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
May 20, 2009 ME LD 290 Out-of-State Health Insurance "Ought Not to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (19 - 16)
May 13, 2009 ME LD 290 Out-of-State Health Insurance "Ought Not to Pass" Report Adopted - House (82 - 63)
April 29, 2009 NH HB 383 Mandating Seat Belt Usage Bill Tabled - Senate (13 - 11)
Jan. 30, 2009 WY Amdt 2001 to HB 31 Exempting 21+ Establishments from Smoking Ban Amendment Adopted - House (34 - 25)
May 27, 2009 LA Amdt B-200 Cell Phone Secondary Offense Amendment Adopted - House (56 - 40)
April 1, 2009 NC Amdt 2 to HB 2 Exempting 18+ Establishments from Smoking Ban Amendment Adopted - House (70 - 46)
April 28, 2009 MO Amdt 1 Allowing Pharmacists to Refuse to Provide "Abortifacients" Amendment Adopted - House (115 - 43)
Jan. 30, 2009 WY Amdt 2002 to HB 31 Allowing Counties and Municipalities to Opt Out of Smoking Ban Amendment Adopted - House (41 - 18)
Feb. 19, 2009 VA SB 1105 Prohibiting Smoking in Restaurants Conference Report Adopted - Senate (27 - 13)
April 13, 2009 MD HB 387 "Lawful Status" Requirements for ID Cards, Vehicle Licenses and Permits Conference Report Adopted - House (76 - 60)
May 31, 2009 TX HB 537 Increase Required Age for Seatbelts Conference Report Adopted - House (105 - 34)
June 3, 2009 NH HB 73 Religious Choice in Performing Marriage Ceremonies Conference Report Adopted - House (198 - 176)
Feb. 19, 2009 VA SB 1105 Prohibiting Smoking in Restaurants Conference Report Adopted - House (60 - 39)
July 15, 2009 NC HB 1185 Habitual DWI Reinstatement after Ten Years Concurrence Vote Passed - House (87 - 29)
June 25, 2009 NJ A 3101 Creating Homelessness Trust Funds Concurrence Vote Passed - House (52 - 27)
June 17, 2009 LA HB 499 Seat Belt Law Concurrence Vote Passed - House (75 - 12)
April 22, 2009 WA HB 1517 Expediting the Restoration of Felons' Voting Rights Concurrence Vote Passed - House (52 - 44)
March 9, 2009 SD HB 1240 Smoking Ban Concurrence Vote Passed - House (46 - 23)
May 6, 2009 ME LD 1020 Same Sex Marriage Bill Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 13)
March 12, 2009 UT HB 290 Prohibiting Text Messaging While Driving Concurrence Vote Passed - House (45 - 29)
Aug. 5, 2009 NC SB 461 Racial Discrimination in Capital Sentences Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 18)
May 5, 2009 ME LD 1020 Same Sex Marriage Bill Bill Passed - House (89 - 57)
May 11, 2009 NC HB 2 Statewide Indoor Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 18)
March 4, 2009 SD HB 1240 Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
April 27, 2009 TN SB 393 Prohibiting Texting While Driving Bill Passed - House (67 - 24)
June 23, 2009 OR HB 2377 Prohibiting Handheld Cell Phone Use While Driving Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 13)
April 3, 2009 VT S 115 Same-Sex Marriage Bill Passed - House (94 - 52)
July 15, 2009 NC SB 461 Racial Discrimination in Capital Sentences Bill Passed - House (61 - 54)
Feb. 9, 2009 VA SB 1105 Prohibiting Smoking in Restaurants Bill Passed - House (59 - 39)
June 18, 2009 NJ A 3101 Creating Homelessness Trust Funds Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 7)
April 2, 2009 MT HB 531 Red Light Camera Prohibition Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 11)
May 11, 2009 TX HB 1736 Increasing Wrongful Conviction Compensation Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 4)
May 20, 2009 NH HB 73 Religious Choice in Performing Marriage Ceremonies Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 10)
April 15, 2009 WA HB 1517 Expediting the Restoration of Felons' Voting Rights Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 19)
March 23, 2009 VT S 115 Same-Sex Marriage Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 4)
