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. 15, 2012 AK HB 311 Amends Requirements for Electronic Campaign Finance Disclosure Conference Report Adopted - House (26 - 5)
Feb. 15, 2012 AK HB 311 Amends Requirements for Electronic Campaign Finance Disclosure Conference Report Adopted - Senate (14 - 2)
May 24, 2012 AL HB 19 State House Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
May 24, 2012 AL SB 25 State Senate Redistricting Bill Passed - House (65 - 36)
May 21, 2012 AL HB 19 State House Redistricting Bill Passed - House (66 - 35)
May 22, 2012 AL SB 25 State Senate Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12)
April 10, 2012 AZ SB 1449 Establishes a Recall Primary Election for a Recall Election Bill Passed - House (36 - 22)
March 21, 2012 AZ HB 2862 Appropriates Funds for Independent Redistricting Commission Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 9)
March 20, 2012 AZ HB 2862 Appropriates Funds for Independent Redistricting Commission Bill Passed - House (36 - 20)
March 5, 2012 AZ SB 1449 Establishes a Recall Primary Election for a Recall Election Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 11)
Feb. 28, 2012 AZ SCR 1021 Repeals Public Campaign Financing Resolution Passed - Senate (21 - 9)
June 27, 2012 CA AB 1499 Ballot Order for Statewide Measures Concurrence Vote Passed - House (50 - 24)
Aug. 27, 2012 CA AB 1436 Authorizes Same-Day Voter Registration Concurrence Vote Passed - House (50 - 29)
June 27, 2012 CA AB 1499 Ballot Order for Statewide Measures Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 15)
Aug. 23, 2012 CA AB 1436 Authorizes Same-Day Voter Registration Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 13)
Jan. 31, 2012 CA AB 1148 Requires Political Advertisements to Disclose Funding Sources Bill Failed - House (52 - 26)
May 31, 2012 CA AB 1436 Authorizes Same-Day Voter Registration Bill Passed - House (47 - 26)
Aug. 29, 2012 CA ACA 10 Limits Citizen-led Initiatives to Amend the State Constitution Amendment Rejected - House (41 - 30)
Feb. 23, 2012 CO SB 147 Prohibits False Information Regarding Election Procedures and Voter Eligibility Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 16)
March 20, 2012 CO HB 1111 Voter Identification Amendments Bill Passed - House (33 - 31)
May 8, 2012 CT HB 5556 Requires Corporations to Identify Top Donors for Campaign Contributions Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
May 5, 2012 CT HB 5024 Authorizes Election Day Registration Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 16)
April 4, 2012 CT HJ 2 Authorizes Absentee Ballots for Any Reason Resolution Passed - House (97 - 50)
May 8, 2012 CT HB 5556 Requires Corporations to Identify Top Donors for Campaign Contributions Bill Passed - House (94 - 54)
April 30, 2012 CT HB 5024 Authorizes Election Day Registration Bill Passed - House (83 - 59)
Feb. 3, 2012 FL SB 1174 Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - House (80 - 37)
March 27, 2012 FL SJR 2B State Senate Redistricting Joint Resolution Passed - House (61 - 47)
March 22, 2012 FL SJR 2B State Senate Redistricting Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (31 - 6)
Feb. 3, 2012 GA HB 829 State House Redistricting Bill Passed - House (101 - 53)
Feb. 23, 2012 ID HB 391 Repeals the Presidential Primary Election Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 16)
Feb. 8, 2012 ID HB 391 Repeals the Presidential Primary Election Bill Passed - House (56 - 12)
May 10, 2012 KS SB 102 State Senate Redistricting Bill Passed - House (67 - 50)
Feb. 23, 2012 KS HB 2437 Amends Voting Registration Requirements Bill Passed - House (81 - 43)
Feb. 9, 2012 KS HB 2606 State House Redistricting Bill Passed - House (109 - 14)
Jan. 19, 2012 KY HB 1 State Senate, House, and Judicial Redistricting Concurrence Vote Passed - House (58 - 39)
Jan. 18, 2012 KY HB 1 State Senate, House, and Judicial Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 14)
Feb. 16, 2012 KY HB 70 Authorizes People Convicted of Certain Felonies to Vote Bill Passed - House (78 - 18)
