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.


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Date State Bill No. Title Outcome
May 5, 2006 VT H 861 Health Care Bill Conference Report Adopted - Senate (20 - 4)
May 9, 2006 VT H 861 Health Care Bill Conference Report Adopted - House (88 - 54)
March 3, 2006 VT H 861 Health Care Bill Bill Passed - House (77 - 58)
April 14, 2006 VT H 861 Health Care Bill Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 3)
March 24, 2006 VT H 881 2006-2007 Budget Bill Passed - House (120 - 10)
May 5, 2006 VT H 865 Non-Discrimination Bill Concurrence Vote Passed - House (88 - 47)
March 17, 2006 VT S 164 Same-Day Voter Registration Bill Passed - House (63 - 45)
May 2, 2006 VT S 18 Genetically Modified Seed Liability Bill Conference Report Adopted - Senate (19 - 8)
April 25, 2006 VT S 18 Genetically Modified Seed Liability Bill Conference Report Adopted - House (77 - 63)
Feb. 22, 2006 VT HA to H 856 Mandatory Minimum Sentencing Amendment Amendment Rejected - House (50 - 82)
Feb. 13, 2007 VT HR 11 Troop Withdrawal From Iraq Resolution Passed - House (95 - 52)
March 23, 2007 VT H. 353 Amending Unionization Requirements for State Employees Bill Passed - House (78 - 59)
April 20, 2007 VT SR 16 Urging National Executive Impeachment Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 9)
April 25, 2007 VT HR. 18 Urging National Executive Impeachment Resolution Failed - House (60 - 87)
March 21, 2007 VT H 44 Life Ending Prescriptions for Terminally Ill Patients Bill Failed - House (63 - 82)
May 1, 2007 VT SA. 520 Energy Tax Amendment to H. 520 Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 14)
April 25, 2008 VT S 278 Campaign Finance Limitations Veto Override Failed - House (99 - 51)
April 22, 2008 VT S 278 Campaign Finance Limitations Veto Override Passed - Senate (26 - 4)
Feb. 20, 2009 VT Ainsworth Amdt Legislative Pay Cut Amendment Rejected - House (50 - 88)
Feb. 27, 2009 VT S 34 Presidential Election by National Popular Vote Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 10)
April 3, 2009 VT S 115 Same-Sex Marriage Bill Passed - House (94 - 52)
March 23, 2009 VT S 115 Same-Sex Marriage Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 4)
March 23, 2009 VT Same-Sex Marriage Ballot Question Amendment Rejected - Senate (11 - 19)
May 1, 2009 VT H 436 Nuclear Plant Decommissioning Fund Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 4)
March 27, 2009 VT H 436 Nuclear Plant Decommissioning Fund Amendments Bill Passed - House (93 - 46)
April 7, 2009 VT S 115 Same-Sex Marriage Veto Override Passed - House (100 - 49)
April 7, 2009 VT S 115 Same-Sex Marriage Veto Override Passed - Senate (23 - 5)
May 7, 2009 VT H 441 2009-2010 Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (18 - 10)
April 3, 2009 VT H 441 2009-2010 Budget Bill Passed - House (94 - 52)
April 1, 2009 VT H 438 Gas Tax Increase to Fund Transportation Construction Bonds Bill Passed - House (108 - 35)
April 15, 2009 VT H 442 Tax Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (82 - 54)
April 15, 2009 VT H 147 Primary Seat Belt Enforcement Bill Passed - House (104 - 40)
April 22, 2009 VT H 446 Renewable Energy Amendments Bill Passed - House (88 - 44)
May 4, 2009 VT Transportation Amendment to S 67 Selective Service Registration by Drivers License Amendment Rejected - House (60 - 68)
May 6, 2009 VT H 436 Nuclear Plant Decommisioning Fund Concurrence Vote Passed - House (85 - 52)
May 7, 2009 VT H 446 Renewable Energy Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - House (91 - 49)
May 5, 2009 VT H 446 Renewable Energy Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 10)
June 2, 2009 VT H 441 2009-2010 Budget Veto Override Passed - House (100 - 50)