March 24, 2009 NH HB 34 Banning Text Messaging While Driving Bill Passed - House (222 - 137)
March 25, 2009 KS HB 2275 Drug Testing for Cash Assistance Recipients Bill Passed - House (99 - 26)
March 27, 2009 WV HB 2621 Prohibiting the Use of Cell Phones While Driving Bill Passed - House (80 - 18)
March 31, 2009 TX SB 298 Authorizing Sobriety Checkpoints Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 11)
Dec. 2, 2009 NY A 40003 Legalizing Same-Sex Marriage Bill Passed - House (88 - 51)
Jan. 26, 2009 CO HB 1042 Amending Minimum Traffic Speed Regulations Bill Passed - House (37 - 27)
Jan. 29, 2009 ND HB 1182 Point Reduction for Seat Belt Use Bill Passed - House (56 - 38)
Jan. 30, 2009 ND SB 2087 Secrecy in Public University Hiring Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 15)
Feb. 2, 2009 ND SB 2070 Ban on Smoking in Cars with Children Passengers Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 10)
Feb. 3, 2009 SD SB 79 Primary Seat Belt Enforcement Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13)
Feb. 3, 2009 VA SB 1105 Prohibiting Smoking in Bars and Restaurants Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 13)
Feb. 3, 2009 WY HB 31 Statewide Indoor Smoking Ban Bill Passed - House (31 - 29)
Feb. 4, 2009 MS SB 2548 Identification Requirements to Vote Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 17)
Feb. 4, 2009 VA HB 2314 Allowing Police Chaplains to Conduct Sectarian Prayer Bill Passed - House (66 - 30)
Feb. 5, 2009 VA HB 1826 Driver's License Suspension for Unexcused School Absences Bill Passed - House (68 - 28)
Feb. 5, 2009 UT SB 16 Prohibiting "Gang Loitering" Bill Passed - House (56 - 17)
Feb. 5, 2009 VA SB 1161 Classifying a Seat Belt Violation as a Primary Offense Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 15)
Feb. 11, 2009 MS HB 1533 Election Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (78 - 44)
Feb. 16, 2009 IA SF 137 Wage Discrimination Policy and Penalties Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 18)
Feb. 18, 2009 UT HB 122 Restricting Access to Government Litigation Records Bill Passed - House (43 - 27)
Feb. 18, 2009 ND SB 2278 Prohibiting Sexual Orientation Discrimination Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 19)
Feb. 18, 2009 NH HB 383 Mandating Seat Belt Usage Bill Passed - House (197 - 155)
Feb. 19, 2009 KS SB 59 Enforcing Seat Belt Violations as a Primary Offense Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 17)
Feb. 23, 2009 SD HB 1240 Smoking Ban Bill Passed - House (43 - 27)
Feb. 24, 2009 MT HB 531 Red Light Camera Prohibition Bill Passed - House (65 - 35)
Feb. 24, 2009 NV SB 116 Seat Belt Violation as a Primary Offense Bill Passed - Senate (12 - 9)
Feb. 24, 2009 VA HB 1826 Driver's License Suspension for Unexcused School Absences Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 3)
Feb. 25, 2009 NM SB 44 Prohibiting Smoking in Cars with Children Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 12)
Feb. 27, 2009 NE LB 5 Trapping In Rights-of-Way Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 18)
March 3, 2009 SC H 3418 Requiring Photo Identification to Vote Bill Passed - House (67 - 44)
March 10, 2009 WA SB 5688 Expanding Domestic Partnership Rights Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 18)
March 10, 2009 OK SB 4 Voter Identification Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 21)
March 11, 2009 OK HJR 1042 English as Official State Language Joint Resolution Passed - House (66 - 32)
March 11, 2009 TX SB 362 Requiring Proof of Identification to Vote Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 12)
March 11, 2009 OK HB 1037 Voter Identification Bill Passed - House (59 - 39)
March 13, 2009 WV SB 238 Ban on Sexual Orientation Discrimination Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 10)
