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
April 3, 2019 VA SB 1240 Authorizes Short-Term, Limited-Duration Health Insurance Veto Override Failed - Senate (20 - 18)
Feb. 13, 2019 VA SB 1240 Authorizes Short-Term, Limited-Duration Health Insurance Bill Passed - House (51 - 46)
Feb. 5, 2019 VA HB 2384 Prohibits Tobacco and Nicotine Vapor Products at Public Schools Bill Passed - House (83 - 15)
Feb. 23, 2019 VA SB 1126 Authorizes Casino Gaming in Select Cities Conference Report Adopted - House (64 - 33)
Feb. 23, 2019 VA SB 1126 Authorizes Casino Gaming in Select Cities Conference Report Adopted - Senate (30 - 10)
Jan. 15, 2020 VA SJ 1 Establishes an Amendment to the US Constitution Relating to Equal Rights Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 12)
Jan. 27, 2020 VA HJ 1 Establishes an Amendment to the US Constitution Relating to Equal Rights Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 12)
Jan. 15, 2020 VA HJ 1 Establishes an Amendment to the US Constitution Relating to Equal Rights Bill Passed - House (59 - 41)
Jan. 22, 2020 VA SB 240 Authorizes Temporary Seizure of Guns from Persons Posing Substantial Risk Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
Feb. 26, 2020 VA SB 35 Authorizes Localities to Prohibit Guns at Public Events Bill Passed - House (53 - 46)
Jan. 16, 2020 VA SB 35 Authorizes Localities to Prohibit Guns at Public Events Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
Jan. 16, 2020 VA SB 69 Prohibits Purchasing more than One Handgun per Month Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
March 5, 2020 VA SB 70 Requires Background Check for Firearm Transfers Conference Report Adopted - House (54 - 46)
Jan. 16, 2020 VA SB 70 Requires Background Check for Firearm Transfers Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 17)
Jan. 22, 2020 VA SB 318 Reduces Number of Balloons that Can be Released per Hour Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 15)
Jan. 27, 2020 VA HB 10 Establishes Rules for Student Loan Lenders Bill Passed - House (84 - 15)
Feb. 5, 2020 VA HB 874 Prohibits Handheld Phone Use While Driving Bill Passed - House (72 - 24)
Feb. 6, 2020 VA HB 220 Requires Prepaid Postage on All Absentee Ballots Bill Passed - House (60 - 38)
Feb. 6, 2020 VA HB 262 Prohibits Law Enforcement Questioning of an Individual's Immigration Status Bill Passed - House (57 - 42)
Feb. 4, 2020 VA SB 65 Repeals State Photo Identification Voter ID Laws Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 19)
Feb. 6, 2020 VA HB 582 Amends State Collective Bargaining Laws Relating to Right to Work Protections Bill Passed - House (54 - 45)
Feb. 6, 2020 VA HB 1663 Prohibits LGBTQ Discrimination Bill Passed - House (59 - 35)
Feb. 7, 2020 VA HB 1103 Authorizes Ranked Choice Voting Bill Passed - House (57 - 42)
Jan. 30, 2020 VA HB 674 Authorizes Removing Firearms from Persons Posing Substantial Risk Bill Passed - House (52 - 46)
Feb. 4, 2020 VA HB 1429 Prohibits Denying or Limiting Coverage based on Gender Identity Bill Passed - House (54 - 41)
Feb. 11, 2020 VA HB 177 Requires Virginia to Elect the President by National Popular Vote Bill Passed - House (51 - 46)
Feb. 11, 2020 VA SB 481 Requires Sick Leave Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 17)
Feb. 21, 2020 VA SB 50 Prohibits Race-Based Hairstyle Discrimination Bill Passed - House (71 - 26)
Feb. 6, 2020 VA SB 868 Amends Anti-Discrimination Law to Include Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 9)
Jan. 21, 2020 VA SB 245 Prohibits Conversion Therapy on Minors Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 18)
Feb. 6, 2020 VA HB 108 Establishes Election Day as a State Holiday Bill Passed - House (55 - 42)
Feb. 6, 2020 VA HB 827 Prohibits Discrimination on the Basis of Pregnancy Bill Passed - House (66 - 31)
Feb. 25, 2020 VA SB 657 Authorizes Replacement Birth Certificates for Transgender Individuals Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 16)
Feb. 21, 2020 VA SB 657 Authorizes Replacement Birth Certificates for Transgender Individuals Bill Passed - House (52 - 45)
Feb. 11, 2020 VA HB 961 Prohibits the Sale or Transportation of Assault Weapons or Magazines Holding 12 or More Rounds Bill Passed - House (51 - 48)
Feb. 17, 2020 VA HB 386 Prohibits State Funding for Conversion Therapy on Minors Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 18)
