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
March 23, 2009 VT Same-Sex Marriage Ballot Question Amendment Rejected - Senate (11 - 19)
June 25, 2009 NJ A 3101 Creating Homelessness Trust Funds Concurrence Vote Passed - House (52 - 27)
June 18, 2009 NJ A 3101 Creating Homelessness Trust Funds Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 7)
Dec. 2, 2009 NY A 40003 Legalizing Same-Sex Marriage Bill Failed - Senate (24 - 38)
Dec. 2, 2009 NY A 40003 Legalizing Same-Sex Marriage Bill Passed - House (88 - 51)
April 22, 2009 PA A771 Requiring Hands Free Devices for Cell Phones in Cars Amendment Rejected - House (95 - 100)
May 12, 2009 NY A 7732 Legalizing Same-Sex Marriage Bill Passed - House (89 - 52)
Sept. 10, 2009 CA AB 524 Privacy Law Expansion Concurrence Vote Passed - House (57 - 20)
Sept. 8, 2009 CA AB 524 Privacy Law Expansion Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 15)
Sept. 4, 2009 CA AB 793 Clarifying Statute of Limitations for Wage Discrimination Lawsuits Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 16)
April 28, 2009 MO Amdt 1 Allowing Pharmacists to Refuse to Provide "Abortifacients" Amendment Adopted - House (115 - 43)
Jan. 30, 2009 WY Amdt 2001 to HB 31 Exempting 21+ Establishments from Smoking Ban Amendment Adopted - House (34 - 25)
Jan. 30, 2009 WY Amdt 2002 to HB 31 Allowing Counties and Municipalities to Opt Out of Smoking Ban Amendment Adopted - House (41 - 18)
April 1, 2009 NC Amdt 2 to HB 2 Exempting 18+ Establishments from Smoking Ban Amendment Adopted - House (70 - 46)
May 27, 2009 LA Amdt B-200 Cell Phone Secondary Offense Amendment Adopted - House (56 - 40)
April 15, 2009 VT H 147 Primary Seat Belt Enforcement Bill Passed - House (104 - 40)
March 3, 2009 SC H 3418 Requiring Photo Identification to Vote Bill Passed - House (67 - 44)
Jan. 29, 2009 AR HB 1013 Prohibiting Text Messaging While Driving Bill Passed - House (78 - 12)
March 11, 2009 OK HB 1037 Voter Identification Bill Passed - House (59 - 39)
Jan. 26, 2009 CO HB 1042 Amending Minimum Traffic Speed Regulations Bill Passed - House (37 - 27)
Jan. 27, 2009 AR HB 1050 Freedom of Information Act Exemption Specifications Bill Passed - House (57 - 31)
June 16, 2009 LA HB 11 Designating Driver's Licenses for Drug Dealers Bill Failed - House (68 - 23)
Jan. 28, 2009 AR HB 1119 Prohibiting Cell Phone Use While Driving for Specific Age Groups Bill Passed - House (62 - 27)
March 3, 2009 ND HB 1182 Point Reduction for Seat Belt Use Bill Failed - Senate (18 - 25)
Jan. 29, 2009 ND HB 1182 Point Reduction for Seat Belt Use Bill Passed - House (56 - 38)
July 15, 2009 NC HB 1185 Habitual DWI Reinstatement after Ten Years Concurrence Vote Passed - House (87 - 29)
Feb. 16, 2009 ND HB 1197 Seat Belt Violation as Primary Offense Bill Failed - House (34 - 58)
Feb. 19, 2009 ND HB 1213 Prohibiting Smoking in Bars and Hotels Bill Failed - House (33 - 59)
Feb. 17, 2009 IN HB 1213 Statewide Indoor Smoking Ban Bill Passed - House (70 - 26)
Feb. 18, 2009 UT HB 122 Restricting Access to Government Litigation Records Bill Passed - House (43 - 27)
March 9, 2009 SD HB 1240 Smoking Ban Concurrence Vote Passed - House (46 - 23)
March 4, 2009 SD HB 1240 Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
Feb. 23, 2009 SD HB 1240 Smoking Ban Bill Passed - House (43 - 27)
Feb. 12, 2009 ND HB 1453 Wheelchair Accessibility in Businesses Bill Failed - House (19 - 72)
May 27, 2009 LA HB 146 Cell Phones While Driving Bill Passed - House (57 - 41)
April 22, 2009 WA HB 1517 Expediting the Restoration of Felons' Voting Rights Concurrence Vote Passed - House (52 - 44)
April 15, 2009 WA HB 1517 Expediting the Restoration of Felons' Voting Rights Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 19)
