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, 2010 NJ A 10 Increasing Income Tax Rate on Income Exceeding $1 Million Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 17)
May 20, 2010 NJ A 10 Increasing Income Tax Rate on Income Exceeding $1 Million Bill Passed - House (46 - 32)
May 28, 2010 NY A 11308 Emergency State Parks Appropriations Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 27)
May 28, 2010 NY A 11308 Emergency State Parks Appropriations Bill Passed - House (86 - 47)
Sept. 30, 2010 NJ A 1678 Establishing a New Jersey Homebuyer Tax Credit Program Veto Override Failed - House (42 - 32)
May 20, 2010 NJ A 1678 Establishing a New Jersey Homebuyer Tax Credit Program Bill Passed - House (67 - 8)
Jan. 7, 2010 NJ A 2139 Tax Expenditure Report Requirement for Governor's Budget Message Bill Passed - House (47 - 28)
Jan. 7, 2010 NJ A 2139 Tax Expenditure Report Requirement for Governor's Budget Message Bill Passed - House (47 - 28)
June 28, 2010 NJ A 3009 Professional Sports Team Specialty License Plates Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 17)
June 28, 2010 NJ A 3009 Professional Sports Team Specialty License Plates Bill Passed - House (41 - 37)
Jan. 11, 2010 NJ A 4378 Exception to the Ban on Former State Employees Working for the Casino Industry Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 13)
Jan. 11, 2010 NJ A 4378 Exception to the Ban on Former State Employees Working for the Casino Industry Bill Passed - House (42 - 31)
Feb. 8, 2010 NY A 9544 Election and Campaign Finance Ethics Amendments Veto Override Failed - Senate (35 - 26)
Jan. 20, 2010 NY A 9544 Election and Campaign Finance Ethics Amendments Bill Passed - House (139 - 2)
June 28, 2010 NY A 9703 2010-2011 Education, Labor, and Family Assistance Budget Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 29)
June 28, 2010 NY A 9703 2010-2011 Education, Labor, and Family Assistance Budget Bill Passed - House (111 - 34)
June 21, 2010 NY A 9705 2010-2011 Transportation, Economic Development, and Environmental Conservation Budget Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 29)
June 18, 2010 NY A 9705 2010-2011 Transportation, Economic Development, and Environmental Conservation Budget Bill Passed - House (82 - 51)
June 21, 2010 NY A 9709 Omnibus Appropriations Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 29)
June 18, 2010 NY A 9709 Omnibus Appropriations Bill Passed - House (79 - 52)
Aug. 3, 2010 NY A 9710D 2010-2011 Budget Financing Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 28)
July 1, 2010 NY A 9710D 2010-2011 Budget Financing Bill Passed - House (88 - 57)
Feb. 28, 2010 NV AB 6 2009-2011 Biennium Budget Amendments Bill Passed - House (34 - 8)
April 26, 2010 CA AB 711 Authorizing Loan for East Los Angeles Incorporation Study Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 9)
April 26, 2010 CA AB 711 Authorizing Loan for East Los Angeles Incorporation Study Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 9)
Feb. 22, 2010 CA ABx8 2 2010-2011 Budget Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - House (44 - 20)
Feb. 18, 2010 CA ABx8 2 2010-2011 Budget Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15)
March 4, 2010 CA ABx8 6 Fuel Tax Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - House (41 - 32)
March 4, 2010 CA ABx8 6 Fuel Tax Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 10)
Feb. 18, 2010 CA ABx8 8 Internet Sales Tax Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15)
March 4, 2010 CA ABx8 9 Tax and Transportation Law Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - House (44 - 30)
March 4, 2010 CA ABx8 9 Tax and Transportation Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 10)
April 20, 2010 WI Amdt 1 Expelling Representative Jeffery Wood Amendment Tabled - House (49 - 48)
March 24, 2010 NH Amdt 1078 Fiscal Year 2011 Budget Reductions Amendment Tabled - House (212 - 151)
April 21, 2010 VA Amdt 18 Reducing Funding for Public Media Amendment Rejected - House (43 - 52)
