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.


results per page:
Date State Bill No. Title Outcome
May 24, 2018 MI SB 872 Amends Statue of Limitations for Sexual Misconduct Cases Going Back until 1997 Bill Passed - House (99 - 10)
April 19, 2018 AZ HB 2563 Establishes Free Speech Policy for College Campuses Conference Report Adopted - Senate (17 - 13)
May 1, 2018 HI SB 270 Prohibits Conversion Therapy for Minors Conference Report Adopted - House (45 - 5)
Sept. 27, 2018 NJ A 2762 Amends Temporary Disability Leave Law Concurrence Vote Passed - House (70 - 8)
Jan. 3, 2018 NH HB 372 Amends Definition of Residency for Voting Purposes "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Adopted - Senate (14 - 9)
March 6, 2018 WA HB 2578 Establishes Source-of-Income Housing Non-Discrimination Policy Concurrence Vote Passed - House (67 - 31)
Jan. 18, 2018 National S 139 FISA Amendments Reauthorization Act of 2017 Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (65 - 34)
March 3, 2018 OR HB 4111 Authorizes DMV to Renew and Replace Limited-Term Driver's Licenses for DACA Recipients Concurrence Vote Passed - House (36 - 22)
May 29, 2018 MI SB 871 Increases the Statute of Limitations for Sexual Assault Offenses Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (36 - 0)
May 29, 2018 MI SB 872 Amends Statue of Limitations for Sexual Misconduct Cases Going Back until 1997 Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (34 - 2)
Aug. 24, 2018 CA SB 820 Prohibits Non-Disclosure Agreements in Sexual Assault, Harassment, or Discrimination Cases Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 8)
Oct. 17, 2018 PA SB 554 Establishes Protections for Juvenile Human Trafficking Victims Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (49 - 0)
Dec. 21, 2018 MI HB 6553 Authorizes Legislative Intervention in Individual Constitutionality Claims and Lawsuits Concurrence Vote Passed - House (60 - 47)
April 18, 2018 VT H 333 Requires Gender-Neutral Bathrooms Bill Passed - Senate
April 19, 2018 NH HB 587 Prohibits Providing Conversion Therapy to Minors "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Adopted - Senate (14 - 10)
May 2, 2018 NH HB 1319 Prohibits Discrimination Based on Gender Identity "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (14 - 10)
May 1, 2018 HI HB 1489 Prohibits LGBTQ Discrimination Conference Report Adopted - Senate (25 - 0)
Aug. 23, 2018 CA SB 820 Prohibits Non-Disclosure Agreements in Sexual Assault, Harassment, or Discrimination Cases Bill Passed - House (56 - 19)
May 24, 2018 MI SB 871 Increases the Statute of Limitations for Sexual Assault Offenses Bill Passed - House (108 - 1)
April 18, 2018 ME LD 912 Prohibits Conversion Therapy on Minors Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17)
Dec. 4, 2018 MI SB 1175 Amends Laws Regarding State Minimum Wage and Paid Sick Leave Bill Passed - House (60 - 48)
Jan. 11, 2018 National S 139 FISA Amendments Reauthorization Act of 2017 Bill Passed - House (256 - 164)
June 13, 2018 NC SB 768 Amends Law to Include Person-First Lanugage Bill Passed - House (109 - 2)
May 23, 2018 IL SB 2428 Requires Schools Provide Lunch to All Students Bill Passed - House (66 - 44)
Aug. 6, 2018 CA AB 282 Amends the End of Life Option Act Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 9)
Sept. 5, 2018 MI HB 5377 Amends Prison Parole Laws Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 4)
April 12, 2018 NJ A 1827 Requires Employers to Provide Paid Sick Leave Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 12)
April 12, 2018 NJ A 3686 Increases State Protections for Labor Unions Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 9)
June 27, 2018 NC HB 913 Establishes a Bipartisan Board of Ethics and Election Enforcement Amendment Adopted - Senate (32 - 14)
Dec. 17, 2018 NJ S 1036 Requires Attorney General to Appoint an Independent Prosecutor Bill Passed - House (41 - 34)
June 29, 2018 NC HB 1092 Requires Photo Identification to Vote Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 12)
