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
March 6, 2019 SC H 3759 Increases Teacher Pay Bill Passed - House (113 - 4)
Jan. 29, 2019 SC S 176 Authorizes Death Penalty by Firing Squad Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 13)
May 9, 2018 SC S 109 Prohibits Flying Drones Over Military Installations Bill Passed - House (88 - 1)
May 2, 2018 SC S 28 Amends Rule Related to Time-Off Credits For Religious Exemption Bill Passed - House (84 - 20)
April 10, 2018 SC H 4421 Expands Use of Solar Power Bill Failed - House (61 - 44)
Feb. 7, 2018 SC H 3529 Prohibits Local Regulations on Plastic Bags Bill Passed - House (73 - 41)
May 10, 2017 SC H 3864 Amends Restrictions on Children's Car Seats Concurrence Vote Passed - House (70 - 24)
April 5, 2017 SC H 3930 Amends Handgun Carry Rules Bill Passed - House (64 - 46)
April 4, 2017 SC H 3809 Requires Coverage for 12-Month Refills of Contraceptive Drugs Bill Passed - House (64 - 38)
April 4, 2017 SC H 3864 Amends Restrictions on Children's Car Seats Bill Passed - House (75 - 28)
March 10, 2017 SC H 3643 Requires Public Universities to Adopt Antisemitism Policy Bill Passed - House (103 - 3)
March 1, 2017 SC H 3516 Increases Gas Taxes and Fees to Improve Infrastructure Bill Passed - House (97 - 18)
June 15, 2016 SC H 3440 Requires Certain Safety Regulations to Operate a Moped Veto Override Passed - House (69 - 33)
May 31, 2016 SC S 1258 Amends Structure and Funding of Department of Transportation Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 10)
May 17, 2016 SC H 3114 Prohibits Abortions After 20 Weeks Conference Report Adopted - House (79 - 29)
March 9, 2016 SC H 3579 Appropriates Funds for Highways Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 15)
March 8, 2016 SC H 3114 Prohibits Abortions After 20 Weeks Conference Report Adopted - Senate (36 - 9)
March 3, 2016 SC H 4701 Prohibits Enforcement of Federal Restrictions on Firearms Bill Passed - House (64 - 30)
Jan. 28, 2016 SC H 3521 Prohibits Courts From Enforcing Foreign Law Bill Passed - House (68 - 42)
Jan. 13, 2016 SC H 3440 Requires Certain Safety Regulations to Operate a Moped Bill Passed - House (67 - 41)
July 9, 2015 SC S 897 Requires Removal of Confederate Flag from Capitol Grounds Bill Passed - House (94 - 20)
Feb. 12, 2015 SC H 3114 Prohibits Abortions After 20 Weeks Bill Passed - House (71 - 22)
June 4, 2014 SC H 4701 2014-2015 Budget Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (34 - 10)
June 4, 2014 SC H 4701 2014-2015 Budget Concurrence Vote Passed - House (85 - 28)
April 30, 2014 SC H 3435 Amends Sex Education Curriculum Bill Passed - House (51 - 49)
April 2, 2014 SC H 4803 Authorizes Individuals with Epilepsy to Use Oil Derived from Marijuana Bill Passed - House (90 - 24)
March 20, 2014 SC H 4223 Prohibits Abortions After 20 Weeks Bill Passed - House (81 - 22)
March 19, 2014 SC H 3101 Prohibits Implementation of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 Bill Failed - Senate (9 - 33)
Jan. 23, 2014 SC SB 308 Authorizes Carrying Concealed Weapons into Businesses that Serve Alcohol Concurrence Vote Passed - House (90 - 18)
Jan. 15, 2014 SC H 3147 Expands Workers' Compensation for Certain Injuries to Law Enforcement Officers Bill Passed - House (69 - 45)
June 26, 2012 SC H 4497 Authorizes Information On and Access to the HPV Vaccine Veto Override Failed - House (54 - 47)
March 29, 2012 SC H 4894 Authorizes Income Tax Credit for Tuition Payments Bill Passed - House (62 - 38)
March 28, 2012 SC SB 1227 Prohibits Camping on State House Grounds Bill Passed - House (85 - 22)
March 21, 2012 SC HB 4967 Amends the South Carolina Retirement System Bill Passed - House (86 - 27)
June 22, 2011 SC H 3700 2011-2012 Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (24 - 17)
June 22, 2011 SC H 3700 2011-2012 Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (57 - 54)
