Key Votes

Chamber

Keyword Search

Search string must be longer than 3 characters.

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.


Page 1 of 5
results per page:
Date State Bill No. Title Outcome
Jan. 24, 2006 SD SB 27 State Fair Appropriation Bill Passed - House (61 - 7)
Jan. 17, 2006 SD SB 27 State Fair Appropriation Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 4)
Feb. 7, 2006 SD HB 1217 Abstinence-Only Sex Education Bill Passed - House (46 - 24)
Feb. 23, 2006 SD SB 1 Mandatory Bodily Substance Samples in Drunk Driving Arrests Bill Passed - House (52 - 17)
Feb. 9, 2006 SD HB 1215 Abortion Ban Bill Passed - House (47 - 22)
Feb. 22, 2006 SD HB 1215 Abortion Ban Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
Feb. 22, 2006 SD S Amdt 1215cb Exception to Abortion Ban in Cases Where the Health of the Woman is Seriously Threatened Amendment Rejected - Senate (13 - 22)
Feb. 22, 2006 SD S Amdt 1215rf Abortion Ban Litigation Fund Amendment Rejected - Senate (13 - 22)
Feb. 22, 2006 SD S Amdt 1215ca Exceptions to Abortion Ban in Cases of Rape or Incest Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (14 - 21)
Jan. 23, 2006 SD SB 1 Mandatory Bodily Substance Samples in Drunk Driving Arrests Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 13)
Feb. 9, 2006 SD HB 1194 Contraceptive Distribution at Public Schools Bill Passed - House (51 - 17)
Feb. 7, 2006 SD H Amdt 1194rf Penalties for School Employees for Dispensing Contraceptives Amendment Amendment Adopted - House (37 - 33)
Feb. 9, 2006 SD H Amdt 1215fa Exception to Abortion Ban in Cases Where the Health of the Woman is Seriously Threatened Amendment Rejected - House (27 - 41)
Feb. 9, 2006 SD H Amdt 1215rb Exceptions to Abortion Ban in Cases of Rape or Incest Amendment Amendment Tabled - House (42 - 25)
Feb. 6, 2006 SD HB 1184 Medical Treatments that Violate Medical Workers Principles Bill Failed - House (34 - 35)
Feb. 9, 2006 SD HB 1234 Mandatory Kindergarten Bill Passed - House (52 - 15)
Feb. 10, 2006 SD HB 1235 Compulsory High School Education Age to 18 Bill Passed - House (51 - 14)
Feb. 21, 2006 SD HB 1235 Compulsory High School Education Age to 18 Bill Failed - Senate (11 - 23)
Jan. 31, 2006 SD SB 175 Emergency Contraceptives for Rape Victims Bill Failed - Senate (9 - 26)
March 21, 2006 SD SB 210 2006-2007 Budget Amendments Bill Passed - House (63 - 3)
March 21, 2006 SD SB 210 2006-2007 Budget Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 4)
Feb. 22, 2006 SD S Amdt 1215re Abortion Ban to Public Vote Amendment Rejected - Senate (15 - 20)
Jan. 24, 2007 SD SB 74 Allowing Friends to Make Medical Decisions Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 10)
Feb. 14, 2007 SD HB 1175 Lethal Injection Reform Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7)
Feb. 6, 2007 SD HB 1175 Lethal Injection Reform Bill Passed - House (51 - 19)
March 2, 2007 SD SB 207 Minimum Wage Increase Bill Passed - House (62 - 8)
Feb. 12, 2007 SD SB 207 Minimum Wage Increase Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 6)
March 3, 2007 SD HB 1048 Campaign Contribution Reform Conference Report Adopted - House (45 - 22)
March 3, 2007 SD HB 1048 Campaign Contribution Reform Conference Report Adopted - Senate (19 - 16)
Feb. 22, 2007 SD HB 1048 Campaign Contribution Reform Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11)
Feb. 13, 2007 SD HB 1048 Campaign Contribution Reform Bill Passed - House (47 - 23)
March 1, 2007 SD HB 1082 School District Consolidation Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 10)
Feb. 20, 2007 SD HB 1082 School District Consolidation Bill Passed - House (37 - 33)
Feb. 7, 2007 SD HB 1160 Physician Presence at Executions Bill Passed - House (56 - 14)
Feb. 14, 2007 SD HB 1160 Physician Presence at Executions Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 3)
