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:
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.
Date | State | Bill No. | Title | Outcome |
---|---|---|---|---|
Sept. 28, 2016 | OH | SB 329 | Requires the Legislature to Review State Agencies | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 8) |
Sept. 14, 2016 | MO | HB 1870 | Reauthorizes Small Business Tax Deductions | Veto Override Failed - Senate (18 - 12) |
Sept. 14, 2016 | MO | HB 1870 | Reauthorizes Small Business Tax Deductions | Veto Override Passed - House (113 - 43) |
Sept. 14, 2016 | MO | HB 1631 | Requires Individuals to Present Certain Identification to Vote | Veto Override Passed - Senate (24 - 7) |
Sept. 14, 2016 | MO | HB 1631 | Requires Individuals to Present Certain Identification to Vote | Veto Override Passed - House (115 - 41) |
Sept. 14, 2016 | National | HR 5620 | VA Accountability First and Appeals Modernization Act of 2016 | Bill Passed - House (310 - 116) |
Aug. 31, 2016 | CA | AB 2002 | Requires Coastal Commission Members to Disclose Private Meetings | Bill Failed - Senate (22 - 13) |
Aug. 30, 2016 | CA | AB 385 | Repeals Daylight Savings Time | Bill Failed - Senate (15 - 19) |
Aug. 24, 2016 | CA | AB 197 | Establishes the Joint Legislative Committee on Climate Change Policies | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (45 - 30) |
Aug. 23, 2016 | CA | AB 1887 | Prohibits State-Funded Travel to Certain States | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (56 - 21) |
Aug. 23, 2016 | CA | AB 385 | Repeals Daylight Savings Time | Bill Failed - Senate (17 - 17) |
Aug. 22, 2016 | CA | AB 197 | Establishes the Joint Legislative Committee on Climate Change Policies | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 13) |
Aug. 17, 2016 | CA | AB 1887 | Prohibits State-Funded Travel to Certain States | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 12) |
Aug. 16, 2016 | CA | AB 2466 | Expands Voting Rights for Certain Convicted Felons | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 13) |
July 7, 2016 | National | HR 4361 | Government Reform and Improvement Act of 2016 | Bill Passed - House (241 - 181) |
June 27, 2016 | NC | SB 897 | Establishes Electoral Districts for City of Asheville | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 16) |
June 13, 2016 | NC | HB 169 | Repeals Recycling Program | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 15) |
June 9, 2016 | National | HR 5278 | Puerto Rico Oversight, Management, and Economic Stability Act (PROMESA) | Bill Passed - House (297 - 127) |
June 6, 2016 | AK | SB 128 | Amends Alaska Permanent Fund Dividend Policy | Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 5) |
June 2, 2016 | CA | AB 2002 | Requires Coastal Commission Members to Disclose Private Meetings | Bill Passed - House (54 - 23) |
May 31, 2016 | CA | AB 2466 | Expands Voting Rights for Certain Convicted Felons | Bill Passed - House (41 - 37) |
May 30, 2016 | LA | SB 227 | Authorizes REAL ID Driver's Licenses | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate |
May 25, 2016 | OH | SB 296 | Requires Bond for Extended Polling Hours | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 10) |
May 25, 2016 | OH | SB 296 | Requires Bond for Extended Polling Hours | Bill Passed - House (64 - 32) |
May 23, 2016 | CA | SB 1190 | Prohibits Coastal Commission from Engaging in Ex Parte Communications | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12) |
May 19, 2016 | IL | SB 250 | Establishes Automatic Voter Registration | Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 16) |
May 10, 2016 | MI | SB 853 | Prohibits Cities from Restricting Plastic Bags | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 12) |
May 4, 2016 | MO | HB 1631 | Requires Individuals to Present Certain Identification to Vote | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (112 - 38) |
May 4, 2016 | AZ | SB 1268 | Exempts Cities from Assured Water Supply Requirement | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (17 - 12) |
May 3, 2016 | MO | SCR 46 | Prohibits a Wage Range Increase for Personal Care Attendants | Veto Override Passed - House (119 - 36) |
May 3, 2016 | MO | HB 1631 | Requires Individuals to Present Certain Identification to Vote | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 8) |
April 27, 2016 | LA | HB 598 | Amends Voter Registration Policies for Convicted Felons | Bill Failed - House (37 - 60) |
