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
Feb. 10, 2010 WA HB 1956 Limiting Local Regulations of Homeless Shelters Bill Passed - House (57 - 39)
Sept. 22, 2010 MI SB 884 Tax Amnesty Period Concurrence Vote Passed - House (57 - 48)
Sept. 22, 2010 MI SB 884 Tax Amnesty Period Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (33 - 4)
Jan. 6, 2010 CA SBx5 1 Education Law Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 7)
Jan. 5, 2010 CA SBx5 1 Education Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (45 - 17)
Feb. 8, 2010 NM SB 531 Legislative Finance Committee Review of Confidential Information Veto Override Passed - Senate (34 - 8)
Feb. 8, 2010 NM SB 531 Legislative Finance Committee Review of Confidential Information Veto Override Passed - Senate (34 - 8)
March 21, 2010 National HR 3590 Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act Concurrence Vote Passed - House (219 - 212)
Jan. 6, 2010 PA SB 711 Legalizing Table Games Conference Report Adopted - House (103 - 89)
Jan. 5, 2010 PA SB 711 Legalizing Table Games Conference Report Adopted - Senate (28 - 22)
Jan. 6, 2010 CA SBx5 4 Education Law Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 11)
Jan. 5, 2010 CA SBx5 4 Education Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (41 - 27)
Jan. 11, 2010 IN HJR 1 Constitutional Property Tax Cap Joint Resolution Passed - House (75 - 23)
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)
Jan. 13, 2010 KY SB 51 Legislator Pension Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 17)
Jan. 13, 2010 KY SB 51 Legislator Pension Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 17)
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)
Jan. 13, 2010 IA SF 2033 Education Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 17)
Jan. 13, 2010 OH HB 5 Campaign Finance Amendments Concurrence Vote Failed - House (48 - 50)
Jan. 13, 2010 SC H 4219 Censuring Governor Mark Sanford Resolution Passed - House (102 - 11)
Jan. 13, 2010 OH HJR 12 "Third Frontier" Program Extension Joint Resolution Passed - House (85 - 13)
Jan. 26, 2010 OH HJR 12 "Third Frontier" Program Extension Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12)
Jan. 14, 2010 MA S 2247 Education Law Amendments Conference Report Adopted - House (98 - 47)
Jan. 14, 2010 MA S 2247 Education Law Amendments Conference Report Adopted - Senate (23 - 12)
Jan. 14, 2010 IN HB 1181 Allowing Referendums on Retaining or Abolishing Township Governments Bill Passed - House (54 - 44)
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)
Jan. 26, 2010 National S Amdt 3302 Establishing a Federal Budget Deficit Commission Amendment Rejected - Senate (53 - 46)
Jan. 19, 2010 MO HCR 18 Statement of Opposition to Federal Health Care Proposal Joint Resolution Passed - House (111 - 46)
Jan. 20, 2010 NY A 9544 Election and Campaign Finance Ethics Amendments Bill Passed - House (139 - 2)
Jan. 19, 2010 MS HB 392 Limiting Gubernatorial Budget Reductions Bill Passed - House (70 - 49)
Jan. 19, 2010 MS HB 392 Limiting Gubernatorial Budget Reductions Bill Passed - House (70 - 49)
Jan. 12, 2010 TN HB 614 Delaying Paper Ballot Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 10)
Jan. 25, 2010 VA SB 83 Authorizing No-Excuse, In-Person Absentee Voting Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 10)
Jan. 27, 2010 OH SJR 8 Casino Location Amendment Joint Resolution Passed - House (71 - 26)
Jan. 19, 2010 IA HF 2030 School District Budget Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 16)
Jan. 20, 2010 OH HB 166 Authorizing Regional Transportation Authorities Bill Passed - House (72 - 26)
Jan. 26, 2010 OH Schiavoni Amdt Casino Location Amendment Amendment Tabled - Senate (20 - 13)
Feb. 16, 2010 CO HB 1189 Repealing Sales Tax Exemption Concurrence Vote Passed - House (37 - 28)
Feb. 10, 2010 CO HB 1189 Repealing Sales Tax Exemption Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 15)
Feb. 1, 2010 CO HB 1189 Repealing Sales Tax Exemption Bill Passed - House (37 - 28)
Feb. 16, 2010 CO HB 1191 Repealing Sales Tax Exemption Concurrence Vote Passed - House (36 - 29)
Feb. 10, 2010 CO HB 1191 Repealing Sales Tax Exemption Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17)
Feb. 1, 2010 CO HB 1191 Repealing Sales Tax Exemption Bill Passed - House (36 - 29)
Feb. 16, 2010 CO HB 1192 Repealing Sales Tax Exemption Concurrence Vote Passed - House (34 - 31)
Feb. 10, 2010 CO HB 1192 Repealing Sales Tax Exemption Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17)
