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
Jan. 10, 2011 IL SB 3644 Labor Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (64 - 49)
Jan. 4, 2011 IL SB 3976 Rules to Govern the Redistricting Process Bill Passed - House (67 - 46)
Jan. 13, 2011 MT HB 1 Funding for Legislative Session Bill Passed - House (67 - 32)
Jan. 19, 2011 NH SB 1 Repeal of Automatic Continuation Requirement for Public Employee Collective Bargaining Agreements Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 5)
Jan. 20, 2011 AZ SB 1001 Request for Medicaid Waiver Bill Passed - House (40 - 20)
Feb. 18, 2011 WY HB 74 Prohibiting the Recognition of Same-Sex Marriage Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 14)
Jan. 24, 2011 WY HB 74 Prohibiting the Recognition of Same-Sex Marriage Bill Passed - House (32 - 27)
Jan. 27, 2011 MS SB 2179 Restrictions on Employers of Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - House (77 - 40)
Jan. 18, 2011 MS SB 2179 Restrictions on Employers of Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 15)
Jan. 20, 2011 WI SB 1 Tort Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (57 - 36)
Jan. 18, 2011 WI SB 1 Tort Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 14)
Jan. 31, 2011 IN HB 1450 Unemployment Insurance Amendments Bill Passed - House (61 - 38)
Jan. 28, 2011 HI SB 232 Civil Unions for All Couples Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 6)
Jan. 27, 2011 WY SJ 5 Definition of Marriage Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (20 - 10)
Feb. 2, 2011 VA SB 747 Prohibits Discrimination in State Employment Based on Sexual Orientation Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 18)
Jan. 18, 2011 MT HB 71 Excludes Undocumented Immigrants from Workers' Compensation Bill Passed - House (60 - 40)
Feb. 2, 2011 UT HB 211 Community Service Medicaid Pilot Program Bill Passed - House (56 - 15)
Feb. 7, 2011 AR HB 1013 Hiring of Unauthorized Workers Bill Passed - House (54 - 39)
Feb. 7, 2011 AR HB 1013 Hiring of Unauthorized Workers Bill Passed - House (54 - 39)
Feb. 7, 2011 SD HB 1152 Drug Testing for Welfare Recipients Bill Failed - House (32 - 36)
Feb. 1, 2011 IA HJR 6 Banning Same Sex Marriage Amendment Adopted - House (62 - 37)
Feb. 8, 2011 VA HB 1465 Excludes Undocumented Immigrants from Public Universities Bill Passed - House (75 - 24)
Feb. 8, 2011 ND HB 1377 Children's Health Insurance Program Bill Failed - House (25 - 67)
Feb. 8, 2011 ND HB 1377 Children's Health Insurance Program Bill Failed - House (25 - 67)
Feb. 8, 2011 VA HB 2332 Citizenship of Arrestee Bill Passed - House (68 - 31)
Feb. 7, 2011 WY HB 198 Admissibility of Evidence in Sex Offense Cases Bill Failed - House (29 - 30)
Feb. 7, 2011 WY HB 244 Unemployment Insurance Amendments Bill Failed - House (25 - 34)
Jan. 28, 2011 WY HB 244 Unemployment Insurance Amendments
Feb. 8, 2011 MT HB 30 Health Care Sharing Ministries Bill Passed - House (68 - 32)
Feb. 10, 2011 AZ SB 1086 Tobacco Prohibitions Bill Failed - Senate (13 - 16)
Feb. 7, 2011 ID HJM 1 Parental Rights Amendment Joint Resolution Passed - House (49 - 20)
Feb. 15, 2011 National S Amdt 14 Prohibiting Transportation Security Administration Employees from Collective Bargaining Amendment Rejected - Senate (47 - 51)
Feb. 9, 2011 WY HB 256 Tenant Rights in Domestic and Sexual Violence Cases Bill Passed - House (33 - 26)
Feb. 16, 2011 HI SB 232 Civil Unions for All Couples Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (18 - 5)
Feb. 11, 2011 HI SB 232 Civil Unions for All Couples Bill Passed - House (31 - 19)
March 11, 2011 ND HB 1263 Athletic Nickname and Logo of the University of North Dakota Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 15)
Feb. 21, 2011 ND HB 1263 Athletic Nickname and Logo of the University of North Dakota Bill Passed - House (65 - 28)
Feb. 17, 2011 ND HB 1385 Senior Citizens Attending Institutions of Higher Education Bill Passed - House (65 - 29)
