Key Votes
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About the Selection and Descriptions of Key Votes
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:
- The vote should be helpful in portraying how a member stands on a particular issue
- The vote should be clear for any person to understand
- The vote has received media attention
- The vote was passed or defeated by a very close margin
- 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.
results per page:
| Date | State | Bill No. | Title | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| March 29, 2010 | AZ | HB 2307 | Federal Arms Regulation Exemption | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 8) |
| April 8, 2010 | AZ | HB 2650 | Authorizing Extension of Divorce Waiting Period | Bill Failed - House (27 - 28) |
| Feb. 24, 2010 | AZ | HB 2307 | Federal Arms Regulation Exemption | Bill Passed - House (35 - 23) |
| June 3, 2010 | CA | AB 2479 | Penalties for Violations Committed with the Intent to Capture Images or Recordings of a Person | Bill Passed - House (56 - 16) |
| June 3, 2010 | CA | AB 2479 | Penalties for Violations Committed with the Intent to Capture Images or Recordings of a Person | Bill Passed - House (56 - 16) |
| April 15, 2010 | CA | SB 4 | Prohibiting Smoking at State Park Beaches | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 13) |
| Aug. 31, 2010 | CA | AB 2479 | Penalties for Violations Committed with the Intent to Capture Images or Recordings of a Person | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (54 - 21) |
| Aug. 31, 2010 | CA | AB 2479 | Penalties for Violations Committed with the Intent to Capture Images or Recordings of a Person | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (54 - 21) |
| Aug. 24, 2010 | CA | SB 399 | Authorizing Youth Offenders to Appeal a Sentence of Life Without Parole | Bill Failed - House (34 - 38) |
| March 22, 2010 | CA | SB 4 | Prohibiting Smoking at State Park Beaches | Bill Passed - House (42 - 27) |
| Aug. 24, 2010 | CA | SB 399 | Authorizing Youth Offenders to Appeal a Sentence of Life Without Parole | Bill Failed - House (34 - 38) |
| Aug. 27, 2010 | CA | AB 2479 | Penalties for Violations Committed with the Intent to Capture Images or Recordings of a Person | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13) |
| Aug. 27, 2010 | CA | AB 2479 | Penalties for Violations Committed with the Intent to Capture Images or Recordings of a Person | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13) |
| June 2, 2010 | CA | SB 399 | Authorizing Youth Offenders to Appeal Life Without Parole Sentences | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15) |
| June 1, 2010 | CA | SB 1168 | Grand Juries for Misdemeanors in the County of Los Angeles | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 9) |
| June 1, 2010 | CA | SB 1168 | Grand Juries for Misdemeanors in the County of Los Angeles | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 9) |
| June 2, 2010 | CA | SB 399 | Authorizing Youth Offenders to Appeal Life Without Parole Sentences | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15) |
| June 1, 2010 | CA | AB 1934 | Amendments to the Penal Code Regarding Firearms | Bill Passed - House (46 - 30) |
| June 3, 2010 | CA | AB 1810 | Expanded Firearm Registration | Bill Passed - House (42 - 29) |
| May 13, 2010 | CA | AB 1756 | Food Stamps for Drug Felons | Bill Passed - House (44 - 31) |
| June 3, 2010 | CA | SB 1113 | Income Tax Appeal Modifications | Bill Failed - Senate (15 - 20) |
| June 2, 2010 | CA | SB 1399 | Expanding Medical Parole Eligibility | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13) |
| May 11, 2010 | CO | HB 1284 | Increasing Medical Marijuana Regulations | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (46 - 19) |
| April 1, 2010 | CO | HB 1201 | Requiring Police to Inform Citizens of Right to Refuse Searches | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (42 - 22) |
| April 1, 2010 | CO | HB 1201 | Requiring Police to Inform Citizens of Right to Refuse Searches | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (42 - 22) |
| May 11, 2010 | CO | HB 1352 | Concerning Charges to Crimes Involving Controlled Substances | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (58 - 5) |
| May 12, 2010 | CO | HB 1360 | Parole Violation Punishment Reduction | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (43 - 18) |
| May 11, 2010 | CO | HB 1352 | Concerning Charges to Crimes Involving Controlled Substances | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (58 - 5) |
