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
Dec. 18, 2020 MI SB 857 Limits Governor's Power for Declaring a State of Emergency Bill Passed - House (57 - 43)
Dec. 17, 2020 NJ S 2607 Requires Municipal Master Plans to Factor in Climate Change Bill Passed - House (51 - 28)
Dec. 9, 2020 MI SB 1252 Appropriates $600 Million to the Flint Water Settlement Trust Fund Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 0)
Dec. 3, 2020 OH SCR 8 Authorizes Congress to Pass the Sunshine Protection Act of 2019 and Make Daylight Savings Time Permanent Nationwide Bill Passed - House (61 - 32)
Dec. 2, 2020 CO HB 20B-1005 Authorizes Local Authorities to Impose Food Delivery Fee Restrictions Concurrence Vote Passed - House (44 - 19)
Dec. 2, 2020 CO HB 20B-1005 Authorizes Local Authorities to Impose Food Delivery Fee Restrictions Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
Nov. 19, 2020 PA HR 1100 Requires Legislative Committee Audit Ballots Cast in 2020 General Election Resolution Passed - House (112 - 90)
Nov. 19, 2020 PA HR 1100 Requires Legislative Committee Audit Ballots Cast in 2020 General Election Resolution Passed - House (112 - 90)
Nov. 18, 2020 OH SB 375 Rescinds the Ohio Department of Health Order Limiting Operations of County Fairs Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 8)
Nov. 16, 2020 NJ A 1649 Prohibits Public Disclosure of Personal Information of Judicial Officers Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 0)
Nov. 16, 2020 NJ A 1649 Prohibits Public Disclosure of Personal Information of Judicial Officers Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 0)
Oct. 26, 2020 National PN 2252 Nomination of Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court of the United States Nomination Confirmed - Senate (52 - 48)
Oct. 25, 2020 National PN 2252 Nomination of Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court of the United States Cloture Invoked - Senate (51 - 48)
Oct. 23, 2020 LA HB 38 Establishes the Louisiana Police Funding Protection Act Conference Report Adopted - House (68 - 29)
Oct. 23, 2020 LA HB 51 Prohibits Using Private Funds for Campaign Election Expenses Concurrence Vote Passed - House (66 - 28)
Oct. 22, 2020 LA SB 20 Amends Election Laws Due to the Declared Disaster Emergency Bill Passed - House (59 - 27)
Oct. 22, 2020 LA HB 51 Prohibits Using Private Funds for Campaign Election Expenses Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 12)
Oct. 22, 2020 LA HB 59 Authorizes Additional Compensation to Certain Election Officials for Elections Held During a Gubernatorially Declared Emergency Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 0)
Oct. 22, 2020 LA HB 59 Authorizes Additional Compensation to Certain Election Officials for Elections Held During a Gubernatorially Declared Emergency Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 0)
Oct. 20, 2020 LA HB 4 Authorizes Legislative Oversight on Governor Disaster Emergency Restrictions Concurrence Vote Passed - House (54 - 30)
Oct. 20, 2020 LA HB 4 Authorizes Legislative Oversight on Governor Disaster Emergency Restrictions Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 13)
Oct. 19, 2020 LA SB 22 Authorizes Additional Time for Processing Absentee Ballots Prior to Election Day 2020 Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (33 - 0)
Oct. 19, 2020 LA SB 22 Authorizes Additional Time for Processing Absentee Ballots Prior to Election Day 2020 Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (33 - 0)
Oct. 13, 2020 MI SB 1108 Requires Public Bodies that Meet Electronically to Include 2-Way Communication that Allows the Public to Participate Bill Passed - House (85 - 18)
Oct. 13, 2020 LA HCR 23 Classifies the US Senate Confirming Amy Coney Barrett to the US Supreme Court as a Memorialized Event Joint Resolution Passed - House (70 - 17)
Oct. 13, 2020 LA HCR 23 Classifies the US Senate Confirming Amy Coney Barrett to the US Supreme Court as a Memorialized Event Joint Resolution Passed - House (70 - 17)
Oct. 13, 2020 LA SB 74 Amends Election Penalties Relating to Registration, Fraud, and Forgery Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 6)
Oct. 5, 2020 SD SCR 601 Appropriates $597 Million in Federal Funds for COVID-19 Relief Joint Resolution Passed - House (57 - 13)
