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
April 23, 2009 AL HB 533 Hate Crime Law Expansion Bill Passed - House (46 - 41)
Jan. 27, 2009 AR HB 1050 Freedom of Information Act Exemption Specifications Bill Passed - House (57 - 31)
Feb. 25, 2009 AR SB 78 Seat Belt Violation as Primary Offense Bill Passed - House (60 - 31)
Jan. 29, 2009 AR HB 1013 Prohibiting Text Messaging While Driving Bill Passed - House (78 - 12)
Jan. 28, 2009 AR HB 1119 Prohibiting Cell Phone Use While Driving for Specific Age Groups Bill Passed - House (62 - 27)
June 22, 2009 AZ SB 1443 Driving While Texting Bill Failed - Senate (14 - 15)
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)
June 22, 2009 AZ SB 1440 Smoking in Cars with Minors Bill Failed - Senate (9 - 20)
Sept. 8, 2009 CA SB 572 Harvey Milk Day Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 14)
Sept. 10, 2009 CA AB 524 Privacy Law Expansion Concurrence Vote Passed - House (57 - 20)
Sept. 9, 2009 CA SB 54 Recognizing Out-of-State Same-Sex Marriages Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 14)
Sept. 3, 2009 CA SB 572 Harvey Milk Day Bill Passed - House (46 - 28)
Sept. 3, 2009 CA SB 54 Recognizing Out-of-State Same-Sex Marriages Bill Passed - House (47 - 29)
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)
May 14, 2009 CA SB 572 Harvey Milk Day Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 14)
April 16, 2009 CA SB 242 Prohibiting Language Discrimination Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 15)
May 14, 2009 CA SB 4 Prohibiting Smoking at State Park Beaches Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
April 30, 2009 CO SB 296 Seat Belt Violation as Primary Offense Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
Jan. 26, 2009 CO HB 1042 Amending Minimum Traffic Speed Regulations Bill Passed - House (37 - 27)
May 6, 2009 CO SB 241 DNA Sampling Upon Felony Arrest Conference Report Adopted - House (52 - 12)
April 27, 2009 CO SB 241 DNA Sampling Upon Felony Arrest Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 7)
April 22, 2009 CT SB 899 Same-Sex Marriage Bill Passed - House (100 - 44)
April 22, 2009 CT SB 899 Same-Sex Marriage Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 7)
June 24, 2009 DE SB 121 Adding Sexual Orientation to Delaware Anti-Discriminatory Laws Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 5)
June 29, 2009 DE SB 169 Health Clinic Access Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 3)
June 24, 2009 DE SB 121 Adding Sexual Orientation to Delaware Anti-Discriminatory Laws Bill Passed - House (26 - 14)
June 4, 2009 DE SB 121 Adding Sexual Orientation to Delaware Anti-Discriminatory Laws
March 30, 2009 GA HB 614 Prescription Tracking Database Bill Failed - Senate (25 - 29)
March 4, 2009 GA SB 235 Ban on Required Human Microchip Implantation
April 3, 2009 GA SB 86 Requiring Proof of Citizenship for Voter Registration Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 13)
April 3, 2009 GA SB 86 Requiring Proof of Citizenship for Voter Registration Bill Passed - House (140 - 67)
Feb. 25, 2009 GA SB 23 Admissibility of Seat Belt Evidence in Court Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 12)
March 12, 2009 GA HB 23 Age-Specific Ban on Wireless Communication While Driving Bill Passed - House (138 - 34)
Feb. 12, 2009 HI HB 444 Legalizing Same-Sex Civil Unions Bill Passed - House (33 - 17)
March 18, 2009 IA HF 243 Gender Requirements for Certain Local Government Positions Bill Passed - House (71 - 27)
Feb. 16, 2009 IA SF 137 Wage Discrimination Policy and Penalties Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 18)
March 18, 2009 IL HB 442 Expanding Red-Light Traffic Camera Enforcement Bill Passed - House (68 - 47)
April 1, 2009 IL HB 71 Prohibiting Text Messaging While Driving Bill Passed - House (89 - 27)
Feb. 17, 2009 IN HB 1213 Statewide Indoor Smoking Ban Bill Passed - House (70 - 26)
Feb. 19, 2009 KS SB 59 Enforcing Seat Belt Violations as a Primary Offense Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 17)
March 25, 2009 KS HB 2275 Drug Testing for Cash Assistance Recipients Bill Passed - House (99 - 26)
Feb. 17, 2009 KS SB 25 Statewide Indoor Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 13)
May 27, 2009 LA Amdt B-200 Cell Phone Secondary Offense Amendment Adopted - House (56 - 40)