Feb. 11, 2009 MS HB 1533 Election Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (78 - 44)
Feb. 9, 2009 ND HB 1576 Election Law Amendments Bill Failed - House (47 - 46)
May 11, 2009 TX HB 1736 Increasing Wrongful Conviction Compensation Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 4)
Feb. 5, 2009 VA HB 1826 Driver's License Suspension for Unexcused School Absences Bill Passed - House (68 - 28)
Feb. 24, 2009 VA HB 1826 Driver's License Suspension for Unexcused School Absences Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 3)
May 11, 2009 NC HB 2 Statewide Indoor Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 18)
April 2, 2009 NC HB 2 Statewide Indoor Smoking Ban Bill Passed - House (72 - 45)
March 25, 2009 KS HB 2275 Drug Testing for Cash Assistance Recipients Bill Passed - House (99 - 26)
March 12, 2009 GA HB 23 Age-Specific Ban on Wireless Communication While Driving Bill Passed - House (138 - 34)
Feb. 4, 2009 VA HB 2314 Allowing Police Chaplains to Conduct Sectarian Prayer Bill Passed - House (66 - 30)
June 23, 2009 OR HB 2377 Prohibiting Handheld Cell Phone Use While Driving Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 13)
April 28, 2009 OR HB 2377 Prohibiting Handheld Cell Phone Use While Driving Bill Passed - House (38 - 22)
March 27, 2009 WV HB 2621 Prohibiting the Use of Cell Phones While Driving Bill Passed - House (80 - 18)
March 12, 2009 UT HB 290 Prohibiting Text Messaging While Driving Concurrence Vote Passed - House (45 - 29)
Feb. 3, 2009 WY HB 31 Statewide Indoor Smoking Ban Bill Passed - House (31 - 29)
March 24, 2009 NH HB 34 Banning Text Messaging While Driving Bill Passed - House (222 - 137)
June 18, 2009 LA HB 340 Religious Freedom Constitutional Amendment Concurrence Vote Failed - House (53 - 26)
April 29, 2009 NH HB 383 Mandating Seat Belt Usage Bill Tabled - Senate (13 - 11)
Feb. 18, 2009 NH HB 383 Mandating Seat Belt Usage Bill Passed - House (197 - 155)
April 13, 2009 MD HB 387 "Lawful Status" Requirements for ID Cards, Vehicle Licenses and Permits Conference Report Adopted - House (76 - 60)
March 19, 2009 NM HB 393 Opening Conference Committees to the Public Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 8)
Feb. 23, 2009 MT HB 394 Prohibits the Use of Individual Prescription Information for Marketing Motion Rejected - House (50 - 50)
April 8, 2009 NH HB 415 Prohibiting Gender Identity Discrimination Bill Passed - House (188 - 187)
April 29, 2009 NH HB 436 Legalizing Same-Sex Marriage Bill Passed - Senate (13 - 11)
March 26, 2009 NH HB 436 Legalizing Same-Sex Marriage Bill Passed - House (186 - 179)
May 26, 2009 MI HB 4377 Smoking Ban Bill Passed - House (73 - 31)
March 18, 2009 IL HB 442 Expanding Red-Light Traffic Camera Enforcement Bill Passed - House (68 - 47)
Feb. 12, 2009 HI HB 444 Legalizing Same-Sex Civil Unions Bill Passed - House (33 - 17)
May 20, 2009 MI HB 4836 Hate Crimes Bill Passed - House (66 - 43)
June 17, 2009 LA HB 499 Seat Belt Law Concurrence Vote Passed - House (75 - 12)
May 19, 2009 LA HB 517 Health Care Protection Bill Passed - House (82 - 13)
April 2, 2009 MT HB 531 Red Light Camera Prohibition Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 11)
Feb. 24, 2009 MT HB 531 Red Light Camera Prohibition Bill Passed - House (65 - 35)
April 23, 2009 AL HB 533 Hate Crime Law Expansion Bill Passed - House (46 - 41)
May 31, 2009 TX HB 537 Increase Required Age for Seatbelts Conference Report Adopted - House (105 - 34)
May 12, 2009 LA HB 60 Birth Certificates for Adoption Bill Passed - House (78 - 17)
March 30, 2009 GA HB 614 Prescription Tracking Database Bill Failed - Senate (25 - 29)
Jan. 20, 2009 MT HB 62 Mandatory Trapper Education Course Bill Passed - House (51 - 48)
June 2, 2009 LA HB 639 Motorcycle Helmets Bill Passed - House (64 - 33)
