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, 2008 GA HB 89 Concealed Weapons in Motor Vehicles Bill Passed - House (111 - 58)
May 6, 2008 KS HB 2019 Voter Identification Conference Report Adopted - Senate (27 - 3)
May 6, 2008 KS HB 2019 Voter Identification Conference Report Adopted - House (67 - 56)
June 4, 2008 PA SB 246 Smoking Ban Conference Report Rejected - Senate (19 - 31)
June 10, 2008 PA SB 246 Smoking Ban Conference Report Adopted - Senate (41 - 9)
June 4, 2008 PA SB 246 Smoking Ban Conference Report Adopted - House (163 - 38)
May 8, 2008 MI HB 4163 Workplace Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 12)
Feb. 28, 2008 WI AB 377 Emergency Contraception for Sexual Assault Victims Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 6)
Jan. 23, 2008 WI AB 377 Emergency Contraception for Sexual Assault Victims Bill Passed - House (61 - 35)
Jan. 7, 2008 NJ A 4314 Traffic Control Signal Monitoring Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 11)
Jan. 7, 2008 NJ A 4314 Traffic Control Signal Monitoring Bill Passed - House (49 - 25)
Jan. 15, 2008 NE LB 253 Repealing Motorcycle Helmet Law Bill Failed - Senate (23 - 25)
Jan. 21, 2008 VA HB 188 HPV Vaccine Deadline Extension Bill Passed - House (57 - 39)
Jan. 15, 2008 WI AB 363 Limiting the Scope of Citizen-Proposed Ordinances Bill Passed - House (48 - 44)
Jan. 23, 2008 MA H 4477 Cell Phone Driving Ban Bill Passed - House (107 - 47)
Jan. 29, 2008 IN SB 3 Authorizing Physicians to Refuse Prescriptions Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 18)
Jan. 24, 2008 IN SB 3 Authorizing Physicians to Refuse Prescriptions Bill Failed - Senate (24 - 24)
Jan. 29, 2008 GA HB 908 Expanding Sex Offender Restrictions Bill Passed - House (141 - 29)
Jan. 30, 2008 NH HB 847 Speed Limitations for Vessels Operating on Water Bill Passed - House (236 - 111)
Feb. 5, 2008 VA SB 202 Local Regulation of Smoking in Restaurants Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 9)
Feb. 6, 2008 SD SB 164 Right to Obtain Contraception Bill Failed - Senate (12 - 22)
Feb. 5, 2008 VA SB 298 Banning Smoking Public Places Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15)
Feb. 5, 2008 VA SB 501 Restaurant and Bar Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 10)
Feb. 6, 2008 UT SB 75 Prohibiting Gang Activity Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 10)
Feb. 7, 2008 KY SB 40 Abortion Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 4)
Feb. 12, 2008 National S 2248 FISA Amendments Act of 2007 Bill Passed - Senate (68 - 29)
Feb. 12, 2008 National S Amdt 3907 Striking Telecommunications Companies' Civil Immunity for Surveillance Amendment Rejected - Senate (31 - 67)
Feb. 12, 2008 National S Amdt 3910 FISA as Exclusive Means for Conducting Electronic Surveillance Amendment Rejected - Senate (57 - 41)
Feb. 6, 2008 MI SB 962 Prohibiting Driver's Licenses for Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 9)
Feb. 11, 2008 OR SB 1080 Driver's License Residency Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 7)
Feb. 6, 2008 CO HB 1130 Removing Wiretap Restrictions Bill Passed - House (43 - 20)
Feb. 14, 2008 NE AM 1736 Eliminating Opt-Out Provision of Smoking Ban Amendment Adopted - Senate (33 - 13)
Feb. 22, 2008 NE LB 395 Statewide Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 14)
Feb. 18, 2008 WA HB 2713 Convicted Criminal DNA Database Bill Passed - House (80 - 15)
Feb. 18, 2008 ID H 348 Legalizing Alcohol Sales on Election Day Bill Passed - House (44 - 25)
Feb. 19, 2008 MI HB 4092 DNA Testing for Violent Felonies Bill Passed - House (104 - 4)
April 8, 2008 IA HF 2212 Smoking Ban Conference Report Adopted - Senate (28 - 22)
April 8, 2008 IA HF 2212 Smoking Ban Conference Report Adopted - House (54 - 45)
March 12, 2008 IA HF 2212 Smoking Ban Concurrence Vote Passed - House (59 - 40)