Oct. 5, 2020 SD SCR 601 Appropriates $597 Million in Federal Funds for COVID-19 Relief Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (25 - 7)
Oct. 2, 2020 VA SB 5033 Amends Court Authority in Criminal Cases Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 7)
Oct. 2, 2020 VA HB 5093 Expands the Violation of a Pandemic-Related Executive Order to Include a Fine Concurrence Vote Passed - House (59 - 37)
Oct. 2, 2020 LA SB 29 Authorizes the Legislature to Void a State of Emergency Declaration After 30 Days Bill Passed - House (65 - 27)
Oct. 2, 2020 LA HCR 9 Limits Certain Powers of the Governor for the Declaration of an Emergency Bill Passed - House (66 - 23)
Oct. 1, 2020 MI HB 5881 Amends Sentencing Guidelines for Absentee Voting Law Violations Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 7)
Oct. 1, 2020 National S 4653 A bill to protect the healthcare of hundreds of millions of people of the United States and prevent efforts of the Department of Justice to advocate courts to strike down the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (51 - 43)
Sept. 30, 2020 MI SB 977 Increases the Punishment for Fraudulent Absentee Voting Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 6)
Sept. 29, 2020 National H Res 1155 Reaffirming the House of Representatives' commitment to the orderly and peaceful transfer of power called for in the Constitution of the United States, and for other purposes Bill Passed - House (397 - 5)
Sept. 29, 2020 National H Res 1155 Reaffirming the House of Representatives' commitment to the orderly and peaceful transfer of power called for in the Constitution of the United States, and for other purposes Bill Passed - House (397 - 5)
Sept. 29, 2020 National H Res 1155 Reaffirming the House of Representatives' commitment to the orderly and peaceful transfer of power called for in the Constitution of the United States, and for other purposes Bill Passed - House (397 - 5)
Sept. 25, 2020 VA SB 5033 Amends Court Authority in Criminal Cases Bill Passed - House (53 - 44)
Sept. 25, 2020 VA HB 5093 Expands the Violation of a Pandemic-Related Executive Order to Include a Fine Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 17)
Sept. 24, 2020 MI SB 117 Authorizes Active-Duty Overseas Military Voters to Vote Electronically Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 6)
Sept. 24, 2020 MI SB 757 Authorizes Cities With Over 25,000 Residents to Begin Processing Absentee Ballots the Day Before an Election Bill Passed - House (94 - 11)
Sept. 24, 2020 MI SB 757 Authorizes Cities With Over 25,000 Residents to Begin Processing Absentee Ballots the Day Before an Election Bill Passed - House (94 - 11)
Sept. 24, 2020 MI SB 117 Authorizes Active-Duty Overseas Military Voters to Vote Electronically Bill Passed - House (88 - 17)
Sept. 24, 2020 MI SB 977 Increases the Punishment for Fraudulent Absentee Voting Bill Passed - House (77 - 26)
Sept. 24, 2020 MI HB 5881 Amends Sentencing Guidelines for Absentee Voting Law Violations Bill Passed - House (74 - 29)
Sept. 23, 2020 MI HB 5396 Appropriates Funds for the 2021 Fiscal Year Budget Bill Passed - House (101 - 4)
Sept. 22, 2020 VT H 688 Establishes the Global Warming Solutions Act Veto Override Passed - Senate (22 - 8)
Sept. 22, 2020 VT S 54 Authorizes the Sale and Regulation of Cannabis Conference Report Adopted - Senate (23 - 6)
Sept. 22, 2020 PA SB 1164 Amends County Coroner Notification Requirements for Contagious Disease Deaths Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 10)
Sept. 17, 2020 VT H 688 Establishes the Global Warming Solutions Act Veto Override Passed - House (103 - 47)
Sept. 17, 2020 VT S 54 Authorizes the Sale and Regulation of Cannabis Conference Report Adopted - House (92 - 56)
Sept. 15, 2020 SC H 5305 Authorizes Absentee Voting Due to the Declared State of Emergency Concurrence Vote Passed - House (115 - 1)
Sept. 15, 2020 PA HB 2530 Prohibits Governor from Disallowing Gatherings at Places of Worship Bill Passed - House (149 - 53)
Sept. 15, 2020 MI SB 757 Authorizes Cities With Over 25,000 Residents to Begin Processing Absentee Ballots the Day Before an Election Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 2)