Feb. 1, 2010 CO HB 1192 Repealing Sales Tax Exemption Bill Passed - House (35 - 30)
Feb. 16, 2010 CO HB 1193 Internet Sales Tax Concurrence Vote Passed - House (34 - 31)
Feb. 10, 2010 CO HB 1193 Internet Sales Tax Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 16)
Feb. 1, 2010 CO HB 1193 Internet Sales Tax Bill Passed - House (33 - 32)
Feb. 16, 2010 CO HB 1194 Repealing Sales Tax Exemption Concurrence Vote Passed - House (34 - 29)
Feb. 10, 2010 CO HB 1194 Repealing Sales Tax Exemption Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17)
Feb. 1, 2010 CO HB 1194 Repealing Sales Tax Exemption Bill Passed - House (34 - 30)
Feb. 16, 2010 CO HB 1195 Suspending Sales Tax Exemption Concurrence Vote Passed - House (34 - 31)
Feb. 10, 2010 CO HB 1195 Suspending Sales Tax Exemption Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17)
Feb. 1, 2010 CO HB 1195 Suspending Sales Tax Exemption Bill Passed - House (34 - 31)
Feb. 10, 2010 CO HB 1196 Repealing Income Tax Credit Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17)
Feb. 1, 2010 CO HB 1196 Repealing Income Tax Credit Bill Passed - House (38 - 27)
Feb. 2, 2010 UT SB 36 Requesting Removal of Wolves From Endangered Species List Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 8)
Feb. 16, 2010 CO HB 1199 Temporary Limit on Income Tax Reduction for Net Operating Loss Concurrence Vote Passed - House (37 - 28)
Feb. 10, 2010 CO HB 1199 Temporary Limit on Income Tax Reduction for Net Operating Loss Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 16)
Jan. 22, 2010 CO HB 1199 Temporary Limit on Income Tax Reduction for Net Operating Loss Bill Passed - House (37 - 28)
Jan. 26, 2010 IA HF 2110 Military Spouse Relocation Unemployment Benefits Bill Passed - House (56 - 44)
Feb. 1, 2010 IA SF 2088 Government Reorganization Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 15)
Feb. 12, 2010 VA SB 283 Prohibiting Federal Individual Health Insurance Mandate Bill Passed - House (67 - 29)
Feb. 1, 2010 VA SB 283 Prohibiting Federal Individual Health Insurance Mandate Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 17)
Feb. 2, 2010 ME LD 56 National Popular Vote Act Bill Failed - House (50 - 95)
Jan. 28, 2010 WI SB 263 Expanding Access to Public Defenders Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12)
Feb. 16, 2010 CO SB 1 Public Employee Retirement Association Amendments Bill Passed - House (36 - 29)
Feb. 1, 2010 CO SB 1 Public Employee Retirement Association Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 10)
Feb. 3, 2010 VA HB 502 Expanding Death Penalty Eligibility to Accomplices Bill Passed - House (74 - 24)
Feb. 8, 2010 NY A 9544 Election and Campaign Finance Ethics Amendments Veto Override Failed - Senate (35 - 26)
Feb. 5, 2010 NM HB 119 Temporary Gross Receipts and Compensating Tax Increase Bill Passed - House (34 - 32)
Feb. 5, 2010 NM HB 120 Increasing Tax Withholding Requirements Bill Passed - House (42 - 25)
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)
Jan. 28, 2010 DE HB 310 Legalizing Table Games Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 4)
Jan. 21, 2010 DE HB 310 Legalizing Table Games Bill Passed - House (27 - 5)
Feb. 3, 2010 NH HB 1274 Restoring Revenue Sharing for Cities and Towns "Inexpedient to Legislate" Vote Passed - House (191 - 172)
Feb. 3, 2010 NH HB 1274 Restoring Revenue Sharing for Cities and Towns "Inexpedient to Legislate" Vote Passed - House (191 - 172)
Feb. 24, 2010 IN SB 23 Unemployment Tax Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (82 - 17)
Jan. 12, 2010 IN SB 23 Unemployment Tax Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 17)
Feb. 5, 2010 NM HB 2 2010-2011 Budget Bill Passed - House (43 - 25)
Feb. 4, 2010 OK HB 2430 2010-2011 Space Industry Development Authority Budget Bill Passed - House (68 - 27)
Feb. 2, 2010 KY SB 53 Allowing Independents to Vote in Primaries Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 12)
Feb. 5, 2010 NM HB 270 Including State and Local Taxes as Taxable Income Bill Failed - House (33 - 34)
Feb. 5, 2010 NM HB 9 Income Tax Surtax Bill Passed - House (36 - 32)
Feb. 4, 2010 MI HB 5626 "Fiscal Stabilization" Bond Authorization Concurrence Vote Passed - House (75 - 30)
Feb. 8, 2010 UT HB 18 Expanding Unemployment Insurance Eligibility Bill Passed - House (46 - 28)
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)
Feb. 16, 2010 CO HB 1190 Suspending Sales Tax Exemption Concurrence Vote Passed - House (35 - 30)
