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
Jan. 31, 2006 IN SB 145 Vehicle Seizure and Driving While Intoxicated Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 16)
April 4, 2006 DE HB 37 Bans Open Containers of Alcoholic Beverages in Motor Vehicles Bill Passed - House (22 - 12)
March 28, 2006 DE HB 37 Bans Open Containers of Alcoholic Beverages in Motor Vehicles Bill Failed - House (24 - 13)
March 23, 2006 KS SB 418 Concealed Weapons Permits Veto Override Passed - House (91 - 33)
March 22, 2006 KS SB 418 Concealed Weapons Permits Veto Override Passed - Senate (30 - 10)
March 22, 2006 KS SB 418 Concealed Weapons Permits Veto Override Passed - Senate (30 - 10)
March 22, 2006 KS SB 418 Concealed Weapons Permits Veto Override Passed - Senate (30 - 10)
March 23, 2006 KS SB 418 Concealed Weapons Permits Veto Override Passed - House (91 - 33)
March 23, 2006 KS SB 418 Concealed Weapons Permits Veto Override Passed - House (91 - 33)
Feb. 9, 2006 KS SB 418 Concealed Weapons Permits Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 11)
March 14, 2006 KS SB 418 Concealed Weapons Permits Bill Passed - House (90 - 33)
March 14, 2006 KS SB 418 Concealed Weapons Permits Bill Passed - House (90 - 33)
Feb. 9, 2006 KS SB 418 Concealed Weapons Permits Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 11)
Feb. 9, 2006 KS SB 418 Concealed Weapons Permits Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 11)
March 14, 2006 KS SB 418 Concealed Weapons Permits Bill Passed - House (90 - 33)
Feb. 23, 2006 SD SB 1 Mandatory Bodily Substance Samples in Drunk Driving Arrests Bill Passed - House (52 - 17)
Feb. 23, 2006 SD SB 1 Mandatory Bodily Substance Samples in Drunk Driving Arrests Bill Passed - House (52 - 17)
Feb. 22, 2006 SD HB 1215 Abortion Ban Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
Feb. 9, 2006 SD HB 1215 Abortion Ban Bill Passed - House (47 - 22)
Feb. 22, 2006 SD S Amdt 1215cb Exception to Abortion Ban in Cases Where the Health of the Woman is Seriously Threatened Amendment Rejected - Senate (13 - 22)
April 17, 2006 AZ HB 2696 Adoption Preference for Married Couples Bill Failed - Senate (15 - 13)
March 8, 2006 WY SF 36 Open Containers of Alcohol in Vehicles Bill Failed - House (30 - 29)
Feb. 22, 2006 WY SF 36 Open Containers of Alcohol in Vehicles Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 5)
Jan. 27, 2006 MS HB 409 Seat Belt Law Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 4)
Jan. 12, 2006 MS HB 409 Seat Belt Law Bill Passed - House (95 - 25)
Jan. 12, 2006 MS HB 409 Seat Belt Law Bill Passed - House (95 - 25)
Jan. 27, 2006 MS HB 409 Seat Belt Law Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 4)
Feb. 15, 2006 KY HCS HB 290 Concealed Weapons Permit Classification Bill Passed - House (89 - 7)
Feb. 15, 2006 KY HCS HB 290 Concealed Weapons Permit Classification Bill Passed - House (89 - 7)
March 2, 2006 IN HB 1099 Fireworks Sales, Regulations, Discharge, Public Safety Fees, and Injuries Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 18)
March 2, 2006 IN HB 1099 Fireworks Sales, Regulations, Discharge, Public Safety Fees, and Injuries Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 18)
April 27, 2006 CT Sub SB 4 Birth Information for Adult Adoptees Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 8)
Feb. 28, 2006 WI SJR 53 Constitutional amendment defining marriage between one man and one woman Amendment Adopted - House (62 - 31)
March 30, 2006 NE LB 454 Concealed Handgun Permit Act Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 12)
Jan. 31, 2006 VA SB 362 Death Penalty Age Restrictions Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 3)
Jan. 26, 2006 WI SB 403 Concealed Weapons Veto Override Passed - Senate (23 - 10)
Jan. 31, 2006 WI SB 403 Concealed Weapons Veto Override Failed - House (64 - 34)