April 21, 2016 | IL | SJRCA 29 | Repeals Office of the Lieutenant Governor | Amendment Rejected - Senate (21 - 28) |
April 21, 2016 | IL | SJRCA 29 | Repeals Office of the Lieutenant Governor | Amendment Rejected - Senate (21 - 28) |
April 21, 2016 | IL | SJRCA 30 | Amends Redistricting Process | Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 19) |
April 21, 2016 | IL | SJRCA 30 | Amends Redistricting Process | Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 19) |
April 20, 2016 | TN | HB 615 | Establishes the Bible as the Official State Book | Veto Override Failed - House (43 - 50) |
April 19, 2016 | TN | SJR 467 | Urges Attorney General to File Lawsuit in Relation to Refugee Resettlement Program | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 4) |
April 18, 2016 | TN | SJR 467 | Urges Attorney General to File Lawsuit in Relation to Refugee Resettlement Program | Bill Passed - House (69 - 25) |
April 14, 2016 | National | HR 3340 | Financial Stability Oversight Council Reform Act | Bill Passed - House (239 - 179) |
April 13, 2016 | NE | LB 580 | Establishes Independent Redistricting Commission | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 15) |
April 13, 2016 | NE | LB 580 | Establishes Independent Redistricting Commission | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 15) |
April 11, 2016 | ME | LD 1600 | Requires Legislative Approval for National Monument Designations | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17) |
April 7, 2016 | AK | HB 222 | Limits Governor's Ability to Accept Federal Funds | Bill Passed - House (26 - 13) |
April 7, 2016 | ME | LD 1600 | Requires Legislative Approval for National Monument Designations | Bill Passed - House (77 - 73) |
April 7, 2016 | AK | HB 222 | Limits Governor's Ability to Accept Federal Funds | Bill Passed - House (26 - 13) |
April 6, 2016 | MO | SCR 46 | Prohibits a Wage Range Increase for Personal Care Attendants | Veto Override Passed - Senate (24 - 8) |
April 6, 2016 | AZ | SB 1248 | Prohibits Pet Stores from Selling Commercially Bred Animals | Bill Passed - House (36 - 23) |
April 4, 2016 | NE | LB 10 | Establishes Winner-Take-All Election System | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 15) |
April 4, 2016 | TN | HB 615 | Establishes the Bible as the Official State Book | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 8) |
April 4, 2016 | LA | SB 25 | Authorizes Legislature to Introduce Fiscal Bills Every Year | Bill Failed - Senate (11 - 24) |
March 29, 2016 | RI | H 7024 | Authorizes Online Voting | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 6) |
March 29, 2016 | AZ | SB 1516 | Repeals Certain Campaign Finance Reforms | Bill Passed - House (31 - 27) |
March 29, 2016 | LA | SB 227 | Authorizes REAL ID Driver's Licenses | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 7) |
March 29, 2016 | LA | SB 164 | Amends Absentee Voting Requirements | Bill Failed - Senate (11 - 24) |
March 29, 2016 | CO | SB 157 | Requires Suspension of Clean Power Plan Implementation | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17) |
March 23, 2016 | GA | SB 323 | Increases Deadline for Disclosure of Records of Intercollegiate Sports Programs | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 22) |
March 22, 2016 | KY | SB 245 | Authorizes State to Issue Real ID Compliant Identification Documents | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 12) |
March 22, 2016 | KS | SB 439 | Specifies Qualifications for Impeachment | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19) |
March 21, 2016 | MD | HB 1007 | Establishes Electronic Voter Registration | Bill Passed - House (93 - 43) |
March 17, 2016 | National | H Res 639 | Authorizing the Speaker to Appear as Amicus Curiae on Behalf of the House of Representatives in the Matter of United States, et al. v. Texas, et al., No. 15-674 | Resolution Passed - House (234 - 186) |
March 15, 2016 | ID | H 372 | Prohibits Local Limitation on Use of Plastic Bags | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15) |
March 14, 2016 | National | PN 1152 | Nomination of John B. King to be Secretary of Education | Nomination Confirmed - Senate (49 - 40) |
March 14, 2016 | National | PN 1152 | Nomination of John B. King to be Secretary of Education | Nomination Confirmed - Senate (49 - 40) |
March 14, 2016 | KY | HB 290 | Authorizes In-Person Absentee Voting | Bill Passed - House (57 - 37) |
March 14, 2016 | TN | HB 779 | Authorizes Voters to Petition for De-annexation Elections | Bill Passed - House (68 - 25) |