March 15, 2012 KY SB 18 Amends Redistricting Requirements Amendment Adopted - Senate (27 - 11)
May 22, 2012 LA HB 292 School Board Member Term Limits Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 16)
May 29, 2012 LA HB 209 Reduces Voting Hours Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 11)
April 4, 2012 LA HB 209 Reduces Voting Hours Bill Passed - House (60 - 41)
May 31, 2012 MA H Amdt 11 Requires Photo Identification to Vote Amendment Adopted - House (105 - 43)
March 8, 2012 ME LD 1774 Campaign Finance Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 15)
June 13, 2012 MI SB 803 Requires Proof of Citizenship to Vote Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 11)
Feb. 15, 2012 MI HB 5085 Prohibits public employers from deducting political contributions from employee paychecks Concurrence Vote Passed - House (62 - 43)
June 13, 2012 MI SB 754 Requires Photo Identification for Voter Registration Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 11)
June 12, 2012 MI SB 803 Requires Proof of Citizenship to Vote Bill Passed - House (67 - 43)
Feb. 14, 2012 MI HB 5085 Prohibits public employers from deducting political contributions from employee paychecks Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 12)
June 12, 2012 MI SB 754 Requires Photo Identification for Voter Registration Bill Passed - House (66 - 43)
Feb. 14, 2012 MI SB 751 Photo Identification Requirements for Absentee Voters Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 12)
March 29, 2012 MI HB 5061 Requires Photo Identification for Absentee Ballots Bill Passed - House (65 - 45)
Feb. 14, 2012 MI SB 754 Requires Photo Identification for Voter Registration Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 12)
April 5, 2012 MN HF 2738 Requires Photo Identification to Vote Conference Report Adopted - Senate (35 - 29)
April 3, 2012 MN HF 2738 Requires Photo Identification to Vote Conference Report Adopted - House (72 - 57)
March 20, 2012 MN HF 2738 Requires Photo Identification to Vote Bill Passed - House (72 - 62)
March 29, 2012 MO HB 1046 Requires Proof of Citizenship for Presidential Candidates Bill Passed - House (92 - 49)
Feb. 9, 2012 MO HB 1104 Requires Photo Identification to Vote Bill Passed - House (101 - 54)
April 26, 2012 MS HB 921 Requires Photo Identification to Vote Concurrence Vote Passed - House (79 - 39)
April 10, 2012 MS HB 921 Requires Photo Identification to Vote Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 14)
May 3, 2012 MS JR 201 State Senate Redistricting Bill Passed - House (70 - 50)
May 2, 2012 MS JR 1 State House Redistricting Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (38 - 14)
April 26, 2012 MS JR 1 State House Redistricting Joint Resolution Passed - House (70 - 50)
May 2, 2012 MS JR 201 State Senate Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (46 - 5)
July 17, 2012 National S 3369 DISCLOSE Act Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (53 - 45)
Sept. 19, 2012 National HR 5912 Prohibits Public Funding for Political Party Conventions Bill Passed - House (310 - 95)
June 27, 2012 NH SB 289 Requires Photo Identification to Vote Veto Override Passed - House (231 - 112)
June 27, 2012 NH SB 318 Requires In-State Residency to Vote Veto Override Passed - House (232 - 110)
June 27, 2012 NH SB 289 Requires Photo Identification to Vote Veto Override Passed - Senate (18 - 5)
June 27, 2012 NH SB 318 Requires In-State Residency to Vote Veto Override Passed - Senate (18 - 5)
March 28, 2012 NH HB 592 State House Redistricting Veto Override Passed - Senate (17 - 7)
June 6, 2012 NH SB 318 Requires In-State Residency to Vote Conference Report Adopted - Senate (18 - 5)
June 6, 2012 NH SB 289 Requires Photo Identification to Vote Conference Report Adopted - Senate (17 - 6)
March 28, 2012 NH HB 592 State House Redistricting Veto Override Passed - House (246 - 112)
June 6, 2012 NH SB 289 Requires Photo Identification to Vote Conference Report Adopted - House (255 - 103)
June 6, 2012 NH SB 318 Requires In-State Residency to Vote Conference Report Adopted - House (260 - 101)
