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
Dec. 20, 2021 NJ S 2834 Requires Culturally Responsive Training for Teaching Candidates Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 6)
Oct. 4, 2021 AR SB 732 Prohibits the Process Known as "Vaccine Coercion" Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 11)
Sept. 10, 2021 CA SB 98 Establishes Journalists Can Cover Events in Areas that Have Been Closed by Law Enforcement Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 5)
Sept. 8, 2021 CA AB 105 Requires State Boards and Committees to be More Diverse Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 8)
Aug. 26, 2021 NC HB 324 Prohibits the Teaching of Certain Topics Related to Racism, Civics, and American History Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 17)
July 16, 2021 TX SB 3 Prohibits Teaching "Critical Race Theory" in Public Schools Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 4)
June 30, 2021 AZ HB 2906 Prohibits the Teaching of Critical Race Theory Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 12)
June 24, 2021 PA SB 618 Prohibits Vaccine Passports and Limits Powers of the Secretary of Health Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 21)
June 22, 2021 National S 2093 For the People Act of 2021 Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (50 - 50)
June 17, 2021 CT SB 1202 Extends Convicted Felons' Voting Rights if They are Committed to Confinement Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (20 - 6)
June 10, 2021 DE SB 148 Expands the Division of Civil Rights and Public Trusts Responsibility to Review Deadly Use of Force Incidents Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 7)
June 8, 2021 CT HB 6665 Prohibits 'Whites Only' Covenants Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 0)
June 7, 2021 OR HB 3284 Prohibits a Covered Organization from Collecting Personal Health Data Without Consent Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 9)
June 2, 2021 CA SB 742 Prohibits Interfering with People in Connection with Any Vaccination Services Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 4)
May 30, 2021 IL SB 817 Prohibits School Discrimination Against Certain Hairstyles Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (41 - 12)
May 25, 2021 MI SB 457 Prohibits Local Public Health Directors from Issuing an Emergency Order to Mandate COVID-19 Vaccinations Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 16)
May 22, 2021 TX HB 3979 Prohibits the Teaching of "Critical Race Theory" in Schools Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 13)
May 20, 2021 NV AB 88 Requires Schools to Change Any Identifier that is "Racially Discriminatory" Bill Passed - Senate (12 - 8)
May 18, 2021 CT SB 1 Alleges Racism is a Public Health Crisis Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 5)
May 5, 2021 TN SB 623 Prohibits Teaching "Critical Race Theory" in K-12 Schools Conference Report Adopted - Senate (25 - 7)
May 5, 2021 IA HF 889 Prohibits the Implementation of COVID-19 Vaccine Passports Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 16)
April 29, 2021 NE LB 451 Prohibits the Process Known as Hair Discrimination Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 4)
April 28, 2021 MO HB 271 Limits the Authority of Local Health Officials to Close Organizations During a Public Health Emergency Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 6)
April 28, 2021 IA HF 802 Limits the Types of Diversity Training Schools and Governments May Offer Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 18)
April 26, 2021 AR SB 298 Classifies Federal Gun Restrictions as Invalid Veto Override Passed - Senate (21 - 12)
April 26, 2021 ID H 377 Prohibits Teaching the Topic Known as "Critical Race Theory" Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 8)
April 22, 2021 IN SB 414 Requires Universities to Survey Students About the Climate for Free Speech on Campus Conference Report Adopted - Senate (42 - 7)
April 22, 2021 National S 937 COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act Bill Passed - Senate (94 - 1)
April 21, 2021 AR HB 1547 Prohibits Mandating COVID-19 Vaccinations Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 8)
April 20, 2021 AR SB 615 Prohibits Governmental Entities from Mandating Vaccine Passports Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 8)
April 20, 2021 AL SB 91 Prohibits Racial Profiling Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 7)
April 15, 2021 IN SB 398 Limits the Hours of an Election Drop Box and Expands Voting for Those with Disabilities Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (40 - 2)
April 15, 2021 MT HB 504 Prohibits Peace Officers from Curtailing the Possession of Firearms Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 17)
April 15, 2021 OR SJM 4 Alleges Congress Should Implement Reparations for African Americans Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 9)
April 15, 2021 ND SCR 4016 Alleges Opposition to Implementation of COVID-19 Passports Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (34 - 13)
April 15, 2021 AL SB 358 Prohibits State and Local Governments from Enforcing Any Federal Firearms Act Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 5)