March 13, 2008 IA HF 2212 Smoking Ban Concurrence Vote Failed - Senate (23 - 27)
Feb. 27, 2008 IA HF 2212 Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 21)
Feb. 19, 2008 IA HF 2212 Smoking Ban Bill Passed - House (56 - 44)
Feb. 25, 2008 WV HB 4132 Prohibiting Mandatory Employee Participation in Political Events Bill Passed - House (64 - 33)
Feb. 26, 2008 GA SB 454 Permitting Public Venue Alcohol Sales on Sundays Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 20)
Feb. 14, 2008 MI HB 4505 Changes to Driver's License Eligibility Concurrence Vote Passed - House (99 - 5)
Feb. 21, 2008 MI HB 4675 Michigan Catastrophic Claims Association Open Meetings and Public Access Requirements Bill Passed - House (66 - 38)
Feb. 21, 2008 MS SB 2468 Voter Identification Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 18)
Feb. 13, 2008 SD SB 174 Railroad Eminent Domain Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 13)
Feb. 26, 2008 SD SB 174 Railroad Eminent Domain Bill Passed - House (54 - 16)
Feb. 25, 2008 WV HB 4023 Linking Driving Privileges with Student Performance Bill Passed - House (80 - 15)
Feb. 27, 2008 WV SB 248 Non-Participation in the Real ID Act Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 3)
Feb. 14, 2008 KS HB 2617 Mandatory Drug Testing for Drivers Causing Serious Accidents Bill Passed - House (117 - 5)
Feb. 27, 2008 CO HB 1297 Supplemental Department of Public Safety Funding Bill Passed - House (45 - 20)
March 3, 2008 UT SB 299 Domestic Partnership Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 7)
March 5, 2008 UT SB 299 Domestic Partnership Benefits Bill Passed - House (61 - 9)
March 10, 2008 OK HB 2956 Voter Identification Requirements Bill Passed - House (55 - 42)
March 6, 2008 MO HB 1619 Monitoring Prescription Drug Sales Bill Passed - House (84 - 69)
March 12, 2008 IA SF 2355 Time Off to Attend Presidential Precinct Caucuses Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 10)
March 12, 2008 MD SB 42 Temporary Confiscation of Firearms Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 17)
April 2, 2008 KY SB 120 Booster Seat Requirement Bill Passed - House (88 - 8)
March 12, 2008 KY SB 120 Booster Seat Requirement Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 5)
March 14, 2008 National HR 3773 Electronic Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Review Act Concurrence Vote Passed - House (213 - 197)
March 4, 2008 IL HB 4180 Allowing Teachers to Conduct a Silent Reflection Bill Passed - House (72 - 31)
March 5, 2008 CO HB 1130 Removing Wiretap Restrictions Concurrence Vote Passed - House (54 - 9)
March 31, 2008 MD SB 269 Authorizing Speed Monitoring Systems Bill Passed - House (89 - 47)
March 18, 2008 MD SB 269 Authorizing Speed Monitoring Systems Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 21)
March 20, 2008 MD SB 2 Banning Cell Phones While Driving Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 21)
March 7, 2008 CO HJR 1009 Ratification of the UN Convention Against the Discrimination of Women Joint Resolution Passed - House (43 - 21)
March 10, 2008 CO HJR 1009 Ratification of the UN Convention Against the Discrimination of Women Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (19 - 14)
March 27, 2008 ME LD 2012 Prohibiting Smoking in Vehicles with Children Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
March 25, 2008 ME LD 2012 Prohibiting Smoking in Vehicles with Children Bill Passed - House (92 - 46)
March 17, 2008 ID H 348 Legalizing Alcohol Sales on Election Day Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 16)
April 1, 2008 KY HB 70 Restoring Voting Rights to Former Felons Bill Passed - House (80 - 14)
April 1, 2008 IL SB 1997 Interscholastic Event Image Release Bill Passed - Senate (47 - 5)
April 2, 2008 OK SB 1878 Abortion Regulations Bill Passed - House (80 - 12)