Jan. 17, 2006 WI SB 403 Concealed Weapons Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 5)
Feb. 22, 2006 ID H 582 Breathalyzer Refusal Penalty Bill Passed - House (47 - 19)
Jan. 27, 2006 WA Sub HB 2661 Expanding the Jurisdiction of the Human Rights Commission Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 23)
Feb. 4, 2006 NM HB 211 Pseudoephedrine as a Controlled Substance Bill Passed - House (42 - 20)
Feb. 14, 2006 NM HB 211 Pseudoephedrine as a Controlled Substance Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 8)
April 20, 2006 OR HB 3511 Minimum Sentence for Some First-Degree Sex Offenders Bill Passed - House (54 - 6)
April 27, 2006 CA SCR 113 The Great American Boycott 2006 Resolution Passed - Senate (24 - 13)
March 7, 2006 VA SB 526 Defining Marriage Bill Passed - House (85 - 12)
Jan. 25, 2006 VA SB 526 Defining Marriage Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 11)
Feb. 1, 2006 AK HB 149 Controlled Substance Law Amendments Concurrence Vote Failed - House (15 - 23)
Feb. 1, 2006 AK HB 149 Controlled Substance Law Amendments Concurrence Vote Failed - House (15 - 23)
Feb. 1, 2006 AK HB 149 Controlled Substance Law Amendments Concurrence Vote Failed - House (15 - 23)
Jan. 9, 2006 NJ S 2083 Domestic Partner Surviving Rights Bill Passed - House (67 - 8)
March 8, 2006 MS SB 2511 Parole Eligibility for First-Time Nonviolent Offenders Under Twenty-Five Bill Passed - House (67 - 51)
Feb. 7, 2006 MS SB 2511 Parole Eligibility for First-Time Nonviolent Offenders Under Twenty-Five Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 18)
Feb. 7, 2006 MS SB 2511 Parole Eligibility for First-Time Nonviolent Offenders Under Twenty-Five Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 18)
March 8, 2006 MS SB 2511 Parole Eligibility for First-Time Nonviolent Offenders Under Twenty-Five Bill Passed - House (67 - 51)
Feb. 3, 2006 MS HB 1089 Deer Baiting Bill Passed - House (63 - 46)
May 24, 2006 NH HB 656 "Do Not Resuscitate" Bill Conference Report Adopted - House (168 - 165)
Feb. 15, 2006 NH HB 656 "Do Not Resuscitate" Bill Bill Passed - House (231 - 118)
May 2, 2006 HI SB 3262 Smoking Ban Bill Conference Report Adopted - House (47 - 3)
May 2, 2006 HI SB 3262 Smoking Ban Bill Conference Report Adopted - Senate (22 - 3)
Jan. 9, 2006 NY A 2466 Assault Weapon Definition Amendments Bill Passed - House (87 - 47)
Jan. 9, 2006 NY A 2466 Assault Weapon Definition Amendments Bill Passed - House (87 - 47)
May 5, 2006 VT H 865 Non-Discrimination Bill Concurrence Vote Passed - House (88 - 47)
March 6, 2006 AZ SB 1273 Border Radar Lease Appropriation Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 6)
March 27, 2006 CO HB 1344 Same-Sex Partnership Benefits Act Bill Passed - House (38 - 27)
March 16, 2006 AZ HB 2649 Firearms; Possession; Storage Bill Passed - House (32 - 23)
April 6, 2006 MO HJR 39 Prayer in Public Schools Joint Resolution Passed - House (134 - 19)
April 26, 2006 AZ SB 1425 Prohibition of Confiscation of Firearms During an Emergency Veto Override Failed - Senate (19 - 10)
April 26, 2006 AZ SB 1425 Prohibition of Confiscation of Firearms During an Emergency Veto Override Failed - Senate (19 - 10)
May 12, 2006 MO SS2 SCS HCS HB 1456 Unemployment Compensation Changes Bill Passed - House (90 - 65)
Feb. 22, 2006 SD S Amdt 1215ca Exceptions to Abortion Ban in Cases of Rape or Incest Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (14 - 21)
May 4, 2006 DE HB 368 Hunting License Restrictions for Felons Bill Passed - House (21 - 14)
May 4, 2006 DE HB 368 Hunting License Restrictions for Felons Bill Passed - House (21 - 14)
April 20, 2006 MN SF 1070 Seat Belt Law Bill Passed - Senate (46 - 20)
Feb. 15, 2006 CO HB 1125 Seat Belt Enforcement Bill Bill Passed - House (33 - 32)
March 10, 2006 CO HB 1125 Seat Belt Enforcement Bill Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 14)