April 14, 2021 NV SB 212 Prohibits Police Officers from Using Deadly Force Before De-escalation Bill Passed - Senate (12 - 9)
April 12, 2021 CO SB 21-188 Authorizes a Voter with a Disability to Print the Ballot or Return the Ballot by Electronic Transmission Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 13)
April 8, 2021 AL SB 267 Prohibits Implementation of COVID-19 Vaccine Passports Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 0)
April 1, 2021 OR SB 398 Establishes the Presence of a Noose as a Hate Crime Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 1)
March 30, 2021 DE SB 72 Classifies Discrimination Against Any Person Because of their Religion as Illegal Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 0)
March 25, 2021 IL HB 158 Reduces Racial Disparities in Medical Care Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 16)
March 23, 2021 MI SB 257 Prohibits Banning Family Gatherings During the Pandemic Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
March 22, 2021 NV SB 103 Prohibits Insurance Companies from Discriminating Based on a Dog's Breed Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 3)
March 16, 2021 WI SJR 20 Establishes February 2021 as Black History Month and Honors Black Legislators Joint Resolution Failed - Senate (11 - 20)
March 11, 2021 ME LD 2 Requires the State Legislature to Assess the Racial Impact of Pending Legislation Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 7)
March 4, 2021 SD HCR 6013 Specifies that the 2nd Amendment is Protected from Federal Overreach Bill Failed - Senate (13 - 20)
March 1, 2021 MT SB 215 Limits State and Local Governmental Authority Over a Religious Activity Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 24)
Feb. 27, 2021 VA SJ 272 Amends the Qualifications to Vote Conference Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 17)
Feb. 24, 2021 NY S 830 Extends Voting Rights to Convicted Felons on Parole Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 20)
Feb. 22, 2021 WV SB 11 Prohibits Work Stoppages or Strikes by Public Employees Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12)
Feb. 16, 2021 IN SB 198 Increases Penalties for Attendees of "Riots" or "Unlawful Assemblies" Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 8)
Feb. 10, 2021 AR SB 289 Authorizes Denial of Healthcare on the Basis of Religious Principles Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 6)
Jan. 28, 2021 DE SB 32 Prohibits Hair Discrimination Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 0)
Jan. 27, 2021 WA SB 5044 Requires Anti-Racism and Equity Training in Public Schools Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 19)
Jan. 21, 2021 DE SB 31 Amends the Equal Rights Amendment in the State Constitution to Prohibit Racial Discrimination Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 0)
Jan. 12, 2021 IL SB 1608 Establishes New Commissions to Impose Racial Diversity Requirements Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 15)
Date No. Title Outcome
12/20 S 2834 Requires Culturally Responsive Training for Teaching Candidates Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 6)
10/04 SB 732 Prohibits the Process Known as "Vaccine Coercion" Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 11)
9/10 SB 98 Establishes Journalists Can Cover Events in Areas that Have Been Closed by Law Enforcement Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 5)
9/08 AB 105 Requires State Boards and Committees to be More Diverse Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 8)
8/26 HB 324 Prohibits the Teaching of Certain Topics Related to Racism, Civics, and American History Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 17)
7/16 SB 3 Prohibits Teaching "Critical Race Theory" in Public Schools Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 4)
6/30 HB 2906 Prohibits the Teaching of Critical Race Theory Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 12)
6/24 SB 618 Prohibits Vaccine Passports and Limits Powers of the Secretary of Health Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 21)
6/22 S 2093 For the People Act of 2021 Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (50 - 50)
6/17 SB 1202 Extends Convicted Felons' Voting Rights if They are Committed to Confinement Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (20 - 6)
6/10 SB 148 Expands the Division of Civil Rights and Public Trusts Responsibility to Review Deadly Use of Force Incidents Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 7)
6/08 HB 6665 Prohibits 'Whites Only' Covenants Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 0)
6/07 HB 3284 Prohibits a Covered Organization from Collecting Personal Health Data Without Consent Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 9)
6/02 SB 742 Prohibits Interfering with People in Connection with Any Vaccination Services Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 4)
5/30 SB 817 Prohibits School Discrimination Against Certain Hairstyles Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (41 - 12)
5/25 SB 457 Prohibits Local Public Health Directors from Issuing an Emergency Order to Mandate COVID-19 Vaccinations Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 16)