Sept. 15, 2020 MI SB 757 Authorizes Cities With Over 25,000 Residents to Begin Processing Absentee Ballots the Day Before an Election Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 2)
Sept. 9, 2020 VT H 688 Establishes the Global Warming Solutions Act Concurrence Vote Passed - House (102 - 45)
Sept. 4, 2020 VA SB 5120 Appropriates Funds to Provide Prepaid Postage on Absentee Ballots for the General Election Bill Passed - House (55 - 43)
Sept. 2, 2020 MO HB 2 Amends the Admissibility of Certain Witness Statements Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 8)
Sept. 2, 2020 PA HB 1566 Prohibits License Revocation as Punishment for Not Following Disaster Declaration Bill Passed - House (115 - 87)
Sept. 2, 2020 PA HB 2626 Amends the Deadline for Mail-In Voting From 7 to 15 Days Before an Election Bill Passed - House (112 - 90)
Sept. 1, 2020 OH HB 272 Prohibits State Officials From Changing the Time and Place of an Election Concurrence Vote Passed - House (59 - 35)
Aug. 31, 2020 CA AB 1869 Repeals Certain Judicial Fees Concurrence Vote Passed - House (59 - 17)
Aug. 31, 2020 CA SB 852 Establishes the California Affordable Drug Manufacturing Act of 2020 Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 8)
Aug. 31, 2020 CA AB 1869 Repeals Certain Judicial Fees Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 7)
Aug. 31, 2020 CA SB 852 Establishes the California Affordable Drug Manufacturing Act of 2020 Bill Passed - House (66 - 7)
Aug. 31, 2020 CA SB 1120 Authorizes Duplex Construction in Single-Family Homes Bill Passed - House (44 - 18)
Aug. 30, 2020 CA AB 646 Authorizes Individuals on Parole for a Felony Conviction to Vote Concurrence Vote Passed - House (51 - 16)
Aug. 28, 2020 CA AB 646 Authorizes Individuals on Parole for a Felony Conviction to Vote Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 10)
Aug. 28, 2020 VA SB 5120 Appropriates Funds to Provide Prepaid Postage on Absentee Ballots for the General Election Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 16)
Aug. 27, 2020 NJ A 4475 Requires Ballot Drop Boxes in Every County of New Jersey Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 13)
Aug. 27, 2020 NJ A 4475 Requires Ballot Drop Boxes in Every County of New Jersey Bill Passed - House (48 - 28)
Aug. 27, 2020 NJ A 4276 Authorizes Voters to Cure Their Ballot to Fix Problems that County Election Officials Identify Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 7)
Aug. 27, 2020 NJ A 4320 Expands Ballot Receipt and Election Deadlines Bill Passed - House (51 - 27)
Date No. Title Outcome
12/18 SB 857 Limits Governor's Power for Declaring a State of Emergency Bill Passed - House (57 - 43)
12/17 S 2607 Requires Municipal Master Plans to Factor in Climate Change Bill Passed - House (51 - 28)
12/09 SB 1252 Appropriates $600 Million to the Flint Water Settlement Trust Fund Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 0)
12/03 SCR 8 Authorizes Congress to Pass the Sunshine Protection Act of 2019 and Make Daylight Savings Time Permanent Nationwide Bill Passed - House (61 - 32)
12/02 HB 20B-1005 Authorizes Local Authorities to Impose Food Delivery Fee Restrictions Concurrence Vote Passed - House (44 - 19)
12/02 HB 20B-1005 Authorizes Local Authorities to Impose Food Delivery Fee Restrictions Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
11/19 HR 1100 Requires Legislative Committee Audit Ballots Cast in 2020 General Election Resolution Passed - House (112 - 90)
11/19 HR 1100 Requires Legislative Committee Audit Ballots Cast in 2020 General Election Resolution Passed - House (112 - 90)
11/18 SB 375 Rescinds the Ohio Department of Health Order Limiting Operations of County Fairs Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 8)
11/16 A 1649 Prohibits Public Disclosure of Personal Information of Judicial Officers Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 0)
11/16 A 1649 Prohibits Public Disclosure of Personal Information of Judicial Officers Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 0)
10/26 PN 2252 Nomination of Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court of the United States Nomination Confirmed - Senate (52 - 48)
