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
March 26, 2012 TN HB 368 Scientific Theories in the Classroom Concurrence Vote Passed - House (72 - 23)
March 19, 2012 TN HB 368 Scientific Theories in the Classroom Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 8)
June 18, 2012 NC HB 7 Authorizes Community Colleges to Opt Out of Federal Loan Program Veto Override Passed - Senate (31 - 16)
June 14, 2012 NC HB 7 Authorizes Community Colleges to Opt Out of Federal Loan Program Veto Override Passed - House (71 - 46)
May 2, 2012 MI SB 619 Cyber Schools Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 14)
May 1, 2012 MI SB 619 Cyber Schools Bill Passed - House (57 - 52)
March 13, 2012 WI SB 237 Amending Sexual Education Guidelines Bill Passed - House (60 - 34)
Jan. 9, 2012 GA SB 184 Guidelines for Teacher Dismissal Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (38 - 15)
Jan. 9, 2012 NJ S 3173 Authorizes Nonprofit Organizations to Construct and Manage Public Schools Bill Passed - House (54 - 17)
Jan. 9, 2012 NJ S 3173 Authorizes Nonprofit Organizations to Construct and Manage Public Schools Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 3)
Jan. 18, 2012 KY HB 30 Authorizes Advertising on School Buses Bill Passed - House (67 - 29)
Jan. 30, 2012 SD HCR 1004 Urging Academic Study of the Bible in Public Schools Resolution Passed - Senate (25 - 10)
Jan. 25, 2012 SD HCR 1004 Urging Academic Study of the Bible in Public Schools Resolution Passed - House (55 - 13)
Jan. 27, 2012 VA HB 1112 Repeals HPV Vaccine Requirement Bill Passed - House (62 - 34)
Jan. 31, 2012 IN SB 89 Authorizes the Instruction of Origin of Life Theories from Multiple Religions Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 22)
May 2, 2012 NH HB 1383 Prohibits In-State Tuition for Non-US Residents Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 5)
Feb. 1, 2012 NH HB 1383 Prohibits In-State Tuition for Non-US Residents Bill Passed - House (250 - 88)
Feb. 6, 2012 NY S 6087-A Authorizes the Use of School Property for Religious Meetings and Worship Bill Passed - Senate (54 - 7)
Feb. 2, 2012 CA SB 81 Funding For School Transportation Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 8)
Feb. 9, 2012 AZ SB 1061 Authorizes Schools to Opt-Out of the National School Lunch Program Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 10)
Feb. 8, 2012 VA HB 947 Authorizes Home-Schooled Students to Participate in Interscholastic Programs Bill Passed - House (59 - 39)
Feb. 8, 2012 GA HR 1162 Authorizes the State to Approve Charter Schools Amendment Rejected - House (110 - 62)
March 9, 2012 FL HB 5001 2012-2013 Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (32 - 8)
March 9, 2012 FL HB 5001 2012-2013 Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (32 - 8)
March 9, 2012 FL HB 5001 2012-2013 Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (80 - 37)
March 9, 2012 FL HB 5001 2012-2013 Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (80 - 37)
Feb. 23, 2012 FL HB 5001 2012-2013 Budget Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 6)
Feb. 23, 2012 FL HB 5001 2012-2013 Budget Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 6)
Feb. 9, 2012 FL HB 5001 2012-2013 Budget Bill Passed - House (79 - 38)
Feb. 9, 2012 FL HB 5001 2012-2013 Budget Bill Passed - House (79 - 38)
Feb. 13, 2012 VA HB 576 Amends Teacher Contract and Evaluation Policies Bill Passed - House (55 - 43)
Feb. 29, 2012 SD HB 1234 Eliminates Teacher Tenure Concurrence Vote Passed - House (36 - 33)
Feb. 29, 2012 SD HB 1234 Eliminates Teacher Tenure Concurrence Vote Passed - House (36 - 33)
Feb. 27, 2012 SD HB 1234 Eliminates Teacher Tenure Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 12)
Feb. 27, 2012 SD HB 1234 Eliminates Teacher Tenure Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 12)
Feb. 13, 2012 SD HB 1234 Eliminates Teacher Tenure Bill Passed - House (41 - 28)
Feb. 13, 2012 SD HB 1234 Eliminates Teacher Tenure Bill Passed - House (41 - 28)
Feb. 8, 2012 UT SB 31 Reduces Classroom Sizes Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 9)
March 1, 2012 FL SB 98 Authorizes Student-Led Prayer in School Bill Passed - House (88 - 27)
Feb. 1, 2012 FL SB 98 Authorizes Student-Led Prayer in School Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 8)