March 21, 2018 National HR 1865 Allow States and Victims to Fight Online Sex Trafficking Act of 2017 Bill Passed - Senate (97 - 2)
March 22, 2018 MD HB 532 Establishes Election Day Voter Registration and Same-Day Voting Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 14)
Feb. 27, 2018 OR HB 4135 Authorizes Healthcare Providers to Make Decisions for End of Life Patients Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 12)
May 8, 2018 National S J Res 57 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection relating to "Indirect Auto Lending and Compliance with the Equal Credit Opportunity Act" Bill Passed - House (234 - 175)
Feb. 27, 2018 WA SB 5996 Prohibits Employers from Requiring Sexual Assault Nondisclosure Agreements Bill Passed - House (98 - 0)
April 3, 2018 MD HB 447 Establishes Pretrial Services Program Grant Fund Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 11)
May 22, 2018 National S 204 Trickett Wendler, Frank Mongiello, Jordan McLinn, and Matthew Bellina Right to Try Act of 2017 Bill Passed - House (250 - 169)
May 24, 2018 NJ S 493 Authorizes Transgender Death Certificates Bill Passed - House (57 - 10)
Feb. 28, 2018 WA HB 1513 Authorizes Automatic Voter Pre-Registration for 16 and 17 Year Old Individuals Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 22)
March 8, 2018 WA HB 3003 Amends Various Police 'Use of Force' Laws Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 24)
May 30, 2018 IL SJRCA 4 Ratifies Equal Rights Amendment Bill Passed - House (72 - 45)
June 7, 2018 DE SB 65 Prohibits the Practice of Conversion Therapy Bill Passed - House (24 - 14)
March 1, 2018 WA HB 2578 Establishes Source-of-Income Housing Non-Discrimination Policy Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 13)
Sept. 25, 2018 PA SB 261 Increases the Statute of Limitations for Victims of Sexual Abuse Bill Passed - House (173 - 21)
Feb. 8, 2018 NH HB 587 Prohibits Providing Conversion Therapy to Minors "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (179 - 171)
March 7, 2018 NH HB 1319 Prohibits Discrimination Based on Gender Identity "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (195 - 129)
Feb. 16, 2018 OR HB 4135 Authorizes Healthcare Providers to Make Decisions for End of Life Patients Bill Passed - House (35 - 25)
Feb. 27, 2018 National HR 1865 Allow States and Victims to Fight Online Sex Trafficking Act of 2017 Bill Passed - House (388 - 25)
Feb. 12, 2018 WA HB 1513 Authorizes Automatic Voter Pre-Registration for 16 and 17 Year Old Individuals Bill Passed - House (52 - 46)
March 7, 2018 WA HB 3003 Amends Various Police 'Use of Force' Laws Bill Passed - House (73 - 25)
March 8, 2018 MD HB 532 Establishes Election Day Voter Registration and Same-Day Voting Bill Passed - House (91 - 46)
March 13, 2018 PA HB 153 Decreases Size of State Legislature Bill Passed - House (101 - 84)
March 14, 2018 National HR 4909 STOP School Violence Act of 2018 Bill Passed - House (407 - 10)
March 26, 2018 NJ S 1036 Requires Attorney General to Appoint an Independent Prosecutor Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 11)
March 26, 2018 NJ A 1827 Requires Employers to Provide Paid Sick Leave Bill Passed - House (50 - 24)
March 29, 2018 DE HB 399 Amends State Constitution to Provide Equal Rights Bill Passed - House (34 - 5)
April 11, 2018 MO SJR 27 Prohibits Lobbyist Gifts to Government Officials Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 12)
April 12, 2018 ME LD 912 Prohibits Conversion Therapy on Minors Bill Passed - House (76 - 68)
April 12, 2018 MI HB 4891 Authorizes Parents to Monitor Child's Communications Bill Passed - House (105 - 3)
April 12, 2018 NJ A 3686 Increases State Protections for Labor Unions Bill Passed - House (50 - 22)
April 18, 2018 National S J Res 57 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection relating to "Indirect Auto Lending and Compliance with the Equal Credit Opportunity Act" Bill Passed - Senate (51 - 47)
April 19, 2018 CA AB 2943 Prohibits Advertising Conversion Therapy Bill Passed - House (50 - 18)
