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 24, 2012 AL SB 25 State Senate Redistricting Bill Passed - House (65 - 36)
May 24, 2012 AL HB 19 State House Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
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)
May 22, 2012 AL SB 25 State Senate Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12)
May 21, 2012 AL HB 19 State House Redistricting Bill Passed - House (66 - 35)
Feb. 16, 2012 AL HB 159 Authorizes Economic Development Incentive Program Bill Passed - House (65 - 22)
May 2, 2012 AZ HCR 2004 Establishes State Sovereignty Over Certain Natural Resources Concurrence Vote Passed - House (38 - 20)
April 9, 2012 AZ HB 2434 Requires Federal Agents to Notify Local Law Enforcement Prior to Taking Action Concurrence Vote Passed - House (38 - 17)
April 25, 2012 AZ SB 1332 Requires the Federal Government to Give Back Land to Arizona Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (19 - 9)
April 30, 2012 AZ HCR 2004 Establishes State Sovereignty Over Certain Natural Resources Resolution Passed - Senate (16 - 14)
April 24, 2012 AZ SB 1182 Prohibits Enforcement of Certain Provisions in the National Defense Authorization Act Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (20 - 8)
April 19, 2012 AZ SB 1182 Prohibits Enforcement of Certain Provisions in the National Defense Authorization Act Bill Passed - House (34 - 22)
April 23, 2012 AZ SB 1332 Requires the Federal Government to Give Back Land to Arizona Bill Passed - House (35 - 15)
April 4, 2012 AZ HB 2434 Requires Federal Agents to Notify Local Law Enforcement Prior to Taking Action Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 8)
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 6, 2012 AZ HCR 2056 Matches State Minimum Wage to Federal Minimum Resolution Passed - House (39 - 18)
Feb. 9, 2012 AZ SB 1061 Authorizes Schools to Opt-Out of the National School Lunch Program Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 10)
Feb. 16, 2012 AZ SB 1484 Prohibits Certain Deductions from Public Employee Paychecks Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 11)
March 20, 2012 AZ HB 2862 Appropriates Funds for Independent Redistricting Commission Bill Passed - House (36 - 20)
Feb. 28, 2012 AZ SCR 1021 Repeals Public Campaign Financing Resolution Passed - Senate (21 - 9)
Feb. 28, 2012 AZ SCR 1021 Repeals Public Campaign Financing Resolution Passed - Senate (21 - 9)
March 1, 2012 AZ SB 1083 Establishes the Arizona Special Missions Unit Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 10)
March 1, 2012 AZ SB 1507 Prohibits Implementation of the United Nations Rio Declaration Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 9)
March 5, 2012 AZ SB 1449 Establishes a Recall Primary Election for a Recall Election Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 11)
March 5, 2012 AZ SCR 1008 Declaration of State of Emergency Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 8)
March 5, 2012 AZ HCR 2043 Amends Requirements for Ballot Measures for Future Tax Increases Resolution Passed - House (32 - 26)
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)
Aug. 23, 2012 CA AB 1436 Authorizes Same-Day Voter Registration Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 13)
June 27, 2012 CA AB 1499 Ballot Order for Statewide Measures Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 15)
Aug. 29, 2012 CA ACA 10 Limits Citizen-led Initiatives to Amend the State Constitution Amendment Rejected - House (41 - 30)
Aug. 29, 2012 CA ACA 10 Limits Citizen-led Initiatives to Amend the State Constitution Amendment Rejected - House (41 - 30)
March 22, 2012 CA AJR 22 Requests a Constitutional Amendment to Overturn Citizens United Joint Resolution Passed - House (48 - 22)
March 22, 2012 CA AJR 22 Requests a Constitutional Amendment to Overturn Citizens United Joint Resolution Passed - House (48 - 22)