April 1, 2009 IL HB 71 Prohibiting Text Messaging While Driving Bill Passed - House (89 - 27)
June 3, 2009 NH HB 73 Religious Choice in Performing Marriage Ceremonies Conference Report Adopted - House (198 - 176)
May 20, 2009 NH HB 73 Religious Choice in Performing Marriage Ceremonies Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 10)
May 4, 2009 TN HB 959 Close Handgun Permit Records Bill Passed - House (83 - 12)
June 18, 2009 AZ HCR 2019 Ends Affirmative Action Amendment Adopted - House (32 - 18)
June 22, 2009 AZ HCR 2019 Ends Affirmative Action Amendment Adopted - Senate (17 - 11)
May 18, 2009 MN HF 108 Primary Seat Belt Law Bill Passed - Senate (47 - 19)
May 18, 2009 MN HF 108 Primary Seat Belt Law Bill Passed - House (73 - 60)
March 18, 2009 IA HF 243 Gender Requirements for Certain Local Government Positions Bill Passed - House (71 - 27)
Feb. 6, 2009 WY HJ 17 Constitutional Amendment to Define Marriage Joint Resolution Failed - House (25 - 35)
March 11, 2009 OK HJR 1042 English as Official State Language Joint Resolution Passed - House (66 - 32)
April 17, 2009 NE LB 355 Exempting Cigar Bars from the Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 22)
Feb. 27, 2009 NE LB 5 Trapping In Rights-of-Way Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 18)
May 6, 2009 ME LD 1020 Same Sex Marriage Bill Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 13)
May 5, 2009 ME LD 1020 Same Sex Marriage Bill Bill Passed - House (89 - 57)
June 3, 2009 ME LD 1357 Relating to Driver's License and Identification Card Regulations Veto Override Failed - Senate (7 - 28)
June 3, 2009 ME LD 1357 Relating to Driver's License and Identification Card Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17)
June 1, 2009 ME LD 1357 Relating to Driver's License and Identification Card Regulations Bill Passed - House (81 - 56)
May 13, 2009 ME LD 290 Out-of-State Health Insurance "Ought Not to Pass" Report Adopted - House (82 - 63)
May 20, 2009 ME LD 290 Out-of-State Health Insurance "Ought Not to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (19 - 16)
April 8, 2009 ME LD 67 Prohibiting Smoking at State Park Beaches Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 9)
April 3, 2009 VT S 115 Same-Sex Marriage Bill Passed - House (94 - 52)
March 23, 2009 VT S 115 Same-Sex Marriage Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 4)
April 7, 2009 VT S 115 Same-Sex Marriage Veto Override Passed - House (100 - 49)
Date No. Title Outcome
3/23 Same-Sex Marriage Ballot Question Amendment Rejected - Senate (11 - 19)
6/25 A 3101 Creating Homelessness Trust Funds Concurrence Vote Passed - House (52 - 27)
6/18 A 3101 Creating Homelessness Trust Funds Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 7)
12/02 A 40003 Legalizing Same-Sex Marriage Bill Failed - Senate (24 - 38)
12/02 A 40003 Legalizing Same-Sex Marriage Bill Passed - House (88 - 51)
4/22 A771 Requiring Hands Free Devices for Cell Phones in Cars Amendment Rejected - House (95 - 100)
5/12 A 7732 Legalizing Same-Sex Marriage Bill Passed - House (89 - 52)
9/10 AB 524 Privacy Law Expansion Concurrence Vote Passed - House (57 - 20)
9/08 AB 524 Privacy Law Expansion Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 15)
9/04 AB 793 Clarifying Statute of Limitations for Wage Discrimination Lawsuits Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 16)
4/28 Amdt 1 Allowing Pharmacists to Refuse to Provide "Abortifacients" Amendment Adopted - House (115 - 43)
1/30 Amdt 2001 to HB 31 Exempting 21+ Establishments from Smoking Ban Amendment Adopted - House (34 - 25)
1/30 Amdt 2002 to HB 31 Allowing Counties and Municipalities to Opt Out of Smoking Ban Amendment Adopted - House (41 - 18)