Feb. 28, 2007 SD SB 199 Mandatory School Attendance Bill Passed - House (46 - 23)
Feb. 28, 2007 SD SB 95 Control of Technical Institutes Bill Passed - House (50 - 19)
Feb. 8, 2007 SD SB 190 Liquor License Development Districts Bill Failed - Senate (14 - 20)
Feb. 12, 2007 SD SB 199 Mandatory School Attendance Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 8)
Feb. 14, 2007 SD SB 196 Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17)
Feb. 14, 2007 SD HB 1293 Abortion Limitations Bill Passed - House (45 - 25)
Feb. 20, 2007 SD SB 208 Tanning Restrictions Bill Failed - Senate (10 - 24)
Feb. 26, 2007 SD HB 1139 Tobacco Tax Funds Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
Feb. 7, 2007 SD HB 1139 Tobacco Tax Funds Bill Passed - House (60 - 10)
Feb. 5, 2007 SD HB 1296 Pre-Abortion Sonograms Bill Passed - House (43 - 24)
Feb. 15, 2007 SD SB 157 Teacher Compensation Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 5)
Feb. 6, 2007 SD SJR 7 Extension of Term Limits Joint Resolution Failed - Senate (17 - 18)
Jan. 22, 2008 SD SB 26 State Regulation of Preschools Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 11)
Feb. 6, 2008 SD SB 126 Repealing Liquor License Cap Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 14)
Jan. 24, 2008 SD SB 126 Repealing Liquor License Cap Bill Failed - Senate (16 - 19)
Jan. 29, 2008 SD HB 1193 Offering Sonograms to Women Considering Abortion Bill Passed - House (38 - 31)
Jan. 29, 2008 SD SB 88 Offering Sonograms to Women Considering Abortion Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 12)
Feb. 20, 2008 SD SB 88 Offering Sonograms to Women Considering Abortion Bill Passed - House (38 - 32)
Feb. 4, 2008 SD HB 1261 Firearm Possession on College Campuses Bill Passed - House (63 - 3)
Feb. 6, 2008 SD SB 164 Right to Obtain Contraception Bill Failed - Senate (12 - 22)
Feb. 11, 2008 SD HB 1171 Hunting Mountain Lions Bill Failed - House (26 - 42)
Feb. 21, 2008 SD HB 1151 Adult-Oriented Business Restrictions Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 10)
Feb. 14, 2008 SD HB 1151 Adult-Oriented Business Restrictions Bill Passed - House (47 - 21)
Feb. 14, 2008 SD HB 1124 Teacher Compensation and Performance Bill Passed - House (39 - 29)
Feb. 13, 2008 SD SJR 1 Eliminating Term Limits Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (27 - 8)
Feb. 11, 2008 SD SB 189 Accessibility of Public Records Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 15)
Feb. 25, 2008 SD SB 173 Eliminating Restrictions on Corporate Dairy Farms Bill Passed - House (63 - 6)
Jan. 31, 2008 SD SB 173 Eliminating Restrictions on Corporate Dairy Farms Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 8)
Feb. 21, 2008 SD HB 1250 Legislative Pay Raise Bill Tabled - Senate (29 - 4)
Feb. 5, 2008 SD HB 1250 Legislative Pay Raise Bill Passed - House (54 - 14)
Feb. 13, 2008 SD HB 1085 Constructing Science Facilities at Universities Bill Passed - House (61 - 6)
Feb. 27, 2008 SD HB 1085 Constructing Science Facilities at Universities Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 3)
Feb. 26, 2008 SD SB 174 Railroad Eminent Domain Bill Passed - House (54 - 16)
Feb. 13, 2008 SD SB 174 Railroad Eminent Domain Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 13)
Feb. 26, 2008 SD SB 126 Repealing Liquor License Cap Bill Passed - House (45 - 25)
March 17, 2008 SD HB 1233 Government Spending Database Veto Override Failed - Senate (22 - 12)
March 17, 2008 SD HB 1233 Government Spending Database Veto Override Passed - House (61 - 8)
Feb. 26, 2008 SD HB 1233 Government Spending Database Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13)
Feb. 13, 2008 SD HB 1233 Government Spending Database Bill Passed - House (47 - 22)
Feb. 2, 2009 SD HB 1004 Legalizing the Killing of Threatening Mountain Lions Bill Passed - House (37 - 32)
