - 31)
July 10, 2007 PA HB 289 Presidential Primary Date Change Bill Passed - House (117 - 85)
July 31, 2007 National S 1 Lobbying and Donation Regulations Bill Passed - House (411 - 8)
March 17, 1993 National HR 2 Motor Voter Registration Bill Passed - Senate (62 - 37)
Feb. 22, 2008 LA SB 3 Restrictions on Gifts to Elected Officials Bill Passed - House (95 - 5)
Feb. 13, 2008 NM HB 237 Mandatory Election Recounts Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 17)
Feb. 28, 2008 WY HB 9 Limitations on Campaign Contributions Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 9)
May 5, 2008 CO HB 1378 Allowing Ranked Voting Methods Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
April 23, 2008 CO HB 1329 Voter Registration Confirmation Card Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 14)
May 29, 2008 CA AB 1819 Voter Registration Age Minimum Changes Bill Passed - House (45 - 31)
Aug. 16, 2006 CA SCA 3 Redistricting Commission Resolution Passed - Senate (27 - 11)
March 15, 2007 NJ S 2193 Presidential Primaries Bill Passed - House (57 - 20)
Sept. 14, 1999 National HR 417 Campaign Finance Reform bill Bill Passed - House (252 - 177)
April 24, 2006 MO SS2 SCS SB 1014 Voter Identification and Poll Regulation Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 9)
Feb. 16, 2007 MD HB 201 Early Voting Bill Passed - House (101 - 31)
June 26, 2008 WV HB 219 Nonbroadcast Political Advertisements Bill Passed - House (67 - 21)
April 10, 2006 LA HB 850 Campaign Contributions Bill Passed - House (63 - 31)
July 9, 2008 MA H 678 National Popular Vote Plan Bill Passed - House (116 - 37)
Feb. 20, 2007 MD SB 1 Early Voting Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 16)
April 6, 2007 MD SB 1 Early Voting Bill Passed - House (107 - 32)
Feb. 28, 2007 KY HCS HB 70 Felon Voting Rights Bill Passed - House (70 - 28)
Date No. Title Outcome
6/06 LD 203 Student Voter Registration Bill "Ought Not to Pass" Report Adopted - House (90 - 49)
4/10 HB 1674 Restrictions on Campaign Fund-Raising Activities by Members of the Board of Regents Veto Override Passed - Senate (29 - 18)
4/10 HB 1368 Election Changes Veto Override Passed - Senate (30 - 17)
4/08 HB 1368 Election Changes Veto Override Passed - House (93 - 45)
7/13 H 126 Unsigned Political Posters Veto Override Passed - Senate (30 - 6)
6/13 H 6874 Ballot Questions from Governor Veto Override Passed - Senate (28 - 9)
6/06 H 6874 Ballot Questions from Governor Veto Override Passed - House (50 - 23)
4/08 HB 1674 Restrictions on Campaign Fund-Raising Activities by Members of the Board of Regents Veto Override Passed - House (88 - 49)
6/19 S 99 Presidential Primaries Conducted by the State Election Commission Veto Override Passed - Senate (36 - 7)
6/19 S 99 Presidential Primaries Conducted by the State Election Commission Veto Override Passed - House (87 - 18)
4/22 S 278 Campaign Finance Limitations Veto Override Passed - Senate (26 - 4)
2/19 GN Borucki Confirmation of Joan Borucki as State Lottery Director Nomination Confirmed - Senate (32 - 3)
4/26 SA 3 PAC-to-PAC Contribution Limits Bill Tabled - Senate (16 - 13)
7/20 H Amdt 716 Noncitizen Campaign Contribution Amendment Amendment Adopted - House (267 - 131)
3/15 Amend HB 2542 Presidential Primary Funding Amendment Adopted - House (85 - 34)
9/14 S Amdt 2355 Prohibiting Funding for ACORN Amendment Adopted - Senate (83 - 7)
3/20 S Amdt 115 Campaign Reform Act of 2001 Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (70 - 30)
9/17 HR 3221 Prohibiting Federal Assistance to ACORN Motion Agreed - House (345 - 75)
