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 |
---|---|---|---|---|
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) |
March 17, 2008 | SD | HB 1233 | Government Spending Database | Veto Override Passed - House (61 - 8) |
March 17, 2008 | SD | HB 1233 | Government Spending Database | Veto Override Failed - Senate (22 - 12) |
Feb. 21, 2008 | SD | HB 1250 | Legislative Pay Raise | Bill Tabled - Senate (29 - 4) |
Feb. 9, 2006 | SD | H Amdt 1215rb | Exceptions to Abortion Ban in Cases of Rape or Incest Amendment | Amendment Tabled - House (42 - 25) |
Feb. 7, 2006 | SD | H Amdt 1194rf | Penalties for School Employees for Dispensing Contraceptives Amendment | Amendment Adopted - House (37 - 33) |
Feb. 22, 2006 | SD | S Amdt 1215ca | Exceptions to Abortion Ban in Cases of Rape or Incest Amendment | Amendment Rejected - Senate (14 - 21) |
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. 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. 22, 2006 | SD | S Amdt 1215re | Abortion Ban to Public Vote | Amendment Rejected - Senate (15 - 20) |
March 3, 2007 | SD | HB 1048 | Campaign Contribution Reform | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (19 - 16) |
March 3, 2007 | SD | HB 1048 | Campaign Contribution Reform | Conference Report Adopted - House (45 - 22) |
March 9, 2009 | SD | HB 1240 | Smoking Ban | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (46 - 23) |
March 1, 2010 | SD | HCR 1009 | Urges Changes to the Public School Environmental Curriculum | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (37 - 33) |
March 2, 2007 | SD | SB 207 | Minimum Wage Increase | Bill Passed - House (62 - 8) |
Feb. 24, 2010 | SD | HCR 1009 | Urges Changes to the Public School Environmental Curriculum | Resolution Passed - Senate (18 - 17) |
Feb. 26, 2008 | SD | SB 126 | Repealing Liquor License Cap | Bill Passed - House (45 - 25) |
March 1, 2007 | SD | HB 1082 | School District Consolidation | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 10) |
March 4, 2009 | SD | HB 1240 | Smoking Ban | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14) |
Feb. 26, 2007 | SD | HB 1139 | Tobacco Tax Funds | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15) |
Feb. 6, 2008 | SD | SB 126 | Repealing Liquor License Cap | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 14) |
March 5, 2009 | SD | SJR 3 | Extending Senate Terms and Legislative Term-Limits | Bill Failed - House (17 - 49) |
Feb. 22, 2007 | SD | HB 1048 | Campaign Contribution Reform | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11) |
Feb. 20, 2007 | SD | SB 208 | Tanning Restrictions | Bill Failed - Senate (10 - 24) |
Feb. 6, 2007 | SD | SJR 7 | Extension of Term Limits | Joint Resolution Failed - Senate (17 - 18) |
Feb. 20, 2007 | SD | HB 1082 | School District Consolidation | Bill Passed - House (37 - 33) |
Feb. 6, 2007 | SD | HB 1175 | Lethal Injection Reform | Bill Passed - House (51 - 19) |
Feb. 14, 2007 | SD | HB 1175 | Lethal Injection Reform | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7) |
Feb. 18, 2010 | SD | SB 89 | Exempts Certain Firearms From Federal Regulation | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 4) |
March 3, 2010 | SD | SB 89 | Exempts Certain Firearms From Federal Regulation | Bill Passed - House (49 - 19) |
March 13, 2009 | SD | HB 1300 | 2009-2010 Budget | Bill Passed - House (42 - 28) |
March 13, 2009 | SD | HB 1300 | 2009-2010 Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 10) |
Feb. 4, 2008 | SD | HB 1261 | Firearm Possession on College Campuses | Bill Passed - House (63 - 3) |
Jan. 29, 2008 | SD | HB 1193 | Offering Sonograms to Women Considering Abortion | Bill Passed - House (38 - 31) |
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) |
Jan. 24, 2008 | SD | SB 126 | Repealing Liquor License Cap | Bill Failed - Senate (16 - 19) |
Feb. 5, 2008 | SD | HB 1250 | Legislative Pay Raise | Bill Passed - House (54 - 14) |
Feb. 14, 2008 | SD | HB 1124 | Teacher Compensation and Performance | Bill Passed - House (39 - 29) |
Feb. 13, 2008 | SD | SB 174 | Railroad Eminent Domain | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 13) |
Feb. 26, 2008 | SD | SB 174 | Railroad Eminent Domain | Bill Passed - House (54 - 16) |
Feb. 14, 2008 | SD | HB 1151 | Adult-Oriented Business Restrictions | Bill Passed - House (47 - 21) |
Feb. 21, 2008 | SD | HB 1151 | Adult-Oriented Business Restrictions | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 10) |
