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:
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.
Date | State | Bill No. | Title | Outcome |
---|---|---|---|---|
April 25, 2014 | AK | HB 218 | Prohibits Use of Risk of Deportation as a Factor in a Felony Case Referral | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (28 - 10) |
Feb. 28, 2014 | AK | HB 1 | Requires Certain Drivers Licenses to Expire Pursuant to their Visa | Bill Passed - Senate (13 - 4) |
June 2, 2011 | AL | HB 56 | Immigration Enforcement | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (25 - 7) |
June 2, 2011 | AL | HB 56 | Immigration Enforcement | Conference Report Adopted - House (67 - 29) |
May 16, 2012 | AL | HB 658 | Amends Immigration Regulations | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (67 - 37) |
May 16, 2012 | AL | HB 658 | Amends Immigration Regulations | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 7) |
April 21, 2011 | AL | SB 256 | Undocumented Immigrant Restrictions | Bill Passed - Senate |
April 5, 2011 | AL | HB 56 | Immigration Enforcement | Bill Passed - House (73 - 28) |
April 19, 2012 | AL | HB 658 | Amends Immigration Regulations | Bill Passed - House (64 - 34) |
April 5, 2019 | AR | HB 1684 | Authorizes In-State Tuition for DACA Students | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (62 - 19) |
April 3, 2019 | AR | HB 1684 | Authorizes In-State Tuition for DACA Students | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 7) |
April 10, 2019 | AR | SB 411 | Prohibits Local Government from Adopting "Sanctuary Policies" | Bill Passed - House (71 - 24) |
Feb. 7, 2011 | AR | HB 1013 | Hiring of Unauthorized Workers | Bill Passed - House (54 - 39) |
April 5, 2019 | AR | SB 411 | Prohibits Local Government from Adopting "Sanctuary Policies" | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 5) |
May 13, 2008 | AZ | HB 2807 | Local Enforcement of Immigration Laws | Veto Override Failed - House (30 - 25) |
June 20, 2007 | AZ | HB 2779 | Employment of Undocumented Immigrants | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (20 - 4) |
May 25, 2006 | AZ | HB 2577 | Immigration Law; Employment; Enforcement | Conference Report Adopted - House (33 - 22) |
June 20, 2007 | AZ | HB 2779 | Employment of Undocumented Immigrants | Conference Report Adopted - House (47 - 11) |
March 2, 2006 | AZ | HB 2064 | English Language Learners | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (16 - 13) |
May 25, 2006 | AZ | HB 2577 | Immigration Law; Employment; Enforcement | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (16 - 9) |
April 10, 2008 | AZ | SB 1096 | English Language Education Funding | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (16 - 14) |
May 2, 2007 | AZ | SB 1132 | Volunteer Homeland Security Force | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (18 - 11) |
April 23, 2007 | AZ | SB 1132 | Volunteer Homeland Security Force | Bill Passed - House (34 - 21) |
April 9, 2008 | AZ | SB 1096 | English Language Education Funding | Bill Passed - House (37 - 23) |
May 23, 2007 | AZ | HB 2779 | Employment of Undocumented Immigrants | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 4) |
March 6, 2006 | AZ | SB 1273 | Border Radar Lease Appropriation | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 6) |
April 23, 2008 | AZ | HB 2359 | County Sheriff and Border Patrol Collaboration | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 10) |
March 3, 2008 | AZ | HB 2359 | County Sheriff and Border Patrol Collaboration | Bill Passed - House (33 - 27) |
April 5, 2007 | AZ | HB 2467 | Proof of Residency for Business Licensing | Bill Passed - House (31 - 22) |
Jan. 24, 2006 | AZ | HB 2002 | English Language Learners; Structured English Immersion Models; Budget Requests | Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 14) |
April 24, 2007 | AZ | HB 2589 | Labor Solicitation and Criminal Trespass | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 13) |
March 15, 2007 | AZ | HB 2779 | Employment of Undocumented Immigrants | Bill Passed - House (46 - 13) |
April 28, 2008 | AZ | HB 2745 | Amending Undocumented Immigrant Employment Sanctions | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 4) |
May 16, 2006 | AZ | HB 2577 | Immigration Law; Employment; Enforcement | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 7) |