6/16 SB 382 Gift Ban on Cultural and Sporting Events for Elected Officials Motion Agreed - House (49 - 43)
3/26 S Amdt 145 Campaign Reform Act of 2001 Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (51 - 46)
2/19 SFA 1 Presidential Primaries Amendment Adopted - Senate (24 - 12)
3/21 S Amdt 134 Campaign Reform Act - Union Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (69 - 31)
5/26 HA 1609 to HB 1114 Primary Election Regulations Amendment Amendment Adopted - House (48 - 45)
7/16 H Amdt 723 Increase FEC Funding Amendment Adopted - House (214 - 210)
8/03 H Amdt 690 Shays Amendment Amendment Adopted - House (237 - 186)
5/05 Severson Amendment: Income Tax Refund Amendment Adopted - House (75 - 54)
5/11 CCS SS HCS HB 1900 Campaign Finance and Lobbying Conference Report Adopted - Senate (28 - 5)
3/03 HB 1048 Campaign Contribution Reform Conference Report Adopted - Senate (19 - 16)
3/03 HB 1048 Campaign Contribution Reform Conference Report Adopted - House (45 - 22)
2/15 HB 1318 Voter Identification Requirements Conference Report Adopted - Senate (27 - 20)
5/11 CCS SS HCS HB 1900 Campaign Finance and Lobbying Conference Report Adopted - House (88 - 67)
5/06 HB 2019 Voter Identification Conference Report Adopted - House (67 - 56)
4/29 HB 1491 St. Joseph Superior Court Judges Conference Report Adopted - Senate (32 - 18)
4/29 HB 1491 St. Joseph Superior Court Judges Conference Report Adopted - House (68 - 22)
5/06 HB 2019 Voter Identification Conference Report Adopted - Senate (27 - 3)
5/10 SB 142 Campaign Finance Conference Report Adopted - Senate (28 - 11)
5/08 SB 142 Campaign Finance Conference Report Adopted - House (75 - 45)
5/12 CCS2 HCS SS2 SCS SB 1014 Voter Identification and Poll Regulation Conference Report Adopted - House (84 - 73)
6/02 HB 1459 Campaign Finance Amendments Conference Report Adopted - Senate (14 - 10)
5/11 HR 2 Motor Voter Registration Conference Report Adopted - Senate (62 - 36)
5/05 HR 2 Motor Voter Registration Conference Report Adopted - House (259 - 164)
1/31 HB 3 Election Law Reform Bill Conference Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 12)
10/10 HR 3295 Help America Vote Act of 2002 Conference Report Adopted - House (357 - 48)
10/16 HR 3295 Help America Vote Act of 2002 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (92 - 2)
5/11 CCS2 HCS SS2 SCS SB 1014 Voter Identification and Poll Regulation Conference Report Adopted - Senate (23 - 10)
1/31 HB 3 Election Law Reform Bill Conference Report Adopted - House (57 - 40)
5/06 HB 1329 Voter Registration Confirmation Card Conference Report Adopted - House (49 - 15)
5/05 HB 1329 Voter Registration Confirmation Card Conference Report Adopted - Senate (19 - 16)
2/14 HB 1318 Voter Identification Requirements Conference Report Adopted - House (106 - 91)
4/11 HB 862 Amends Ballot Counting Process Concurrence Vote Passed - House (92 - 41)
8/30 AB 583 Public Financing of Elections Concurrence Vote Passed - House (42 - 32)
11/09 HB 4005 School Board Election Dates Concurrence Vote Passed - House (69 - 39)
7/26 HB 1024 Instant Runoff Voting Concurrence Vote Passed - House (59 - 52)
4/22 HB 1517 Expediting the Restoration of Felons' Voting Rights Concurrence Vote Passed - House (52 - 44)
5/12 SCS CSHB 109 Disclosure & Ethics Bill Concurrence Vote Passed - House (39 - 0)
9/15 H 5305 Authorizes Absentee Voting Due to the Declared State of Emergency Concurrence Vote Passed - House (115 - 1)
2/15 HB 12 Elections; Voting; State of Emergency Concurrence Vote Passed - House (66 - 32)
5/21 A 2451 Vote by Mail Concurrence Vote Passed - House (45 - 29)