May 31, 2012 CA AB 1436 Authorizes Same-Day Voter Registration Bill Passed - House (47 - 26)
Jan. 31, 2012 CA AB 1148 Requires Political Advertisements to Disclose Funding Sources Bill Failed - House (52 - 26)
Feb. 29, 2012 CO HB 1301 Authorizes Legislative Appropriations Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13)
April 27, 2012 CO SM 3 Urges Congress to Authorize Religious Exemptions to Providing Birth Control Bill Failed - Senate (15 - 20)
Feb. 28, 2012 CO HB 1115 Authorizes Businesses to Comment on Fiscal Impact of Proposed Legislation Bill Passed - House (41 - 22)
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)
Feb. 15, 2012 CO HB 1301 Authorizes Legislative Appropriations Bill Passed - House (34 - 28)
Jan. 19, 2012 CO HR 1003 Repeal the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act Resolution Passed - House (33 - 31)
May 5, 2012 CT HB 5024 Authorizes Election Day Registration Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 16)
May 8, 2012 CT HB 5556 Requires Corporations to Identify Top Donors for Campaign Contributions Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
May 8, 2012 CT HB 5556 Requires Corporations to Identify Top Donors for Campaign Contributions Bill Passed - House (94 - 54)
April 4, 2012 CT HJ 2 Authorizes Absentee Ballots for Any Reason Resolution Passed - House (97 - 50)
April 30, 2012 CT HB 5024 Authorizes Election Day Registration Bill Passed - House (83 - 59)
May 17, 2012 DE SB 185 Requires Lobbyists to Report Their Activities in the Legislature Bill Passed - House (26 - 12)
March 1, 2012 FL HB 1209 Prohibits Courts from Basing Decisions on Foreign Laws Bill Passed - House (92 - 24)
Feb. 3, 2012 FL SB 1174 Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - House (80 - 37)
Feb. 3, 2012 FL SB 1174 Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - House (80 - 37)
Feb. 3, 2012 FL SB 1174 Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - House (80 - 37)
March 7, 2012 FL HB 971 Amends Process of Judiciary Appointment Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 14)
March 7, 2012 FL HB 971 Amends Process of Judiciary Appointment Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 14)
March 9, 2012 FL HB 1205 Authorizes Random Drug Tests of State Employees Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 14)
March 27, 2012 FL SJR 2B State Senate Redistricting Joint Resolution Passed - House (61 - 47)
March 27, 2012 FL SJR 2B State Senate Redistricting Joint Resolution Passed - House (61 - 47)
March 2, 2012 FL HB 1205 Authorizes Random Drug Tests of State Employees Bill Passed - House (79 - 37)
Feb. 29, 2012 FL HB 609 Prohibits Unpaid Wage Collection Ordinances Bill Passed - House (77 - 38)
Feb. 24, 2012 FL HB 971 Amends Process of Judiciary Appointment Bill Passed - House (77 - 35)
Feb. 24, 2012 FL HB 971 Amends Process of Judiciary Appointment Bill Passed - House (77 - 35)
March 22, 2012 FL SJR 2B State Senate Redistricting Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (31 - 6)
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. 24, 2012 GA SB 447 Reduces Unemployment Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 13)
March 7, 2012 GA SB 438 Prohibits State Employee Insurance Coverage of Abortions Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 18)
Feb. 24, 2012 GA SB 447 Reduces Unemployment Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 13)
Feb. 3, 2012 GA HB 829 State House Redistricting Bill Passed - House (101 - 53)
May 9, 2012 IA SF 2315 Amends the Mental Health and Disability Services Program Conference Report Adopted - House (66 - 31)
Feb. 29, 2012 IA HJR 2009 Prohibiting Mandatory Licensing and Registration of Guns Amendment Adopted - House (61 - 37)
May 7, 2012 IA HF 2475 Reduces Certain Business Property Taxes Bill Passed - House (71 - 26)
March 23, 2012 ID H 619 Prohibits Speed Limit Regulation by Local Authorities Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 9)