June 2, 2009 VT H 441 2009-2010 Budget Veto Override Passed - Senate (23 - 5)
Feb. 24, 2010 VT S 289 Authorizing Nuclear Power Plant Operation Until 2032 Bill Failed - Senate (4 - 26)
April 23, 2010 VT S 88 Health Care Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (91 - 42)
May 12, 2010 VT H 485 Property Tax and Land Use Law Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (20 - 9)
Jan. 27, 2010 VT H 485 Property Tax and Land Use Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (104 - 34)
April 27, 2010 VT SR 17 Requesting Congressional Waiver From Federal Drinking Age Requirement Resolution Passed - Senate (14 - 13)
Feb. 22, 2011 VT S 31 Electing the President by Popular Vote Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 10)
May 5, 2011 VT H 202 Single-Payer and Unified Health System Conference Report Adopted - House (94 - 49)
May 3, 2011 VT H 202 Single-Payer and Unified Health System Conference Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 9)
March 24, 2011 VT H 202 Single-Payer and Unified Health System Bill Passed - House (92 - 49)
May 5, 2011 VT S 17 Medical Marijuana Bill Passed - House (99 - 44)
May 6, 2011 VT H 436 Tax Law Amendments Conference Report Adopted - House (94 - 48)
May 5, 2011 VT H 436 Tax Law Amendments Conference Report Adopted - Senate (17 - 10)
Feb. 24, 2012 VT H 559 Establishes a Health Benefit Exchange Bill Passed - House (88 - 38)
March 1, 2012 VT S 199 Repeals Philosophical Exemption to Immunization Motion Agreed - Senate (25 - 4)
May 4, 2012 VT H 464 Prohibits Hydraulic Fracturing Conference Report Adopted - House (103 - 36)
Feb. 13, 2013 VT Galbraith and Hartwell Amdt Establishes Immunity for Doctors Prescribing or People Present to Lethal Dosage Amendment Adopted - Senate (16 - 15)
May 13, 2013 VT S 77 Prohibits Liability for Self-Administered Lethal Dosages Concurrence Vote Passed - House (75 - 65)
May 8, 2013 VT S 77 Prohibits Liability for Self-Administered Lethal Dosages Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (17 - 13)
May 1, 2013 VT S 77 Prohibits Liability for Self-Administered Lethal Dosages Bill Passed - House (81 - 64)
Feb. 14, 2013 VT S 77 Prohibits Liability for Self-Administered Lethal Dosages Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 8)
Feb. 20, 2013 VT H 265 Amends Education Property Tax Rates for Fiscal Year 2014 Bill Passed - House (96 - 45)
March 29, 2013 VT H 530 2014 Budget Bill Passed - House (91 - 49)
April 16, 2013 VT H 200 Reduces Penalties for Small Amounts of Marijuana Bill Passed - House (92 - 49)
Jan. 16, 2014 VT S 82 Amends Campaign Finance Law Conference Report Adopted - Senate (20 - 8)
April 23, 2014 VT H 112 Requires Labeling of Genetically Engineered Food Concurrence Vote Passed - House (114 - 30)
Feb. 25, 2016 VT S 241 Authorizes Recreational Use of Marijuana Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 12)
April 3, 2015 VT S 20 Establish and Regulate Dental Therapy Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 8)
March 22, 2017 VT HB 422 Requires Law Enforcement to Remove Firearms from the Scene of an Alleged Domestic Assault Bill Passed - House (78 - 60)
March 23, 2017 VT S 96 Establishes Protections For Journalists Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 0)
Jan. 27, 2017 VT HB 125 Establishes Budget for Fiscal Year 2017-2018 Bill Passed - House (141 - 0)
April 12, 2017 VT HB 492 Establishes a Board for Racial Justice in Policing Bill Passed - House (120 - 25)
April 18, 2018 VT H 333 Requires Gender-Neutral Bathrooms Bill Passed - Senate
April 21, 2017 VT H 333 Requires Gender-Neutral Bathrooms Bill Passed - House (123 - 19)