June 14, 2011 SC H 3992 Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - House (83 - 25)
May 25, 2011 SC S 20 Immigration Enforcement Bill Passed - House (65 - 39)
May 25, 2011 SC H 3407 Establishing a School Voucher Program Bill Tabled - House (60 - 59)
May 11, 2011 SC H 3003 Voter ID Conference Report Adopted - Senate (26 - 16)
April 28, 2011 SC Amdt 46 Educational Television Commission Amendment to 2011-2012 Budget Amendment Adopted - House (25 - 18)
April 27, 2011 SC Amendment No. 1 Distribution Facilities and the Sales Tax Amendment Rejected - House (47 - 71)
April 26, 2011 SC H 3003 Voter ID Conference Report Adopted - House (71 - 36)
April 5, 2011 SC S 434 Prohibiting DHHS From Reducing Provider Rates Joint Resolution Passed - House (63 - 44)
March 29, 2011 SC H 3408 Freedom of Conscience Act Bill Passed - House (69 - 41)
March 15, 2011 SC Amdt 71 Repeals Funding for the 2012 Presidential Preference Primary Amendment Rejected - House (46 - 69)
March 15, 2011 SC H 3700 2011-2012 Budget Bill Passed - House (77 - 42)
March 10, 2011 SC S 20 Immigration Enforcement Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 9)
March 1, 2011 SC S 434 Prohibiting DHHS From Reducing Provider Rates Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (24 - 8)
Feb. 23, 2011 SC H 3241 Funding for Charter Schools Bill Passed - House (85 - 32)
Feb. 16, 2011 SC H 3507 Call For Constitutional Convention Resolution Passed - House (72 - 44)
Feb. 10, 2011 SC H 3003 Voter ID Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 17)
Jan. 26, 2011 SC H 3003 Voter ID Bill Passed - House (74 - 45)
June 3, 2010 SC H 4657 2010-2011 Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (22 - 16)
June 3, 2010 SC H 4657 2010-2011 Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (64 - 54)
May 13, 2010 SC H 3584 Cigarette Tax Increase Veto Override Passed - Senate (33 - 13)
May 12, 2010 SC H 3584 Cigarette Tax Increase Veto Override Passed - House (90 - 29)
April 14, 2010 SC H 3584 Cigarette Tax Increase Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 12)
March 10, 2010 SC H 3305 Requiring Secret Ballot Elections Concurrence Vote Passed - House (106 - 12)
March 10, 2010 SC H 3305 Requiring Secret Ballot Elections Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 9)
Feb. 24, 2010 SC S 191 Authorizing Warrantless Searches and Seizures of Probationers and Parolees Motion Agreed - House (81 - 26)
Feb. 10, 2010 SC H 3272 Property Tax Law Amendments Bill Failed - Senate (28 - 13)
Jan. 13, 2010 SC H 4219 Censuring Governor Mark Sanford Resolution Passed - House (102 - 11)
June 16, 2009 SC S 351 State Ports Authority Amendments Veto Override Passed - Senate (35 - 9)
May 20, 2009 SC H 3560 2009-2010 Budget Veto Override Passed - Senate (34 - 11)
May 20, 2009 SC H 3560 2009-2010 Budget Veto Override Passed - House (98 - 19)
March 11, 2009 SC H 3560 2009-2010 Budget Motion Agreed - House (71 - 43)
March 3, 2009 SC H 3418 Requiring Photo Identification to Vote Bill Passed - House (67 - 44)
Feb. 26, 2009 SC H 3245 24-Hour Waiting Period for Abortions Bill Passed - House (87 - 24)
Feb. 24, 2009 SC Amdt 2 Exempting Cases of Rape from Abortion Waiting Period Amendment Tabled - House (69 - 45)
Feb. 24, 2009 SC Amdt 5 Prohibiting Employment Termination Due to Abortion Waiting Period Amendment Rejected - House (54 - 60)
Feb. 18, 2009 SC S 351 State Ports Authority Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 14)
Feb. 12, 2009 SC H 3301 Payday Lending Regulations Motion Agreed - House (93 - 16)
Oct. 21, 2008 SC S 429 DNA Sampling Upon Felony Arrest Veto Override Passed - House (86 - 25)
Oct. 21, 2008 SC H Amdt 20 to H 5300 Repealing Property Tax Exemption Amendment Tabled - House (98 - 17)