Feb. 3, 2009 SD SB 83 Statewide Indoor Smoking Ban Bill Failed - Senate (17 - 18)
Feb. 9, 2009 SD SJR 1 Authorization of Legal Gaming due to Gaming in Bordering States Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
March 5, 2009 SD SJR 3 Extending Senate Terms and Legislative Term-Limits Bill Failed - House (17 - 49)
Feb. 9, 2009 SD SJR 3 Extending Senate Terms and Legislative Term-Limits Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
Feb. 18, 2009 SD HB 1171 Exemptions from School District Minimum Size Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 12)
Feb. 4, 2009 SD HB 1171 Exemptions from School District Minimum Size Requirements Bill Passed - House (36 - 34)
Feb. 12, 2009 SD SB 156 Expansion of Hate Crime Law Bill Failed - Senate (13 - 21)
Feb. 17, 2009 SD SB 106 School Funding Formula Revision Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7)
March 9, 2009 SD HB 1240 Smoking Ban Concurrence Vote Passed - House (46 - 23)
March 4, 2009 SD HB 1240 Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
Feb. 23, 2009 SD HB 1240 Smoking Ban Bill Passed - House (43 - 27)
March 11, 2009 SD HB 1197 Tax Changes Relating to Single Family Dwellings Under Construction Veto Override Passed - House (60 - 10)
March 12, 2009 SD HB 1197 Tax Changes Relating to Single Family Dwellings Under Construction Veto Override Passed - Senate (26 - 8)
Feb. 23, 2009 SD SB 195 Stem Cell Research Amendments Bill Failed - Senate (14 - 20)
March 13, 2009 SD HB 1300 2009-2010 Budget Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 10)
March 13, 2009 SD HB 1300 2009-2010 Budget Bill Passed - House (42 - 28)
Feb. 17, 2009 SD HB 1278 Ban on Local Firearm Restrictions Bill Passed - House (46 - 20)
Feb. 3, 2009 SD SB 79 Primary Seat Belt Enforcement Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13)
Jan. 27, 2010 SD SB 18 Restrictions on Retirement for Rehired Public Employees Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 10)
Feb. 10, 2010 SD HB 1060 Agriculture and Business Facility Tax Refund Reductions Bill Passed - House (48 - 19)
Feb. 11, 2010 SD Jerstad Amdt Per Student Funding Increase Amendment Rejected - Senate (17 - 18)
Feb. 17, 2010 SD HB 1178 Prohibiting Text Messaging While Driving Bill Failed - House (32 - 37)
Feb. 19, 2010 SD HB 1107 Driver's License Renewal by Mail Bill Failed - House (33 - 30)
March 1, 2010 SD SB 63 Pilot Charter School Bill Passed - House (49 - 20)
Feb. 23, 2010 SD HB 1083 Appropriations for the Sanford Lab at Homestake Bill Failed - House (45 - 23)
Date No. Title Outcome
1/24 SB 27 State Fair Appropriation Bill Passed - House (61 - 7)
1/17 SB 27 State Fair Appropriation Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 4)
2/07 HB 1217 Abstinence-Only Sex Education Bill Passed - House (46 - 24)
2/23 SB 1 Mandatory Bodily Substance Samples in Drunk Driving Arrests Bill Passed - House (52 - 17)
2/09 HB 1215 Abortion Ban Bill Passed - House (47 - 22)
2/22 HB 1215 Abortion Ban Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
2/22 S Amdt 1215cb Exception to Abortion Ban in Cases Where the Health of the Woman is Seriously Threatened Amendment Rejected - Senate (13 - 22)
2/22 S Amdt 1215rf Abortion Ban Litigation Fund Amendment Rejected - Senate (13 - 22)
2/22 S Amdt 1215ca Exceptions to Abortion Ban in Cases of Rape or Incest Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (14 - 21)
1/23 SB 1 Mandatory Bodily Substance Samples in Drunk Driving Arrests Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 13)
2/09 HB 1194 Contraceptive Distribution at Public Schools Bill Passed - House (51 - 17)
2/07 H Amdt 1194rf Penalties for School Employees for Dispensing Contraceptives Amendment Amendment Adopted - House (37 - 33)