Feb. 8, 2007 | SD | SB 190 | Liquor License Development Districts | Bill Failed - Senate (14 - 20) |
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. 11, 2008 | SD | HB 1171 | Hunting Mountain Lions | Bill Failed - House (26 - 42) |
Feb. 28, 2007 | SD | SB 95 | Control of Technical Institutes | Bill Passed - House (50 - 19) |
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) |
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. 6, 2008 | SD | SB 164 | Right to Obtain Contraception | Bill Failed - Senate (12 - 22) |
Feb. 9, 2006 | SD | HB 1194 | Contraceptive Distribution at Public Schools | Bill Passed - House (51 - 17) |
Feb. 7, 2006 | SD | HB 1217 | Abstinence-Only Sex Education | Bill Passed - House (46 - 24) |
Feb. 6, 2006 | SD | HB 1184 | Medical Treatments that Violate Medical Workers Principles | Bill Failed - House (34 - 35) |
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) |
Jan. 23, 2006 | SD | SB 1 | Mandatory Bodily Substance Samples in Drunk Driving Arrests | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 13) |
Feb. 23, 2006 | SD | SB 1 | Mandatory Bodily Substance Samples in Drunk Driving Arrests | Bill Passed - House (52 - 17) |
Feb. 10, 2006 | SD | HB 1235 | Compulsory High School Education Age to 18 | Bill Passed - House (51 - 14) |
Jan. 31, 2006 | SD | SB 175 | Emergency Contraceptives for Rape Victims | Bill Failed - Senate (9 - 26) |
Feb. 9, 2006 | SD | HB 1234 | Mandatory Kindergarten | Bill Passed - House (52 - 15) |
Jan. 22, 2008 | SD | SB 26 | State Regulation of Preschools | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 11) |
Feb. 17, 2010 | SD | HCR 1009 | Urges Changes to the Public School Environmental Curriculum | Resolution Passed - House (36 - 30) |
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) |
Jan. 24, 2007 | SD | SB 74 | Allowing Friends to Make Medical Decisions | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 10) |
Feb. 13, 2007 | SD | HB 1048 | Campaign Contribution Reform | Bill Passed - House (47 - 23) |
Feb. 14, 2007 | SD | HB 1293 | Abortion Limitations | Bill Passed - House (45 - 25) |
Feb. 15, 2007 | SD | SB 157 | Teacher Compensation | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 5) |
Feb. 14, 2007 | SD | HB 1160 | Physician Presence at Executions | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 3) |
Feb. 7, 2007 | SD | HB 1160 | Physician Presence at Executions | Bill Passed - House (56 - 14) |
Date | No. | Title | Outcome |
---|---|---|---|
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) |
3/17 | HB 1233 | Government Spending Database | Veto Override Passed - House (61 - 8) |
3/17 | HB 1233 | Government Spending Database | Veto Override Failed - Senate (22 - 12) |
2/21 | HB 1250 | Legislative Pay Raise | Bill Tabled - Senate (29 - 4) |
2/09 | H Amdt 1215rb | Exceptions to Abortion Ban in Cases of Rape or Incest Amendment | Amendment Tabled - House (42 - 25) |
2/07 | H Amdt 1194rf | Penalties for School Employees for Dispensing Contraceptives Amendment | Amendment Adopted - House (37 - 33) |
2/22 | S Amdt 1215ca | Exceptions to Abortion Ban in Cases of Rape or Incest Amendment | Amendment Rejected - Senate (14 - 21) |
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) |
2/09 | H Amdt 1215fa | Exception to Abortion Ban in Cases Where the Health of the Woman is Seriously Threatened | Amendment Rejected - House (27 - 41) |
2/22 | S Amdt 1215re | Abortion Ban to Public Vote | Amendment Rejected - Senate (15 - 20) |
3/03 | HB 1048 | Campaign Contribution Reform | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (19 - 16) |
3/03 | HB 1048 | Campaign Contribution Reform | Conference Report Adopted - House (45 - 22) |
3/09 | HB 1240 | Smoking Ban | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (46 - 23) |
3/01 | HCR 1009 | Urges Changes to the Public School Environmental Curriculum | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (37 - 33) |
3/02 | SB 207 | Minimum Wage Increase | Bill Passed - House (62 - 8) |
2/24 | HCR 1009 | Urges Changes to the Public School Environmental Curriculum | Resolution Passed - Senate (18 - 17) |
2/26 | SB 126 | Repealing Liquor License Cap | Bill Passed - House (45 - 25) |
3/01 | HB 1082 | School District Consolidation | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 10) |
3/04 | HB 1240 | Smoking Ban | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14) |
2/26 | HB 1139 | Tobacco Tax Funds | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15) |
