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 |
---|---|---|---|---|
Jan. 3, 2018 | NH | HB 372 | Amends Definition of Residency for Voting Purposes | "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Adopted - Senate (14 - 9) |
Jan. 18, 2018 | National | S 139 | FISA Amendments Reauthorization Act of 2017 | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (65 - 34) |
Jan. 11, 2018 | National | S 139 | FISA Amendments Reauthorization Act of 2017 | Bill Passed - House (256 - 164) |
Jan. 12, 2018 | FL | HB 13 | Prohibits Sport Franchises from Building on Publicly Owned Land | Bill Passed - House (75 - 27) |
Jan. 12, 2018 | FL | HB 9 | Prohibits Local Sanctuary Policies | Bill Passed - House (71 - 35) |
Jan. 23, 2018 | AL | HB 17 | Repeals Special Elections | Bill Passed - House (67 - 31) |
March 9, 2018 | WV | HB 4006 | Repeals Department of Education and Arts | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 15) |
Jan. 31, 2018 | WV | HB 4006 | Repeals Department of Education and Arts | Bill Passed - House (60 - 36) |
Feb. 9, 2018 | National | HR 1892 | Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018 | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (240 - 186) |
Feb. 9, 2018 | National | HR 1892 | Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018 | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (71 - 28) |
Feb. 5, 2018 | WV | HB 2662 | Prohibits the Waste of Game Animals | Bill Passed - House (56 - 39) |
Feb. 9, 2018 | WV | SJR 12 | Prohibits a Constitutional Right to Abortion | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 9) |
Feb. 13, 2018 | AZ | HB 2153 | Prohibits Localities from Requiring Campaign Donation Disclosure | Bill Passed - House (33 - 25) |
Feb. 13, 2018 | AZ | HB 2153 | Prohibits Localities from Requiring Campaign Donation Disclosure | Bill Passed - House (33 - 25) |
Feb. 8, 2018 | AZ | HB 2208 | Prohibits Photo Speed and Red Light Enforcement Cameras | Bill Passed - House (31 - 27) |
Feb. 14, 2018 | FL | HB 1013 | Authorizes Daylight Saving Time Year-Round | Bill Passed - House (103 - 11) |
Feb. 8, 2018 | MS | HB 1238 | Prohibits Certain Consumer Protection Lawsuits | Bill Passed - House (58 - 54) |
Feb. 13, 2018 | OR | HJR 203 | Specifies Proposal for Statewide Access to Healthcare | Bill Passed - House (35 - 25) |
Feb. 7, 2018 | SC | H 3529 | Prohibits Local Regulations on Plastic Bags | Bill Passed - House (73 - 41) |
Feb. 20, 2018 | ID | H 419 | Prohibits Courts from Ruling Based on Foreign Law | Bill Passed - House (44 - 24) |
Feb. 22, 2018 | IN | SB 1 | Authorizes Sunday Alcohol Sales | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (38 - 10) |
Feb. 20, 2018 | IN | SB 1 | Authorizes Sunday Alcohol Sales | Bill Passed - House (82 - 10) |
Feb. 23, 2018 | WA | SB 6617 | Exempts Legislators from Public Records Law | Bill Passed - House (83 - 14) |
Feb. 23, 2018 | WA | SB 6617 | Exempts Legislators from Public Records Law | Bill Passed - House (83 - 14) |
Feb. 23, 2018 | WA | SB 6617 | Exempts Legislators from Public Records Law | Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 7) |
Feb. 23, 2018 | WA | SB 6617 | Exempts Legislators from Public Records Law | Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 7) |
Feb. 22, 2018 | MI | HB 4053 | Establishes English as Official Language | Bill Passed - House (62 - 46) |
March 2, 2018 | WV | SB 415 | Authorizes Casino Sports Betting Upon Federal Approval | Bill Passed - House (77 - 22) |
Feb. 20, 2018 | WV | SB 415 | Authorizes Casino Sports Betting Upon Federal Approval | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 9) |
March 5, 2018 | MD | SB 256 | Requires Presidential Candidates to Disclose Tax Returns | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 17) |
March 6, 2018 | National | HR 4607 | Comprehensive Regulatory Review Act | Bill Passed - House (246 - 143) |
Feb. 28, 2018 | MS | SB 2295 | Transfer Exclusive Jurisdiction of Utility Matters to Public Service Commission | Bill Passed - House (90 - 26) |
March 7, 2018 | WA | HB 2595 | Authorizes Automatic Voter Registration | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (50 - 48) |