June 17, 2009 LA HB 499 Seat Belt Law Concurrence Vote Passed - House (75 - 12)
June 18, 2009 LA HB 340 Religious Freedom Constitutional Amendment Concurrence Vote Failed - House (53 - 26)
June 16, 2009 LA HB 11 Designating Driver's Licenses for Drug Dealers Bill Failed - House (68 - 23)
May 12, 2009 LA HB 60 Birth Certificates for Adoption Bill Passed - House (78 - 17)
May 27, 2009 LA HB 146 Cell Phones While Driving Bill Passed - House (57 - 41)
May 28, 2009 LA SB 186 Indoor Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 10)
June 2, 2009 LA HB 639 Motorcycle Helmets Bill Passed - House (64 - 33)
May 19, 2009 LA HB 517 Health Care Protection Bill Passed - House (82 - 13)
Oct. 8, 2009 MA SB 2028 Pandemic and Disaster Preparedness Plan Bill Passed - House (114 - 36)
April 13, 2009 MD HB 387 "Lawful Status" Requirements for ID Cards, Vehicle Licenses and Permits Conference Report Adopted - House (76 - 60)
April 2, 2009 MD SB 277 Authorizing Speed Monitoring Systems Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 20)
April 10, 2009 MD SB 277 Authorizing Speed Monitoring Systems Bill Passed - House (94 - 41)
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)
June 3, 2009 ME LD 1357 Relating to Driver's License and Identification Card Regulations Veto Override Failed - Senate (7 - 28)
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 1, 2009 ME LD 1357 Relating to Driver's License and Identification Card Regulations Bill Passed - House (81 - 56)
June 3, 2009 ME LD 1357 Relating to Driver's License and Identification Card Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17)
April 8, 2009 ME LD 67 Prohibiting Smoking at State Park Beaches Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 9)
May 26, 2009 MI HB 4377 Smoking Ban Bill Passed - House (73 - 31)
May 20, 2009 MI HB 4836 Hate Crimes Bill Passed - House (66 - 43)
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)
April 28, 2009 MO Amdt 1 Allowing Pharmacists to Refuse to Provide "Abortifacients" Amendment Adopted - House (115 - 43)
Feb. 11, 2009 MS HB 1533 Election Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (78 - 44)
Feb. 4, 2009 MS SB 2548 Identification Requirements to Vote Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 17)
Feb. 23, 2009 MT HB 394 Prohibits the Use of Individual Prescription Information for Marketing Motion Rejected - House (50 - 50)
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)
Feb. 5, 2009 MT SB 237 Primary Seatbelt Enforcement Bill Failed - Senate (25 - 25)
Jan. 20, 2009 MT HB 62 Mandatory Trapper Education Course Bill Passed - House (51 - 48)
April 1, 2009 NC Amdt 2 to HB 2 Exempting 18+ Establishments from Smoking Ban Amendment Adopted - House (70 - 46)
Aug. 5, 2009 NC SB 461 Racial Discrimination in Capital Sentences Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 18)
July 15, 2009 NC HB 1185 Habitual DWI Reinstatement after Ten Years Concurrence Vote Passed - House (87 - 29)
May 11, 2009 NC HB 2 Statewide Indoor Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 18)
July 15, 2009 NC SB 461 Racial Discrimination in Capital Sentences Bill Passed - House (61 - 54)
April 2, 2009 NC HB 2 Statewide Indoor Smoking Ban Bill Passed - House (72 - 45)
May 14, 2009 NC SB 461 Racial Discrimination in Capital Sentences Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 10)
April 3, 2009 ND SB 2278 Prohibiting Sexual Orientation Discrimination Bill Failed - House (34 - 54)
March 3, 2009 ND HB 1182 Point Reduction for Seat Belt Use Bill Failed - Senate (18 - 25)
April 1, 2009 ND SB 2070 Ban on Smoking in Cars with Children Passengers Bill Failed - House (31 - 58)
Feb. 16, 2009 ND HB 1197 Seat Belt Violation as Primary Offense Bill Failed - House (34 - 58)
Jan. 29, 2009 ND HB 1182 Point Reduction for Seat Belt Use Bill Passed - House (56 - 38)
Feb. 9, 2009 ND HB 1576 Election Law Amendments Bill Failed - House (47 - 46)
Feb. 18, 2009 ND SB 2278 Prohibiting Sexual Orientation Discrimination Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 19)
Feb. 19, 2009 ND HB 1213 Prohibiting Smoking in Bars and Hotels Bill Failed - House (33 - 59)
Feb. 2, 2009 ND SB 2070 Ban on Smoking in Cars with Children Passengers Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 10)
Jan. 30, 2009 ND SB 2087 Secrecy in Public University Hiring Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 15)