| May 11, 2010 | CO | HB 1238 | Increasing Fines for Moving Traffic Violations in Wildlife Crossing Zones | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (34 - 29) |
| May 6, 2010 | CO | HB 1284 | Increasing Medical Marijuana Regulations | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 9) |
| May 10, 2010 | CO | HB 1238 | Increasing Fines for Moving Traffic Violations in Wildlife Crossing Zones | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 11) |
| May 10, 2010 | CO | HB 1352 | Concerning Charges to Crimes Involving Controlled Substances | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 5) |
| May 10, 2010 | CO | HB 1352 | Concerning Charges to Crimes Involving Controlled Substances | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 5) |
| May 12, 2010 | CO | HB 1360 | Parole Violation Punishment Reduction | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11) |
| March 1, 2010 | CO | HB 1201 | Requiring Police to Inform Citizens of Right to Refuse Searches | Bill Passed - House (37 - 28) |
| March 1, 2010 | CO | HB 1201 | Requiring Police to Inform Citizens of Right to Refuse Searches | Bill Passed - House (37 - 28) |
| April 22, 2010 | CO | HB 1284 | Increasing Medical Marijuana Regulations | Bill Passed - House (39 - 23) |
| June 21, 2010 | CT | HB 5207 | Criminal Background Checks for State Employees | Veto Override Passed - Senate (31 - 5) |
| June 21, 2010 | CT | HB 5207 | Criminal Background Checks for State Employees | Veto Override Passed - House (120 - 19) |
| June 21, 2010 | CT | HB 5248 | Establishing a Sentencing Commission | Veto Override Passed - House (130 - 9) |
| May 3, 2010 | CT | SB 407 | Requiring Motorcycle Training Course | Bill Passed - House (117 - 31) |
| April 28, 2010 | CT | SB 168 | Workers Compensation Benefits for Police Officers Facing Injury From Interaction with Mammal | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 4) |
| June 21, 2010 | CT | HB 5248 | Establishing a Sentencing Commission | Veto Override Passed - Senate (27 - 9) |
| April 27, 2010 | CT | HB 5246 | Domestic Violence Law Amendments | Bill Passed - House (125 - 19) |
| April 27, 2010 | DE | HB 347 | Raising the Reporting Age for Misdemeanors by Students | Bill Passed - House (22 - 9) |
| March 3, 2010 | FL | SB 1158 | Prohibiting Gun Licensing Trust Fund to Budget Stabilization Fund Transfers | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 9) |
| Feb. 4, 2010 | GA | SB 235 | Ban on Required Human Microchip Implantation | Bill Passed - Senate (47 - 2) |
| April 29, 2010 | HI | HB 444 | Legalizing Same-Sex Civil Unions | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (31 - 20) |
| Jan. 22, 2010 | HI | HB 444 | Legalizing Same-Sex Civil Unions | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 7) |
| March 23, 2010 | IA | HF 2456 | Texting While Driving Ban | Conference Report Adopted - House (66 - 33) |
| March 23, 2010 | IA | HF 2456 | Texting While Driving Ban | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (37 - 12) |
| March 11, 2010 | IA | SF 2357 | Prohibiting Firearm Possession by Domestic Violence Perpetrators | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (36 - 12) |
| March 29, 2010 | IA | SF 2379 | Requiring County Sheriffs to Issue Concealed Weapons Permits to Qualified Applicants | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (38 - 4) |
| March 11, 2010 | IA | SF 2357 | Prohibiting Firearm Possession by Domestic Violence Perpetrators | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (36 - 12) |
| March 10, 2010 | IA | SF 2357 | Prohibiting Firearm Possession by Domestic Violence Perpetrators | Bill Passed - House (73 - 25) |
| March 29, 2010 | IA | SF 2379 | Requiring County Sheriffs to Issue Concealed Weapons Permits to Qualified Applicants | Bill Passed - House (81 - 16) |
| March 8, 2010 | IA | HF 788 | Prohibiting Liquor Licensees from Permitting Criminal Activity Adjacent to Their Premises | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 17) |
| March 10, 2010 | IA | SF 2357 | Prohibiting Firearm Possession by Domestic Violence Perpetrators | Bill Passed - House (73 - 25) |
| March 10, 2010 | IA | Amdt 8381 | Free Self Defense Courses for Domestic Violence Victims | Amendment Rejected - House (44 - 53) |
| March 10, 2010 | IA | Amdt 8381 | Free Self Defense Courses for Domestic Violence Victims | Amendment Rejected - House (44 - 53) |
| Feb. 9, 2010 | IA | HJR 6 | Constitutionally Defining Marriage as Between One Man and One Woman | Motion Rejected - House (45 - 54) |
| March 27, 2010 | IA | Amdt 5371 | Authorizing Qualified Individuals to Conceal Weapons Without a Permit | Amendment Rejected - Senate (20 - 28) |