April 2, 2008 GA SB 174 Physical Fitness Standards for State Employees Bill Failed - House (55 - 107)
March 19, 2008 ID S 1484 Disclosing Fiscal Impacts of Citizens Initiatives Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 9)
April 7, 2008 MN Emmer Amnd. Voter Identification Amendment Amendment Rejected - House (59 - 70)
March 18, 2008 CO HB 1297 Supplemental Department of Public Safety Funding Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 9)
April 14, 2008 MN HF 1351 Transportation Policy Reform Conference Report Adopted - House (88 - 44)
April 21, 2008 MN HF 1351 Transportation Policy Reform Conference Report Adopted - Senate (51 - 11)
June 17, 2008 LA HB 852 Banning Cell Phones While Driving Bill Failed - Senate (6 - 27)
April 21, 2008 LA HB 852 Banning Cell Phones While Driving Bill Passed - House (55 - 43)
April 25, 2008 IA H 8672 DUI Appeals Amendment Rejected - House (45 - 50)
April 29, 2008 TN SB 3042 Open Container Law Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 7)
May 6, 2008 OK SB 1150 Voter Identification Requirement Concurrence Vote Failed - Senate (24 - 23)
May 12, 2008 OK HB 2633 Religious Expression at Schools Concurrence Vote Passed - House (70 - 28)
Aug. 20, 2008 CA AB 2233 Ban on Holding Pets While Driving Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 17)
May 5, 2008 CA AB 2233 Ban on Holding Pets While Driving Bill Passed - House (44 - 20)
June 27, 2008 AZ SCR 1042 Parameters of Marriage Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (16 - 4)
June 25, 2008 AZ SCR 1042 Parameters of Marriage Concurrence Vote Failed - Senate (14 - 11)
May 12, 2008 AZ SCR 1042 Parameters of Marriage Resolution Passed - House (33 - 25)
May 5, 2008 CO SB 226 Zebra Mussels Ban Bill Passed - House (54 - 11)
May 13, 2008 MN HF 3807 Real ID Prohibition Concurrence Vote Passed - House (103 - 30)
May 13, 2008 MN HF 3807 Real ID Prohibition Bill Passed - Senate (50 - 16)
May 15, 2008 CA SB 1322 Communist Party Membership Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 16)
May 22, 2008 MS SB 2004 Voter Identification Requirement Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 17)
May 27, 2008 IL HB 5288 Expand Use of Red Light Cameras Bill Failed - Senate (26 - 24)
June 20, 2008 LA SB 718 State Board Member and Commissioner Financial Disclosures Bill Passed - House (92 - 8)
May 28, 2008 LA SB 718 State Board Member and Commissioner Financial Disclosures Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 9)
Date No. Title Outcome
1/31 HB 89 Concealed Weapons in Motor Vehicles Bill Passed - House (111 - 58)
5/06 HB 2019 Voter Identification Conference Report Adopted - Senate (27 - 3)
5/06 HB 2019 Voter Identification Conference Report Adopted - House (67 - 56)
6/04 SB 246 Smoking Ban Conference Report Rejected - Senate (19 - 31)
6/10 SB 246 Smoking Ban Conference Report Adopted - Senate (41 - 9)
6/04 SB 246 Smoking Ban Conference Report Adopted - House (163 - 38)
5/08 HB 4163 Workplace Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 12)
2/28 AB 377 Emergency Contraception for Sexual Assault Victims Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 6)
1/23 AB 377 Emergency Contraception for Sexual Assault Victims Bill Passed - House (61 - 35)
1/07 A 4314 Traffic Control Signal Monitoring Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 11)
1/07 A 4314 Traffic Control Signal Monitoring Bill Passed - House (49 - 25)
1/15 LB 253 Repealing Motorcycle Helmet Law Bill Failed - Senate (23 - 25)
1/21 HB 188 HPV Vaccine Deadline Extension Bill Passed - House (57 - 39)
1/15 AB 363 Limiting the Scope of Citizen-Proposed Ordinances Bill Passed - House (48 - 44)
1/23 H 4477 Cell Phone Driving Ban Bill Passed - House (107 - 47)
1/29 SB 3 Authorizing Physicians to Refuse Prescriptions Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 18)