March 18, 2009 IL HB 442 Expanding Red-Light Traffic Camera Enforcement Bill Passed - House (68 - 47)
March 18, 2009 IA HF 243 Gender Requirements for Certain Local Government Positions Bill Passed - House (71 - 27)
April 1, 2009 OK SB 4 Voter Identification Bill Passed - House (71 - 27)
April 2, 2009 MD SB 277 Authorizing Speed Monitoring Systems Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 20)
Date No. Title Outcome
5/20 LD 290 Out-of-State Health Insurance "Ought Not to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (19 - 16)
5/13 LD 290 Out-of-State Health Insurance "Ought Not to Pass" Report Adopted - House (82 - 63)
4/29 HB 383 Mandating Seat Belt Usage Bill Tabled - Senate (13 - 11)
1/30 Amdt 2001 to HB 31 Exempting 21+ Establishments from Smoking Ban Amendment Adopted - House (34 - 25)
5/27 Amdt B-200 Cell Phone Secondary Offense Amendment Adopted - House (56 - 40)
4/01 Amdt 2 to HB 2 Exempting 18+ Establishments from Smoking Ban Amendment Adopted - House (70 - 46)
4/28 Amdt 1 Allowing Pharmacists to Refuse to Provide "Abortifacients" Amendment Adopted - House (115 - 43)
1/30 Amdt 2002 to HB 31 Allowing Counties and Municipalities to Opt Out of Smoking Ban Amendment Adopted - House (41 - 18)
2/19 SB 1105 Prohibiting Smoking in Restaurants Conference Report Adopted - Senate (27 - 13)
4/13 HB 387 "Lawful Status" Requirements for ID Cards, Vehicle Licenses and Permits Conference Report Adopted - House (76 - 60)
5/31 HB 537 Increase Required Age for Seatbelts Conference Report Adopted - House (105 - 34)
6/03 HB 73 Religious Choice in Performing Marriage Ceremonies Conference Report Adopted - House (198 - 176)
2/19 SB 1105 Prohibiting Smoking in Restaurants Conference Report Adopted - House (60 - 39)
7/15 HB 1185 Habitual DWI Reinstatement after Ten Years Concurrence Vote Passed - House (87 - 29)
6/25 A 3101 Creating Homelessness Trust Funds Concurrence Vote Passed - House (52 - 27)
6/17 HB 499 Seat Belt Law Concurrence Vote Passed - House (75 - 12)
4/22 HB 1517 Expediting the Restoration of Felons' Voting Rights Concurrence Vote Passed - House (52 - 44)
3/09 HB 1240 Smoking Ban Concurrence Vote Passed - House (46 - 23)
5/06 LD 1020 Same Sex Marriage Bill Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 13)
3/12 HB 290 Prohibiting Text Messaging While Driving Concurrence Vote Passed - House (45 - 29)
8/05 SB 461 Racial Discrimination in Capital Sentences Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 18)
5/05 LD 1020 Same Sex Marriage Bill Bill Passed - House (89 - 57)
5/11 HB 2 Statewide Indoor Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 18)
3/04 HB 1240 Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
4/27 SB 393 Prohibiting Texting While Driving Bill Passed - House (67 - 24)
6/23 HB 2377 Prohibiting Handheld Cell Phone Use While Driving Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 13)
4/03 S 115 Same-Sex Marriage Bill Passed - House (94 - 52)
7/15 SB 461 Racial Discrimination in Capital Sentences Bill Passed - House (61 - 54)
2/09 SB 1105 Prohibiting Smoking in Restaurants Bill Passed - House (59 - 39)
6/18 A 3101 Creating Homelessness Trust Funds Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 7)
4/02 HB 531 Red Light Camera Prohibition Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 11)
5/11 HB 1736 Increasing Wrongful Conviction Compensation Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 4)
5/20 HB 73 Religious Choice in Performing Marriage Ceremonies Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 10)
4/15 HB 1517 Expediting the Restoration of Felons' Voting Rights Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 19)
3/23 S 115 Same-Sex Marriage Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 4)