Oct. 21, 2008 SC H Amdt 11 to H 5300 Protection and Advocacy for People with Disabilities, Inc. Funding Amendment Tabled - House (66 - 50)
May 29, 2008 SC H 4400 Immigration Bill Concurrence Vote Passed - House (94 - 16)
May 27, 2008 SC H 3567 Cigarette Tax Increase Veto Override Failed - House (54 - 57)
May 21, 2008 SC H 3816 Bankruptcy Exemptions Veto Override Passed - House (78 - 26)
May 21, 2008 SC H Amdt 4A Cigarette Tax for Small Business Employee Health Care Amendment Tabled - House (60 - 58)
May 21, 2008 SC H Amdt 3A Cigarette Tax Increase for Employee Health Care Amendment Tabled - House (67 - 51)
May 21, 2008 SC H Amdt 7A To Reduce Income Tax Amendment Tabled - House (68 - 52)
May 14, 2008 SC H 3032 Immigration Reform Concurrence Vote Failed - Senate (20 - 26)
May 7, 2008 SC S Amdt P-4A Cigarette Tax Rate Adjustment Amendment Not Tabled - Senate (18 - 24)
May 7, 2008 SC Amendment No. 8A Requiring Employers to Verify Immigration the Status of Their Employees Amendment Adopted - House (80 - 33)
May 7, 2008 SC H 3567 Cigarette Tax Increase Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 11)
May 6, 2008 SC S Amdt P-1 Cigarette Tax Increase for Medicaid Amendment Tabled - Senate (31 - 13)
April 10, 2008 SC H 3427 Ending Common Law Marriage Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (21 - 17)
April 9, 2008 SC H 4673 Cost-of-Living Pension Increases for Retired Legislators and State Workers Bill Passed - House (58 - 51)
April 9, 2008 SC H 4549 Funding Road Repair and Maintenance Bill Passed - House (91 - 9)
April 2, 2008 SC AM 1 Expanding the Earned Income Tax Credit Amendment Rejected - House (40 - 73)
April 2, 2008 SC H 4550 Marriage Tax Cut Bill Passed - House (100 - 14)
March 5, 2008 SC H 4620 Expanding Governor's Appointment Power Joint Resolution Passed - House (83 - 24)
Feb. 19, 2008 SC AM 4 to S 398 Prohibiting Payday Lending Amendment Bill Tabled - Senate (23 - 18)
Jan. 31, 2008 SC H 4400 Immigration Bill Bill Passed - House (80 - 13)
June 28, 2007 SC H 3124 Open Enrollment and School Choice Veto Override Failed - House (60 - 52)
June 20, 2007 SC H 3124 Open Enrollment and School Choice Conference Report Adopted - House (62 - 49)
June 19, 2007 SC S 99 Presidential Primaries Conducted by the State Election Commission Veto Override Passed - House (87 - 18)
June 19, 2007 SC S 99 Presidential Primaries Conducted by the State Election Commission Veto Override Passed - Senate (36 - 7)
May 31, 2007 SC H 3124 Open Enrollment and Optional Programs Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 10)
Date No. Title Outcome
3/06 H 3759 Increases Teacher Pay Bill Passed - House (113 - 4)
1/29 S 176 Authorizes Death Penalty by Firing Squad Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 13)
5/09 S 109 Prohibits Flying Drones Over Military Installations Bill Passed - House (88 - 1)
5/02 S 28 Amends Rule Related to Time-Off Credits For Religious Exemption Bill Passed - House (84 - 20)
4/10 H 4421 Expands Use of Solar Power Bill Failed - House (61 - 44)
2/07 H 3529 Prohibits Local Regulations on Plastic Bags Bill Passed - House (73 - 41)
5/10 H 3864 Amends Restrictions on Children's Car Seats Concurrence Vote Passed - House (70 - 24)
4/05 H 3930 Amends Handgun Carry Rules Bill Passed - House (64 - 46)
4/04 H 3809 Requires Coverage for 12-Month Refills of Contraceptive Drugs Bill Passed - House (64 - 38)
4/04 H 3864 Amends Restrictions on Children's Car Seats Bill Passed - House (75 - 28)
3/10 H 3643 Requires Public Universities to Adopt Antisemitism Policy Bill Passed - House (103 - 3)
3/01 H 3516 Increases Gas Taxes and Fees to Improve Infrastructure Bill Passed - House (97 - 18)
6/15 H 3440 Requires Certain Safety Regulations to Operate a Moped Veto Override Passed - House (69 - 33)
5/31 S 1258 Amends Structure and Funding of Department of Transportation Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 10)