April 11, 2012 NH SB 202 Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - House (239 - 95)
March 21, 2012 NH SB 318 Requires In-State Residency to Vote Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 5)
March 7, 2012 NH SB 289 Requires Photo Identification to Vote Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 5)
Oct. 18, 2012 NJ A 2870 Establishes Online Vote Registration Bill Passed - House (46 - 30)
Oct. 18, 2012 NJ AR 86 Opposes the U.S. Supreme Court Decision in Citizens United Versus Federal Elections Commission Resolution Passed - House (49 - 23)
March 14, 2012 NY A 9525 State Legislative Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 0)
March 14, 2012 NY A 9525 State Legislative Redistricting Bill Passed - House (98 - 44)
May 8, 2012 OH SB 295 Repealing Provisions of the Election Revision Code Bill Passed - House (54 - 42)
March 28, 2012 OH SB 295 Repealing Provisions of the Election Revision Code Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 10)
March 14, 2012 PA HB 934 Amends Voter Identification Laws Concurrence Vote Passed - House (104 - 88)
March 7, 2012 PA HB 934 Amends Voter Identification Laws Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 23)
Feb. 1, 2012 RI S 2178 State Senate, State House, and Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - House (56 - 12)
Feb. 1, 2012 RI S 2178 State Senate, State House, and Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 2)
Jan. 19, 2012 TN SB 1514 State Senate Redistricting Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (22 - 10)
Jan. 18, 2012 TN SB 1514 State Senate Redistricting Bill Passed - House (75 - 19)
Jan. 13, 2012 TN HB 1555 State House Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 10)
Jan. 13, 2012 TN HB 1558 Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 9)
Jan. 12, 2012 TN HB 1558 Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - House (68 - 25)
Jan. 12, 2012 TN HB 1555 State House Redistricting Bill Passed - House (67 - 25)
Jan. 27, 2012 UT SB 125 State Senate Redistricting Bill Passed - House (69 - 0)
Jan. 27, 2012 UT HB 286 State House Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 0)
Feb. 16, 2012 UT HB 90 Prohibiting Government Meetings on Caucus Nights Bill Passed - House (38 - 34)
Jan. 26, 2012 UT HB 50 Repeals the Election Campaign Fund Bill Passed - House (51 - 20)
Feb. 3, 2012 UT HB 253 Removal of Voters from Voter Registration List Bill Passed - House (46 - 27)
Feb. 27, 2012 VA HB 9 Voter Identification Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 20)
Date No. Title Outcome
2/15 HB 311 Amends Requirements for Electronic Campaign Finance Disclosure Conference Report Adopted - House (26 - 5)
2/15 HB 311 Amends Requirements for Electronic Campaign Finance Disclosure Conference Report Adopted - Senate (14 - 2)
5/24 HB 19 State House Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
5/24 SB 25 State Senate Redistricting Bill Passed - House (65 - 36)
5/21 HB 19 State House Redistricting Bill Passed - House (66 - 35)
5/22 SB 25 State Senate Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12)
4/10 SB 1449 Establishes a Recall Primary Election for a Recall Election Bill Passed - House (36 - 22)
3/21 HB 2862 Appropriates Funds for Independent Redistricting Commission Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 9)
3/20 HB 2862 Appropriates Funds for Independent Redistricting Commission Bill Passed - House (36 - 20)
3/05 SB 1449 Establishes a Recall Primary Election for a Recall Election Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 11)
2/28 SCR 1021 Repeals Public Campaign Financing Resolution Passed - Senate (21 - 9)
6/27 AB 1499 Ballot Order for Statewide Measures Concurrence Vote Passed - House (50 - 24)
8/27 AB 1436 Authorizes Same-Day Voter Registration Concurrence Vote Passed - House (50 - 29)
6/27 AB 1499 Ballot Order for Statewide Measures Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 15)