March 7, 2018 | WA | HB 2595 | Authorizes Automatic Voter Registration | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (50 - 48) |
March 6, 2018 | WA | HB 2595 | Authorizes Automatic Voter Registration | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 21) |
March 6, 2018 | WA | HB 2595 | Authorizes Automatic Voter Registration | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 21) |
March 8, 2018 | WA | HB 3003 | Amends Various Police 'Use of Force' Laws | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 24) |
March 7, 2018 | WA | HB 3003 | Amends Various Police 'Use of Force' Laws | Bill Passed - House (73 - 25) |
March 28, 2018 | MD | SB 1048 | Authorizes Automatic Voter Registration | Bill Passed - House (93 - 46) |
March 16, 2018 | MD | SB 1048 | Authorizes Automatic Voter Registration | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 13) |
May 2, 2018 | NH | HB 1264 | Amends Residency Definiton | "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Adopted - Senate (14 - 10) |
March 6, 2018 | NH | HB 1264 | Amends Residency Definiton | "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (171 - 144) |
March 23, 2018 | National | HR 1625 | Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2018 | Bill Passed - Senate (65 - 32) |
March 22, 2018 | National | HR 1625 | Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2018 | Bill Passed - House (256 - 167) |
March 15, 2018 | MI | HB 5669 | Authorizes Additional Forms of Voter Identification | Bill Passed - House (62 - 44) |
April 5, 2018 | CO | HB 18-1322 | Establishes Budget for Fiscal Year 2018-2019 | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 8) |
March 29, 2018 | CO | HB 18-1322 | Establishes Budget for Fiscal Year 2018-2019 | Bill Passed - House (42 - 22) |
March 28, 2018 | AL | HB 317 | Exempts Certain Individuals from Registering as Lobbyists | Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 14) |
Feb. 14, 2018 | NM | HB 98 | Amends Local Elections | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 15) |
April 12, 2018 | NJ | A 2014 | Authorizes Automatic Voter Registration at More Locations | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 13) |
April 12, 2018 | NJ | A 2014 | Authorizes Automatic Voter Registration at More Locations | Bill Passed - House (50 - 23) |
March 13, 2018 | PA | HB 153 | Decreases Size of State Legislature | Bill Passed - House (101 - 84) |
March 13, 2018 | PA | HB 153 | Decreases Size of State Legislature | Bill Passed - House (101 - 84) |
April 11, 2018 | MO | SJR 27 | Prohibits Lobbyist Gifts to Government Officials | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 12) |
April 11, 2018 | MO | SJR 27 | Prohibits Lobbyist Gifts to Government Officials | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 12) |
April 11, 2018 | MO | SJR 27 | Prohibits Lobbyist Gifts to Government Officials | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 12) |
May 5, 2018 | CT | HB 5421 | Authorizes National Popular Vote Interstate Compact | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14) |
April 26, 2018 | CT | HB 5421 | Authorizes National Popular Vote Interstate Compact | Bill Passed - House (77 - 73) |
April 19, 2018 | AZ | HB 2563 | Establishes Free Speech Policy for College Campuses | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (17 - 13) |
May 10, 2018 | National | HR 3053 | Nuclear Waste Policy Amendments Act of 2018 | Bill Passed - House (340 - 72) |
May 9, 2018 | National | HR 2152 | Citizens' Right to Know Act of 2018 | Bill Passed - House (221 - 197) |
May 8, 2018 | MO | SB 743 | Amends Open Records Laws | Bill Passed - House (85 - 59) |
April 25, 2018 | TN | HB 2315 | Prohibits Sanctuary Policies | Bill Passed - House (64 - 23) |
May 11, 2018 | MO | HJR 100 | Prohibits Counting Non-Citizens for Redistricting Purposes | Bill Passed - House (90 - 34) |
May 11, 2018 | MO | HJR 100 | Prohibits Counting Non-Citizens for Redistricting Purposes | Bill Passed - House (90 - 34) |
May 2, 2018 | IL | SB 2213 | Requires State Agencies to Adhere to Federal Regulations as of 2017 | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 21) |
May 2, 2018 | IL | SB 2213 | Requires State Agencies to Adhere to Federal Regulations as of 2017 | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 21) |