Feb. 3, 2020 VA HB 386 Prohibits State Funding for Conversion Therapy on Minors Bill Passed - House (66 - 27)
March 4, 2020 VA HB 623 Repeals the State Statutory Same-Sex Marriage Ban and Amends State Gender-Neutral Terms Concurrence Vote Passed - House (53 - 43)
March 3, 2020 VA HB 623 Repeals the State Statutory Same-Sex Marriage Ban and Amends State Gender-Neutral Terms (24 - 16)
March 8, 2020 VA SB 710 Expands Renewable Energy Tax Credits Conference Report Adopted - Senate (27 - 12)
March 8, 2020 VA SB 710 Expands Renewable Energy Tax Credits Conference Report Adopted - House (60 - 31)
Feb. 3, 2020 VA HB 340 Establishes Housing Relief to Furloughed Government Employees Bill Passed - House (65 - 34)
March 3, 2020 VA HB 837 Establishes the "Dress Code Equity Act" Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 15)
Feb. 7, 2020 VA HB 837 Establishes the "Dress Code Equity Act" Bill Passed - House (81 - 17)
March 3, 2020 VA SB 1030 Prohibits Dangerous Captive Animal Exhibits Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 14)
March 2, 2020 VA SB 1030 Prohibits Dangerous Captive Animal Exhibits Bill Passed - House (52 - 48)
Feb. 26, 2020 VA HB 980 Establishes the "Reproductive Health Protection Act" Concurrence Vote Passed - House (52 - 44)
Feb. 24, 2020 VA HB 980 Establishes the "Reproductive Health Protection Act" Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 20)
April 22, 2020 VA SB 971 Establishes the COVID-19 Relief Fund and Amends Gambling Regulations Concurrence Vote Passed - House (76 - 16)
April 22, 2020 VA SB 971 Establishes the COVID-19 Relief Fund and Amends Gambling Regulations Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 8)
March 7, 2020 VA HB 1150 Eliminates Requirement that Jails and Prisons Ascertain Citizenship Status of Inmates Conference Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 19)
March 5, 2020 VA HB 1150 Eliminates Requirement that Jails and Prisons Ascertain Citizenship Status of Inmates Conference Report Adopted - House (54 - 45)
Feb. 17, 2020 VA HB 995 Increases the Threshold Amount of Money Taken for Larceny Crimes Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 14)
Jan. 31, 2020 VA HB 995 Increases the Threshold Amount of Money Taken for Larceny Crimes Bill Passed - House (58 - 40)
April 22, 2020 VA HB 33 Authorizes Inmates to Apply for Parole Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (22 - 18)
March 5, 2020 VA HB 33 Authorizes Inmates to Apply for Parole Conference Report Adopted - House (53 - 45)
April 22, 2020 VA HB 395 Increases the Minimum Wage Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (20 - 20)
March 7, 2020 VA HB 395 Increases the Minimum Wage Conference Report Adopted - House (54 - 45)
April 22, 2020 VA SB 384 Amends Sports Betting Regulations Concurrence Vote Passed - House (61 - 29)
April 22, 2020 VA SB 384 Amends Sports Betting Regulations Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 13)
April 22, 2020 VA SB 34 Authorizes Driver's Licenses for Non-United States Citizens Concurrence Vote Passed - House (49 - 41)
April 22, 2020 VA SB 34 Authorizes Driver's Licenses for Non-United States Citizens Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 18)
April 22, 2020 VA HB 1255 Establishes a Constitutional Amendment to Create an Independent Redistricting Commission Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
March 5, 2020 VA HB 1255 Establishes a Constitutional Amendment to Create an Independent Redistricting Commission Concurrence Vote Passed - House (54 - 45)
April 22, 2020 VA SB 588 Authorizes Counties to Levy Certain Taxes Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 12)
April 22, 2020 VA SB 588 Authorizes Counties to Levy Certain Taxes Concurrence Vote Passed - House (56 - 35)
Feb. 24, 2020 VA SB 935 Authorizes In-State Tuition for Undocumented Students Bill Passed - House (56 - 44)
Feb. 11, 2020 VA SB 935 Authorizes In-State Tuition for Undocumented Students Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
March 8, 2020 VA SB 183 Authorizes Localities to Remove, Relocate, or Alter Monuments Conference Report Adopted - House (52 - 44)
March 7, 2020 VA SB 183 Authorizes Localities to Remove, Relocate, or Alter Monuments Conference Report Adopted - Senate (23 - 16)
April 22, 2020 VA SB 437 Increases Penalty for Motor Accidents Involving a Cyclist or Vulnerable Road User Concurrence Vote Passed - House (56 - 36)