5/22 HB 3979 Prohibits the Teaching of "Critical Race Theory" in Schools Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 13)
5/20 AB 88 Requires Schools to Change Any Identifier that is "Racially Discriminatory" Bill Passed - Senate (12 - 8)
5/18 SB 1 Alleges Racism is a Public Health Crisis Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 5)
5/05 SB 623 Prohibits Teaching "Critical Race Theory" in K-12 Schools Conference Report Adopted - Senate (25 - 7)
5/05 HF 889 Prohibits the Implementation of COVID-19 Vaccine Passports Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 16)
4/29 LB 451 Prohibits the Process Known as Hair Discrimination Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 4)
4/28 HB 271 Limits the Authority of Local Health Officials to Close Organizations During a Public Health Emergency Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 6)
4/28 HF 802 Limits the Types of Diversity Training Schools and Governments May Offer Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 18)
4/26 SB 298 Classifies Federal Gun Restrictions as Invalid Veto Override Passed - Senate (21 - 12)
4/26 H 377 Prohibits Teaching the Topic Known as "Critical Race Theory" Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 8)
4/22 SB 414 Requires Universities to Survey Students About the Climate for Free Speech on Campus Conference Report Adopted - Senate (42 - 7)
4/22 S 937 COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act Bill Passed - Senate (94 - 1)
4/21 HB 1547 Prohibits Mandating COVID-19 Vaccinations Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 8)
4/20 SB 615 Prohibits Governmental Entities from Mandating Vaccine Passports Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 8)
4/20 SB 91 Prohibits Racial Profiling Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 7)
4/15 SB 398 Limits the Hours of an Election Drop Box and Expands Voting for Those with Disabilities Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (40 - 2)
4/15 HB 504 Prohibits Peace Officers from Curtailing the Possession of Firearms Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 17)
4/15 SJM 4 Alleges Congress Should Implement Reparations for African Americans Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 9)
4/15 SCR 4016 Alleges Opposition to Implementation of COVID-19 Passports Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (34 - 13)
4/15 SB 358 Prohibits State and Local Governments from Enforcing Any Federal Firearms Act Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 5)
4/14 SB 212 Prohibits Police Officers from Using Deadly Force Before De-escalation Bill Passed - Senate (12 - 9)
4/12 SB 21-188 Authorizes a Voter with a Disability to Print the Ballot or Return the Ballot by Electronic Transmission Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 13)
4/08 SB 267 Prohibits Implementation of COVID-19 Vaccine Passports Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 0)
4/01 SB 398 Establishes the Presence of a Noose as a Hate Crime Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 1)
3/30 SB 72 Classifies Discrimination Against Any Person Because of their Religion as Illegal Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 0)
3/25 HB 158 Reduces Racial Disparities in Medical Care Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 16)
3/23 SB 257 Prohibits Banning Family Gatherings During the Pandemic Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
3/22 SB 103 Prohibits Insurance Companies from Discriminating Based on a Dog's Breed Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 3)
3/16 SJR 20 Establishes February 2021 as Black History Month and Honors Black Legislators Joint Resolution Failed - Senate (11 - 20)
3/11 LD 2 Requires the State Legislature to Assess the Racial Impact of Pending Legislation Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 7)
3/04 HCR 6013 Specifies that the 2nd Amendment is Protected from Federal Overreach Bill Failed - Senate (13 - 20)
3/01 SB 215 Limits State and Local Governmental Authority Over a Religious Activity Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 24)
2/27 SJ 272 Amends the Qualifications to Vote Conference Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 17)
2/24 S 830 Extends Voting Rights to Convicted Felons on Parole Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 20)
2/22 SB 11 Prohibits Work Stoppages or Strikes by Public Employees Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12)
2/16 SB 198 Increases Penalties for Attendees of "Riots" or "Unlawful Assemblies" Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 8)
2/10 SB 289 Authorizes Denial of Healthcare on the Basis of Religious Principles Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 6)
1/28 SB 32 Prohibits Hair Discrimination Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 0)
1/27 SB 5044 Requires Anti-Racism and Equity Training in Public Schools Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 19)
1/21 SB 31 Amends the Equal Rights Amendment in the State Constitution to Prohibit Racial Discrimination Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 0)
1/12 SB 1608 Establishes New Commissions to Impose Racial Diversity Requirements Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 15)

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