March 9, 2006 | AZ | HB 2577 | Immigration Policy; Forgery; Employment; Licensing | Bill Passed - House (35 - 20) |
April 1, 2008 | AZ | HB 2745 | Amending Undocumented Immigrant Employment Sanctions | Bill Passed - House (41 - 16) |
April 6, 2006 | AZ | SB 1273 | Border Radar Lease Appropriation | Bill Passed - House (38 - 19) |
Jan. 24, 2006 | AZ | HB 2002 | English Language Learners; Structured English Immersion Models; Budget Requests | Bill Passed - House (33 - 23) |
March 8, 2007 | AZ | SB 1132 | Volunteer Homeland Security Force | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 8) |
March 15, 2011 | AZ | SCR 1035 | English as the Official Language | Resolution Passed - Senate (21 - 9) |
March 8, 2007 | AZ | HB 2589 | Labor Solicitation and Criminal Trespass | Bill Passed - House (35 - 23) |
April 21, 2014 | AZ | HB 2462 | Authorizes the State to Create a Virtual Border | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (35 - 20) |
May 5, 2016 | AZ | SB 1377 | Establishes Criminal Sentencing Requirements for Undocumented Immigrants | Bill Failed - House (29 - 31) |
April 25, 2022 | AZ | HB 2696 | Expands Prohibition on Human Smuggling | Bill Passed - House (37 - 20) |
April 19, 2010 | AZ | SB 1070 | Expanding Undocumented Immigration Enforcement | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (17 - 11) |
April 19, 2011 | AZ | SB 1406 | Interstate Compact to Build a Border Fence | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 9) |
April 11, 2011 | AZ | HB 2191 | Punitive Damage Awards | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (41 - 17) |
May 4, 2016 | AZ | SB 1377 | Establishes Criminal Sentencing Requirements for Undocumented Immigrants | Bill Failed - House (28 - 32) |
April 17, 2014 | AZ | HB 2462 | Authorizes the State to Create a Virtual Border | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 8) |
March 24, 2016 | AZ | HB 2451 | Amends Requirements for Release of Undocumented Inmates | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 12) |
Feb. 28, 2024 | AZ | SB 1231 | Classifies Illegal Border Crossing as a State Crime | Bill Passed - House (31 - 28) |
April 20, 2022 | AZ | HB 2696 | Expands Prohibition on Human Smuggling | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 11) |
April 18, 2011 | AZ | SB 1406 | Interstate Compact to Build a Border Fence | Bill Passed - House (40 - 19) |
April 13, 2010 | AZ | SB 1070 | Expanding Undocumented Immigration Enforcement | Bill Passed - House (35 - 21) |
Feb. 22, 2016 | AZ | SB 1377 | Establishes Criminal Sentencing Requirements for Undocumented Immigrants | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 11) |
March 5, 2015 | AZ | SB 1222 | Prohibits Plea Agreements for Individuals Deported During Trial | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 12) |
March 10, 2015 | AZ | HB 2368 | Prohibits Use of State Funds to Enforce Executive Orders not Authorized by Congress | Bill Passed - House (36 - 24) |
Feb. 22, 2016 | AZ | SB 1378 | Prohibits the State Treasurer from Allocating Funds to "Sanctuary Cities" | Bill Failed - Senate (14 - 16) |
Feb. 23, 2022 | AZ | SB 1718 | Appropriates Funds for Border Security | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 9) |
Feb. 18, 2016 | AZ | HB 2451 | Amends Requirements for Release of Undocumented Inmates | Bill Passed - House (36 - 21) |
Feb. 3, 2022 | AZ | HR 2004 | Establishes Support for Completion of Border Wall | Bill Passed - House (31 - 28) |
Feb. 21, 2024 | AZ | SB 1231 | Classifies Illegal Border Crossing as a State Crime | Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 13) |
Jan. 30, 2020 | AZ | SB 1141 | Expands Arrest Powers of Detention Officers | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 13) |
April 6, 2011 | AZ | HB 2191 | Punitive Damage Awards | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 8) |
March 17, 2011 | AZ | SB 1309 | Defines Arizona Citizenship | Bill Failed - Senate (11 - 19) |
March 17, 2011 | AZ | SB 1308 | Separate Birth Certificates for Non-Citizens | Bill Failed - Senate (12 - 18) |
March 17, 2011 | AZ | SB 1611 | Requires Verification of Citizenship for Certain Benefits | Bill Failed - Senate (11 - 19) |
March 17, 2011 | AZ | SB 1405 | Hospital Admissions and Restrictions | Bill Failed - Senate (12 - 18) |
Feb. 28, 2011 | AZ | SB 1406 | Interstate Compact to Build a Border Fence | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 9) |