Feb. 18, 2011 UT HB 70 Identifying Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - House (58 - 15)
Feb. 22, 2011 MT HB 456 Sexual Education in K-12 Public Schools Bill Passed - House (67 - 30)
Feb. 18, 2011 MT SB 268 Election of Supreme Court Justices by District Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 20)
Feb. 17, 2011 ID H 111 Increased Authority for Tribal Peace Officers Bill Failed - House (34 - 35)
Feb. 17, 2011 AZ SB 1187 Extends Waiting Period for Divorce Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 11)
Feb. 18, 2011 National H Amdt 95 Prohibiting Use of Federal Funds For Planned Parenthood Amendment Adopted - House (240 - 185)
March 10, 2011 WI AB 11 Collective Bargaining Rights for Public Employees Conference Report Adopted - House (53 - 42)
March 9, 2011 WI AB 11 Collective Bargaining Rights for Public Employees Conference Report Adopted - Senate (18 - 1)
Feb. 25, 2011 WI AB 11 Collective Bargaining Rights for Public Employees Bill Passed - House (51 - 17)
Feb. 23, 2011 MT HB 516 Limiting Local Ordinances Bill Passed - House (62 - 37)
Feb. 22, 2011 UT SB 96 Alimony Amendments Bill Failed - Senate (11 - 17)
Feb. 23, 2011 UT HB 116 Guest Worker Program Bill Passed - House (43 - 28)
Feb. 22, 2011 ID S 1007 Labor Organizations Bill Passed - House (55 - 15)
Feb. 4, 2011 ID S 1007 Labor Organizations Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 8)
Feb. 22, 2011 ID S 1006 Right to Work Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (55 - 14)
Feb. 1, 2011 ID S 1006 Right to Work Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 7)
Feb. 22, 2011 UT HB 253 Employment of Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - House (49 - 20)
Feb. 22, 2011 KS HB 2006 Prohibiting Undocumented Immigrants from Receiving In-State Tuition Rates Bill Passed - House (72 - 50)
Feb. 18, 2011 MT SB 97 Parental Notice of Abortion Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 21)
Feb. 23, 2011 UT SJR 9 Supervision of Public Education Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (22 - 6)
March 3, 2011 NJ S 1216 Loans for Women and Minority-Owned Businesses Veto Override Failed - Senate (23 - 16)
March 23, 2011 KS HB 2035 Amending Statutes Regulating Abortion Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 15)
Feb. 24, 2011 KS HB 2035 Amending Statutes Regulating Abortion Bill Passed - House (96 - 25)
Feb. 24, 2011 KS HB 2130 Prohibits Union Dues for Political Activities Bill Passed - House (75 - 46)
Feb. 28, 2011 NM SB 319 Eliminating Corporal Punishment Bill Failed - Senate (18 - 18)
Feb. 23, 2011 UT HB 183 School District Leave Policies Bill Passed - House (46 - 22)
Feb. 24, 2011 UT HB 165 State Reimbursement for Required Medical Services Act Bill Passed - House (57 - 14)
April 19, 2011 AZ SB 1406 Interstate Compact to Build a Border Fence Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 9)
April 18, 2011 AZ SB 1406 Interstate Compact to Build a Border Fence Bill Passed - House (40 - 19)
Feb. 28, 2011 AZ SB 1406 Interstate Compact to Build a Border Fence Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 9)
Feb. 22, 2011 VT S 31 Electing the President by Popular Vote Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 10)
Feb. 28, 2011 WA HB 1267 Definition of Parenthood Bill Passed - House (57 - 41)
Feb. 28, 2011 WA HB 1267 Definition of Parenthood Bill Passed - House (57 - 41)
April 20, 2011 NH HB 474 Labor Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 8)
Feb. 15, 2011 NH HB 474 Labor Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (221 - 131)
Feb. 24, 2011 ID S 1108 Education Provisions and Teacher Entitlements Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
Feb. 23, 2011 MD SB 116 Civil Marriage Protection Act Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 22)
March 2, 2011 WV HB 2732 Increased Fees for Lawsuits Bill Passed - House (65 - 35)