2/09 H Amdt 1215fa Exception to Abortion Ban in Cases Where the Health of the Woman is Seriously Threatened Amendment Rejected - House (27 - 41)
2/09 H Amdt 1215rb Exceptions to Abortion Ban in Cases of Rape or Incest Amendment Amendment Tabled - House (42 - 25)
2/06 HB 1184 Medical Treatments that Violate Medical Workers Principles Bill Failed - House (34 - 35)
2/09 HB 1234 Mandatory Kindergarten Bill Passed - House (52 - 15)
2/10 HB 1235 Compulsory High School Education Age to 18 Bill Passed - House (51 - 14)
2/21 HB 1235 Compulsory High School Education Age to 18 Bill Failed - Senate (11 - 23)
1/31 SB 175 Emergency Contraceptives for Rape Victims Bill Failed - Senate (9 - 26)
3/21 SB 210 2006-2007 Budget Amendments Bill Passed - House (63 - 3)
3/21 SB 210 2006-2007 Budget Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 4)
2/22 S Amdt 1215re Abortion Ban to Public Vote Amendment Rejected - Senate (15 - 20)
1/24 SB 74 Allowing Friends to Make Medical Decisions Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 10)
2/14 HB 1175 Lethal Injection Reform Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7)
2/06 HB 1175 Lethal Injection Reform Bill Passed - House (51 - 19)
3/02 SB 207 Minimum Wage Increase Bill Passed - House (62 - 8)
2/12 SB 207 Minimum Wage Increase Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 6)
3/03 HB 1048 Campaign Contribution Reform Conference Report Adopted - House (45 - 22)
3/03 HB 1048 Campaign Contribution Reform Conference Report Adopted - Senate (19 - 16)
2/22 HB 1048 Campaign Contribution Reform Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11)
2/13 HB 1048 Campaign Contribution Reform Bill Passed - House (47 - 23)
3/01 HB 1082 School District Consolidation Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 10)
2/20 HB 1082 School District Consolidation Bill Passed - House (37 - 33)
2/07 HB 1160 Physician Presence at Executions Bill Passed - House (56 - 14)
2/14 HB 1160 Physician Presence at Executions Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 3)
2/28 SB 199 Mandatory School Attendance Bill Passed - House (46 - 23)
2/28 SB 95 Control of Technical Institutes Bill Passed - House (50 - 19)
2/08 SB 190 Liquor License Development Districts Bill Failed - Senate (14 - 20)
2/12 SB 199 Mandatory School Attendance Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 8)
2/14 SB 196 Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17)
2/14 HB 1293 Abortion Limitations Bill Passed - House (45 - 25)
2/20 SB 208 Tanning Restrictions Bill Failed - Senate (10 - 24)
2/26 HB 1139 Tobacco Tax Funds Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
2/07 HB 1139 Tobacco Tax Funds Bill Passed - House (60 - 10)
2/05 HB 1296 Pre-Abortion Sonograms Bill Passed - House (43 - 24)
2/15 SB 157 Teacher Compensation Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 5)
2/06 SJR 7 Extension of Term Limits Joint Resolution Failed - Senate (17 - 18)
1/22 SB 26 State Regulation of Preschools Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 11)
2/06 SB 126 Repealing Liquor License Cap Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 14)
1/24 SB 126 Repealing Liquor License Cap Bill Failed - Senate (16 - 19)
1/29 HB 1193 Offering Sonograms to Women Considering Abortion Bill Passed - House (38 - 31)
1/29 SB 88 Offering Sonograms to Women Considering Abortion Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 12)
2/20 SB 88 Offering Sonograms to Women Considering Abortion Bill Passed - House (38 - 32)
2/04 HB 1261 Firearm Possession on College Campuses Bill Passed - House (63 - 3)
2/06 SB 164 Right to Obtain Contraception Bill Failed - Senate (12 - 22)
2/11 HB 1171 Hunting Mountain Lions Bill Failed - House (26 - 42)
2/21 HB 1151 Adult-Oriented Business Restrictions Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 10)