March 23, 2012 ID SJM 104 Urging Congress to Repeal Insurance Coverage of Contraception Joint Resolution Passed - House (51 - 16)
Feb. 23, 2012 ID HB 391 Repeals the Presidential Primary Election Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 16)
March 28, 2012 ID H 660 Amends the Judicial Retirement Fund Bill Passed - House (46 - 22)
March 15, 2012 ID H 619 Prohibits Speed Limit Regulation by Local Authorities Bill Passed - House (56 - 10)
March 28, 2012 ID H 695 Establishes a Legislative Legal Defense Fund Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 11)
March 22, 2012 ID HJR 1 Requires a 2/3 Vote for Tax Increases Motion Rejected - House (37 - 33)
Feb. 23, 2012 ID HJM 10 Urges Congress to Pass Rights of Conscience Act Joint Resolution Passed - House (53 - 15)
March 26, 2012 ID H 695 Establishes a Legislative Legal Defense Fund Bill Passed - House (53 - 16)
Feb. 8, 2012 ID HB 391 Repeals the Presidential Primary Election Bill Passed - House (56 - 12)
March 5, 2012 ID HCR 40 2 Percent Pay Raise for State Employees Resolution Passed - House (54 - 14)
March 15, 2012 ID S 1358 Amends Bullying Laws Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 8)
May 31, 2012 IL SB 3442 Requires Recycling of Plastic Bags Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (38 - 15)
May 10, 2012 IL SB 1313 Limits Health Care Coverage for Retired State Employees Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 20)
May 31, 2012 IL HB 1447 Pension Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 24)
May 9, 2012 IL SB 1313 Limits Health Care Coverage for Retired State Employees Bill Passed - House (74 - 43)
May 30, 2012 IL SB 3442 Requires Recycling of Plastic Bags Bill Passed - House (72 - 44)
March 21, 2012 IL HB 3944 Authorizing the Recording of Police Bill Failed - House (45 - 59)
Jan. 27, 2012 IN H Amdt 3 Drug and Alcohol Testing for Legislators Amendment Adopted - House (55 - 40)
Jan. 31, 2012 IN HB 1007 Requires Drug Testing for TANF Applicants Bill Passed - House (73 - 23)
Jan. 31, 2012 IN HB 1269 Authorizes Indiana to Join the Interstate Health Care Compact Bill Passed - House (62 - 35)
Jan. 23, 2012 IN SB 170 Nepotism and Conflicts of Interest in Local Government Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 11)
Feb. 23, 2012 KS SB 83 Amends Judicial Appointment Process Concurrence Vote Failed - Senate (17 - 22)
May 10, 2012 KS SB 102 State Senate Redistricting Bill Passed - House (67 - 50)
Date No. Title Outcome
5/24 SB 25 State Senate Redistricting Bill Passed - House (65 - 36)
5/24 HB 19 State House Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
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)
5/22 SB 25 State Senate Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12)
5/21 HB 19 State House Redistricting Bill Passed - House (66 - 35)
2/16 HB 159 Authorizes Economic Development Incentive Program Bill Passed - House (65 - 22)
5/02 HCR 2004 Establishes State Sovereignty Over Certain Natural Resources Concurrence Vote Passed - House (38 - 20)
4/09 HB 2434 Requires Federal Agents to Notify Local Law Enforcement Prior to Taking Action Concurrence Vote Passed - House (38 - 17)
4/25 SB 1332 Requires the Federal Government to Give Back Land to Arizona Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (19 - 9)
4/30 HCR 2004 Establishes State Sovereignty Over Certain Natural Resources Resolution Passed - Senate (16 - 14)
4/24 SB 1182 Prohibits Enforcement of Certain Provisions in the National Defense Authorization Act Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (20 - 8)
4/19 SB 1182 Prohibits Enforcement of Certain Provisions in the National Defense Authorization Act Bill Passed - House (34 - 22)
4/23 SB 1332 Requires the Federal Government to Give Back Land to Arizona Bill Passed - House (35 - 15)
4/04 HB 2434 Requires Federal Agents to Notify Local Law Enforcement Prior to Taking Action Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 8)