4/01 Amdt 2 to HB 2 Exempting 18+ Establishments from Smoking Ban Amendment Adopted - House (70 - 46)
5/27 Amdt B-200 Cell Phone Secondary Offense Amendment Adopted - House (56 - 40)
4/15 H 147 Primary Seat Belt Enforcement Bill Passed - House (104 - 40)
3/03 H 3418 Requiring Photo Identification to Vote Bill Passed - House (67 - 44)
1/29 HB 1013 Prohibiting Text Messaging While Driving Bill Passed - House (78 - 12)
3/11 HB 1037 Voter Identification Bill Passed - House (59 - 39)
1/26 HB 1042 Amending Minimum Traffic Speed Regulations Bill Passed - House (37 - 27)
1/27 HB 1050 Freedom of Information Act Exemption Specifications Bill Passed - House (57 - 31)
6/16 HB 11 Designating Driver's Licenses for Drug Dealers Bill Failed - House (68 - 23)
1/28 HB 1119 Prohibiting Cell Phone Use While Driving for Specific Age Groups Bill Passed - House (62 - 27)
3/03 HB 1182 Point Reduction for Seat Belt Use Bill Failed - Senate (18 - 25)
1/29 HB 1182 Point Reduction for Seat Belt Use Bill Passed - House (56 - 38)
7/15 HB 1185 Habitual DWI Reinstatement after Ten Years Concurrence Vote Passed - House (87 - 29)
2/16 HB 1197 Seat Belt Violation as Primary Offense Bill Failed - House (34 - 58)
2/19 HB 1213 Prohibiting Smoking in Bars and Hotels Bill Failed - House (33 - 59)
2/17 HB 1213 Statewide Indoor Smoking Ban Bill Passed - House (70 - 26)
2/18 HB 122 Restricting Access to Government Litigation Records Bill Passed - House (43 - 27)
3/09 HB 1240 Smoking Ban Concurrence Vote Passed - House (46 - 23)
3/04 HB 1240 Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
2/23 HB 1240 Smoking Ban Bill Passed - House (43 - 27)
2/12 HB 1453 Wheelchair Accessibility in Businesses Bill Failed - House (19 - 72)
5/27 HB 146 Cell Phones While Driving Bill Passed - House (57 - 41)
4/22 HB 1517 Expediting the Restoration of Felons' Voting Rights Concurrence Vote Passed - House (52 - 44)
4/15 HB 1517 Expediting the Restoration of Felons' Voting Rights Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 19)
2/11 HB 1533 Election Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (78 - 44)
2/09 HB 1576 Election Law Amendments Bill Failed - House (47 - 46)
5/11 HB 1736 Increasing Wrongful Conviction Compensation Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 4)
2/05 HB 1826 Driver's License Suspension for Unexcused School Absences Bill Passed - House (68 - 28)
2/24 HB 1826 Driver's License Suspension for Unexcused School Absences Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 3)
5/11 HB 2 Statewide Indoor Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 18)
4/02 HB 2 Statewide Indoor Smoking Ban Bill Passed - House (72 - 45)
3/25 HB 2275 Drug Testing for Cash Assistance Recipients Bill Passed - House (99 - 26)
3/12 HB 23 Age-Specific Ban on Wireless Communication While Driving Bill Passed - House (138 - 34)
2/04 HB 2314 Allowing Police Chaplains to Conduct Sectarian Prayer Bill Passed - House (66 - 30)
6/23 HB 2377 Prohibiting Handheld Cell Phone Use While Driving Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 13)
4/28 HB 2377 Prohibiting Handheld Cell Phone Use While Driving Bill Passed - House (38 - 22)
3/27 HB 2621 Prohibiting the Use of Cell Phones While Driving Bill Passed - House (80 - 18)
3/12 HB 290 Prohibiting Text Messaging While Driving Concurrence Vote Passed - House (45 - 29)
2/03 HB 31 Statewide Indoor Smoking Ban Bill Passed - House (31 - 29)
3/24 HB 34 Banning Text Messaging While Driving Bill Passed - House (222 - 137)
6/18 HB 340 Religious Freedom Constitutional Amendment Concurrence Vote Failed - House (53 - 26)
4/29 HB 383 Mandating Seat Belt Usage Bill Tabled - Senate (13 - 11)
2/18 HB 383 Mandating Seat Belt Usage Bill Passed - House (197 - 155)
4/13 HB 387 "Lawful Status" Requirements for ID Cards, Vehicle Licenses and Permits Conference Report Adopted - House (76 - 60)