Feb. 10, 2010 CO HB 1190 Suspending Sales Tax Exemption Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 16)
Feb. 3, 2010 CO HB 1190 Suspending Sales Tax Exemption Bill Passed - House (35 - 30)
Feb. 3, 2010 MS HB 959 Sale of State Plane Bill Passed - House (65 - 55)
Feb. 3, 2010 MS HB 959 Sale of State Plane Bill Passed - House (65 - 55)
Feb. 10, 2010 UT SB 11 Federal Arms Regulation Exemption Bill Passed - House (56 - 17)
Feb. 3, 2010 UT SB 11 Federal Arms Regulation Exemption Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 10)
Date No. Title Outcome
2/10 HB 1956 Limiting Local Regulations of Homeless Shelters Bill Passed - House (57 - 39)
9/22 SB 884 Tax Amnesty Period Concurrence Vote Passed - House (57 - 48)
9/22 SB 884 Tax Amnesty Period Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (33 - 4)
1/06 SBx5 1 Education Law Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 7)
1/05 SBx5 1 Education Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (45 - 17)
2/08 SB 531 Legislative Finance Committee Review of Confidential Information Veto Override Passed - Senate (34 - 8)
2/08 SB 531 Legislative Finance Committee Review of Confidential Information Veto Override Passed - Senate (34 - 8)
3/21 HR 3590 Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act Concurrence Vote Passed - House (219 - 212)
1/06 SB 711 Legalizing Table Games Conference Report Adopted - House (103 - 89)
1/05 SB 711 Legalizing Table Games Conference Report Adopted - Senate (28 - 22)
1/06 SBx5 4 Education Law Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 11)
1/05 SBx5 4 Education Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (41 - 27)
1/11 HJR 1 Constitutional Property Tax Cap Joint Resolution Passed - House (75 - 23)
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)
1/13 SB 51 Legislator Pension Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 17)
1/13 SB 51 Legislator Pension Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 17)
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)
1/13 SF 2033 Education Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 17)
1/13 HB 5 Campaign Finance Amendments Concurrence Vote Failed - House (48 - 50)
1/13 H 4219 Censuring Governor Mark Sanford Resolution Passed - House (102 - 11)
1/13 HJR 12 "Third Frontier" Program Extension Joint Resolution Passed - House (85 - 13)
1/26 HJR 12 "Third Frontier" Program Extension Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12)
1/14 S 2247 Education Law Amendments Conference Report Adopted - House (98 - 47)
1/14 S 2247 Education Law Amendments Conference Report Adopted - Senate (23 - 12)
1/14 HB 1181 Allowing Referendums on Retaining or Abolishing Township Governments Bill Passed - House (54 - 44)
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)
1/26 S Amdt 3302 Establishing a Federal Budget Deficit Commission Amendment Rejected - Senate (53 - 46)
1/19 HCR 18 Statement of Opposition to Federal Health Care Proposal Joint Resolution Passed - House (111 - 46)
1/20 A 9544 Election and Campaign Finance Ethics Amendments Bill Passed - House (139 - 2)
1/19 HB 392 Limiting Gubernatorial Budget Reductions Bill Passed - House (70 - 49)
1/19 HB 392 Limiting Gubernatorial Budget Reductions Bill Passed - House (70 - 49)
1/12 HB 614 Delaying Paper Ballot Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 10)
1/25 SB 83 Authorizing No-Excuse, In-Person Absentee Voting Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 10)
1/27 SJR 8 Casino Location Amendment Joint Resolution Passed - House (71 - 26)
1/19 HF 2030 School District Budget Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 16)
1/20 HB 166 Authorizing Regional Transportation Authorities Bill Passed - House (72 - 26)
1/26 Schiavoni Amdt Casino Location Amendment Amendment Tabled - Senate (20 - 13)
2/16 HB 1189 Repealing Sales Tax Exemption Concurrence Vote Passed - House (37 - 28)
2/10 HB 1189 Repealing Sales Tax Exemption Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 15)
2/01 HB 1189 Repealing Sales Tax Exemption Bill Passed - House (37 - 28)
2/16 HB 1191 Repealing Sales Tax Exemption Concurrence Vote Passed - House (36 - 29)
2/10 HB 1191 Repealing Sales Tax Exemption Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17)
2/01 HB 1191 Repealing Sales Tax Exemption Bill Passed - House (36 - 29)
2/16 HB 1192 Repealing Sales Tax Exemption Concurrence Vote Passed - House (34 - 31)
2/10 HB 1192 Repealing Sales Tax Exemption Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17)