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)
3/06 HCR 2056 Matches State Minimum Wage to Federal Minimum Resolution Passed - House (39 - 18)
2/09 SB 1061 Authorizes Schools to Opt-Out of the National School Lunch Program Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 10)
2/16 SB 1484 Prohibits Certain Deductions from Public Employee Paychecks Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 11)
3/20 HB 2862 Appropriates Funds for Independent Redistricting Commission Bill Passed - House (36 - 20)
2/28 SCR 1021 Repeals Public Campaign Financing Resolution Passed - Senate (21 - 9)
2/28 SCR 1021 Repeals Public Campaign Financing Resolution Passed - Senate (21 - 9)
3/01 SB 1083 Establishes the Arizona Special Missions Unit Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 10)
3/01 SB 1507 Prohibits Implementation of the United Nations Rio Declaration Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 9)
3/05 SB 1449 Establishes a Recall Primary Election for a Recall Election Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 11)
3/05 SCR 1008 Declaration of State of Emergency Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 8)
3/05 HCR 2043 Amends Requirements for Ballot Measures for Future Tax Increases Resolution Passed - House (32 - 26)
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)
8/23 AB 1436 Authorizes Same-Day Voter Registration Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 13)
6/27 AB 1499 Ballot Order for Statewide Measures Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 15)
8/29 ACA 10 Limits Citizen-led Initiatives to Amend the State Constitution Amendment Rejected - House (41 - 30)
8/29 ACA 10 Limits Citizen-led Initiatives to Amend the State Constitution Amendment Rejected - House (41 - 30)
3/22 AJR 22 Requests a Constitutional Amendment to Overturn Citizens United Joint Resolution Passed - House (48 - 22)
3/22 AJR 22 Requests a Constitutional Amendment to Overturn Citizens United Joint Resolution Passed - House (48 - 22)
5/31 AB 1436 Authorizes Same-Day Voter Registration Bill Passed - House (47 - 26)
1/31 AB 1148 Requires Political Advertisements to Disclose Funding Sources Bill Failed - House (52 - 26)
2/29 HB 1301 Authorizes Legislative Appropriations Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13)
4/27 SM 3 Urges Congress to Authorize Religious Exemptions to Providing Birth Control Bill Failed - Senate (15 - 20)
2/28 HB 1115 Authorizes Businesses to Comment on Fiscal Impact of Proposed Legislation Bill Passed - House (41 - 22)
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)
2/15 HB 1301 Authorizes Legislative Appropriations Bill Passed - House (34 - 28)
1/19 HR 1003 Repeal the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act Resolution Passed - House (33 - 31)
5/05 HB 5024 Authorizes Election Day Registration Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 16)
5/08 HB 5556 Requires Corporations to Identify Top Donors for Campaign Contributions Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
5/08 HB 5556 Requires Corporations to Identify Top Donors for Campaign Contributions Bill Passed - House (94 - 54)
4/04 HJ 2 Authorizes Absentee Ballots for Any Reason Resolution Passed - House (97 - 50)
4/30 HB 5024 Authorizes Election Day Registration Bill Passed - House (83 - 59)
5/17 SB 185 Requires Lobbyists to Report Their Activities in the Legislature Bill Passed - House (26 - 12)
3/01 HB 1209 Prohibits Courts from Basing Decisions on Foreign Laws Bill Passed - House (92 - 24)
2/03 SB 1174 Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - House (80 - 37)
2/03 SB 1174 Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - House (80 - 37)
2/03 SB 1174 Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - House (80 - 37)
3/07 HB 971 Amends Process of Judiciary Appointment Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 14)