March 2, 2011 KY HB 305 2010-2012 Biennium Budget Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 12)
March 30, 2011 OH SB 5 Collective Bargaining Rights for Public Employees Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (17 - 16)
March 30, 2011 OH SB 5 Collective Bargaining Rights for Public Employees Bill Passed - House (53 - 44)
March 2, 2011 OH SB 5 Collective Bargaining Rights for Public Employees Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 16)
March 2, 2011 ID H 109 Extends Unemployment Benefits Bill Passed - House (41 - 28)
March 4, 2011 ID H 104a Teacher Union Activities Bill Passed - House (55 - 14)
March 9, 2011 NM HB 78 Driver License and ID Card Restrictions for Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 16)
March 4, 2011 NM HB 78 Driver License and ID Card Restrictions for Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - House (42 - 28)
April 14, 2011 GA HB 87 Immigration Enforcement Act Concurrence Vote Passed - House (112 - 59)
April 14, 2011 GA HB 87 Immigration Enforcement Act Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (37 - 19)
March 3, 2011 GA HB 87 Immigration Enforcement Act Bill Passed - House (113 - 56)
March 2, 2011 MA S 9 Establishing a Redistricting Commission Bill Passed - House (123 - 30)
Feb. 10, 2011 MA S 9 Establishing a Redistricting Commission Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 4)
March 4, 2011 MS JR 1 Redistricting for House of Representatives Bill Passed - House (66 - 56)
Feb. 23, 2011 SD SB 156 Prohibits Employment of Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
March 3, 2011 MT HB 521 Referendum to Revise Judicial Election Laws Bill Failed - House (45 - 54)
March 13, 2011 NM HB 644 Raises Retirement Age Bill Failed - House (28 - 38)
March 15, 2011 NM HB 644 Raises Retirement Age Bill Passed - House (37 - 32)
March 9, 2011 MI HB 4216 Local Governments Fiscal Accountability Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 12)
Feb. 23, 2011 MI HB 4216 Local Governments Fiscal Accountability Bill Passed - House (62 - 47)
March 15, 2011 MI HB 4214 Fiscal Accountability for Local Governments and School Districts Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 12)
Feb. 24, 2011 MI HB 4214 Fiscal Accountability for Local Governments and School Districts Bill Passed - House (62 - 47)
March 15, 2011 MI HB 4214 Fiscal Accountability for Local Governments and School Districts Concurrence Vote Passed - House (62 - 48)
March 14, 2011 GA SB 40 Immigration Status Verification of Private Business Workers Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 21)
Date No. Title Outcome
1/10 SB 3644 Labor Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (64 - 49)
1/04 SB 3976 Rules to Govern the Redistricting Process Bill Passed - House (67 - 46)
1/13 HB 1 Funding for Legislative Session Bill Passed - House (67 - 32)
1/19 SB 1 Repeal of Automatic Continuation Requirement for Public Employee Collective Bargaining Agreements Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 5)
1/20 SB 1001 Request for Medicaid Waiver Bill Passed - House (40 - 20)
2/18 HB 74 Prohibiting the Recognition of Same-Sex Marriage Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 14)
1/24 HB 74 Prohibiting the Recognition of Same-Sex Marriage Bill Passed - House (32 - 27)
1/27 SB 2179 Restrictions on Employers of Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - House (77 - 40)
1/18 SB 2179 Restrictions on Employers of Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 15)
1/20 SB 1 Tort Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (57 - 36)
1/18 SB 1 Tort Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 14)
1/31 HB 1450 Unemployment Insurance Amendments Bill Passed - House (61 - 38)
1/28 SB 232 Civil Unions for All Couples Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 6)
1/27 SJ 5 Definition of Marriage Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (20 - 10)