July 6, 2010 NC Amdt 2 Lobbying Restrictions Amendment Adopted - House (67 - 48)
July 6, 2010 NC Amdt 2 Lobbying Restrictions Amendment Adopted - House (67 - 48)
July 6, 2010 NC Amdt 2 Lobbying Restrictions Amendment Adopted - House (67 - 48)
June 9, 2010 NH Amdt 2390 Eliminating Tobacco Tax Increase Amendment Rejected - House (152 - 194)
June 9, 2010 NH Amdt 2408 Insurance Premium Amendments Amendment Rejected - House (130 - 220)
April 14, 2010 LA Amdt 2565 Limiting the Number of Terms School Board Members May Serve Amendment Rejected - House (30 - 65)
April 21, 2010 VA Amdt 28 Reducing Funding for Comprehensive Services for At Risk Youth and Families Amendment Rejected - House (25 - 69)
May 18, 2010 LA Amdt 3107 Advancing Effective Date of Open Primaries for US Congress Elections Amendment Adopted - Senate (23 - 14)
March 17, 2010 MO Amdt 4 Deleting an Education Foundation Formula Modification Amendment Rejected - House (73 - 83)
May 26, 2010 LA Amdt 4002 Requires Department of Education Employees Evaluation Amendment Adopted - Senate (20 - 19)
June 7, 2010 LA Amdt 5381 Prohibits the Closing of State Motor Vehicle Offices Amendment Adopted - House (51 - 46)
April 20, 2010 WI Amdt 6 Censuring Representative Jeffery Wood Amendment Adopted - House (73 - 24)
Feb. 12, 2010 IA Amdt 8053 Omnibus Spending Cuts Amendment Amendment Rejected - House (43 - 54)
Feb. 17, 2010 IA Amdt 8140 Animal Abuse and Neglect Penalties Amendment Rejected - House (44 - 52)
Feb. 17, 2010 IA Amdt 8145 Animal Facility Regulations Amendment Rejected - House (42 - 53)
March 10, 2010 IA Amdt 8381 Free Self Defense Courses for Domestic Violence Victims Amendment Rejected - House (44 - 53)
March 22, 2010 IA Amdt 8522 Allowing Cuts to Teacher Salary Supplement Amendment Rejected - House (49 - 50)
April 21, 2010 VA Amdt 91 Limiting State Funding of Abortion Amendment Adopted - Senate (20 - 19)
April 21, 2010 VA Amdt 91 Limiting State Funding of Abortion Amendment Adopted - House (64 - 30)
April 19, 2010 AZ Burges Amdt Verification of Presidential Candidate's Birth Certificate Motion Rejected - House (22 - 31)
May 25, 2010 OH Collins-Taylor Nomination of Cathy Collin-Taylor as Director of the Department of Public Safety Nomination Rejected - Senate (15 - 18)
March 4, 2010 SD Cooper Nomination John L. Cooper, Game, Fish and Parks Commission Nomination Confirmed - Senate (22 - 12)
March 24, 2010 NY E 1153 2010-2011 Executive Budget Proposals Resolution Passed - House (91 - 51)
Feb. 10, 2010 SC H 3272 Property Tax Law Amendments Bill Failed - Senate (28 - 13)
May 13, 2010 SC H 3584 Cigarette Tax Increase Veto Override Passed - Senate (33 - 13)
May 12, 2010 SC H 3584 Cigarette Tax Increase Veto Override Passed - House (90 - 29)
April 14, 2010 SC H 3584 Cigarette Tax Increase Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 12)
March 9, 2010 ID H 391 Opposing Federal Individual Health Insurance Mandate Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 10)
Feb. 9, 2010 ID H 391 Opposing Federal Individual Health Insurance Mandate Bill Passed - House (52 - 18)
July 27, 2010 MA H 4156 National Popular Vote Act Motion Agreed - Senate (28 - 9)
July 20, 2010 MA H 4156 National Popular Vote Act Motion Agreed - House (116 - 34)
July 15, 2010 MA H 4156 National Popular Vote Act Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 10)
June 2, 2010 MA H 4156 National Popular Vote Act Bill Passed - House (114 - 35)
Jan. 13, 2010 SC H 4219 Censuring Governor Mark Sanford Resolution Passed - House (102 - 11)
June 3, 2010 SC H 4657 2010-2011 Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (22 - 16)
June 3, 2010 SC H 4657 2010-2011 Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (64 - 54)
May 12, 2010 VT H 485 Property Tax and Land Use Law Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (20 - 9)
Jan. 27, 2010 VT H 485 Property Tax and Land Use Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (104 - 34)
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 9, 2010 ID H 589 Federal Arms Regulation Exemption Bill Passed - House (52 - 17)