May 3, 2006 CO HB 1125 Seat Belt Enforcement Bill Bill Failed - House (32 - 32)
Feb. 14, 2006 ID S 1327 Background Checks for Adults Who Work With Children Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
Jan. 9, 2006 NY A 2302 Childproof Firearms Sales Bill Passed - House (91 - 44)
Jan. 9, 2006 NY A 2302 Childproof Firearms Sales Bill Passed - House (91 - 44)
March 28, 2006 ID H 630 School Grounds - Violence Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 4)
March 28, 2006 ID H 630 School Grounds - Violence Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 4)
April 3, 2006 LA HB 26 Expanding the Definition of Resisting an Officer Bill Passed - House (58 - 36)
April 26, 2006 LA SB 33 Prohibits Abortion Except When Necessary to Save the Life of the Woman Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 7)
April 26, 2006 LA Amdt 1923 Exceptions to Abortion Ban in Cases of Rape or Incest Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (17 - 20)
May 4, 2006 LA HB 1010 Smoking in Motor Vehicles Ban Bill Passed - House (67 - 31)
May 18, 2006 LA HB 1142 Parole Eligibility Bill Failed - House (37 - 48)
Feb. 13, 2006 VA HB 782 Second-Degree Murder Charges Bill Passed - House (83 - 16)
Feb. 14, 2006 VA Sub HB 1048 Employment of Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - House (77 - 22)
Feb. 6, 2006 ID HJR 2 Marriage Amendment Ballot Question Bill Passed - House (53 - 17)
Feb. 15, 2006 ID HJR 2 Marriage Amendment Ballot Question Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 9)
May 10, 2006 KS HB 2118 Conceal and Carry Conference Report Adopted - House (93 - 24)
May 10, 2006 KS HB 2118 Conceal and Carry Conference Report Adopted - Senate (30 - 9)
May 10, 2006 KS HB 2118 Conceal and Carry Conference Report Adopted - Senate (30 - 9)
May 10, 2006 KS HB 2118 Conceal and Carry Conference Report Adopted - House (93 - 24)
April 17, 2006 AZ SB 1477 Psychotropic drugs; Testing; Informed Consent Bill Failed - House (25 - 30)
April 20, 2006 AZ SB 1477 Psychotropic drugs; Testing; Informed Consent Bill Passed - House (34 - 23)
March 14, 2006 AZ SB 1477 Psychotropic drugs; Testing; Informed Consent Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 13)
March 21, 2006 NH HB 1177 Smoking Ban Bill Passed - House (189 - 156)
May 16, 2006 WI SJR 5 Advisory Referendum on the Death Penalty Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (18 - 15)
May 4, 2006 WI SJR 5 Advisory Referendum on the Death Penalty Joint Resolution Passed - House (47 - 45)
Date No. Title Outcome
1/31 SB 145 Vehicle Seizure and Driving While Intoxicated Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 16)
4/04 HB 37 Bans Open Containers of Alcoholic Beverages in Motor Vehicles Bill Passed - House (22 - 12)
3/28 HB 37 Bans Open Containers of Alcoholic Beverages in Motor Vehicles Bill Failed - House (24 - 13)
3/23 SB 418 Concealed Weapons Permits Veto Override Passed - House (91 - 33)
3/22 SB 418 Concealed Weapons Permits Veto Override Passed - Senate (30 - 10)
3/22 SB 418 Concealed Weapons Permits Veto Override Passed - Senate (30 - 10)
3/22 SB 418 Concealed Weapons Permits Veto Override Passed - Senate (30 - 10)
3/23 SB 418 Concealed Weapons Permits Veto Override Passed - House (91 - 33)
3/23 SB 418 Concealed Weapons Permits Veto Override Passed - House (91 - 33)
2/09 SB 418 Concealed Weapons Permits Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 11)
3/14 SB 418 Concealed Weapons Permits Bill Passed - House (90 - 33)
3/14 SB 418 Concealed Weapons Permits Bill Passed - House (90 - 33)
2/09 SB 418 Concealed Weapons Permits Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 11)
2/09 SB 418 Concealed Weapons Permits Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 11)
3/14 SB 418 Concealed Weapons Permits Bill Passed - House (90 - 33)