May 15, 2018 | LA | SB 389 | Amends Probation Regulations | Bill Passed - House (81 - 6) |
April 12, 2018 | MI | SB 741 | Prohibits Breed-Specific Ordinances | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 13) |
May 14, 2018 | MO | HJR 79 | Amends Constitution to Include Right-to-Work Provision | Bill Passed - House (93 - 54) |
May 17, 2018 | RI | H 8042 | Requires Publicizing Financial Records of Government Officials | Bill Passed - House (61 - 7) |
May 30, 2018 | IL | SJRCA 4 | Ratifies Equal Rights Amendment | Bill Passed - House (72 - 45) |
June 13, 2018 | NC | HB 1055 | Amends Pension Benefit Regulations | Bill Passed - House (81 - 34) |
June 5, 2018 | NC | SB 757 | Requires Judicial Redistricting | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 14) |
June 5, 2018 | NC | SB 757 | Requires Judicial Redistricting | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 14) |
June 5, 2018 | NC | SB 757 | Requires Judicial Redistricting | Bill Passed - House (70 - 45) |
June 5, 2018 | NC | SB 757 | Requires Judicial Redistricting | Bill Passed - House (70 - 45) |
June 25, 2018 | NJ | A 3463 | Requires Polling Places to Post Count of Voters | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 15) |
June 21, 2018 | NJ | A 3463 | Requires Polling Places to Post Count of Voters | Bill Passed - House (49 - 23) |
June 19, 2018 | RI | S 2612 | Requires Presidential Candidates to Release Tax Returns | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 3) |
June 20, 2018 | RI | H 7200 | Establishes Budget for Fiscal Year 2018-2019 | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 2) |
June 15, 2018 | RI | H 7200 | Establishes Budget for Fiscal Year 2018-2019 | Bill Passed - House (61 - 12) |
June 29, 2018 | NC | HB 1092 | Requires Photo Identification to Vote | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 12) |
June 29, 2018 | NC | HB 1092 | Requires Photo Identification to Vote | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 12) |
June 26, 2018 | NC | HB 1092 | Requires Photo Identification to Vote | Bill Passed - House (74 - 43) |
June 26, 2018 | NC | HB 1092 | Requires Photo Identification to Vote | Bill Passed - House (74 - 43) |
July 11, 2018 | National | PN 1402 | Nomination of Brian Allen Benczkowski to be Assistant Attorney General | (51 - 48) |
July 10, 2018 | National | PN 1402 | Nomination of Brian Allen Benczkowski to be Assistant Attorney General | Cloture Invoked - Senate (51 - 48) |
July 18, 2018 | National | PN 1645 | Nomination of Andrew S. Oldham to be United States Circuit Judge for the 5th Circuit | (50 - 49) |
July 17, 2018 | National | PN 1645 | Nomination of Andrew S. Oldham to be United States Circuit Judge for the 5th Circuit | Cloture Invoked - Senate (50 - 49) |
July 19, 2018 | National | S Res 584 | A resolution expressing the sense of the Senate against the making available of current and former diplomats, officials, and members of the Armed Forces of the United States for questioning by the government of Vladimir Putin. | Bill Passed - Senate (98 - 0) |
June 28, 2018 | CA | SB 1171 | Authorizes Same Day Voter Registration | Bill Passed - House (53 - 23) |
April 5, 2018 | CA | SB 1171 | Authorizes Same Day Voter Registration | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 10) |
July 2, 2018 | CA | AB 216 | Authorizes Free Postage for Vote by Mail | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (61 - 14) |
June 21, 2018 | CA | AB 216 | Authorizes Free Postage for Vote by Mail | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 8) |
June 28, 2018 | CA | AB 1838 | Prohibits Local Grocery Taxes | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (70 - 2) |
June 28, 2018 | CA | AB 1838 | Prohibits Local Grocery Taxes | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 7) |
Aug. 6, 2018 | CA | SB 892 | Authorizes the Official Recognition of the Lunar New Year | Bill Passed - House (75 - 0) |
July 30, 2018 | MA | H 4834 | Establishes Automatic Voter Registration | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (36 - 0) |
July 30, 2018 | MA | H 4834 | Establishes Automatic Voter Registration | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (36 - 0) |