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:
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.
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. 22, 2006 | SD | HB 1215 | Abortion Ban | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12) |
Feb. 9, 2006 | SD | HB 1215 | Abortion Ban | Bill Passed - House (47 - 22) |
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) |
Feb. 20, 2008 | SD | SB 88 | Offering Sonograms to Women Considering Abortion | Bill Passed - House (38 - 32) |
Jan. 29, 2008 | SD | SB 88 | Offering Sonograms to Women Considering Abortion | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 12) |
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) |
Jan. 31, 2008 | SD | SB 173 | Eliminating Restrictions on Corporate Dairy Farms | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 8) |
Feb. 25, 2008 | SD | SB 173 | Eliminating Restrictions on Corporate Dairy Farms | Bill Passed - House (63 - 6) |
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. 27, 2008 | SD | HB 1085 | Constructing Science Facilities at Universities | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 3) |
Feb. 13, 2008 | SD | HB 1085 | Constructing Science Facilities at Universities | Bill Passed - House (61 - 6) |
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. 13, 2008 | SD | HB 1233 | Government Spending Database | Bill Passed - House (47 - 22) |
Feb. 26, 2008 | SD | HB 1233 | Government Spending Database | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13) |
Feb. 2, 2009 | SD | HB 1004 | Legalizing the Killing of Threatening Mountain Lions | Bill Passed - House (37 - 32) |
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) |
2/22 | HB 1215 | Abortion Ban | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12) |
2/09 | HB 1215 | Abortion Ban | Bill Passed - House (47 - 22) |
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) |
2/20 | SB 88 | Offering Sonograms to Women Considering Abortion | Bill Passed - House (38 - 32) |
1/29 | SB 88 | Offering Sonograms to Women Considering Abortion | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 12) |
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) |
1/31 | SB 173 | Eliminating Restrictions on Corporate Dairy Farms | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 8) |
2/25 | SB 173 | Eliminating Restrictions on Corporate Dairy Farms | Bill Passed - House (63 - 6) |
2/21 | HB 1250 | Legislative Pay Raise | Bill Tabled - Senate (29 - 4) |
2/05 | HB 1250 | Legislative Pay Raise | Bill Passed - House (54 - 14) |
2/27 | HB 1085 | Constructing Science Facilities at Universities | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 3) |
2/13 | HB 1085 | Constructing Science Facilities at Universities | Bill Passed - House (61 - 6) |
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) |
2/13 | HB 1233 | Government Spending Database | Bill Passed - House (47 - 22) |
2/26 | HB 1233 | Government Spending Database | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13) |
2/02 | HB 1004 | Legalizing the Killing of Threatening Mountain Lions | Bill Passed - House (37 - 32) |