3/19 HB 393 Opening Conference Committees to the Public Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 8)
2/23 HB 394 Prohibits the Use of Individual Prescription Information for Marketing Motion Rejected - House (50 - 50)
4/08 HB 415 Prohibiting Gender Identity Discrimination Bill Passed - House (188 - 187)
4/29 HB 436 Legalizing Same-Sex Marriage Bill Passed - Senate (13 - 11)
3/26 HB 436 Legalizing Same-Sex Marriage Bill Passed - House (186 - 179)
5/26 HB 4377 Smoking Ban Bill Passed - House (73 - 31)
3/18 HB 442 Expanding Red-Light Traffic Camera Enforcement Bill Passed - House (68 - 47)
2/12 HB 444 Legalizing Same-Sex Civil Unions Bill Passed - House (33 - 17)
5/20 HB 4836 Hate Crimes Bill Passed - House (66 - 43)
6/17 HB 499 Seat Belt Law Concurrence Vote Passed - House (75 - 12)
5/19 HB 517 Health Care Protection Bill Passed - House (82 - 13)
4/02 HB 531 Red Light Camera Prohibition Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 11)
2/24 HB 531 Red Light Camera Prohibition Bill Passed - House (65 - 35)
4/23 HB 533 Hate Crime Law Expansion Bill Passed - House (46 - 41)
5/31 HB 537 Increase Required Age for Seatbelts Conference Report Adopted - House (105 - 34)
5/12 HB 60 Birth Certificates for Adoption Bill Passed - House (78 - 17)
3/30 HB 614 Prescription Tracking Database Bill Failed - Senate (25 - 29)
1/20 HB 62 Mandatory Trapper Education Course Bill Passed - House (51 - 48)
6/02 HB 639 Motorcycle Helmets Bill Passed - House (64 - 33)
4/01 HB 71 Prohibiting Text Messaging While Driving Bill Passed - House (89 - 27)
6/03 HB 73 Religious Choice in Performing Marriage Ceremonies Conference Report Adopted - House (198 - 176)
5/20 HB 73 Religious Choice in Performing Marriage Ceremonies Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 10)
5/04 HB 959 Close Handgun Permit Records Bill Passed - House (83 - 12)
6/18 HCR 2019 Ends Affirmative Action Amendment Adopted - House (32 - 18)
6/22 HCR 2019 Ends Affirmative Action Amendment Adopted - Senate (17 - 11)
5/18 HF 108 Primary Seat Belt Law Bill Passed - Senate (47 - 19)
5/18 HF 108 Primary Seat Belt Law Bill Passed - House (73 - 60)
3/18 HF 243 Gender Requirements for Certain Local Government Positions Bill Passed - House (71 - 27)
2/06 HJ 17 Constitutional Amendment to Define Marriage Joint Resolution Failed - House (25 - 35)
3/11 HJR 1042 English as Official State Language Joint Resolution Passed - House (66 - 32)
4/17 LB 355 Exempting Cigar Bars from the Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 22)
2/27 LB 5 Trapping In Rights-of-Way Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 18)
5/06 LD 1020 Same Sex Marriage Bill Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 13)
5/05 LD 1020 Same Sex Marriage Bill Bill Passed - House (89 - 57)
6/03 LD 1357 Relating to Driver's License and Identification Card Regulations Veto Override Failed - Senate (7 - 28)
6/03 LD 1357 Relating to Driver's License and Identification Card Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17)
6/01 LD 1357 Relating to Driver's License and Identification Card Regulations Bill Passed - House (81 - 56)
5/13 LD 290 Out-of-State Health Insurance "Ought Not to Pass" Report Adopted - House (82 - 63)
5/20 LD 290 Out-of-State Health Insurance "Ought Not to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (19 - 16)
4/08 LD 67 Prohibiting Smoking at State Park Beaches Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 9)
4/03 S 115 Same-Sex Marriage Bill Passed - House (94 - 52)
3/23 S 115 Same-Sex Marriage Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 4)
4/07 S 115 Same-Sex Marriage Veto Override Passed - House (100 - 49)

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