Jan. 19, 2018 WA SB 5766 Requires School Districts to Adopt Transgender Student Policies and Procedures Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 18)
May 2, 2018 IL SB 3249 Requires LGBT History in Public Schools Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 18)
May 14, 2018 MO HJR 79 Amends Constitution to Include Right-to-Work Provision Bill Passed - House (93 - 54)
May 16, 2018 National S J Res 52 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Federal Communications Commission relating to "Restoring Internet Freedom" Bill Passed - Senate (52 - 47)
Jan. 18, 2018 CA AB 282 Amends the End of Life Option Act Bill Passed - House (45 - 17)
Nov. 28, 2018 MI SB 1175 Amends Laws Regarding State Minimum Wage and Paid Sick Leave Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 11)
June 7, 2018 OH HB 411 Requires Compensation for Wrongfully Imprisoned Individuals Bill Passed - House (77 - 11)
June 26, 2018 NC HB 913 Establishes a Bipartisan Board of Ethics and Election Enforcement Amendment Adopted - House (74 - 44)
June 26, 2018 NC HB 1092 Requires Photo Identification to Vote Bill Passed - House (74 - 43)
June 27, 2018 OH HB 36 Exempts Licensed Ministers From Preforming Marriage Ceremonies Against Religious Beliefs Bill Passed - House (61 - 30)
Dec. 6, 2018 OH SB 250 Increases Trespass Penalties and Other Crimes Related to Protesting Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 5)
Sept. 26, 2018 MI HB 5548 Establishes Online Voter Registration Bill Passed - House (107 - 0)
Feb. 15, 2018 National HR 620 ADA Education and Reform Act of 2017 Bill Passed - House (225 - 192)
Feb. 26, 2018 NJ S 493 Authorizes Transgender Death Certificates Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 4)
April 18, 2018 ME LD 912 Prohibits Conversion Therapy on Minors Concurrence Vote Failed - House (72 - 76)
Feb. 15, 2018 National S Amdt 1948 Stop Dangerous Sanctuary Cities Act (Toomey Amendment) Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (54 - 45)
Feb. 15, 2018 National S Amdt 1955 Uniting and Securing America Act (Coons-McCain Amendment) Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (52 - 47)
Feb. 15, 2018 National S Amdt 1959 Secure and Succeed Act (Grassley Amendment) Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (39 - 60)
Feb. 15, 2018 National S Amdt 1958 Immigration Security and Opportunity Act (Schumer Amendment) Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (54 - 45)
June 25, 2018 NJ A 3861 Amends Unemployment Insurance Law (23 - 14)
June 21, 2018 NJ A 3861 Amends Unemployment Insurance Law (48 - 25)
Date No. Title Outcome
5/24 SB 872 Amends Statue of Limitations for Sexual Misconduct Cases Going Back until 1997 Bill Passed - House (99 - 10)
4/19 HB 2563 Establishes Free Speech Policy for College Campuses Conference Report Adopted - Senate (17 - 13)
5/01 SB 270 Prohibits Conversion Therapy for Minors Conference Report Adopted - House (45 - 5)
9/27 A 2762 Amends Temporary Disability Leave Law Concurrence Vote Passed - House (70 - 8)
1/03 HB 372 Amends Definition of Residency for Voting Purposes "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Adopted - Senate (14 - 9)
3/06 HB 2578 Establishes Source-of-Income Housing Non-Discrimination Policy Concurrence Vote Passed - House (67 - 31)
1/18 S 139 FISA Amendments Reauthorization Act of 2017 Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (65 - 34)
3/03 HB 4111 Authorizes DMV to Renew and Replace Limited-Term Driver's Licenses for DACA Recipients Concurrence Vote Passed - House (36 - 22)
5/29 SB 871 Increases the Statute of Limitations for Sexual Assault Offenses Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (36 - 0)
5/29 SB 872 Amends Statue of Limitations for Sexual Misconduct Cases Going Back until 1997 Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (34 - 2)
8/24 SB 820 Prohibits Non-Disclosure Agreements in Sexual Assault, Harassment, or Discrimination Cases Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 8)