5/17 H 3114 Prohibits Abortions After 20 Weeks Conference Report Adopted - House (79 - 29)
3/09 H 3579 Appropriates Funds for Highways Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 15)
3/08 H 3114 Prohibits Abortions After 20 Weeks Conference Report Adopted - Senate (36 - 9)
3/03 H 4701 Prohibits Enforcement of Federal Restrictions on Firearms Bill Passed - House (64 - 30)
1/28 H 3521 Prohibits Courts From Enforcing Foreign Law Bill Passed - House (68 - 42)
1/13 H 3440 Requires Certain Safety Regulations to Operate a Moped Bill Passed - House (67 - 41)
7/09 S 897 Requires Removal of Confederate Flag from Capitol Grounds Bill Passed - House (94 - 20)
2/12 H 3114 Prohibits Abortions After 20 Weeks Bill Passed - House (71 - 22)
6/04 H 4701 2014-2015 Budget Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (34 - 10)
6/04 H 4701 2014-2015 Budget Concurrence Vote Passed - House (85 - 28)
4/30 H 3435 Amends Sex Education Curriculum Bill Passed - House (51 - 49)
4/02 H 4803 Authorizes Individuals with Epilepsy to Use Oil Derived from Marijuana Bill Passed - House (90 - 24)
3/20 H 4223 Prohibits Abortions After 20 Weeks Bill Passed - House (81 - 22)
3/19 H 3101 Prohibits Implementation of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 Bill Failed - Senate (9 - 33)
1/23 SB 308 Authorizes Carrying Concealed Weapons into Businesses that Serve Alcohol Concurrence Vote Passed - House (90 - 18)
1/15 H 3147 Expands Workers' Compensation for Certain Injuries to Law Enforcement Officers Bill Passed - House (69 - 45)
6/26 H 4497 Authorizes Information On and Access to the HPV Vaccine Veto Override Failed - House (54 - 47)
3/29 H 4894 Authorizes Income Tax Credit for Tuition Payments Bill Passed - House (62 - 38)
3/28 SB 1227 Prohibits Camping on State House Grounds Bill Passed - House (85 - 22)
3/21 HB 4967 Amends the South Carolina Retirement System Bill Passed - House (86 - 27)
6/22 H 3700 2011-2012 Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (24 - 17)
6/22 H 3700 2011-2012 Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (57 - 54)
6/14 H 3992 Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - House (83 - 25)
5/25 S 20 Immigration Enforcement Bill Passed - House (65 - 39)
5/25 H 3407 Establishing a School Voucher Program Bill Tabled - House (60 - 59)
5/11 H 3003 Voter ID Conference Report Adopted - Senate (26 - 16)
4/28 Amdt 46 Educational Television Commission Amendment to 2011-2012 Budget Amendment Adopted - House (25 - 18)
4/27 Amendment No. 1 Distribution Facilities and the Sales Tax Amendment Rejected - House (47 - 71)
4/26 H 3003 Voter ID Conference Report Adopted - House (71 - 36)
4/05 S 434 Prohibiting DHHS From Reducing Provider Rates Joint Resolution Passed - House (63 - 44)
3/29 H 3408 Freedom of Conscience Act Bill Passed - House (69 - 41)
3/15 Amdt 71 Repeals Funding for the 2012 Presidential Preference Primary Amendment Rejected - House (46 - 69)
3/15 H 3700 2011-2012 Budget Bill Passed - House (77 - 42)
3/10 S 20 Immigration Enforcement Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 9)
3/01 S 434 Prohibiting DHHS From Reducing Provider Rates Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (24 - 8)
2/23 H 3241 Funding for Charter Schools Bill Passed - House (85 - 32)
2/16 H 3507 Call For Constitutional Convention Resolution Passed - House (72 - 44)
2/10 H 3003 Voter ID Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 17)
1/26 H 3003 Voter ID Bill Passed - House (74 - 45)
6/03 H 4657 2010-2011 Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (22 - 16)
6/03 H 4657 2010-2011 Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (64 - 54)
5/13 H 3584 Cigarette Tax Increase Veto Override Passed - Senate (33 - 13)
5/12 H 3584 Cigarette Tax Increase Veto Override Passed - House (90 - 29)