Feb. 12, 2009 ND HB 1453 Wheelchair Accessibility in Businesses Bill Failed - House (19 - 72)
Feb. 27, 2009 NE LB 5 Trapping In Rights-of-Way Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 18)
April 17, 2009 NE LB 355 Exempting Cigar Bars from the Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 22)
April 29, 2009 NH HB 383 Mandating Seat Belt Usage Bill Tabled - Senate (13 - 11)
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)
Date No. Title Outcome
4/23 HB 533 Hate Crime Law Expansion Bill Passed - House (46 - 41)
1/27 HB 1050 Freedom of Information Act Exemption Specifications Bill Passed - House (57 - 31)
2/25 SB 78 Seat Belt Violation as Primary Offense Bill Passed - House (60 - 31)
1/29 HB 1013 Prohibiting Text Messaging While Driving Bill Passed - House (78 - 12)
1/28 HB 1119 Prohibiting Cell Phone Use While Driving for Specific Age Groups Bill Passed - House (62 - 27)
6/22 SB 1443 Driving While Texting Bill Failed - Senate (14 - 15)
6/18 HCR 2019 Ends Affirmative Action Amendment Adopted - House (32 - 18)
6/22 HCR 2019 Ends Affirmative Action Amendment Adopted - Senate (17 - 11)
6/22 SB 1440 Smoking in Cars with Minors Bill Failed - Senate (9 - 20)
9/08 SB 572 Harvey Milk Day Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 14)
9/10 AB 524 Privacy Law Expansion Concurrence Vote Passed - House (57 - 20)
9/09 SB 54 Recognizing Out-of-State Same-Sex Marriages Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 14)
9/03 SB 572 Harvey Milk Day Bill Passed - House (46 - 28)
9/03 SB 54 Recognizing Out-of-State Same-Sex Marriages Bill Passed - House (47 - 29)
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)
5/14 SB 572 Harvey Milk Day Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 14)
4/16 SB 242 Prohibiting Language Discrimination Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 15)
5/14 SB 4 Prohibiting Smoking at State Park Beaches Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
4/30 SB 296 Seat Belt Violation as Primary Offense Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
1/26 HB 1042 Amending Minimum Traffic Speed Regulations Bill Passed - House (37 - 27)
5/06 SB 241 DNA Sampling Upon Felony Arrest Conference Report Adopted - House (52 - 12)
4/27 SB 241 DNA Sampling Upon Felony Arrest Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 7)
4/22 SB 899 Same-Sex Marriage Bill Passed - House (100 - 44)
4/22 SB 899 Same-Sex Marriage Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 7)
6/24 SB 121 Adding Sexual Orientation to Delaware Anti-Discriminatory Laws Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 5)
6/29 SB 169 Health Clinic Access Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 3)
6/24 SB 121 Adding Sexual Orientation to Delaware Anti-Discriminatory Laws Bill Passed - House (26 - 14)
6/04 SB 121 Adding Sexual Orientation to Delaware Anti-Discriminatory Laws
3/30 HB 614 Prescription Tracking Database Bill Failed - Senate (25 - 29)
3/04 SB 235 Ban on Required Human Microchip Implantation
4/03 SB 86 Requiring Proof of Citizenship for Voter Registration Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 13)
4/03 SB 86 Requiring Proof of Citizenship for Voter Registration Bill Passed - House (140 - 67)
2/25 SB 23 Admissibility of Seat Belt Evidence in Court Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 12)
3/12 HB 23 Age-Specific Ban on Wireless Communication While Driving Bill Passed - House (138 - 34)
2/12 HB 444 Legalizing Same-Sex Civil Unions Bill Passed - House (33 - 17)
3/18 HF 243 Gender Requirements for Certain Local Government Positions Bill Passed - House (71 - 27)
2/16 SF 137 Wage Discrimination Policy and Penalties Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 18)
3/18 HB 442 Expanding Red-Light Traffic Camera Enforcement Bill Passed - House (68 - 47)
4/01 HB 71 Prohibiting Text Messaging While Driving Bill Passed - House (89 - 27)
2/17 HB 1213 Statewide Indoor Smoking Ban Bill Passed - House (70 - 26)
2/19 SB 59 Enforcing Seat Belt Violations as a Primary Offense Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 17)
3/25 HB 2275 Drug Testing for Cash Assistance Recipients Bill Passed - House (99 - 26)
2/17 SB 25 Statewide Indoor Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 13)
5/27 Amdt B-200 Cell Phone Secondary Offense Amendment Adopted - House (56 - 40)