2/23 SB 1 Mandatory Bodily Substance Samples in Drunk Driving Arrests Bill Passed - House (52 - 17)
2/23 SB 1 Mandatory Bodily Substance Samples in Drunk Driving Arrests Bill Passed - House (52 - 17)
2/22 HB 1215 Abortion Ban Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
2/09 HB 1215 Abortion Ban Bill Passed - House (47 - 22)
2/22 S Amdt 1215cb Exception to Abortion Ban in Cases Where the Health of the Woman is Seriously Threatened Amendment Rejected - Senate (13 - 22)
4/17 HB 2696 Adoption Preference for Married Couples Bill Failed - Senate (15 - 13)
3/08 SF 36 Open Containers of Alcohol in Vehicles Bill Failed - House (30 - 29)
2/22 SF 36 Open Containers of Alcohol in Vehicles Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 5)
1/27 HB 409 Seat Belt Law Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 4)
1/12 HB 409 Seat Belt Law Bill Passed - House (95 - 25)
1/12 HB 409 Seat Belt Law Bill Passed - House (95 - 25)
1/27 HB 409 Seat Belt Law Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 4)
2/15 HCS HB 290 Concealed Weapons Permit Classification Bill Passed - House (89 - 7)
2/15 HCS HB 290 Concealed Weapons Permit Classification Bill Passed - House (89 - 7)
3/02 HB 1099 Fireworks Sales, Regulations, Discharge, Public Safety Fees, and Injuries Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 18)
3/02 HB 1099 Fireworks Sales, Regulations, Discharge, Public Safety Fees, and Injuries Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 18)
4/27 Sub SB 4 Birth Information for Adult Adoptees Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 8)
2/28 SJR 53 Constitutional amendment defining marriage between one man and one woman Amendment Adopted - House (62 - 31)
3/30 LB 454 Concealed Handgun Permit Act Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 12)
1/31 SB 362 Death Penalty Age Restrictions Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 3)
1/26 SB 403 Concealed Weapons Veto Override Passed - Senate (23 - 10)
1/31 SB 403 Concealed Weapons Veto Override Failed - House (64 - 34)
1/17 SB 403 Concealed Weapons Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 5)
2/22 H 582 Breathalyzer Refusal Penalty Bill Passed - House (47 - 19)
1/27 Sub HB 2661 Expanding the Jurisdiction of the Human Rights Commission Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 23)
2/04 HB 211 Pseudoephedrine as a Controlled Substance Bill Passed - House (42 - 20)
2/14 HB 211 Pseudoephedrine as a Controlled Substance Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 8)
4/20 HB 3511 Minimum Sentence for Some First-Degree Sex Offenders Bill Passed - House (54 - 6)
4/27 SCR 113 The Great American Boycott 2006 Resolution Passed - Senate (24 - 13)
3/07 SB 526 Defining Marriage Bill Passed - House (85 - 12)
1/25 SB 526 Defining Marriage Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 11)
2/01 HB 149 Controlled Substance Law Amendments Concurrence Vote Failed - House (15 - 23)
2/01 HB 149 Controlled Substance Law Amendments Concurrence Vote Failed - House (15 - 23)
2/01 HB 149 Controlled Substance Law Amendments Concurrence Vote Failed - House (15 - 23)
1/09 S 2083 Domestic Partner Surviving Rights Bill Passed - House (67 - 8)
3/08 SB 2511 Parole Eligibility for First-Time Nonviolent Offenders Under Twenty-Five Bill Passed - House (67 - 51)
2/07 SB 2511 Parole Eligibility for First-Time Nonviolent Offenders Under Twenty-Five Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 18)
2/07 SB 2511 Parole Eligibility for First-Time Nonviolent Offenders Under Twenty-Five Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 18)
3/08 SB 2511 Parole Eligibility for First-Time Nonviolent Offenders Under Twenty-Five Bill Passed - House (67 - 51)
2/03 HB 1089 Deer Baiting Bill Passed - House (63 - 46)
5/24 HB 656 "Do Not Resuscitate" Bill Conference Report Adopted - House (168 - 165)
2/15 HB 656 "Do Not Resuscitate" Bill Bill Passed - House (231 - 118)