4/14 H 3584 Cigarette Tax Increase Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 12)
3/10 H 3305 Requiring Secret Ballot Elections Concurrence Vote Passed - House (106 - 12)
3/10 H 3305 Requiring Secret Ballot Elections Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 9)
2/24 S 191 Authorizing Warrantless Searches and Seizures of Probationers and Parolees Motion Agreed - House (81 - 26)
2/10 H 3272 Property Tax Law Amendments Bill Failed - Senate (28 - 13)
1/13 H 4219 Censuring Governor Mark Sanford Resolution Passed - House (102 - 11)
6/16 S 351 State Ports Authority Amendments Veto Override Passed - Senate (35 - 9)
5/20 H 3560 2009-2010 Budget Veto Override Passed - Senate (34 - 11)
5/20 H 3560 2009-2010 Budget Veto Override Passed - House (98 - 19)
3/11 H 3560 2009-2010 Budget Motion Agreed - House (71 - 43)
3/03 H 3418 Requiring Photo Identification to Vote Bill Passed - House (67 - 44)
2/26 H 3245 24-Hour Waiting Period for Abortions Bill Passed - House (87 - 24)
2/24 Amdt 2 Exempting Cases of Rape from Abortion Waiting Period Amendment Tabled - House (69 - 45)
2/24 Amdt 5 Prohibiting Employment Termination Due to Abortion Waiting Period Amendment Rejected - House (54 - 60)
2/18 S 351 State Ports Authority Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 14)
2/12 H 3301 Payday Lending Regulations Motion Agreed - House (93 - 16)
10/21 S 429 DNA Sampling Upon Felony Arrest Veto Override Passed - House (86 - 25)
10/21 H Amdt 20 to H 5300 Repealing Property Tax Exemption Amendment Tabled - House (98 - 17)
10/21 H Amdt 11 to H 5300 Protection and Advocacy for People with Disabilities, Inc. Funding Amendment Tabled - House (66 - 50)
5/29 H 4400 Immigration Bill Concurrence Vote Passed - House (94 - 16)
5/27 H 3567 Cigarette Tax Increase Veto Override Failed - House (54 - 57)
5/21 H 3816 Bankruptcy Exemptions Veto Override Passed - House (78 - 26)
5/21 H Amdt 4A Cigarette Tax for Small Business Employee Health Care Amendment Tabled - House (60 - 58)
5/21 H Amdt 3A Cigarette Tax Increase for Employee Health Care Amendment Tabled - House (67 - 51)
5/21 H Amdt 7A To Reduce Income Tax Amendment Tabled - House (68 - 52)
5/14 H 3032 Immigration Reform Concurrence Vote Failed - Senate (20 - 26)
5/07 S Amdt P-4A Cigarette Tax Rate Adjustment Amendment Not Tabled - Senate (18 - 24)
5/07 Amendment No. 8A Requiring Employers to Verify Immigration the Status of Their Employees Amendment Adopted - House (80 - 33)
5/07 H 3567 Cigarette Tax Increase Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 11)
5/06 S Amdt P-1 Cigarette Tax Increase for Medicaid Amendment Tabled - Senate (31 - 13)
4/10 H 3427 Ending Common Law Marriage Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (21 - 17)
4/09 H 4673 Cost-of-Living Pension Increases for Retired Legislators and State Workers Bill Passed - House (58 - 51)
4/09 H 4549 Funding Road Repair and Maintenance Bill Passed - House (91 - 9)
4/02 AM 1 Expanding the Earned Income Tax Credit Amendment Rejected - House (40 - 73)
4/02 H 4550 Marriage Tax Cut Bill Passed - House (100 - 14)
3/05 H 4620 Expanding Governor's Appointment Power Joint Resolution Passed - House (83 - 24)
2/19 AM 4 to S 398 Prohibiting Payday Lending Amendment Bill Tabled - Senate (23 - 18)
1/31 H 4400 Immigration Bill Bill Passed - House (80 - 13)
6/28 H 3124 Open Enrollment and School Choice Veto Override Failed - House (60 - 52)
6/20 H 3124 Open Enrollment and School Choice Conference Report Adopted - House (62 - 49)
6/19 S 99 Presidential Primaries Conducted by the State Election Commission Veto Override Passed - House (87 - 18)
6/19 S 99 Presidential Primaries Conducted by the State Election Commission Veto Override Passed - Senate (36 - 7)
5/31 H 3124 Open Enrollment and Optional Programs Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 10)

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