Feb. 14, 2012 VA SB 438 Amends Teacher Contracts Bill Failed - Senate (18 - 20)
Feb. 17, 2012 VA SB 131 Establishes Tax Deductions for Corporations Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 20)
Feb. 27, 2012 MN HF 1870 Authorizes School Districts to Dismiss Teachers Based on Performance Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 26)
Feb. 16, 2012 MN HF 1870 Authorizes School Districts to Dismiss Teachers Based on Performance Bill Passed - House (68 - 61)
Feb. 21, 2012 AZ HB 2563 Authorizing High School Elective Courses about the Bible Bill Passed - House (42 - 15)
Feb. 22, 2012 MS SB 2401 Establishes Public Charter Schools Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 17)
March 6, 2012 UT HB 363 Requires Abstinence-Only Sexual Education in Public Schools Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 10)
Feb. 22, 2012 UT HB 363 Requires Abstinence-Only Sexual Education in Public Schools Bill Passed - House (45 - 28)
Feb. 22, 2012 MI SB 971 Repeals Collective Bargaining Rights for Graduate Research Assistants Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 12)
Feb. 21, 2012 WI SB 386 Removes Voter Registration at High Schools Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 16)
March 19, 2012 GA HR 1162 Authorizes the State to Approve Charter Schools Amendment Adopted - Senate (40 - 16)
Feb. 22, 2012 GA HR 1162 Authorizes the State to Approve Charter Schools Amendment Adopted - House (123 - 48)
Feb. 24, 2012 UT SB 44 Providing Tuition Assistance for Military Veterans Bill Failed - Senate (11 - 14)
March 15, 2012 ID H 481 Repeals Limit on Charter Schools Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 12)
Feb. 27, 2012 ID H 481 Repeals Limit on Charter Schools Bill Passed - House (49 - 19)
Feb. 28, 2012 National HR 2117 Repeals Department of Education Regulations Bill Passed - House (303 - 114)
Feb. 27, 2012 WY SF 57 Amending Wyoming Accountability in Education Act Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 4)
Feb. 27, 2012 AZ SB 1204 Authorizes Parents to Vote to Close Schools Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 14)
Feb. 28, 2012 AZ SB 1202 Prohibits Partisan Instruction in Classrooms Bill Failed - Senate (14 - 16)
Feb. 29, 2012 WA SB 5895 Authorizes the Use of Student Test Scores in Teacher Evaluations Bill Passed - House (82 - 16)
March 1, 2012 VT S 199 Repeals Philosophical Exemption to Immunization Motion Agreed - Senate (25 - 4)
March 1, 2012 OR SB 1594 Prohibits weapons on school grounds Bill Failed - Senate (14 - 15)
March 29, 2012 GA SB 410 Requires Numerical School Ratings Based on Student Performance Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (38 - 16)
March 29, 2012 GA SB 410 Requires Numerical School Ratings Based on Student Performance Bill Passed - House (94 - 67)
March 5, 2012 GA SB 410 Requires Numerical School Ratings Based on Student Performance Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 13)
March 5, 2012 GA SB 458 Repeals Certain Public Benefits for Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 19)
March 6, 2012 UT SB 223 Requires Public School Students to Recite Pledge of Allegiance Bill Passed - House (48 - 25)
March 7, 2012 NH HB 1146 Requires Students to Stand for the Pledge of Allegiance Bill Failed - House (155 - 170)
March 7, 2012 GA SB 312 Require Development Activities for Certain Public Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 14)
March 14, 2012 MS HB 638 Authorizes Prayer in Schools Bill Passed - House (93 - 24)
March 9, 2012 FL HB 859 School Voucher Program Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 8)
March 7, 2012 FL HB 859 School Voucher Program Bill Passed - House (92 - 24)
March 9, 2012 FL SB 1718 Authorizes Parent Involvement in School Turnaround Decisions Bill Failed - Senate (20 - 20)
March 8, 2012 NH HB 1654 Reduces Sentences of Prisoners Pursuing Degrees Bill Failed - House (152 - 171)
March 13, 2012 IA HF 2380 Amends Education Provisions Bill Passed - House (53 - 46)
March 13, 2012 IA HF 2380 Amends Education Provisions Bill Passed - House (53 - 46)
March 7, 2012 MI HB 4929 Prohibits Union Dues Deductions from School Employee Paychecks Concurrence Vote Passed - House (56 - 54)