March 5, 2010 ID H 616 Local Improvement District Restrictions Bill Passed - House (42 - 23)
June 10, 2010 RI H 8094 Education Funding Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - House (46 - 10)
June 10, 2010 RI H 8094 Education Funding Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 9)
Nov. 17, 2010 PA HB 101 Education Law Amendments Veto Override Passed - Senate (42 - 7)
Nov. 15, 2010 PA HB 101 Education Law Amendments Veto Override Passed - House (171 - 24)
Feb. 26, 2010 WY HB 101 Wind-Generated Electricity Tax Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 1)
Feb. 18, 2010 WY HB 101 Wind-Generated Electricity Tax Bill Passed - House (40 - 18)
April 1, 2010 GA HB 1023 Tax Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 13)
July 8, 2010 NC HB 1035 Performance and Payment Bond Modification Concurrence Vote Passed - House (59 - 50)
July 8, 2010 NC HB 1035 Performance and Payment Bond Modification Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 13)
April 14, 2010 GA HB 1055 Tax Law Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - House (107 - 63)
March 29, 2010 SD HB 1060 Wind Energy Facility Tax Refunds Veto Override Passed - House (49 - 19)
Feb. 10, 2010 SD HB 1060 Agriculture and Business Facility Tax Refund Reductions Bill Passed - House (48 - 19)
Feb. 23, 2010 SD HB 1083 Appropriations for the Sanford Lab at Homestake Bill Failed - House (45 - 23)
Feb. 19, 2010 SD HB 1107 Driver's License Renewal by Mail Bill Failed - House (33 - 30)
Feb. 3, 2010 NH HB 1128 Repealing Meal and Room Tax Distribution Requirement Bill Passed - House (189 - 169)
Feb. 3, 2010 NH HB 1128 Repealing Meal and Room Tax Distribution Requirement Bill Passed - House (189 - 169)
June 20, 2010 LA HB 1171 Standards for Colleges and Universities Concurrence Vote Passed - House (74 - 23)
June 18, 2010 LA HB 1171 Performance Agreements for Colleges and Universities Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 13)
Feb. 16, 2010 NM HB 118 Prohibiting Lobbyist and Contractor Campaign Contributions Bill Passed - House (46 - 24)
Jan. 14, 2010 IN HB 1181 Allowing Referendums on Retaining or Abolishing Township Governments Bill Passed - House (54 - 44)
Jan. 13, 2010 IL HB 1188 Increasing Cemetery Regulations Concurrence Vote Passed - House (85 - 30)
Jan. 12, 2010 IL HB 1188 Increasing Cemetery Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 24)
Feb. 16, 2010 CO HB 1189 Repealing Sales Tax Exemption Concurrence Vote Passed - House (37 - 28)
Date No. Title Outcome
5/20 A 10 Increasing Income Tax Rate on Income Exceeding $1 Million Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 17)
5/20 A 10 Increasing Income Tax Rate on Income Exceeding $1 Million Bill Passed - House (46 - 32)
5/28 A 11308 Emergency State Parks Appropriations Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 27)
5/28 A 11308 Emergency State Parks Appropriations Bill Passed - House (86 - 47)
9/30 A 1678 Establishing a New Jersey Homebuyer Tax Credit Program Veto Override Failed - House (42 - 32)
5/20 A 1678 Establishing a New Jersey Homebuyer Tax Credit Program Bill Passed - House (67 - 8)
1/07 A 2139 Tax Expenditure Report Requirement for Governor's Budget Message Bill Passed - House (47 - 28)
1/07 A 2139 Tax Expenditure Report Requirement for Governor's Budget Message Bill Passed - House (47 - 28)
6/28 A 3009 Professional Sports Team Specialty License Plates Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 17)
6/28 A 3009 Professional Sports Team Specialty License Plates Bill Passed - House (41 - 37)
1/11 A 4378 Exception to the Ban on Former State Employees Working for the Casino Industry Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 13)
1/11 A 4378 Exception to the Ban on Former State Employees Working for the Casino Industry Bill Passed - House (42 - 31)
2/08 A 9544 Election and Campaign Finance Ethics Amendments Veto Override Failed - Senate (35 - 26)
1/20 A 9544 Election and Campaign Finance Ethics Amendments Bill Passed - House (139 - 2)