2/02 SB 747 Prohibits Discrimination in State Employment Based on Sexual Orientation Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 18)
1/18 HB 71 Excludes Undocumented Immigrants from Workers' Compensation Bill Passed - House (60 - 40)
2/02 HB 211 Community Service Medicaid Pilot Program Bill Passed - House (56 - 15)
2/07 HB 1013 Hiring of Unauthorized Workers Bill Passed - House (54 - 39)
2/07 HB 1013 Hiring of Unauthorized Workers Bill Passed - House (54 - 39)
2/07 HB 1152 Drug Testing for Welfare Recipients Bill Failed - House (32 - 36)
2/01 HJR 6 Banning Same Sex Marriage Amendment Adopted - House (62 - 37)
2/08 HB 1465 Excludes Undocumented Immigrants from Public Universities Bill Passed - House (75 - 24)
2/08 HB 1377 Children's Health Insurance Program Bill Failed - House (25 - 67)
2/08 HB 1377 Children's Health Insurance Program Bill Failed - House (25 - 67)
2/08 HB 2332 Citizenship of Arrestee Bill Passed - House (68 - 31)
2/07 HB 198 Admissibility of Evidence in Sex Offense Cases Bill Failed - House (29 - 30)
2/07 HB 244 Unemployment Insurance Amendments Bill Failed - House (25 - 34)
1/28 HB 244 Unemployment Insurance Amendments
2/08 HB 30 Health Care Sharing Ministries Bill Passed - House (68 - 32)
2/10 SB 1086 Tobacco Prohibitions Bill Failed - Senate (13 - 16)
2/07 HJM 1 Parental Rights Amendment Joint Resolution Passed - House (49 - 20)
2/15 S Amdt 14 Prohibiting Transportation Security Administration Employees from Collective Bargaining Amendment Rejected - Senate (47 - 51)
2/09 HB 256 Tenant Rights in Domestic and Sexual Violence Cases Bill Passed - House (33 - 26)
2/16 SB 232 Civil Unions for All Couples Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (18 - 5)
2/11 SB 232 Civil Unions for All Couples Bill Passed - House (31 - 19)
3/11 HB 1263 Athletic Nickname and Logo of the University of North Dakota Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 15)
2/21 HB 1263 Athletic Nickname and Logo of the University of North Dakota Bill Passed - House (65 - 28)
2/17 HB 1385 Senior Citizens Attending Institutions of Higher Education Bill Passed - House (65 - 29)
2/18 HB 70 Identifying Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - House (58 - 15)
2/22 HB 456 Sexual Education in K-12 Public Schools Bill Passed - House (67 - 30)
2/18 SB 268 Election of Supreme Court Justices by District Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 20)
2/17 H 111 Increased Authority for Tribal Peace Officers Bill Failed - House (34 - 35)
2/17 SB 1187 Extends Waiting Period for Divorce Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 11)
2/18 H Amdt 95 Prohibiting Use of Federal Funds For Planned Parenthood Amendment Adopted - House (240 - 185)
3/10 AB 11 Collective Bargaining Rights for Public Employees Conference Report Adopted - House (53 - 42)
3/09 AB 11 Collective Bargaining Rights for Public Employees Conference Report Adopted - Senate (18 - 1)
2/25 AB 11 Collective Bargaining Rights for Public Employees Bill Passed - House (51 - 17)
2/23 HB 516 Limiting Local Ordinances Bill Passed - House (62 - 37)
2/22 SB 96 Alimony Amendments Bill Failed - Senate (11 - 17)
2/23 HB 116 Guest Worker Program Bill Passed - House (43 - 28)
2/22 S 1007 Labor Organizations Bill Passed - House (55 - 15)
2/04 S 1007 Labor Organizations Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 8)
2/22 S 1006 Right to Work Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (55 - 14)
2/01 S 1006 Right to Work Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 7)
2/22 HB 253 Employment of Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - House (49 - 20)
2/22 HB 2006 Prohibiting Undocumented Immigrants from Receiving In-State Tuition Rates Bill Passed - House (72 - 50)
2/18 SB 97 Parental Notice of Abortion Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 21)
2/23 SJR 9 Supervision of Public Education Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (22 - 6)