2/06 | SB 126 | Repealing Liquor License Cap | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 14) |
3/05 | SJR 3 | Extending Senate Terms and Legislative Term-Limits | Bill Failed - House (17 - 49) |
2/22 | HB 1048 | Campaign Contribution Reform | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11) |
2/20 | SB 208 | Tanning Restrictions | Bill Failed - Senate (10 - 24) |
2/06 | SJR 7 | Extension of Term Limits | Joint Resolution Failed - Senate (17 - 18) |
2/20 | HB 1082 | School District Consolidation | Bill Passed - House (37 - 33) |
2/06 | HB 1175 | Lethal Injection Reform | Bill Passed - House (51 - 19) |
2/14 | HB 1175 | Lethal Injection Reform | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7) |
2/18 | SB 89 | Exempts Certain Firearms From Federal Regulation | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 4) |
3/03 | SB 89 | Exempts Certain Firearms From Federal Regulation | Bill Passed - House (49 - 19) |
3/13 | HB 1300 | 2009-2010 Budget | Bill Passed - House (42 - 28) |
3/13 | HB 1300 | 2009-2010 Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 10) |
2/04 | HB 1261 | Firearm Possession on College Campuses | Bill Passed - House (63 - 3) |
1/29 | HB 1193 | Offering Sonograms to Women Considering Abortion | Bill Passed - House (38 - 31) |
2/13 | HB 1233 | Government Spending Database | Bill Passed - House (47 - 22) |
2/26 | HB 1233 | Government Spending Database | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13) |
1/24 | SB 126 | Repealing Liquor License Cap | Bill Failed - Senate (16 - 19) |
2/05 | HB 1250 | Legislative Pay Raise | Bill Passed - House (54 - 14) |
2/14 | HB 1124 | Teacher Compensation and Performance | Bill Passed - House (39 - 29) |
2/13 | SB 174 | Railroad Eminent Domain | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 13) |
2/26 | SB 174 | Railroad Eminent Domain | Bill Passed - House (54 - 16) |
2/14 | HB 1151 | Adult-Oriented Business Restrictions | Bill Passed - House (47 - 21) |
2/21 | HB 1151 | Adult-Oriented Business Restrictions | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 10) |
2/08 | SB 190 | Liquor License Development Districts | Bill Failed - Senate (14 - 20) |
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) |
2/11 | HB 1171 | Hunting Mountain Lions | Bill Failed - House (26 - 42) |
2/28 | SB 95 | Control of Technical Institutes | Bill Passed - House (50 - 19) |
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) |
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) |
2/06 | SB 164 | Right to Obtain Contraception | Bill Failed - Senate (12 - 22) |
2/09 | HB 1194 | Contraceptive Distribution at Public Schools | Bill Passed - House (51 - 17) |
2/07 | HB 1217 | Abstinence-Only Sex Education | Bill Passed - House (46 - 24) |
2/06 | HB 1184 | Medical Treatments that Violate Medical Workers Principles | Bill Failed - House (34 - 35) |
2/09 | HB 1215 | Abortion Ban | Bill Passed - House (47 - 22) |
2/22 | HB 1215 | Abortion Ban | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12) |
1/23 | SB 1 | Mandatory Bodily Substance Samples in Drunk Driving Arrests | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 13) |
2/23 | SB 1 | Mandatory Bodily Substance Samples in Drunk Driving Arrests | Bill Passed - House (52 - 17) |
2/10 | HB 1235 | Compulsory High School Education Age to 18 | Bill Passed - House (51 - 14) |
1/31 | SB 175 | Emergency Contraceptives for Rape Victims | Bill Failed - Senate (9 - 26) |
2/09 | HB 1234 | Mandatory Kindergarten | Bill Passed - House (52 - 15) |
1/22 | SB 26 | State Regulation of Preschools | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 11) |
2/17 | HCR 1009 | Urges Changes to the Public School Environmental Curriculum | Resolution Passed - House (36 - 30) |
2/07 | HB 1139 | Tobacco Tax Funds | Bill Passed - House (60 - 10) |
2/05 | HB 1296 | Pre-Abortion Sonograms | Bill Passed - House (43 - 24) |
1/24 | SB 74 | Allowing Friends to Make Medical Decisions | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 10) |
2/13 | HB 1048 | Campaign Contribution Reform | Bill Passed - House (47 - 23) |
2/14 | HB 1293 | Abortion Limitations | Bill Passed - House (45 - 25) |
2/15 | SB 157 | Teacher Compensation | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 5) |
2/14 | HB 1160 | Physician Presence at Executions | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 3) |
2/07 | HB 1160 | Physician Presence at Executions | Bill Passed - House (56 - 14) |