6/17 HB 499 Seat Belt Law Concurrence Vote Passed - House (75 - 12)
6/18 HB 340 Religious Freedom Constitutional Amendment Concurrence Vote Failed - House (53 - 26)
6/16 HB 11 Designating Driver's Licenses for Drug Dealers Bill Failed - House (68 - 23)
5/12 HB 60 Birth Certificates for Adoption Bill Passed - House (78 - 17)
5/27 HB 146 Cell Phones While Driving Bill Passed - House (57 - 41)
5/28 SB 186 Indoor Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 10)
6/02 HB 639 Motorcycle Helmets Bill Passed - House (64 - 33)
5/19 HB 517 Health Care Protection Bill Passed - House (82 - 13)
10/08 SB 2028 Pandemic and Disaster Preparedness Plan Bill Passed - House (114 - 36)
4/13 HB 387 "Lawful Status" Requirements for ID Cards, Vehicle Licenses and Permits Conference Report Adopted - House (76 - 60)
4/02 SB 277 Authorizing Speed Monitoring Systems Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 20)
4/10 SB 277 Authorizing Speed Monitoring Systems Bill Passed - House (94 - 41)
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)
6/03 LD 1357 Relating to Driver's License and Identification Card Regulations Veto Override Failed - Senate (7 - 28)
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)
6/01 LD 1357 Relating to Driver's License and Identification Card Regulations Bill Passed - House (81 - 56)
6/03 LD 1357 Relating to Driver's License and Identification Card Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17)
4/08 LD 67 Prohibiting Smoking at State Park Beaches Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 9)
5/26 HB 4377 Smoking Ban Bill Passed - House (73 - 31)
5/20 HB 4836 Hate Crimes Bill Passed - House (66 - 43)
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)
4/28 Amdt 1 Allowing Pharmacists to Refuse to Provide "Abortifacients" Amendment Adopted - House (115 - 43)
2/11 HB 1533 Election Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (78 - 44)
2/04 SB 2548 Identification Requirements to Vote Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 17)
2/23 HB 394 Prohibits the Use of Individual Prescription Information for Marketing Motion Rejected - House (50 - 50)
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)
2/05 SB 237 Primary Seatbelt Enforcement Bill Failed - Senate (25 - 25)
1/20 HB 62 Mandatory Trapper Education Course Bill Passed - House (51 - 48)
4/01 Amdt 2 to HB 2 Exempting 18+ Establishments from Smoking Ban Amendment Adopted - House (70 - 46)
8/05 SB 461 Racial Discrimination in Capital Sentences Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 18)
7/15 HB 1185 Habitual DWI Reinstatement after Ten Years Concurrence Vote Passed - House (87 - 29)
5/11 HB 2 Statewide Indoor Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 18)
7/15 SB 461 Racial Discrimination in Capital Sentences Bill Passed - House (61 - 54)
4/02 HB 2 Statewide Indoor Smoking Ban Bill Passed - House (72 - 45)
5/14 SB 461 Racial Discrimination in Capital Sentences Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 10)
4/03 SB 2278 Prohibiting Sexual Orientation Discrimination Bill Failed - House (34 - 54)
3/03 HB 1182 Point Reduction for Seat Belt Use Bill Failed - Senate (18 - 25)
4/01 SB 2070 Ban on Smoking in Cars with Children Passengers Bill Failed - House (31 - 58)
2/16 HB 1197 Seat Belt Violation as Primary Offense Bill Failed - House (34 - 58)
1/29 HB 1182 Point Reduction for Seat Belt Use Bill Passed - House (56 - 38)
2/09 HB 1576 Election Law Amendments Bill Failed - House (47 - 46)
2/18 SB 2278 Prohibiting Sexual Orientation Discrimination Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 19)
2/19 HB 1213 Prohibiting Smoking in Bars and Hotels Bill Failed - House (33 - 59)
2/02 SB 2070 Ban on Smoking in Cars with Children Passengers Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 10)
1/30 SB 2087 Secrecy in Public University Hiring Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 15)
2/12 HB 1453 Wheelchair Accessibility in Businesses Bill Failed - House (19 - 72)
2/27 LB 5 Trapping In Rights-of-Way Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 18)
4/17 LB 355 Exempting Cigar Bars from the Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 22)
4/29 HB 383 Mandating Seat Belt Usage Bill Tabled - Senate (13 - 11)
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)

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