Feb. 15, 2010 | AZ | SB 1070 | Expanding Undocumented Immigration Enforcement | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 13) |
Aug. 31, 2008 | CA | SB 60 | Expanding Driver's License Eligibility | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 14) |
Aug. 29, 2008 | CA | SB 60 | Expanding Driver's License Eligibility | Bill Passed - House (41 - 31) |
May 22, 2006 | CA | AJR 51 | Endorsing Federal Amendments to Immigration Law | Joint Resolution Passed - House (43 - 27) |
May 29, 2008 | CA | AB 2076 | Prohibiting E-verify | Bill Passed - House (43 - 31) |
June 4, 2007 | CA | SB 60 | Expanding Driver's License Eligibility | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 15) |
May 12, 2008 | CA | SB 1301 | Extending Student Financial Aid Eligibility | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 13) |
April 27, 2006 | CA | SCR 113 | The Great American Boycott 2006 | Resolution Passed - Senate (24 - 13) |
Aug. 31, 2008 | CA | SB 1301 | Extending Student Financial Aid Eligibility | Bill Passed - House (46 - 29) |
June 1, 2006 | CA | SB 1160 | Drivers Licenses for Undocumented Immigrants | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15) |
Sept. 12, 2013 | CA | AB 60 | Authorizes Driver's License for Undocumented Immigrants | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (55 - 21) |
Sept. 10, 2013 | CA | AB 4 | Prohibits Law Enforcement from Detaining Individuals Solely Based on Immigration Status | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (48 - 25) |
Sept. 16, 2017 | CA | SB 54 | Establishes a Statewide Sanctuary Policy | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 11) |
Sept. 2, 2021 | CA | SB 714 | Authorizes DREAMers to Participate in County Central Committees | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 6) |
May 10, 2018 | CA | SB 785 | Prohibits Irrelevant Disclosures of Immigration Status in Open Court | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 6) |
Aug. 8, 2013 | CA | AB 817 | Amends Poll Worker Eligibility Requirements | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (49 - 25) |
June 2, 2016 | CA | SB 10 | Authorizes Undocumented Immigrants to be Eligible for Health Coverage | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 10) |
Sept. 11, 2017 | CA | AB 291 | Prohibits Landlords from Disclosing Immigration Status of Tenants | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (56 - 20) |
Sept. 9, 2019 | CA | AB 1282 | Prohibits Prisons from Working with ICE Contractors | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (61 - 16) |
Sept. 12, 2013 | CA | AB 60 | Authorizes Driver's License for Undocumented Immigrants | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 8) |
Sept. 9, 2013 | CA | AB 4 | Prohibits Law Enforcement from Detaining Individuals Solely Based on Immigration Status | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 11) |
Aug. 24, 2012 | CA | AB 1081 | Prohibits Excessive Detention of Undocumented Immigrants | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (48 - 26) |
Aug. 30, 2012 | CA | AB 2189 | Authorizes Driver's Licenses for Certain Individuals Ineligible for a Social Security Number | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (55 - 21) |
Sept. 15, 2017 | CA | SB 54 | Establishes a Statewide Sanctuary Policy | Bill Passed - House (51 - 26) |
Aug. 29, 2014 | CA | SB 1159 | Authorizes Undocumented Immigrants to Receive Professional Licenses | Bill Passed - House (55 - 22) |
May 31, 2016 | CA | SB 10 | Authorizes Undocumented Immigrants to be Eligible for Health Coverage | Bill Passed - House (55 - 20) |
Sept. 1, 2021 | CA | SB 714 | Authorizes DREAMers to Participate in County Central Committees | Bill Passed - House (57 - 11) |
July 15, 2021 | CA | AB 133 | Expands Medi-Cal Eligibility to Low-Income Adults Regardless of Immigration Status | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 8) |
Aug. 15, 2022 | CA | SB 960 | Repeals Citizenship and Permanent Resident Requirements for State Police | Bill Passed - House (45 - 19) |
Sept. 5, 2019 | CA | AB 1282 | Prohibits Prisons from Working with ICE Contractors | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 10) |
July 8, 2013 | CA | AB 817 | Amends Poll Worker Eligibility Requirements | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 10) |