| Feb. 23, 2010 | IA | HF 2456 | Texting While Driving Ban | Bill Passed - House (65 - 31) |
| March 29, 2010 | ID | H 729 | Prohibiting Text Messaging While Driving | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 4) |
| March 24, 2010 | ID | H 496 | Requiring Photo Identification to Vote | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 6) |
| March 1, 2010 | ID | H 496 | Requiring Photo Identification to Vote | Bill Passed - House (64 - 6) |
| March 10, 2010 | ID | S 1352 | Prohibiting Text Messaging While Driving | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 5) |
| March 26, 2010 | ID | H 729 | Prohibiting Text Messaging While Driving | Bill Passed - House (51 - 16) |
| March 9, 2010 | ID | H 589 | Federal Arms Regulation Exemption | Bill Passed - House (52 - 17) |
| May 5, 2010 | IL | SB 3695 | Streetgang-Related Crime Fund Changes | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (35 - 20) |
| Dec. 1, 2010 | IL | SB 1716 | Authorizing Civil Unions | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 24) |
| Nov. 30, 2010 | IL | SB 1716 | Authorizing Civil Unions | Bill Passed - House (61 - 52) |
| April 21, 2010 | IL | HB 5428 | Limiting Adoption Records Disclosure Restrictions for Adoptees | Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 16) |
| March 18, 2010 | IL | HB 5428 | Limiting Adoption Records Disclosure Restrictions for Adoptees | Bill Passed - House (74 - 39) |
| March 4, 2010 | IN | HB 1065 | Authorizing Firearms at Workplace | Conference Report Adopted - House (75 - 20) |
| March 4, 2010 | IN | HB 1065 | Authorizing Firearms at Workplace | Conference Report Adopted - House (75 - 20) |
| March 4, 2010 | IN | HB 1065 | Authorizing Firearms at Workplace | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (41 - 9) |
| March 4, 2010 | IN | HB 1065 | Authorizing Firearms at Workplace | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (41 - 9) |
| Jan. 28, 2010 | IN | SJR 13 | Defining Marriage as Being Between One Man and One Woman | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (38 - 10) |
| Feb. 2, 2010 | IN | HB 1131 | Statewide Indoor Smoking Ban | Bill Passed - House (73 - 26) |
| May 8, 2010 | KS | HB 2130 | Amending Seat Belt Laws | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (29 - 8) |
| Feb. 25, 2010 | KS | HB 2221 | Ban on Smoking in Certain Public Places | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (68 - 54) |
| March 24, 2010 | KS | HB 2685 | Authorizing Concealed Weapons on Campus | Bill Passed - House (65 - 57) |
| April 1, 2010 | KY | HB 415 | Prohibiting Text-Messaging While Driving | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (86 - 10) |
| Jan. 25, 2010 | KY | SB 3 | Omnibus Constitutional Amendment | Bill Failed - Senate (21 - 0) |
| Feb. 10, 2010 | KY | HB 70 | Voting Rights For Certain Felons | Bill Passed - House (83 - 16) |
| Jan. 25, 2010 | KY | SB 3 | Omnibus Constitutional Amendment | Bill Failed - Senate (21 - 0) |
| Feb. 4, 2010 | KY | HB 43 | Ban on Texting and Underage Cell Phone Use While Driving | Bill Passed - House (80 - 16) |
| Feb. 10, 2010 | KY | HB 70 | Voting Rights For Certain Felons | Bill Passed - House (83 - 16) |
| June 3, 2010 | LA | SB 593 | Governor's Office Records | Bill Failed - Senate (14 - 24) |
| June 17, 2010 | LA | HB 1272 | Authorizing Handguns in of Places of Worship | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (65 - 26) |
| June 20, 2010 | LA | SB 381 | Establishing "Crime Against Nature by Solicitation" | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 5) |
| June 18, 2010 | LA | SB 381 | Establishing "Crime Against Nature by Solicitation" | Bill Passed - House (80 - 10) |
| June 15, 2010 | LA | HB 1272 | Authorizing Handguns in of Places of Worship | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 9) |
| June 2, 2010 | LA | SB 9 | Classifying Text Messaging While Driving as a Primary Offense | Bill Passed - House (69 - 22) |
| May 26, 2010 | LA | SB 38 | Criminalization of Participation in Cockfighting | Bill Passed - House (73 - 13) |
| June 14, 2010 | LA | HB 195 | Inmate Parole Modifications | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 7) |
| April 28, 2010 | LA | HB 617 | Expanding Drug Testing Requirements for Welfare Recipients | Bill Passed - House (61 - 27) |
| May 6, 2010 | LA | HB 863 | Prohibits Hand-Held Cell Phones while Driving | Bill Failed - House (49 - 41) |
| April 19, 2010 | LA | HB 224 | Withholding Pension Benefits from Incarcerated Public Employees | Bill Failed - House (42 - 56) |