10/17 SB 554 Establishes Protections for Juvenile Human Trafficking Victims Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (49 - 0)
12/21 HB 6553 Authorizes Legislative Intervention in Individual Constitutionality Claims and Lawsuits Concurrence Vote Passed - House (60 - 47)
4/18 H 333 Requires Gender-Neutral Bathrooms Bill Passed - Senate
4/19 HB 587 Prohibits Providing Conversion Therapy to Minors "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Adopted - Senate (14 - 10)
5/02 HB 1319 Prohibits Discrimination Based on Gender Identity "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (14 - 10)
5/01 HB 1489 Prohibits LGBTQ Discrimination Conference Report Adopted - Senate (25 - 0)
8/23 SB 820 Prohibits Non-Disclosure Agreements in Sexual Assault, Harassment, or Discrimination Cases Bill Passed - House (56 - 19)
5/24 SB 871 Increases the Statute of Limitations for Sexual Assault Offenses Bill Passed - House (108 - 1)
4/18 LD 912 Prohibits Conversion Therapy on Minors Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17)
12/04 SB 1175 Amends Laws Regarding State Minimum Wage and Paid Sick Leave Bill Passed - House (60 - 48)
1/11 S 139 FISA Amendments Reauthorization Act of 2017 Bill Passed - House (256 - 164)
6/13 SB 768 Amends Law to Include Person-First Lanugage Bill Passed - House (109 - 2)
5/23 SB 2428 Requires Schools Provide Lunch to All Students Bill Passed - House (66 - 44)
8/06 AB 282 Amends the End of Life Option Act Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 9)
9/05 HB 5377 Amends Prison Parole Laws Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 4)
4/12 A 1827 Requires Employers to Provide Paid Sick Leave Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 12)
4/12 A 3686 Increases State Protections for Labor Unions Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 9)
6/27 HB 913 Establishes a Bipartisan Board of Ethics and Election Enforcement Amendment Adopted - Senate (32 - 14)
12/17 S 1036 Requires Attorney General to Appoint an Independent Prosecutor Bill Passed - House (41 - 34)
6/29 HB 1092 Requires Photo Identification to Vote Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 12)
3/21 HR 1865 Allow States and Victims to Fight Online Sex Trafficking Act of 2017 Bill Passed - Senate (97 - 2)
3/22 HB 532 Establishes Election Day Voter Registration and Same-Day Voting Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 14)
2/27 HB 4135 Authorizes Healthcare Providers to Make Decisions for End of Life Patients Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 12)
5/08 S J Res 57 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection relating to "Indirect Auto Lending and Compliance with the Equal Credit Opportunity Act" Bill Passed - House (234 - 175)
2/27 SB 5996 Prohibits Employers from Requiring Sexual Assault Nondisclosure Agreements Bill Passed - House (98 - 0)
4/03 HB 447 Establishes Pretrial Services Program Grant Fund Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 11)
5/22 S 204 Trickett Wendler, Frank Mongiello, Jordan McLinn, and Matthew Bellina Right to Try Act of 2017 Bill Passed - House (250 - 169)
5/24 S 493 Authorizes Transgender Death Certificates Bill Passed - House (57 - 10)
2/28 HB 1513 Authorizes Automatic Voter Pre-Registration for 16 and 17 Year Old Individuals Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 22)
3/08 HB 3003 Amends Various Police 'Use of Force' Laws Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 24)
5/30 SJRCA 4 Ratifies Equal Rights Amendment Bill Passed - House (72 - 45)
6/07 SB 65 Prohibits the Practice of Conversion Therapy Bill Passed - House (24 - 14)
3/01 HB 2578 Establishes Source-of-Income Housing Non-Discrimination Policy Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 13)
9/25 SB 261 Increases the Statute of Limitations for Victims of Sexual Abuse Bill Passed - House (173 - 21)
2/08 HB 587 Prohibits Providing Conversion Therapy to Minors "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (179 - 171)
3/07 HB 1319 Prohibits Discrimination Based on Gender Identity "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (195 - 129)