March 10, 2016 | AZ | HB 2131 | Prohibits Local Governments from Taxing Disposable Bags | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 11) |
March 10, 2016 | KY | SB 8 | Requires the State Supreme Court to Review Judicial Districts | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 12) |
March 10, 2016 | KY | SB 8 | Requires the State Supreme Court to Review Judicial Districts | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 12) |
March 10, 2016 | MO | SJR 39 | Prohibits Penalties for Declining Participation in Same-Sex Marriage Ceremonies | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (23 - 7) |
March 8, 2016 | AZ | SB 1516 | Repeals Certain Campaign Finance Reforms | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 10) |
March 3, 2016 | OR | SB 1573 | Authorizes City Property Annexation without Voter Authorization | Bill Passed - House (32 - 28) |
March 3, 2016 | SC | H 4701 | Prohibits Enforcement of Federal Restrictions on Firearms | Bill Passed - House (64 - 30) |
March 3, 2016 | OK | HB 3162 | Amends Nomination Procedure for Appellate Judges | Bill Passed - House (58 - 34) |
March 3, 2016 | MS | HB 989 | Establishes the Mississippi Achievement School District | Bill Passed - House (82 - 38) |
March 2, 2016 | CO | SB 74 | Authorizes Voters to Opt Out of Mail Ballots | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17) |
March 1, 2016 | MS | HB 738 | Amends Attorney General Hiring and Filing Oversight Processes | Bill Passed - House (61 - 60) |
Feb. 29, 2016 | VA | HB 587 | Prohibits Removal of War Monuments | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 17) |
Feb. 29, 2016 | MS | HB 782 | Prohibits Enforcement of Certain Law Relating to Firearms | Bill Passed - House (75 - 46) |
Feb. 29, 2016 | AZ | HB 2403 | Limits Property Deed Recording Fee to $500 | Bill Passed - House (31 - 28) |
Feb. 29, 2016 | GA | SR 675 | Establishes English as the Official Language of the State of Georgia | Resolution Passed - Senate (39 - 14) |
Feb. 26, 2016 | VA | HB 1371 | Prohibits Cities from Increasing Minimum Wage or Benefits | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19) |
Feb. 25, 2016 | AL | HB 174 | Prohibits Local Governments from Establishing Wage or Employee Benefits Requirements | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 11) |
Feb. 24, 2016 | UT | SJR 2 | Urges Congress to Repeal the 17th Amendment | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 6) |
Feb. 24, 2016 | MS | HB 868 | Amends State Supreme Court District Boundaries | Bill Passed - House (71 - 50) |
Feb. 24, 2016 | CO | SB 112 | Requires Certain Number of Polling Centers | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17) |
Feb. 24, 2016 | UT | SJR 2 | Urges Congress to Repeal the 17th Amendment | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 6) |
Feb. 24, 2016 | UT | SJR 2 | Urges Congress to Repeal the 17th Amendment | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 6) |
Feb. 22, 2016 | TN | SJR 467 | Urges Attorney General to File Lawsuit in Relation to Refugee Resettlement Program | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (27 - 5) |
Feb. 22, 2016 | KS | HCR 5010 | Establishes State Commitment to a Proposed Constitutional Convention | Bill Failed - House (77 - 47) |
Feb. 19, 2016 | NC | SB 2 | Amends Congressional Districts | Bill Passed - House (65 - 43) |
Feb. 19, 2016 | ID | H 463 | Prohibits Local Governments from Increasing Minimum Wage | Bill Passed - House (55 - 14) |
Feb. 19, 2016 | WV | HB 4013 | Requires Certain Identification to Vote | Bill Passed - House (64 - 34) |
Feb. 18, 2016 | WI | SB 707 | Prohibits a Legislator from Holding Office as County Executive | Bill Passed - House (53 - 40) |
Feb. 18, 2016 | NC | SB 2 | Amends Congressional Districts | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 15) |
Feb. 17, 2016 | NM | HB 138 | Authorizes Certain Minors to Vote | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 16) |
Feb. 16, 2016 | WI | SB 707 | Prohibits a Legislator from Holding Office as County Executive | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 13) |
Feb. 16, 2016 | AL | HB 174 | Prohibits Local Governments from Establishing Wage or Employee Benefits Requirements | Bill Passed - House (71 - 31) |
Feb. 15, 2016 | WA | HB 2682 | Establishes Automatic Voter Registration | Bill Passed - House (55 - 42) |
Feb. 11, 2016 | AL | HB 37 | Prohibits Requiring Employees to Join or Pay Unions | Bill Failed - House (60 - 24) |