8/23 AB 1436 Authorizes Same-Day Voter Registration Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 13)
1/31 AB 1148 Requires Political Advertisements to Disclose Funding Sources Bill Failed - House (52 - 26)
5/31 AB 1436 Authorizes Same-Day Voter Registration Bill Passed - House (47 - 26)
8/29 ACA 10 Limits Citizen-led Initiatives to Amend the State Constitution Amendment Rejected - House (41 - 30)
2/23 SB 147 Prohibits False Information Regarding Election Procedures and Voter Eligibility Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 16)
3/20 HB 1111 Voter Identification Amendments Bill Passed - House (33 - 31)
5/08 HB 5556 Requires Corporations to Identify Top Donors for Campaign Contributions Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
5/05 HB 5024 Authorizes Election Day Registration Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 16)
4/04 HJ 2 Authorizes Absentee Ballots for Any Reason Resolution Passed - House (97 - 50)
5/08 HB 5556 Requires Corporations to Identify Top Donors for Campaign Contributions Bill Passed - House (94 - 54)
4/30 HB 5024 Authorizes Election Day Registration Bill Passed - House (83 - 59)
2/03 SB 1174 Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - House (80 - 37)
3/27 SJR 2B State Senate Redistricting Joint Resolution Passed - House (61 - 47)
3/22 SJR 2B State Senate Redistricting Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (31 - 6)
2/03 HB 829 State House Redistricting Bill Passed - House (101 - 53)
2/23 HB 391 Repeals the Presidential Primary Election Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 16)
2/08 HB 391 Repeals the Presidential Primary Election Bill Passed - House (56 - 12)
5/10 SB 102 State Senate Redistricting Bill Passed - House (67 - 50)
2/23 HB 2437 Amends Voting Registration Requirements Bill Passed - House (81 - 43)
2/09 HB 2606 State House Redistricting Bill Passed - House (109 - 14)
1/19 HB 1 State Senate, House, and Judicial Redistricting Concurrence Vote Passed - House (58 - 39)
1/18 HB 1 State Senate, House, and Judicial Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 14)
2/16 HB 70 Authorizes People Convicted of Certain Felonies to Vote Bill Passed - House (78 - 18)
3/15 SB 18 Amends Redistricting Requirements Amendment Adopted - Senate (27 - 11)
5/22 HB 292 School Board Member Term Limits Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 16)
5/29 HB 209 Reduces Voting Hours Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 11)
4/04 HB 209 Reduces Voting Hours Bill Passed - House (60 - 41)
5/31 H Amdt 11 Requires Photo Identification to Vote Amendment Adopted - House (105 - 43)
3/08 LD 1774 Campaign Finance Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 15)
6/13 SB 803 Requires Proof of Citizenship to Vote Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 11)
2/15 HB 5085 Prohibits public employers from deducting political contributions from employee paychecks Concurrence Vote Passed - House (62 - 43)
6/13 SB 754 Requires Photo Identification for Voter Registration Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 11)
6/12 SB 803 Requires Proof of Citizenship to Vote Bill Passed - House (67 - 43)
2/14 HB 5085 Prohibits public employers from deducting political contributions from employee paychecks Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 12)
6/12 SB 754 Requires Photo Identification for Voter Registration Bill Passed - House (66 - 43)
2/14 SB 751 Photo Identification Requirements for Absentee Voters Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 12)
3/29 HB 5061 Requires Photo Identification for Absentee Ballots Bill Passed - House (65 - 45)
2/14 SB 754 Requires Photo Identification for Voter Registration Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 12)
4/05 HF 2738 Requires Photo Identification to Vote Conference Report Adopted - Senate (35 - 29)
4/03 HF 2738 Requires Photo Identification to Vote Conference Report Adopted - House (72 - 57)
3/20 HF 2738 Requires Photo Identification to Vote Bill Passed - House (72 - 62)
3/29 HB 1046 Requires Proof of Citizenship for Presidential Candidates Bill Passed - House (92 - 49)