2/16 HB 4135 Authorizes Healthcare Providers to Make Decisions for End of Life Patients Bill Passed - House (35 - 25)
2/27 HR 1865 Allow States and Victims to Fight Online Sex Trafficking Act of 2017 Bill Passed - House (388 - 25)
2/12 HB 1513 Authorizes Automatic Voter Pre-Registration for 16 and 17 Year Old Individuals Bill Passed - House (52 - 46)
3/07 HB 3003 Amends Various Police 'Use of Force' Laws Bill Passed - House (73 - 25)
3/08 HB 532 Establishes Election Day Voter Registration and Same-Day Voting Bill Passed - House (91 - 46)
3/13 HB 153 Decreases Size of State Legislature Bill Passed - House (101 - 84)
3/14 HR 4909 STOP School Violence Act of 2018 Bill Passed - House (407 - 10)
3/26 S 1036 Requires Attorney General to Appoint an Independent Prosecutor Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 11)
3/26 A 1827 Requires Employers to Provide Paid Sick Leave Bill Passed - House (50 - 24)
3/29 HB 399 Amends State Constitution to Provide Equal Rights Bill Passed - House (34 - 5)
4/11 SJR 27 Prohibits Lobbyist Gifts to Government Officials Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 12)
4/12 LD 912 Prohibits Conversion Therapy on Minors Bill Passed - House (76 - 68)
4/12 HB 4891 Authorizes Parents to Monitor Child's Communications Bill Passed - House (105 - 3)
4/12 A 3686 Increases State Protections for Labor Unions Bill Passed - House (50 - 22)
4/18 S J Res 57 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection relating to "Indirect Auto Lending and Compliance with the Equal Credit Opportunity Act" Bill Passed - Senate (51 - 47)
4/19 AB 2943 Prohibits Advertising Conversion Therapy Bill Passed - House (50 - 18)
1/19 SB 5766 Requires School Districts to Adopt Transgender Student Policies and Procedures Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 18)
5/02 SB 3249 Requires LGBT History in Public Schools Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 18)
5/14 HJR 79 Amends Constitution to Include Right-to-Work Provision Bill Passed - House (93 - 54)
5/16 S J Res 52 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Federal Communications Commission relating to "Restoring Internet Freedom" Bill Passed - Senate (52 - 47)
1/18 AB 282 Amends the End of Life Option Act Bill Passed - House (45 - 17)
11/28 SB 1175 Amends Laws Regarding State Minimum Wage and Paid Sick Leave Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 11)
6/07 HB 411 Requires Compensation for Wrongfully Imprisoned Individuals Bill Passed - House (77 - 11)
6/26 HB 913 Establishes a Bipartisan Board of Ethics and Election Enforcement Amendment Adopted - House (74 - 44)
6/26 HB 1092 Requires Photo Identification to Vote Bill Passed - House (74 - 43)
6/27 HB 36 Exempts Licensed Ministers From Preforming Marriage Ceremonies Against Religious Beliefs Bill Passed - House (61 - 30)
12/06 SB 250 Increases Trespass Penalties and Other Crimes Related to Protesting Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 5)
9/26 HB 5548 Establishes Online Voter Registration Bill Passed - House (107 - 0)
2/15 HR 620 ADA Education and Reform Act of 2017 Bill Passed - House (225 - 192)
2/26 S 493 Authorizes Transgender Death Certificates Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 4)
4/18 LD 912 Prohibits Conversion Therapy on Minors Concurrence Vote Failed - House (72 - 76)
2/15 S Amdt 1948 Stop Dangerous Sanctuary Cities Act (Toomey Amendment) Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (54 - 45)
2/15 S Amdt 1955 Uniting and Securing America Act (Coons-McCain Amendment) Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (52 - 47)
2/15 S Amdt 1959 Secure and Succeed Act (Grassley Amendment) Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (39 - 60)
2/15 S Amdt 1958 Immigration Security and Opportunity Act (Schumer Amendment) Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (54 - 45)
6/25 A 3861 Amends Unemployment Insurance Law (23 - 14)
6/21 A 3861 Amends Unemployment Insurance Law (48 - 25)

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