3/24 HB 34 Banning Text Messaging While Driving Bill Passed - House (222 - 137)
3/25 HB 2275 Drug Testing for Cash Assistance Recipients Bill Passed - House (99 - 26)
3/27 HB 2621 Prohibiting the Use of Cell Phones While Driving Bill Passed - House (80 - 18)
3/31 SB 298 Authorizing Sobriety Checkpoints Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 11)
12/02 A 40003 Legalizing Same-Sex Marriage Bill Passed - House (88 - 51)
1/26 HB 1042 Amending Minimum Traffic Speed Regulations Bill Passed - House (37 - 27)
1/29 HB 1182 Point Reduction for Seat Belt Use Bill Passed - House (56 - 38)
1/30 SB 2087 Secrecy in Public University Hiring Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 15)
2/02 SB 2070 Ban on Smoking in Cars with Children Passengers Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 10)
2/03 SB 79 Primary Seat Belt Enforcement Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13)
2/03 SB 1105 Prohibiting Smoking in Bars and Restaurants Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 13)
2/03 HB 31 Statewide Indoor Smoking Ban Bill Passed - House (31 - 29)
2/04 SB 2548 Identification Requirements to Vote Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 17)
2/04 HB 2314 Allowing Police Chaplains to Conduct Sectarian Prayer Bill Passed - House (66 - 30)
2/05 HB 1826 Driver's License Suspension for Unexcused School Absences Bill Passed - House (68 - 28)
2/05 SB 16 Prohibiting "Gang Loitering" Bill Passed - House (56 - 17)
2/05 SB 1161 Classifying a Seat Belt Violation as a Primary Offense Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 15)
2/11 HB 1533 Election Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (78 - 44)
2/16 SF 137 Wage Discrimination Policy and Penalties Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 18)
2/18 HB 122 Restricting Access to Government Litigation Records Bill Passed - House (43 - 27)
2/18 SB 2278 Prohibiting Sexual Orientation Discrimination Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 19)
2/18 HB 383 Mandating Seat Belt Usage Bill Passed - House (197 - 155)
2/19 SB 59 Enforcing Seat Belt Violations as a Primary Offense Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 17)
2/23 HB 1240 Smoking Ban Bill Passed - House (43 - 27)
2/24 HB 531 Red Light Camera Prohibition Bill Passed - House (65 - 35)
2/24 SB 116 Seat Belt Violation as a Primary Offense Bill Passed - Senate (12 - 9)
2/24 HB 1826 Driver's License Suspension for Unexcused School Absences Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 3)
2/25 SB 44 Prohibiting Smoking in Cars with Children Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 12)
2/27 LB 5 Trapping In Rights-of-Way Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 18)
3/03 H 3418 Requiring Photo Identification to Vote Bill Passed - House (67 - 44)
3/10 SB 5688 Expanding Domestic Partnership Rights Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 18)
3/10 SB 4 Voter Identification Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 21)
3/11 HJR 1042 English as Official State Language Joint Resolution Passed - House (66 - 32)
3/11 SB 362 Requiring Proof of Identification to Vote Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 12)
3/11 HB 1037 Voter Identification Bill Passed - House (59 - 39)
3/13 SB 238 Ban on Sexual Orientation Discrimination Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 10)
3/18 HB 442 Expanding Red-Light Traffic Camera Enforcement Bill Passed - House (68 - 47)
3/18 HF 243 Gender Requirements for Certain Local Government Positions Bill Passed - House (71 - 27)
4/01 SB 4 Voter Identification Bill Passed - House (71 - 27)
4/02 SB 277 Authorizing Speed Monitoring Systems Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 20)

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