6/28 A 9703 2010-2011 Education, Labor, and Family Assistance Budget Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 29)
6/28 A 9703 2010-2011 Education, Labor, and Family Assistance Budget Bill Passed - House (111 - 34)
6/21 A 9705 2010-2011 Transportation, Economic Development, and Environmental Conservation Budget Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 29)
6/18 A 9705 2010-2011 Transportation, Economic Development, and Environmental Conservation Budget Bill Passed - House (82 - 51)
6/21 A 9709 Omnibus Appropriations Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 29)
6/18 A 9709 Omnibus Appropriations Bill Passed - House (79 - 52)
8/03 A 9710D 2010-2011 Budget Financing Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 28)
7/01 A 9710D 2010-2011 Budget Financing Bill Passed - House (88 - 57)
2/28 AB 6 2009-2011 Biennium Budget Amendments Bill Passed - House (34 - 8)
4/26 AB 711 Authorizing Loan for East Los Angeles Incorporation Study Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 9)
4/26 AB 711 Authorizing Loan for East Los Angeles Incorporation Study Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 9)
2/22 ABx8 2 2010-2011 Budget Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - House (44 - 20)
2/18 ABx8 2 2010-2011 Budget Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15)
3/04 ABx8 6 Fuel Tax Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - House (41 - 32)
3/04 ABx8 6 Fuel Tax Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 10)
2/18 ABx8 8 Internet Sales Tax Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15)
3/04 ABx8 9 Tax and Transportation Law Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - House (44 - 30)
3/04 ABx8 9 Tax and Transportation Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 10)
4/20 Amdt 1 Expelling Representative Jeffery Wood Amendment Tabled - House (49 - 48)
3/24 Amdt 1078 Fiscal Year 2011 Budget Reductions Amendment Tabled - House (212 - 151)
4/21 Amdt 18 Reducing Funding for Public Media Amendment Rejected - House (43 - 52)
7/06 Amdt 2 Lobbying Restrictions Amendment Adopted - House (67 - 48)
7/06 Amdt 2 Lobbying Restrictions Amendment Adopted - House (67 - 48)
7/06 Amdt 2 Lobbying Restrictions Amendment Adopted - House (67 - 48)
6/09 Amdt 2390 Eliminating Tobacco Tax Increase Amendment Rejected - House (152 - 194)
6/09 Amdt 2408 Insurance Premium Amendments Amendment Rejected - House (130 - 220)
4/14 Amdt 2565 Limiting the Number of Terms School Board Members May Serve Amendment Rejected - House (30 - 65)
4/21 Amdt 28 Reducing Funding for Comprehensive Services for At Risk Youth and Families Amendment Rejected - House (25 - 69)
5/18 Amdt 3107 Advancing Effective Date of Open Primaries for US Congress Elections Amendment Adopted - Senate (23 - 14)
3/17 Amdt 4 Deleting an Education Foundation Formula Modification Amendment Rejected - House (73 - 83)
5/26 Amdt 4002 Requires Department of Education Employees Evaluation Amendment Adopted - Senate (20 - 19)
6/07 Amdt 5381 Prohibits the Closing of State Motor Vehicle Offices Amendment Adopted - House (51 - 46)
4/20 Amdt 6 Censuring Representative Jeffery Wood Amendment Adopted - House (73 - 24)
2/12 Amdt 8053 Omnibus Spending Cuts Amendment Amendment Rejected - House (43 - 54)
2/17 Amdt 8140 Animal Abuse and Neglect Penalties Amendment Rejected - House (44 - 52)
2/17 Amdt 8145 Animal Facility Regulations Amendment Rejected - House (42 - 53)
3/10 Amdt 8381 Free Self Defense Courses for Domestic Violence Victims Amendment Rejected - House (44 - 53)
3/22 Amdt 8522 Allowing Cuts to Teacher Salary Supplement Amendment Rejected - House (49 - 50)
4/21 Amdt 91 Limiting State Funding of Abortion Amendment Adopted - Senate (20 - 19)
4/21 Amdt 91 Limiting State Funding of Abortion Amendment Adopted - House (64 - 30)
4/19 Burges Amdt Verification of Presidential Candidate's Birth Certificate Motion Rejected - House (22 - 31)
5/25 Collins-Taylor Nomination of Cathy Collin-Taylor as Director of the Department of Public Safety Nomination Rejected - Senate (15 - 18)