1/24 SB 3 Authorizing Physicians to Refuse Prescriptions Bill Failed - Senate (24 - 24)
1/29 HB 908 Expanding Sex Offender Restrictions Bill Passed - House (141 - 29)
1/30 HB 847 Speed Limitations for Vessels Operating on Water Bill Passed - House (236 - 111)
2/05 SB 202 Local Regulation of Smoking in Restaurants Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 9)
2/06 SB 164 Right to Obtain Contraception Bill Failed - Senate (12 - 22)
2/05 SB 298 Banning Smoking Public Places Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15)
2/05 SB 501 Restaurant and Bar Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 10)
2/06 SB 75 Prohibiting Gang Activity Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 10)
2/07 SB 40 Abortion Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 4)
2/12 S 2248 FISA Amendments Act of 2007 Bill Passed - Senate (68 - 29)
2/12 S Amdt 3907 Striking Telecommunications Companies' Civil Immunity for Surveillance Amendment Rejected - Senate (31 - 67)
2/12 S Amdt 3910 FISA as Exclusive Means for Conducting Electronic Surveillance Amendment Rejected - Senate (57 - 41)
2/06 SB 962 Prohibiting Driver's Licenses for Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 9)
2/11 SB 1080 Driver's License Residency Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 7)
2/06 HB 1130 Removing Wiretap Restrictions Bill Passed - House (43 - 20)
2/14 AM 1736 Eliminating Opt-Out Provision of Smoking Ban Amendment Adopted - Senate (33 - 13)
2/22 LB 395 Statewide Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 14)
2/18 HB 2713 Convicted Criminal DNA Database Bill Passed - House (80 - 15)
2/18 H 348 Legalizing Alcohol Sales on Election Day Bill Passed - House (44 - 25)
2/19 HB 4092 DNA Testing for Violent Felonies Bill Passed - House (104 - 4)
4/08 HF 2212 Smoking Ban Conference Report Adopted - Senate (28 - 22)
4/08 HF 2212 Smoking Ban Conference Report Adopted - House (54 - 45)
3/12 HF 2212 Smoking Ban Concurrence Vote Passed - House (59 - 40)
3/13 HF 2212 Smoking Ban Concurrence Vote Failed - Senate (23 - 27)
2/27 HF 2212 Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 21)
2/19 HF 2212 Smoking Ban Bill Passed - House (56 - 44)
2/25 HB 4132 Prohibiting Mandatory Employee Participation in Political Events Bill Passed - House (64 - 33)
2/26 SB 454 Permitting Public Venue Alcohol Sales on Sundays Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 20)
2/14 HB 4505 Changes to Driver's License Eligibility Concurrence Vote Passed - House (99 - 5)
2/21 HB 4675 Michigan Catastrophic Claims Association Open Meetings and Public Access Requirements Bill Passed - House (66 - 38)
2/21 SB 2468 Voter Identification Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 18)
2/13 SB 174 Railroad Eminent Domain Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 13)
2/26 SB 174 Railroad Eminent Domain Bill Passed - House (54 - 16)
2/25 HB 4023 Linking Driving Privileges with Student Performance Bill Passed - House (80 - 15)
2/27 SB 248 Non-Participation in the Real ID Act Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 3)
2/14 HB 2617 Mandatory Drug Testing for Drivers Causing Serious Accidents Bill Passed - House (117 - 5)
2/27 HB 1297 Supplemental Department of Public Safety Funding Bill Passed - House (45 - 20)
3/03 SB 299 Domestic Partnership Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 7)
3/05 SB 299 Domestic Partnership Benefits Bill Passed - House (61 - 9)
3/10 HB 2956 Voter Identification Requirements Bill Passed - House (55 - 42)
3/06 HB 1619 Monitoring Prescription Drug Sales Bill Passed - House (84 - 69)
3/12 SF 2355 Time Off to Attend Presidential Precinct Caucuses Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 10)
3/12 SB 42 Temporary Confiscation of Firearms Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 17)