3/07 HB 971 Amends Process of Judiciary Appointment Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 14)
3/09 HB 1205 Authorizes Random Drug Tests of State Employees Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 14)
3/27 SJR 2B State Senate Redistricting Joint Resolution Passed - House (61 - 47)
3/27 SJR 2B State Senate Redistricting Joint Resolution Passed - House (61 - 47)
3/02 HB 1205 Authorizes Random Drug Tests of State Employees Bill Passed - House (79 - 37)
2/29 HB 609 Prohibits Unpaid Wage Collection Ordinances Bill Passed - House (77 - 38)
2/24 HB 971 Amends Process of Judiciary Appointment Bill Passed - House (77 - 35)
2/24 HB 971 Amends Process of Judiciary Appointment Bill Passed - House (77 - 35)
3/22 SJR 2B State Senate Redistricting Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (31 - 6)
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)
2/24 SB 447 Reduces Unemployment Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 13)
3/07 SB 438 Prohibits State Employee Insurance Coverage of Abortions Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 18)
2/24 SB 447 Reduces Unemployment Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 13)
2/03 HB 829 State House Redistricting Bill Passed - House (101 - 53)
5/09 SF 2315 Amends the Mental Health and Disability Services Program Conference Report Adopted - House (66 - 31)
2/29 HJR 2009 Prohibiting Mandatory Licensing and Registration of Guns Amendment Adopted - House (61 - 37)
5/07 HF 2475 Reduces Certain Business Property Taxes Bill Passed - House (71 - 26)
3/23 H 619 Prohibits Speed Limit Regulation by Local Authorities Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 9)
3/23 SJM 104 Urging Congress to Repeal Insurance Coverage of Contraception Joint Resolution Passed - House (51 - 16)
2/23 HB 391 Repeals the Presidential Primary Election Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 16)
3/28 H 660 Amends the Judicial Retirement Fund Bill Passed - House (46 - 22)
3/15 H 619 Prohibits Speed Limit Regulation by Local Authorities Bill Passed - House (56 - 10)
3/28 H 695 Establishes a Legislative Legal Defense Fund Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 11)
3/22 HJR 1 Requires a 2/3 Vote for Tax Increases Motion Rejected - House (37 - 33)
2/23 HJM 10 Urges Congress to Pass Rights of Conscience Act Joint Resolution Passed - House (53 - 15)
3/26 H 695 Establishes a Legislative Legal Defense Fund Bill Passed - House (53 - 16)
2/08 HB 391 Repeals the Presidential Primary Election Bill Passed - House (56 - 12)
3/05 HCR 40 2 Percent Pay Raise for State Employees Resolution Passed - House (54 - 14)
3/15 S 1358 Amends Bullying Laws Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 8)
5/31 SB 3442 Requires Recycling of Plastic Bags Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (38 - 15)
5/10 SB 1313 Limits Health Care Coverage for Retired State Employees Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 20)
5/31 HB 1447 Pension Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 24)
5/09 SB 1313 Limits Health Care Coverage for Retired State Employees Bill Passed - House (74 - 43)
5/30 SB 3442 Requires Recycling of Plastic Bags Bill Passed - House (72 - 44)
3/21 HB 3944 Authorizing the Recording of Police Bill Failed - House (45 - 59)
1/27 H Amdt 3 Drug and Alcohol Testing for Legislators Amendment Adopted - House (55 - 40)
1/31 HB 1007 Requires Drug Testing for TANF Applicants Bill Passed - House (73 - 23)
1/31 HB 1269 Authorizes Indiana to Join the Interstate Health Care Compact Bill Passed - House (62 - 35)
1/23 SB 170 Nepotism and Conflicts of Interest in Local Government Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 11)
2/23 SB 83 Amends Judicial Appointment Process Concurrence Vote Failed - Senate (17 - 22)
5/10 SB 102 State Senate Redistricting Bill Passed - House (67 - 50)

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