March 8, 2020 VA HB 1250 Establishes the "Community Policing Act" Conference Report Adopted - Senate (22 - 17)
March 7, 2020 VA HB 1250 Establishes the "Community Policing Act" Conference Report Adopted - House (62 - 35)
April 22, 2020 VA HB 1442 Authorizes the Use of Photo Speed Monitoring Devices Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (22 - 18)
April 22, 2020 VA HB 1442 Authorizes the Use of Photo Speed Monitoring Devices Concurrence Vote Passed - House (48 - 44)
Date No. Title Outcome
4/03 SB 1240 Authorizes Short-Term, Limited-Duration Health Insurance Veto Override Failed - Senate (20 - 18)
2/13 SB 1240 Authorizes Short-Term, Limited-Duration Health Insurance Bill Passed - House (51 - 46)
2/05 HB 2384 Prohibits Tobacco and Nicotine Vapor Products at Public Schools Bill Passed - House (83 - 15)
2/23 SB 1126 Authorizes Casino Gaming in Select Cities Conference Report Adopted - House (64 - 33)
2/23 SB 1126 Authorizes Casino Gaming in Select Cities Conference Report Adopted - Senate (30 - 10)
1/15 SJ 1 Establishes an Amendment to the US Constitution Relating to Equal Rights Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 12)
1/27 HJ 1 Establishes an Amendment to the US Constitution Relating to Equal Rights Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 12)
1/15 HJ 1 Establishes an Amendment to the US Constitution Relating to Equal Rights Bill Passed - House (59 - 41)
1/22 SB 240 Authorizes Temporary Seizure of Guns from Persons Posing Substantial Risk Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
2/26 SB 35 Authorizes Localities to Prohibit Guns at Public Events Bill Passed - House (53 - 46)
1/16 SB 35 Authorizes Localities to Prohibit Guns at Public Events Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
1/16 SB 69 Prohibits Purchasing more than One Handgun per Month Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
3/05 SB 70 Requires Background Check for Firearm Transfers Conference Report Adopted - House (54 - 46)
1/16 SB 70 Requires Background Check for Firearm Transfers Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 17)
1/22 SB 318 Reduces Number of Balloons that Can be Released per Hour Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 15)
1/27 HB 10 Establishes Rules for Student Loan Lenders Bill Passed - House (84 - 15)
2/05 HB 874 Prohibits Handheld Phone Use While Driving Bill Passed - House (72 - 24)
2/06 HB 220 Requires Prepaid Postage on All Absentee Ballots Bill Passed - House (60 - 38)
2/06 HB 262 Prohibits Law Enforcement Questioning of an Individual's Immigration Status Bill Passed - House (57 - 42)
2/04 SB 65 Repeals State Photo Identification Voter ID Laws Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 19)
2/06 HB 582 Amends State Collective Bargaining Laws Relating to Right to Work Protections Bill Passed - House (54 - 45)
2/06 HB 1663 Prohibits LGBTQ Discrimination Bill Passed - House (59 - 35)
2/07 HB 1103 Authorizes Ranked Choice Voting Bill Passed - House (57 - 42)
1/30 HB 674 Authorizes Removing Firearms from Persons Posing Substantial Risk Bill Passed - House (52 - 46)
2/04 HB 1429 Prohibits Denying or Limiting Coverage based on Gender Identity Bill Passed - House (54 - 41)
2/11 HB 177 Requires Virginia to Elect the President by National Popular Vote Bill Passed - House (51 - 46)
2/11 SB 481 Requires Sick Leave Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 17)
2/21 SB 50 Prohibits Race-Based Hairstyle Discrimination Bill Passed - House (71 - 26)
2/06 SB 868 Amends Anti-Discrimination Law to Include Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 9)
1/21 SB 245 Prohibits Conversion Therapy on Minors Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 18)
2/06 HB 108 Establishes Election Day as a State Holiday Bill Passed - House (55 - 42)
2/06 HB 827 Prohibits Discrimination on the Basis of Pregnancy Bill Passed - House (66 - 31)
2/25 SB 657 Authorizes Replacement Birth Certificates for Transgender Individuals Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 16)
2/21 SB 657 Authorizes Replacement Birth Certificates for Transgender Individuals Bill Passed - House (52 - 45)
2/11 HB 961 Prohibits the Sale or Transportation of Assault Weapons or Magazines Holding 12 or More Rounds Bill Passed - House (51 - 48)
2/17 HB 386 Prohibits State Funding for Conversion Therapy on Minors Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 18)
2/03 HB 386 Prohibits State Funding for Conversion Therapy on Minors Bill Passed - House (66 - 27)