5/31 HB 7 Campaign Contribution Limits Concurrence Vote Passed - House (64 - 46)
6/18 SB 863 Regulating Automated Phone Calls Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (22 - 8)
8/02 S 1 Lobbying and Donation Regulations Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (83 - 14)
3/08 HB 1011 Miscellaneous Election Law Matters Concurrence Vote Passed - House (52 - 47)
1/09 HB 1685 National Popular Vote Act Concurrence Vote Passed - House (64 - 50)
5/03 SB 999 Voting Standards Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (36 - 13)
5/06 HB 1378 Allowing Ranked Voting Methods Concurrence Vote Passed - House (37 - 27)
1/25 SB 84 Voter Identification Concurrence Vote Passed - House (111 - 60)
1/24 SB 84 Voter Identification Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 22)
6/28 HB 219 Nonbroadcast Political Advertisements Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 9)
1/12 SB 84 Voter Identification Bill Passed - House (110 - 64)
8/29 AB 583 Public Financing of Elections Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 18)
11/03 HB 4005 School Board Election Dates Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 14)
2/22 HB 1048 Campaign Contribution Reform Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11)
12/16 SB 380 Election Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (55 - 43)
10/20 HB 318 Establishing New Dates for Primaries Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 10)
2/05 SB 25 Online Voter Registration Bill Passed - House (58 - 14)
4/15 HB 1517 Expediting the Restoration of Felons' Voting Rights Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 19)
5/21 A 2451 Vote by Mail Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 14)
5/28 HB 7 Campaign Contribution Limits Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 22)
3/28 HB 2019 Voter Identification Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 14)
7/20 HR 20 Hatch Act Reform Bill Bill Passed - Senate (68 - 31)
7/10 HB 289 Presidential Primary Date Change Bill Passed - House (117 - 85)
7/31 S 1 Lobbying and Donation Regulations Bill Passed - House (411 - 8)
3/17 HR 2 Motor Voter Registration Bill Passed - Senate (62 - 37)
2/22 SB 3 Restrictions on Gifts to Elected Officials Bill Passed - House (95 - 5)
2/13 HB 237 Mandatory Election Recounts Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 17)
2/28 HB 9 Limitations on Campaign Contributions Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 9)
5/05 HB 1378 Allowing Ranked Voting Methods Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
4/23 HB 1329 Voter Registration Confirmation Card Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 14)
5/29 AB 1819 Voter Registration Age Minimum Changes Bill Passed - House (45 - 31)
8/16 SCA 3 Redistricting Commission Resolution Passed - Senate (27 - 11)
3/15 S 2193 Presidential Primaries Bill Passed - House (57 - 20)
9/14 HR 417 Campaign Finance Reform bill Bill Passed - House (252 - 177)
4/24 SS2 SCS SB 1014 Voter Identification and Poll Regulation Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 9)
2/16 HB 201 Early Voting Bill Passed - House (101 - 31)
6/26 HB 219 Nonbroadcast Political Advertisements Bill Passed - House (67 - 21)
4/10 HB 850 Campaign Contributions Bill Passed - House (63 - 31)
7/09 H 678 National Popular Vote Plan Bill Passed - House (116 - 37)
2/20 SB 1 Early Voting Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 16)
4/06 SB 1 Early Voting Bill Passed - House (107 - 32)
2/28 HCS HB 70 Felon Voting Rights Bill Passed - House (70 - 28)

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