4/02 SB 120 Booster Seat Requirement Bill Passed - House (88 - 8)
3/12 SB 120 Booster Seat Requirement Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 5)
3/14 HR 3773 Electronic Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Review Act Concurrence Vote Passed - House (213 - 197)
3/04 HB 4180 Allowing Teachers to Conduct a Silent Reflection Bill Passed - House (72 - 31)
3/05 HB 1130 Removing Wiretap Restrictions Concurrence Vote Passed - House (54 - 9)
3/31 SB 269 Authorizing Speed Monitoring Systems Bill Passed - House (89 - 47)
3/18 SB 269 Authorizing Speed Monitoring Systems Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 21)
3/20 SB 2 Banning Cell Phones While Driving Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 21)
3/07 HJR 1009 Ratification of the UN Convention Against the Discrimination of Women Joint Resolution Passed - House (43 - 21)
3/10 HJR 1009 Ratification of the UN Convention Against the Discrimination of Women Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (19 - 14)
3/27 LD 2012 Prohibiting Smoking in Vehicles with Children Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
3/25 LD 2012 Prohibiting Smoking in Vehicles with Children Bill Passed - House (92 - 46)
3/17 H 348 Legalizing Alcohol Sales on Election Day Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 16)
4/01 HB 70 Restoring Voting Rights to Former Felons Bill Passed - House (80 - 14)
4/01 SB 1997 Interscholastic Event Image Release Bill Passed - Senate (47 - 5)
4/02 SB 1878 Abortion Regulations Bill Passed - House (80 - 12)
4/02 SB 174 Physical Fitness Standards for State Employees Bill Failed - House (55 - 107)
3/19 S 1484 Disclosing Fiscal Impacts of Citizens Initiatives Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 9)
4/07 Emmer Amnd. Voter Identification Amendment Amendment Rejected - House (59 - 70)
3/18 HB 1297 Supplemental Department of Public Safety Funding Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 9)
4/14 HF 1351 Transportation Policy Reform Conference Report Adopted - House (88 - 44)
4/21 HF 1351 Transportation Policy Reform Conference Report Adopted - Senate (51 - 11)
6/17 HB 852 Banning Cell Phones While Driving Bill Failed - Senate (6 - 27)
4/21 HB 852 Banning Cell Phones While Driving Bill Passed - House (55 - 43)
4/25 H 8672 DUI Appeals Amendment Rejected - House (45 - 50)
4/29 SB 3042 Open Container Law Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 7)
5/06 SB 1150 Voter Identification Requirement Concurrence Vote Failed - Senate (24 - 23)
5/12 HB 2633 Religious Expression at Schools Concurrence Vote Passed - House (70 - 28)
8/20 AB 2233 Ban on Holding Pets While Driving Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 17)
5/05 AB 2233 Ban on Holding Pets While Driving Bill Passed - House (44 - 20)
6/27 SCR 1042 Parameters of Marriage Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (16 - 4)
6/25 SCR 1042 Parameters of Marriage Concurrence Vote Failed - Senate (14 - 11)
5/12 SCR 1042 Parameters of Marriage Resolution Passed - House (33 - 25)
5/05 SB 226 Zebra Mussels Ban Bill Passed - House (54 - 11)
5/13 HF 3807 Real ID Prohibition Concurrence Vote Passed - House (103 - 30)
5/13 HF 3807 Real ID Prohibition Bill Passed - Senate (50 - 16)
5/15 SB 1322 Communist Party Membership Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 16)
5/22 SB 2004 Voter Identification Requirement Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 17)
5/27 HB 5288 Expand Use of Red Light Cameras Bill Failed - Senate (26 - 24)
6/20 SB 718 State Board Member and Commissioner Financial Disclosures Bill Passed - House (92 - 8)
5/28 SB 718 State Board Member and Commissioner Financial Disclosures Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 9)

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