March 7, 2012 MI HB 4929 Prohibits Union Dues Deductions from School Employee Paychecks Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18)
March 8, 2012 AZ SB 1462 Expands Penalties for Bullying Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 12)
March 20, 2012 KY SB 9 Authorizes Student Enrollment in Neighborhood Schools Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 15)
March 15, 2012 MD HB 650 Reduces Prison Sentences for Inmates Seeking Education Bill Passed - House (81 - 54)
March 13, 2012 IA HF 2385 Authorizes Professionals to Teach Certain High School Courses Bill Passed - House (61 - 36)
March 15, 2012 ID S 1358 Amends Bullying Laws Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 8)
April 5, 2012 LA HB 974 Amends Teacher Tenure Policy Concurrence Vote Passed - House (60 - 43)
April 4, 2012 LA HB 974 Amends Teacher Tenure Policy Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 16)
March 23, 2012 LA HB 974 Amends Teacher Tenure Policy Bill Passed - House (64 - 40)
April 5, 2012 LA HB 976 Amends School Voucher Program Concurrence Vote Passed - House (60 - 43)
April 4, 2012 LA HB 976 Amends School Voucher Program Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 15)
March 22, 2012 LA HB 976 Amends School Voucher Program Bill Passed - House (62 - 43)
March 21, 2012 IL HB 3810 Eliminates General Assembly Scholarships Bill Passed - House (79 - 25)
March 23, 2012 ID H 426 Establishes a Program for High School Students to Obtain an Associate's Degree Concurrence Vote Passed - House (59 - 6)
March 23, 2012 ID H 426 Establishes a Program for High School Students to Obtain an Associate's Degree Concurrence Vote Passed - House (59 - 6)
March 19, 2012 ID H 426 Establishes a Program for High School Students to Obtain an Associate's Degree Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 7)
March 19, 2012 ID H 426 Establishes a Program for High School Students to Obtain an Associate's Degree Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 7)
March 27, 2012 LA HB 969 Establishes Tax Deductions for Donating to Scholarship Programs Bill Passed - House (66 - 37)
March 29, 2012 GA HB 797 Establishes a State Charter School Commission Concurrence Vote Passed - House (117 - 55)
March 26, 2012 GA HB 797 Establishes a State Charter School Commission Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 14)
Feb. 28, 2012 AZ SB 1205 Requires Public School Teachers to Adhere to FCC Regulations Bill Failed - Senate (14 - 16)
March 29, 2012 IL HB 5531 Limits Tuition Waivers for State University Employees Bill Failed - House (26 - 75)
April 9, 2012 CO SB 15 College Tuition Rates for Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 14)
Date No. Title Outcome
3/26 HB 368 Scientific Theories in the Classroom Concurrence Vote Passed - House (72 - 23)
3/19 HB 368 Scientific Theories in the Classroom Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 8)
6/18 HB 7 Authorizes Community Colleges to Opt Out of Federal Loan Program Veto Override Passed - Senate (31 - 16)
6/14 HB 7 Authorizes Community Colleges to Opt Out of Federal Loan Program Veto Override Passed - House (71 - 46)
5/02 SB 619 Cyber Schools Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 14)
5/01 SB 619 Cyber Schools Bill Passed - House (57 - 52)
3/13 SB 237 Amending Sexual Education Guidelines Bill Passed - House (60 - 34)
1/09 SB 184 Guidelines for Teacher Dismissal Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (38 - 15)
1/09 S 3173 Authorizes Nonprofit Organizations to Construct and Manage Public Schools Bill Passed - House (54 - 17)
1/09 S 3173 Authorizes Nonprofit Organizations to Construct and Manage Public Schools Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 3)
1/18 HB 30 Authorizes Advertising on School Buses Bill Passed - House (67 - 29)
1/30 HCR 1004 Urging Academic Study of the Bible in Public Schools Resolution Passed - Senate (25 - 10)
1/25 HCR 1004 Urging Academic Study of the Bible in Public Schools Resolution Passed - House (55 - 13)
1/27 HB 1112 Repeals HPV Vaccine Requirement Bill Passed - House (62 - 34)
1/31 SB 89 Authorizes the Instruction of Origin of Life Theories from Multiple Religions Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 22)