3/03 S 1216 Loans for Women and Minority-Owned Businesses Veto Override Failed - Senate (23 - 16)
3/23 HB 2035 Amending Statutes Regulating Abortion Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 15)
2/24 HB 2035 Amending Statutes Regulating Abortion Bill Passed - House (96 - 25)
2/24 HB 2130 Prohibits Union Dues for Political Activities Bill Passed - House (75 - 46)
2/28 SB 319 Eliminating Corporal Punishment Bill Failed - Senate (18 - 18)
2/23 HB 183 School District Leave Policies Bill Passed - House (46 - 22)
2/24 HB 165 State Reimbursement for Required Medical Services Act Bill Passed - House (57 - 14)
4/19 SB 1406 Interstate Compact to Build a Border Fence Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 9)
4/18 SB 1406 Interstate Compact to Build a Border Fence Bill Passed - House (40 - 19)
2/28 SB 1406 Interstate Compact to Build a Border Fence Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 9)
2/22 S 31 Electing the President by Popular Vote Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 10)
2/28 HB 1267 Definition of Parenthood Bill Passed - House (57 - 41)
2/28 HB 1267 Definition of Parenthood Bill Passed - House (57 - 41)
4/20 HB 474 Labor Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 8)
2/15 HB 474 Labor Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (221 - 131)
2/24 S 1108 Education Provisions and Teacher Entitlements Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
2/23 SB 116 Civil Marriage Protection Act Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 22)
3/02 HB 2732 Increased Fees for Lawsuits Bill Passed - House (65 - 35)
3/02 HB 305 2010-2012 Biennium Budget Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 12)
3/30 SB 5 Collective Bargaining Rights for Public Employees Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (17 - 16)
3/30 SB 5 Collective Bargaining Rights for Public Employees Bill Passed - House (53 - 44)
3/02 SB 5 Collective Bargaining Rights for Public Employees Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 16)
3/02 H 109 Extends Unemployment Benefits Bill Passed - House (41 - 28)
3/04 H 104a Teacher Union Activities Bill Passed - House (55 - 14)
3/09 HB 78 Driver License and ID Card Restrictions for Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 16)
3/04 HB 78 Driver License and ID Card Restrictions for Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - House (42 - 28)
4/14 HB 87 Immigration Enforcement Act Concurrence Vote Passed - House (112 - 59)
4/14 HB 87 Immigration Enforcement Act Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (37 - 19)
3/03 HB 87 Immigration Enforcement Act Bill Passed - House (113 - 56)
3/02 S 9 Establishing a Redistricting Commission Bill Passed - House (123 - 30)
2/10 S 9 Establishing a Redistricting Commission Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 4)
3/04 JR 1 Redistricting for House of Representatives Bill Passed - House (66 - 56)
2/23 SB 156 Prohibits Employment of Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
3/03 HB 521 Referendum to Revise Judicial Election Laws Bill Failed - House (45 - 54)
3/13 HB 644 Raises Retirement Age Bill Failed - House (28 - 38)
3/15 HB 644 Raises Retirement Age Bill Passed - House (37 - 32)
3/09 HB 4216 Local Governments Fiscal Accountability Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 12)
2/23 HB 4216 Local Governments Fiscal Accountability Bill Passed - House (62 - 47)
3/15 HB 4214 Fiscal Accountability for Local Governments and School Districts Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 12)
2/24 HB 4214 Fiscal Accountability for Local Governments and School Districts Bill Passed - House (62 - 47)
3/15 HB 4214 Fiscal Accountability for Local Governments and School Districts Concurrence Vote Passed - House (62 - 48)
3/14 SB 40 Immigration Status Verification of Private Business Workers Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 21)

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