2/09 HB 1104 Requires Photo Identification to Vote Bill Passed - House (101 - 54)
4/26 HB 921 Requires Photo Identification to Vote Concurrence Vote Passed - House (79 - 39)
4/10 HB 921 Requires Photo Identification to Vote Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 14)
5/03 JR 201 State Senate Redistricting Bill Passed - House (70 - 50)
5/02 JR 1 State House Redistricting Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (38 - 14)
4/26 JR 1 State House Redistricting Joint Resolution Passed - House (70 - 50)
5/02 JR 201 State Senate Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (46 - 5)
7/17 S 3369 DISCLOSE Act Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (53 - 45)
9/19 HR 5912 Prohibits Public Funding for Political Party Conventions Bill Passed - House (310 - 95)
6/27 SB 289 Requires Photo Identification to Vote Veto Override Passed - House (231 - 112)
6/27 SB 318 Requires In-State Residency to Vote Veto Override Passed - House (232 - 110)
6/27 SB 289 Requires Photo Identification to Vote Veto Override Passed - Senate (18 - 5)
6/27 SB 318 Requires In-State Residency to Vote Veto Override Passed - Senate (18 - 5)
3/28 HB 592 State House Redistricting Veto Override Passed - Senate (17 - 7)
6/06 SB 318 Requires In-State Residency to Vote Conference Report Adopted - Senate (18 - 5)
6/06 SB 289 Requires Photo Identification to Vote Conference Report Adopted - Senate (17 - 6)
3/28 HB 592 State House Redistricting Veto Override Passed - House (246 - 112)
6/06 SB 289 Requires Photo Identification to Vote Conference Report Adopted - House (255 - 103)
6/06 SB 318 Requires In-State Residency to Vote Conference Report Adopted - House (260 - 101)
4/11 SB 202 Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - House (239 - 95)
3/21 SB 318 Requires In-State Residency to Vote Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 5)
3/07 SB 289 Requires Photo Identification to Vote Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 5)
10/18 A 2870 Establishes Online Vote Registration Bill Passed - House (46 - 30)
10/18 AR 86 Opposes the U.S. Supreme Court Decision in Citizens United Versus Federal Elections Commission Resolution Passed - House (49 - 23)
3/14 A 9525 State Legislative Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 0)
3/14 A 9525 State Legislative Redistricting Bill Passed - House (98 - 44)
5/08 SB 295 Repealing Provisions of the Election Revision Code Bill Passed - House (54 - 42)
3/28 SB 295 Repealing Provisions of the Election Revision Code Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 10)
3/14 HB 934 Amends Voter Identification Laws Concurrence Vote Passed - House (104 - 88)
3/07 HB 934 Amends Voter Identification Laws Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 23)
2/01 S 2178 State Senate, State House, and Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - House (56 - 12)
2/01 S 2178 State Senate, State House, and Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 2)
1/19 SB 1514 State Senate Redistricting Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (22 - 10)
1/18 SB 1514 State Senate Redistricting Bill Passed - House (75 - 19)
1/13 HB 1555 State House Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 10)
1/13 HB 1558 Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 9)
1/12 HB 1558 Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - House (68 - 25)
1/12 HB 1555 State House Redistricting Bill Passed - House (67 - 25)
1/27 SB 125 State Senate Redistricting Bill Passed - House (69 - 0)
1/27 HB 286 State House Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 0)
2/16 HB 90 Prohibiting Government Meetings on Caucus Nights Bill Passed - House (38 - 34)
1/26 HB 50 Repeals the Election Campaign Fund Bill Passed - House (51 - 20)
2/03 HB 253 Removal of Voters from Voter Registration List Bill Passed - House (46 - 27)
2/27 HB 9 Voter Identification Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 20)

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