5/02 SB 3262 Smoking Ban Bill Conference Report Adopted - House (47 - 3)
5/02 SB 3262 Smoking Ban Bill Conference Report Adopted - Senate (22 - 3)
1/09 A 2466 Assault Weapon Definition Amendments Bill Passed - House (87 - 47)
1/09 A 2466 Assault Weapon Definition Amendments Bill Passed - House (87 - 47)
5/05 H 865 Non-Discrimination Bill Concurrence Vote Passed - House (88 - 47)
3/06 SB 1273 Border Radar Lease Appropriation Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 6)
3/27 HB 1344 Same-Sex Partnership Benefits Act Bill Passed - House (38 - 27)
3/16 HB 2649 Firearms; Possession; Storage Bill Passed - House (32 - 23)
4/06 HJR 39 Prayer in Public Schools Joint Resolution Passed - House (134 - 19)
4/26 SB 1425 Prohibition of Confiscation of Firearms During an Emergency Veto Override Failed - Senate (19 - 10)
4/26 SB 1425 Prohibition of Confiscation of Firearms During an Emergency Veto Override Failed - Senate (19 - 10)
5/12 SS2 SCS HCS HB 1456 Unemployment Compensation Changes Bill Passed - House (90 - 65)
2/22 S Amdt 1215ca Exceptions to Abortion Ban in Cases of Rape or Incest Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (14 - 21)
5/04 HB 368 Hunting License Restrictions for Felons Bill Passed - House (21 - 14)
5/04 HB 368 Hunting License Restrictions for Felons Bill Passed - House (21 - 14)
4/20 SF 1070 Seat Belt Law Bill Passed - Senate (46 - 20)
2/15 HB 1125 Seat Belt Enforcement Bill Bill Passed - House (33 - 32)
3/10 HB 1125 Seat Belt Enforcement Bill Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 14)
5/03 HB 1125 Seat Belt Enforcement Bill Bill Failed - House (32 - 32)
2/14 S 1327 Background Checks for Adults Who Work With Children Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
1/09 A 2302 Childproof Firearms Sales Bill Passed - House (91 - 44)
1/09 A 2302 Childproof Firearms Sales Bill Passed - House (91 - 44)
3/28 H 630 School Grounds - Violence Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 4)
3/28 H 630 School Grounds - Violence Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 4)
4/03 HB 26 Expanding the Definition of Resisting an Officer Bill Passed - House (58 - 36)
4/26 SB 33 Prohibits Abortion Except When Necessary to Save the Life of the Woman Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 7)
4/26 Amdt 1923 Exceptions to Abortion Ban in Cases of Rape or Incest Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (17 - 20)
5/04 HB 1010 Smoking in Motor Vehicles Ban Bill Passed - House (67 - 31)
5/18 HB 1142 Parole Eligibility Bill Failed - House (37 - 48)
2/13 HB 782 Second-Degree Murder Charges Bill Passed - House (83 - 16)
2/14 Sub HB 1048 Employment of Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - House (77 - 22)
2/06 HJR 2 Marriage Amendment Ballot Question Bill Passed - House (53 - 17)
2/15 HJR 2 Marriage Amendment Ballot Question Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 9)
5/10 HB 2118 Conceal and Carry Conference Report Adopted - House (93 - 24)
5/10 HB 2118 Conceal and Carry Conference Report Adopted - Senate (30 - 9)
5/10 HB 2118 Conceal and Carry Conference Report Adopted - Senate (30 - 9)
5/10 HB 2118 Conceal and Carry Conference Report Adopted - House (93 - 24)
4/17 SB 1477 Psychotropic drugs; Testing; Informed Consent Bill Failed - House (25 - 30)
4/20 SB 1477 Psychotropic drugs; Testing; Informed Consent Bill Passed - House (34 - 23)
3/14 SB 1477 Psychotropic drugs; Testing; Informed Consent Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 13)
3/21 HB 1177 Smoking Ban Bill Passed - House (189 - 156)
5/16 SJR 5 Advisory Referendum on the Death Penalty Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (18 - 15)
5/04 SJR 5 Advisory Referendum on the Death Penalty Joint Resolution Passed - House (47 - 45)

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