5/02 HB 1383 Prohibits In-State Tuition for Non-US Residents Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 5)
2/01 HB 1383 Prohibits In-State Tuition for Non-US Residents Bill Passed - House (250 - 88)
2/06 S 6087-A Authorizes the Use of School Property for Religious Meetings and Worship Bill Passed - Senate (54 - 7)
2/02 SB 81 Funding For School Transportation Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 8)
2/09 SB 1061 Authorizes Schools to Opt-Out of the National School Lunch Program Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 10)
2/08 HB 947 Authorizes Home-Schooled Students to Participate in Interscholastic Programs Bill Passed - House (59 - 39)
2/08 HR 1162 Authorizes the State to Approve Charter Schools Amendment Rejected - House (110 - 62)
3/09 HB 5001 2012-2013 Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (32 - 8)
3/09 HB 5001 2012-2013 Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (32 - 8)
3/09 HB 5001 2012-2013 Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (80 - 37)
3/09 HB 5001 2012-2013 Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (80 - 37)
2/23 HB 5001 2012-2013 Budget Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 6)
2/23 HB 5001 2012-2013 Budget Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 6)
2/09 HB 5001 2012-2013 Budget Bill Passed - House (79 - 38)
2/09 HB 5001 2012-2013 Budget Bill Passed - House (79 - 38)
2/13 HB 576 Amends Teacher Contract and Evaluation Policies Bill Passed - House (55 - 43)
2/29 HB 1234 Eliminates Teacher Tenure Concurrence Vote Passed - House (36 - 33)
2/29 HB 1234 Eliminates Teacher Tenure Concurrence Vote Passed - House (36 - 33)
2/27 HB 1234 Eliminates Teacher Tenure Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 12)
2/27 HB 1234 Eliminates Teacher Tenure Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 12)
2/13 HB 1234 Eliminates Teacher Tenure Bill Passed - House (41 - 28)
2/13 HB 1234 Eliminates Teacher Tenure Bill Passed - House (41 - 28)
2/08 SB 31 Reduces Classroom Sizes Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 9)
3/01 SB 98 Authorizes Student-Led Prayer in School Bill Passed - House (88 - 27)
2/01 SB 98 Authorizes Student-Led Prayer in School Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 8)
2/14 SB 438 Amends Teacher Contracts Bill Failed - Senate (18 - 20)
2/17 SB 131 Establishes Tax Deductions for Corporations Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 20)
2/27 HF 1870 Authorizes School Districts to Dismiss Teachers Based on Performance Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 26)
2/16 HF 1870 Authorizes School Districts to Dismiss Teachers Based on Performance Bill Passed - House (68 - 61)
2/21 HB 2563 Authorizing High School Elective Courses about the Bible Bill Passed - House (42 - 15)
2/22 SB 2401 Establishes Public Charter Schools Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 17)
3/06 HB 363 Requires Abstinence-Only Sexual Education in Public Schools Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 10)
2/22 HB 363 Requires Abstinence-Only Sexual Education in Public Schools Bill Passed - House (45 - 28)
2/22 SB 971 Repeals Collective Bargaining Rights for Graduate Research Assistants Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 12)
2/21 SB 386 Removes Voter Registration at High Schools Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 16)
3/19 HR 1162 Authorizes the State to Approve Charter Schools Amendment Adopted - Senate (40 - 16)
2/22 HR 1162 Authorizes the State to Approve Charter Schools Amendment Adopted - House (123 - 48)
2/24 SB 44 Providing Tuition Assistance for Military Veterans Bill Failed - Senate (11 - 14)
3/15 H 481 Repeals Limit on Charter Schools Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 12)
2/27 H 481 Repeals Limit on Charter Schools Bill Passed - House (49 - 19)
2/28 HR 2117 Repeals Department of Education Regulations Bill Passed - House (303 - 114)
2/27 SF 57 Amending Wyoming Accountability in Education Act Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 4)
2/27 SB 1204 Authorizes Parents to Vote to Close Schools Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 14)
2/28 SB 1202 Prohibits Partisan Instruction in Classrooms Bill Failed - Senate (14 - 16)