10/25 PN 2252 Nomination of Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court of the United States Cloture Invoked - Senate (51 - 48)
10/23 HB 38 Establishes the Louisiana Police Funding Protection Act Conference Report Adopted - House (68 - 29)
10/23 HB 51 Prohibits Using Private Funds for Campaign Election Expenses Concurrence Vote Passed - House (66 - 28)
10/22 SB 20 Amends Election Laws Due to the Declared Disaster Emergency Bill Passed - House (59 - 27)
10/22 HB 51 Prohibits Using Private Funds for Campaign Election Expenses Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 12)
10/22 HB 59 Authorizes Additional Compensation to Certain Election Officials for Elections Held During a Gubernatorially Declared Emergency Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 0)
10/22 HB 59 Authorizes Additional Compensation to Certain Election Officials for Elections Held During a Gubernatorially Declared Emergency Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 0)
10/20 HB 4 Authorizes Legislative Oversight on Governor Disaster Emergency Restrictions Concurrence Vote Passed - House (54 - 30)
10/20 HB 4 Authorizes Legislative Oversight on Governor Disaster Emergency Restrictions Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 13)
10/19 SB 22 Authorizes Additional Time for Processing Absentee Ballots Prior to Election Day 2020 Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (33 - 0)
10/19 SB 22 Authorizes Additional Time for Processing Absentee Ballots Prior to Election Day 2020 Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (33 - 0)
10/13 SB 1108 Requires Public Bodies that Meet Electronically to Include 2-Way Communication that Allows the Public to Participate Bill Passed - House (85 - 18)
10/13 HCR 23 Classifies the US Senate Confirming Amy Coney Barrett to the US Supreme Court as a Memorialized Event Joint Resolution Passed - House (70 - 17)
10/13 HCR 23 Classifies the US Senate Confirming Amy Coney Barrett to the US Supreme Court as a Memorialized Event Joint Resolution Passed - House (70 - 17)
10/13 SB 74 Amends Election Penalties Relating to Registration, Fraud, and Forgery Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 6)
10/05 SCR 601 Appropriates $597 Million in Federal Funds for COVID-19 Relief Joint Resolution Passed - House (57 - 13)
10/05 SCR 601 Appropriates $597 Million in Federal Funds for COVID-19 Relief Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (25 - 7)
10/02 SB 5033 Amends Court Authority in Criminal Cases Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 7)
10/02 HB 5093 Expands the Violation of a Pandemic-Related Executive Order to Include a Fine Concurrence Vote Passed - House (59 - 37)
10/02 SB 29 Authorizes the Legislature to Void a State of Emergency Declaration After 30 Days Bill Passed - House (65 - 27)
10/02 HCR 9 Limits Certain Powers of the Governor for the Declaration of an Emergency Bill Passed - House (66 - 23)
10/01 HB 5881 Amends Sentencing Guidelines for Absentee Voting Law Violations Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 7)
10/01 S 4653 A bill to protect the healthcare of hundreds of millions of people of the United States and prevent efforts of the Department of Justice to advocate courts to strike down the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (51 - 43)
9/30 SB 977 Increases the Punishment for Fraudulent Absentee Voting Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 6)
9/29 H Res 1155 Reaffirming the House of Representatives' commitment to the orderly and peaceful transfer of power called for in the Constitution of the United States, and for other purposes Bill Passed - House (397 - 5)
9/29 H Res 1155 Reaffirming the House of Representatives' commitment to the orderly and peaceful transfer of power called for in the Constitution of the United States, and for other purposes Bill Passed - House (397 - 5)
9/29 H Res 1155 Reaffirming the House of Representatives' commitment to the orderly and peaceful transfer of power called for in the Constitution of the United States, and for other purposes Bill Passed - House (397 - 5)
9/25 SB 5033 Amends Court Authority in Criminal Cases Bill Passed - House (53 - 44)
9/25 HB 5093 Expands the Violation of a Pandemic-Related Executive Order to Include a Fine Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 17)