2/01 HB 1192 Repealing Sales Tax Exemption Bill Passed - House (35 - 30)
2/16 HB 1193 Internet Sales Tax Concurrence Vote Passed - House (34 - 31)
2/10 HB 1193 Internet Sales Tax Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 16)
2/01 HB 1193 Internet Sales Tax Bill Passed - House (33 - 32)
2/16 HB 1194 Repealing Sales Tax Exemption Concurrence Vote Passed - House (34 - 29)
2/10 HB 1194 Repealing Sales Tax Exemption Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17)
2/01 HB 1194 Repealing Sales Tax Exemption Bill Passed - House (34 - 30)
2/16 HB 1195 Suspending Sales Tax Exemption Concurrence Vote Passed - House (34 - 31)
2/10 HB 1195 Suspending Sales Tax Exemption Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17)
2/01 HB 1195 Suspending Sales Tax Exemption Bill Passed - House (34 - 31)
2/10 HB 1196 Repealing Income Tax Credit Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17)
2/01 HB 1196 Repealing Income Tax Credit Bill Passed - House (38 - 27)
2/02 SB 36 Requesting Removal of Wolves From Endangered Species List Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 8)
2/16 HB 1199 Temporary Limit on Income Tax Reduction for Net Operating Loss Concurrence Vote Passed - House (37 - 28)
2/10 HB 1199 Temporary Limit on Income Tax Reduction for Net Operating Loss Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 16)
1/22 HB 1199 Temporary Limit on Income Tax Reduction for Net Operating Loss Bill Passed - House (37 - 28)
1/26 HF 2110 Military Spouse Relocation Unemployment Benefits Bill Passed - House (56 - 44)
2/01 SF 2088 Government Reorganization Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 15)
2/12 SB 283 Prohibiting Federal Individual Health Insurance Mandate Bill Passed - House (67 - 29)
2/01 SB 283 Prohibiting Federal Individual Health Insurance Mandate Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 17)
2/02 LD 56 National Popular Vote Act Bill Failed - House (50 - 95)
1/28 SB 263 Expanding Access to Public Defenders Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12)
2/16 SB 1 Public Employee Retirement Association Amendments Bill Passed - House (36 - 29)
2/01 SB 1 Public Employee Retirement Association Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 10)
2/03 HB 502 Expanding Death Penalty Eligibility to Accomplices Bill Passed - House (74 - 24)
2/08 A 9544 Election and Campaign Finance Ethics Amendments Veto Override Failed - Senate (35 - 26)
2/05 HB 119 Temporary Gross Receipts and Compensating Tax Increase Bill Passed - House (34 - 32)
2/05 HB 120 Increasing Tax Withholding Requirements Bill Passed - House (42 - 25)
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)
1/28 HB 310 Legalizing Table Games Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 4)
1/21 HB 310 Legalizing Table Games Bill Passed - House (27 - 5)
2/03 HB 1274 Restoring Revenue Sharing for Cities and Towns "Inexpedient to Legislate" Vote Passed - House (191 - 172)
2/03 HB 1274 Restoring Revenue Sharing for Cities and Towns "Inexpedient to Legislate" Vote Passed - House (191 - 172)
2/24 SB 23 Unemployment Tax Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (82 - 17)
1/12 SB 23 Unemployment Tax Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 17)
2/05 HB 2 2010-2011 Budget Bill Passed - House (43 - 25)
2/04 HB 2430 2010-2011 Space Industry Development Authority Budget Bill Passed - House (68 - 27)
2/02 SB 53 Allowing Independents to Vote in Primaries Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 12)
2/05 HB 270 Including State and Local Taxes as Taxable Income Bill Failed - House (33 - 34)
2/05 HB 9 Income Tax Surtax Bill Passed - House (36 - 32)
2/04 HB 5626 "Fiscal Stabilization" Bond Authorization Concurrence Vote Passed - House (75 - 30)
2/08 HB 18 Expanding Unemployment Insurance Eligibility Bill Passed - House (46 - 28)
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)
2/16 HB 1190 Suspending Sales Tax Exemption Concurrence Vote Passed - House (35 - 30)
2/10 HB 1190 Suspending Sales Tax Exemption Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 16)
2/03 HB 1190 Suspending Sales Tax Exemption Bill Passed - House (35 - 30)
2/03 HB 959 Sale of State Plane Bill Passed - House (65 - 55)
2/03 HB 959 Sale of State Plane Bill Passed - House (65 - 55)
2/10 SB 11 Federal Arms Regulation Exemption Bill Passed - House (56 - 17)
2/03 SB 11 Federal Arms Regulation Exemption Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 10)

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