2/29 SB 5895 Authorizes the Use of Student Test Scores in Teacher Evaluations Bill Passed - House (82 - 16)
3/01 S 199 Repeals Philosophical Exemption to Immunization Motion Agreed - Senate (25 - 4)
3/01 SB 1594 Prohibits weapons on school grounds Bill Failed - Senate (14 - 15)
3/29 SB 410 Requires Numerical School Ratings Based on Student Performance Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (38 - 16)
3/29 SB 410 Requires Numerical School Ratings Based on Student Performance Bill Passed - House (94 - 67)
3/05 SB 410 Requires Numerical School Ratings Based on Student Performance Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 13)
3/05 SB 458 Repeals Certain Public Benefits for Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 19)
3/06 SB 223 Requires Public School Students to Recite Pledge of Allegiance Bill Passed - House (48 - 25)
3/07 HB 1146 Requires Students to Stand for the Pledge of Allegiance Bill Failed - House (155 - 170)
3/07 SB 312 Require Development Activities for Certain Public Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 14)
3/14 HB 638 Authorizes Prayer in Schools Bill Passed - House (93 - 24)
3/09 HB 859 School Voucher Program Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 8)
3/07 HB 859 School Voucher Program Bill Passed - House (92 - 24)
3/09 SB 1718 Authorizes Parent Involvement in School Turnaround Decisions Bill Failed - Senate (20 - 20)
3/08 HB 1654 Reduces Sentences of Prisoners Pursuing Degrees Bill Failed - House (152 - 171)
3/13 HF 2380 Amends Education Provisions Bill Passed - House (53 - 46)
3/13 HF 2380 Amends Education Provisions Bill Passed - House (53 - 46)
3/07 HB 4929 Prohibits Union Dues Deductions from School Employee Paychecks Concurrence Vote Passed - House (56 - 54)
3/07 HB 4929 Prohibits Union Dues Deductions from School Employee Paychecks Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18)
3/08 SB 1462 Expands Penalties for Bullying Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 12)
3/20 SB 9 Authorizes Student Enrollment in Neighborhood Schools Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 15)
3/15 HB 650 Reduces Prison Sentences for Inmates Seeking Education Bill Passed - House (81 - 54)
3/13 HF 2385 Authorizes Professionals to Teach Certain High School Courses Bill Passed - House (61 - 36)
3/15 S 1358 Amends Bullying Laws Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 8)
4/05 HB 974 Amends Teacher Tenure Policy Concurrence Vote Passed - House (60 - 43)
4/04 HB 974 Amends Teacher Tenure Policy Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 16)
3/23 HB 974 Amends Teacher Tenure Policy Bill Passed - House (64 - 40)
4/05 HB 976 Amends School Voucher Program Concurrence Vote Passed - House (60 - 43)
4/04 HB 976 Amends School Voucher Program Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 15)
3/22 HB 976 Amends School Voucher Program Bill Passed - House (62 - 43)
3/21 HB 3810 Eliminates General Assembly Scholarships Bill Passed - House (79 - 25)
3/23 H 426 Establishes a Program for High School Students to Obtain an Associate's Degree Concurrence Vote Passed - House (59 - 6)
3/23 H 426 Establishes a Program for High School Students to Obtain an Associate's Degree Concurrence Vote Passed - House (59 - 6)
3/19 H 426 Establishes a Program for High School Students to Obtain an Associate's Degree Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 7)
3/19 H 426 Establishes a Program for High School Students to Obtain an Associate's Degree Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 7)
3/27 HB 969 Establishes Tax Deductions for Donating to Scholarship Programs Bill Passed - House (66 - 37)
3/29 HB 797 Establishes a State Charter School Commission Concurrence Vote Passed - House (117 - 55)
3/26 HB 797 Establishes a State Charter School Commission Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 14)
2/28 SB 1205 Requires Public School Teachers to Adhere to FCC Regulations Bill Failed - Senate (14 - 16)
3/29 HB 5531 Limits Tuition Waivers for State University Employees Bill Failed - House (26 - 75)
4/09 SB 15 College Tuition Rates for Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 14)

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