9/24 SB 117 Authorizes Active-Duty Overseas Military Voters to Vote Electronically Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 6)
9/24 SB 757 Authorizes Cities With Over 25,000 Residents to Begin Processing Absentee Ballots the Day Before an Election Bill Passed - House (94 - 11)
9/24 SB 757 Authorizes Cities With Over 25,000 Residents to Begin Processing Absentee Ballots the Day Before an Election Bill Passed - House (94 - 11)
9/24 SB 117 Authorizes Active-Duty Overseas Military Voters to Vote Electronically Bill Passed - House (88 - 17)
9/24 SB 977 Increases the Punishment for Fraudulent Absentee Voting Bill Passed - House (77 - 26)
9/24 HB 5881 Amends Sentencing Guidelines for Absentee Voting Law Violations Bill Passed - House (74 - 29)
9/23 HB 5396 Appropriates Funds for the 2021 Fiscal Year Budget Bill Passed - House (101 - 4)
9/22 H 688 Establishes the Global Warming Solutions Act Veto Override Passed - Senate (22 - 8)
9/22 S 54 Authorizes the Sale and Regulation of Cannabis Conference Report Adopted - Senate (23 - 6)
9/22 SB 1164 Amends County Coroner Notification Requirements for Contagious Disease Deaths Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 10)
9/17 H 688 Establishes the Global Warming Solutions Act Veto Override Passed - House (103 - 47)
9/17 S 54 Authorizes the Sale and Regulation of Cannabis Conference Report Adopted - House (92 - 56)
9/15 H 5305 Authorizes Absentee Voting Due to the Declared State of Emergency Concurrence Vote Passed - House (115 - 1)
9/15 HB 2530 Prohibits Governor from Disallowing Gatherings at Places of Worship Bill Passed - House (149 - 53)
9/15 SB 757 Authorizes Cities With Over 25,000 Residents to Begin Processing Absentee Ballots the Day Before an Election Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 2)
9/15 SB 757 Authorizes Cities With Over 25,000 Residents to Begin Processing Absentee Ballots the Day Before an Election Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 2)
9/09 H 688 Establishes the Global Warming Solutions Act Concurrence Vote Passed - House (102 - 45)
9/04 SB 5120 Appropriates Funds to Provide Prepaid Postage on Absentee Ballots for the General Election Bill Passed - House (55 - 43)
9/02 HB 2 Amends the Admissibility of Certain Witness Statements Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 8)
9/02 HB 1566 Prohibits License Revocation as Punishment for Not Following Disaster Declaration Bill Passed - House (115 - 87)
9/02 HB 2626 Amends the Deadline for Mail-In Voting From 7 to 15 Days Before an Election Bill Passed - House (112 - 90)
9/01 HB 272 Prohibits State Officials From Changing the Time and Place of an Election Concurrence Vote Passed - House (59 - 35)
8/31 AB 1869 Repeals Certain Judicial Fees Concurrence Vote Passed - House (59 - 17)
8/31 SB 852 Establishes the California Affordable Drug Manufacturing Act of 2020 Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 8)
8/31 AB 1869 Repeals Certain Judicial Fees Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 7)
8/31 SB 852 Establishes the California Affordable Drug Manufacturing Act of 2020 Bill Passed - House (66 - 7)
8/31 SB 1120 Authorizes Duplex Construction in Single-Family Homes Bill Passed - House (44 - 18)
8/30 AB 646 Authorizes Individuals on Parole for a Felony Conviction to Vote Concurrence Vote Passed - House (51 - 16)
8/28 AB 646 Authorizes Individuals on Parole for a Felony Conviction to Vote Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 10)
8/28 SB 5120 Appropriates Funds to Provide Prepaid Postage on Absentee Ballots for the General Election Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 16)
8/27 A 4475 Requires Ballot Drop Boxes in Every County of New Jersey Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 13)
8/27 A 4475 Requires Ballot Drop Boxes in Every County of New Jersey Bill Passed - House (48 - 28)
8/27 A 4276 Authorizes Voters to Cure Their Ballot to Fix Problems that County Election Officials Identify Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 7)
8/27 A 4320 Expands Ballot Receipt and Election Deadlines Bill Passed - House (51 - 27)

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