2/14 HB 1151 Adult-Oriented Business Restrictions Bill Passed - House (47 - 21)
2/14 HB 1124 Teacher Compensation and Performance Bill Passed - House (39 - 29)
2/13 SJR 1 Eliminating Term Limits Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (27 - 8)
2/11 SB 189 Accessibility of Public Records Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 15)
2/25 SB 173 Eliminating Restrictions on Corporate Dairy Farms Bill Passed - House (63 - 6)
1/31 SB 173 Eliminating Restrictions on Corporate Dairy Farms Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 8)
2/21 HB 1250 Legislative Pay Raise Bill Tabled - Senate (29 - 4)
2/05 HB 1250 Legislative Pay Raise Bill Passed - House (54 - 14)
2/13 HB 1085 Constructing Science Facilities at Universities Bill Passed - House (61 - 6)
2/27 HB 1085 Constructing Science Facilities at Universities Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 3)
2/26 SB 174 Railroad Eminent Domain Bill Passed - House (54 - 16)
2/13 SB 174 Railroad Eminent Domain Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 13)
2/26 SB 126 Repealing Liquor License Cap Bill Passed - House (45 - 25)
3/17 HB 1233 Government Spending Database Veto Override Failed - Senate (22 - 12)
3/17 HB 1233 Government Spending Database Veto Override Passed - House (61 - 8)
2/26 HB 1233 Government Spending Database Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13)
2/13 HB 1233 Government Spending Database Bill Passed - House (47 - 22)
2/02 HB 1004 Legalizing the Killing of Threatening Mountain Lions Bill Passed - House (37 - 32)
2/03 SB 83 Statewide Indoor Smoking Ban Bill Failed - Senate (17 - 18)
2/09 SJR 1 Authorization of Legal Gaming due to Gaming in Bordering States Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
3/05 SJR 3 Extending Senate Terms and Legislative Term-Limits Bill Failed - House (17 - 49)
2/09 SJR 3 Extending Senate Terms and Legislative Term-Limits Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
2/18 HB 1171 Exemptions from School District Minimum Size Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 12)
2/04 HB 1171 Exemptions from School District Minimum Size Requirements Bill Passed - House (36 - 34)
2/12 SB 156 Expansion of Hate Crime Law Bill Failed - Senate (13 - 21)
2/17 SB 106 School Funding Formula Revision Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7)
3/09 HB 1240 Smoking Ban Concurrence Vote Passed - House (46 - 23)
3/04 HB 1240 Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
2/23 HB 1240 Smoking Ban Bill Passed - House (43 - 27)
3/11 HB 1197 Tax Changes Relating to Single Family Dwellings Under Construction Veto Override Passed - House (60 - 10)
3/12 HB 1197 Tax Changes Relating to Single Family Dwellings Under Construction Veto Override Passed - Senate (26 - 8)
2/23 SB 195 Stem Cell Research Amendments Bill Failed - Senate (14 - 20)
3/13 HB 1300 2009-2010 Budget Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 10)
3/13 HB 1300 2009-2010 Budget Bill Passed - House (42 - 28)
2/17 HB 1278 Ban on Local Firearm Restrictions Bill Passed - House (46 - 20)
2/03 SB 79 Primary Seat Belt Enforcement Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13)
1/27 SB 18 Restrictions on Retirement for Rehired Public Employees Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 10)
2/10 HB 1060 Agriculture and Business Facility Tax Refund Reductions Bill Passed - House (48 - 19)
2/11 Jerstad Amdt Per Student Funding Increase Amendment Rejected - Senate (17 - 18)
2/17 HB 1178 Prohibiting Text Messaging While Driving Bill Failed - House (32 - 37)
2/19 HB 1107 Driver's License Renewal by Mail Bill Failed - House (33 - 30)
3/01 SB 63 Pilot Charter School Bill Passed - House (49 - 20)
2/23 HB 1083 Appropriations for the Sanford Lab at Homestake Bill Failed - House (45 - 23)

Page 1 of 5
arrow_upward