3/04 HB 623 Repeals the State Statutory Same-Sex Marriage Ban and Amends State Gender-Neutral Terms Concurrence Vote Passed - House (53 - 43)
3/03 HB 623 Repeals the State Statutory Same-Sex Marriage Ban and Amends State Gender-Neutral Terms (24 - 16)
3/08 SB 710 Expands Renewable Energy Tax Credits Conference Report Adopted - Senate (27 - 12)
3/08 SB 710 Expands Renewable Energy Tax Credits Conference Report Adopted - House (60 - 31)
2/03 HB 340 Establishes Housing Relief to Furloughed Government Employees Bill Passed - House (65 - 34)
3/03 HB 837 Establishes the "Dress Code Equity Act" Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 15)
2/07 HB 837 Establishes the "Dress Code Equity Act" Bill Passed - House (81 - 17)
3/03 SB 1030 Prohibits Dangerous Captive Animal Exhibits Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 14)
3/02 SB 1030 Prohibits Dangerous Captive Animal Exhibits Bill Passed - House (52 - 48)
2/26 HB 980 Establishes the "Reproductive Health Protection Act" Concurrence Vote Passed - House (52 - 44)
2/24 HB 980 Establishes the "Reproductive Health Protection Act" Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 20)
4/22 SB 971 Establishes the COVID-19 Relief Fund and Amends Gambling Regulations Concurrence Vote Passed - House (76 - 16)
4/22 SB 971 Establishes the COVID-19 Relief Fund and Amends Gambling Regulations Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 8)
3/07 HB 1150 Eliminates Requirement that Jails and Prisons Ascertain Citizenship Status of Inmates Conference Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 19)
3/05 HB 1150 Eliminates Requirement that Jails and Prisons Ascertain Citizenship Status of Inmates Conference Report Adopted - House (54 - 45)
2/17 HB 995 Increases the Threshold Amount of Money Taken for Larceny Crimes Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 14)
1/31 HB 995 Increases the Threshold Amount of Money Taken for Larceny Crimes Bill Passed - House (58 - 40)
4/22 HB 33 Authorizes Inmates to Apply for Parole Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (22 - 18)
3/05 HB 33 Authorizes Inmates to Apply for Parole Conference Report Adopted - House (53 - 45)
4/22 HB 395 Increases the Minimum Wage Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (20 - 20)
3/07 HB 395 Increases the Minimum Wage Conference Report Adopted - House (54 - 45)
4/22 SB 384 Amends Sports Betting Regulations Concurrence Vote Passed - House (61 - 29)
4/22 SB 384 Amends Sports Betting Regulations Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 13)
4/22 SB 34 Authorizes Driver's Licenses for Non-United States Citizens Concurrence Vote Passed - House (49 - 41)
4/22 SB 34 Authorizes Driver's Licenses for Non-United States Citizens Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 18)
4/22 HB 1255 Establishes a Constitutional Amendment to Create an Independent Redistricting Commission Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
3/05 HB 1255 Establishes a Constitutional Amendment to Create an Independent Redistricting Commission Concurrence Vote Passed - House (54 - 45)
4/22 SB 588 Authorizes Counties to Levy Certain Taxes Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 12)
4/22 SB 588 Authorizes Counties to Levy Certain Taxes Concurrence Vote Passed - House (56 - 35)
2/24 SB 935 Authorizes In-State Tuition for Undocumented Students Bill Passed - House (56 - 44)
2/11 SB 935 Authorizes In-State Tuition for Undocumented Students Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
3/08 SB 183 Authorizes Localities to Remove, Relocate, or Alter Monuments Conference Report Adopted - House (52 - 44)
3/07 SB 183 Authorizes Localities to Remove, Relocate, or Alter Monuments Conference Report Adopted - Senate (23 - 16)
4/22 SB 437 Increases Penalty for Motor Accidents Involving a Cyclist or Vulnerable Road User Concurrence Vote Passed - House (56 - 36)
3/08 HB 1250 Establishes the "Community Policing Act" Conference Report Adopted - Senate (22 - 17)
3/07 HB 1250 Establishes the "Community Policing Act" Conference Report Adopted - House (62 - 35)
4/22 HB 1442 Authorizes the Use of Photo Speed Monitoring Devices Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (22 - 18)
4/22 HB 1442 Authorizes the Use of Photo Speed Monitoring Devices Concurrence Vote Passed - House (48 - 44)

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