3/04 Cooper Nomination John L. Cooper, Game, Fish and Parks Commission Nomination Confirmed - Senate (22 - 12)
3/24 E 1153 2010-2011 Executive Budget Proposals Resolution Passed - House (91 - 51)
2/10 H 3272 Property Tax Law Amendments Bill Failed - Senate (28 - 13)
5/13 H 3584 Cigarette Tax Increase Veto Override Passed - Senate (33 - 13)
5/12 H 3584 Cigarette Tax Increase Veto Override Passed - House (90 - 29)
4/14 H 3584 Cigarette Tax Increase Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 12)
3/09 H 391 Opposing Federal Individual Health Insurance Mandate Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 10)
2/09 H 391 Opposing Federal Individual Health Insurance Mandate Bill Passed - House (52 - 18)
7/27 H 4156 National Popular Vote Act Motion Agreed - Senate (28 - 9)
7/20 H 4156 National Popular Vote Act Motion Agreed - House (116 - 34)
7/15 H 4156 National Popular Vote Act Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 10)
6/02 H 4156 National Popular Vote Act Bill Passed - House (114 - 35)
1/13 H 4219 Censuring Governor Mark Sanford Resolution Passed - House (102 - 11)
6/03 H 4657 2010-2011 Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (22 - 16)
6/03 H 4657 2010-2011 Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (64 - 54)
5/12 H 485 Property Tax and Land Use Law Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (20 - 9)
1/27 H 485 Property Tax and Land Use Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (104 - 34)
3/24 H 496 Requiring Photo Identification to Vote Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 6)
3/01 H 496 Requiring Photo Identification to Vote Bill Passed - House (64 - 6)
3/09 H 589 Federal Arms Regulation Exemption Bill Passed - House (52 - 17)
3/05 H 616 Local Improvement District Restrictions Bill Passed - House (42 - 23)
6/10 H 8094 Education Funding Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - House (46 - 10)
6/10 H 8094 Education Funding Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 9)
11/17 HB 101 Education Law Amendments Veto Override Passed - Senate (42 - 7)
11/15 HB 101 Education Law Amendments Veto Override Passed - House (171 - 24)
2/26 HB 101 Wind-Generated Electricity Tax Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 1)
2/18 HB 101 Wind-Generated Electricity Tax Bill Passed - House (40 - 18)
4/01 HB 1023 Tax Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 13)
7/08 HB 1035 Performance and Payment Bond Modification Concurrence Vote Passed - House (59 - 50)
7/08 HB 1035 Performance and Payment Bond Modification Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 13)
4/14 HB 1055 Tax Law Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - House (107 - 63)
3/29 HB 1060 Wind Energy Facility Tax Refunds Veto Override Passed - House (49 - 19)
2/10 HB 1060 Agriculture and Business Facility Tax Refund Reductions Bill Passed - House (48 - 19)
2/23 HB 1083 Appropriations for the Sanford Lab at Homestake Bill Failed - House (45 - 23)
2/19 HB 1107 Driver's License Renewal by Mail Bill Failed - House (33 - 30)
2/03 HB 1128 Repealing Meal and Room Tax Distribution Requirement Bill Passed - House (189 - 169)
2/03 HB 1128 Repealing Meal and Room Tax Distribution Requirement Bill Passed - House (189 - 169)
6/20 HB 1171 Standards for Colleges and Universities Concurrence Vote Passed - House (74 - 23)
6/18 HB 1171 Performance Agreements for Colleges and Universities Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 13)
2/16 HB 118 Prohibiting Lobbyist and Contractor Campaign Contributions Bill Passed - House (46 - 24)
1/14 HB 1181 Allowing Referendums on Retaining or Abolishing Township Governments Bill Passed - House (54 - 44)
1/13 HB 1188 Increasing Cemetery Regulations Concurrence Vote Passed - House (85 - 30)
1/12 HB 1188 Increasing Cemetery Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 24)
2/16 HB 1189 Repealing Sales Tax Exemption Concurrence Vote Passed - House (37 - 28)

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