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. 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. 18, 2020 OH SB 375 Rescinds the Ohio Department of Health Order Limiting Operations of County Fairs Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 8)
Oct. 23, 2020 LA HB 38 Establishes the Louisiana Police Funding Protection Act Conference Report Adopted - House (68 - 29)
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. 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. 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)
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. 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 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. 2, 2020 PA HB 1566 Prohibits License Revocation as Punishment for Not Following Disaster Declaration Bill Passed - House (115 - 87)
Aug. 31, 2020 CA SB 1120 Authorizes Duplex Construction in Single-Family Homes Bill Passed - House (44 - 18)
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 S 2607 Requires Municipal Master Plans to Factor in Climate Change Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 11)
Aug. 27, 2020 NJ A 4276 Authorizes Voters to Cure Their Ballot to Fix Problems that County Election Officials Identify Bill Passed - House (51 - 27)
July 15, 2020 PA HB 2463 Requires State Agency Response to Public Record Requests Made During a Gubernatorial Disaster Declaration Bill Passed - Senate (50 - 0)
July 14, 2020 PA HB 2541 Authorizes County Commissioners to Reopen Counties Bill Passed - House (114 - 87)
June 29, 2020 NJ S 2485 Authorizes Local Governments to Prohibit Evictions during COVID-19 Pandemic Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15)
June 26, 2020 VT H 688 Establishes the Global Warming Solutions Act Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 5)
June 26, 2020 National HR 51 Washington, D.C. Admission Act Bill Passed - House (232 - 180)
June 24, 2020 PA HB 1841 Requires Background Checks for Police Officers Bill Passed - House (201 - 0)
June 10, 2020 PA SB 1125 Authorizes School Districts to Extend Time Needed to Pay Taxes Bill Passed - Senate (50 - 0)
June 3, 2020 IA HF 2502 Amends Gun Policies Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 17)
May 29, 2020 LA HB 140 Prohibits Localities from Establishing Restrictions to Prohibit Firearm Possession Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 3)
May 27, 2020 OH HB 242 Prohibits Local Government from Enacting Fees on Plastic Bags in Stores Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 9)
May 27, 2020 NY S 8192 Extends Eviction Protections for Tenants During Emergency Shutdowns Bill Passed - House (94 - 50)
May 27, 2020 NY S 8411 Repeals Certain Provisions of the CARES Act Bill Passed - House (104 - 40)
May 27, 2020 NY S 8192 Extends Eviction Protections for Tenants During Emergency Shutdowns Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 23)
May 27, 2020 NY S 8411 Repeals Certain Provisions of the CARES Act Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 23)
May 21, 2020 KS HB 2054 Limits Governor Powers During an Emergency and Increases Legislative Oversight Conference Report Adopted - Senate (27 - 11)
May 21, 2020 KS HB 2054 Limits Governor Powers During an Emergency and Increases Legislative Oversight Conference Report Adopted - House (76 - 34)
May 18, 2020 AL SB 161 Appropriates CARES Act Funds to the State Government for the COVID-19 Pandemic Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 1)
May 15, 2020 OK SB 1081 Prohibits Localities from Enacting "Red Flag" Firearm Ordinances Bill Passed - House (77 - 14)
May 15, 2020 National HR 6800 Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions (HEROES) Act Bill Passed - House (208 - 199)
May 14, 2020 OK SB 1102 Amends the "Catastrophic Health Emergency Powers Act" Bill Passed - House (53 - 44)
May 7, 2020 MO HB 1403 Establishes an Alternative Highway Commission Bill Passed - House (114 - 33)
May 7, 2020 LA HB 132 Establishes Daylight Savings Time as the Standard Time Year-Round Bill Passed - House (89 - 0)
April 22, 2020 VA SB 588 Authorizes Counties to Levy Certain Taxes Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 12)
Date No. Title Outcome
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)
11/18 SB 375 Rescinds the Ohio Department of Health Order Limiting Operations of County Fairs Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 8)
10/23 HB 38 Establishes the Louisiana Police Funding Protection Act Conference Report Adopted - House (68 - 29)
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)
10/13 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)
10/05 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)
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)
9/22 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 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)
9/02 HB 1566 Prohibits License Revocation as Punishment for Not Following Disaster Declaration Bill Passed - House (115 - 87)
8/31 SB 1120 Authorizes Duplex Construction in Single-Family Homes Bill Passed - House (44 - 18)
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 S 2607 Requires Municipal Master Plans to Factor in Climate Change Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 11)
8/27 A 4276 Authorizes Voters to Cure Their Ballot to Fix Problems that County Election Officials Identify Bill Passed - House (51 - 27)
7/15 HB 2463 Requires State Agency Response to Public Record Requests Made During a Gubernatorial Disaster Declaration Bill Passed - Senate (50 - 0)
7/14 HB 2541 Authorizes County Commissioners to Reopen Counties Bill Passed - House (114 - 87)
6/29 S 2485 Authorizes Local Governments to Prohibit Evictions during COVID-19 Pandemic Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15)
6/26 H 688 Establishes the Global Warming Solutions Act Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 5)
6/26 HR 51 Washington, D.C. Admission Act Bill Passed - House (232 - 180)
6/24 HB 1841 Requires Background Checks for Police Officers Bill Passed - House (201 - 0)
6/10 SB 1125 Authorizes School Districts to Extend Time Needed to Pay Taxes Bill Passed - Senate (50 - 0)
6/03 HF 2502 Amends Gun Policies Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 17)
5/29 HB 140 Prohibits Localities from Establishing Restrictions to Prohibit Firearm Possession Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 3)
5/27 HB 242 Prohibits Local Government from Enacting Fees on Plastic Bags in Stores Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 9)
5/27 S 8192 Extends Eviction Protections for Tenants During Emergency Shutdowns Bill Passed - House (94 - 50)
5/27 S 8411 Repeals Certain Provisions of the CARES Act Bill Passed - House (104 - 40)
5/27 S 8192 Extends Eviction Protections for Tenants During Emergency Shutdowns Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 23)
5/27 S 8411 Repeals Certain Provisions of the CARES Act Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 23)
5/21 HB 2054 Limits Governor Powers During an Emergency and Increases Legislative Oversight Conference Report Adopted - Senate (27 - 11)
5/21 HB 2054 Limits Governor Powers During an Emergency and Increases Legislative Oversight Conference Report Adopted - House (76 - 34)
5/18 SB 161 Appropriates CARES Act Funds to the State Government for the COVID-19 Pandemic Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 1)
5/15 SB 1081 Prohibits Localities from Enacting "Red Flag" Firearm Ordinances Bill Passed - House (77 - 14)
5/15 HR 6800 Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions (HEROES) Act Bill Passed - House (208 - 199)
5/14 SB 1102 Amends the "Catastrophic Health Emergency Powers Act" Bill Passed - House (53 - 44)
5/07 HB 1403 Establishes an Alternative Highway Commission Bill Passed - House (114 - 33)
5/07 HB 132 Establishes Daylight Savings Time as the Standard Time Year-Round Bill Passed - House (89 - 0)
4/22 SB 588 Authorizes Counties to Levy Certain Taxes Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 12)

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