May 2, 2017 VT S 16 Authorizes Medical Marijuana to Treat Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Bill Passed - House (130 - 16)
May 3, 2017 VT H 170 Authorizes Recreational Marijuana Bill Passed - House (75 - 71)
May 3, 2017 VT H 196 Requires a Statewide Payroll Tax to Fund a Paid Family Leave Insurance Program Bill Passed - House (88 - 58)
March 15, 2017 VT S 79 Prohibits the Disclosure of Personally Identifying Information Bill Passed - House (110 - 24)
Feb. 24, 2017 VT S 79 Prohibits the Disclosure of Personally Identifying Information Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 0)
May 10, 2017 VT S 22 Reduces Penalties for Possession of Marijuana Concurrence Vote Passed - House (79 - 66)
May 5, 2017 VT S 22 Reduces Penalties for Possession of Marijuana Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (20 - 9)
Jan. 4, 2018 VT H 511 Authorizes Possession of 1 Ounce of Marijuana Bill Passed - House (81 - 63)
Feb. 15, 2018 VT S 40 Increases State Minimum Wage to $15 per Hour Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 10)
March 30, 2018 VT S 55 Amends Various State Gun Laws Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 13)
March 27, 2018 VT S 55 Amends Various State Gun Laws Bill Passed - House (89 - 54)
April 19, 2018 VT S 103 Requires Regulations of Toxic Substances in Products Veto Override Passed - Senate (22 - 8)
May 8, 2018 VT H 707 Amends State Workplace Sexual Harassment Policies Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 0)
Feb. 2, 2018 VT S 289 Requires Internet Providers Compliance with State Net Neutrality Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 5)
May 3, 2018 VT H 25 Amends State Domestic Terrorism Laws Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 0)
March 16, 2018 VT H 710 Amends State Beer Franchise Contracts Bill Passed - House (123 - 11)
Feb. 1, 2019 VT H 47 Increases the E-Cigarette Sales Tax Bill Passed - House (134 - 6)
Feb. 21, 2019 VT H 57 Expands and Preserves Abortion Rights and Protections Bill Passed - House (106 - 37)
Sept. 22, 2020 VT S 54 Authorizes the Sale and Regulation of Cannabis Conference Report Adopted - Senate (23 - 6)
Sept. 17, 2020 VT S 54 Authorizes the Sale and Regulation of Cannabis Conference Report Adopted - House (92 - 56)
Feb. 28, 2019 VT S 54 Authorizes the Sale and Regulation of Cannabis Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 5)
March 21, 2019 VT S 169 Establishes a 24-Hour Waiting Period for Handgun Purchases Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 10)
May 15, 2019 VT H 107 Establishes a Paid Statewide Family and Medical Leave Program Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 10)
April 5, 2019 VT H 107 Establishes a Paid Statewide Family and Medical Leave Program Bill Passed - House (92 - 52)
May 21, 2019 VT S 37 Requires Corporate Compensation for Long-Term Health Monitoring Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (19 - 11)
May 16, 2019 VT S 37 Requires Corporate Compensation for Long-Term Health Monitoring Bill Passed - House (100 - 42)
April 10, 2020 VT S 333 Establishes a Temporary Moratorium on Evictions and Foreclosures during COVID-19 Pandemic Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 0)
April 10, 2020 VT S 114 Establishes Emergency Judicial Response Standards during COVID-19 Pandemic Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 0)
Date No. Title Outcome
5/05 H 861 Health Care Bill Conference Report Adopted - Senate (20 - 4)
5/09 H 861 Health Care Bill Conference Report Adopted - House (88 - 54)
3/03 H 861 Health Care Bill Bill Passed - House (77 - 58)
4/14 H 861 Health Care Bill Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 3)
3/24 H 881 2006-2007 Budget Bill Passed - House (120 - 10)
5/05 H 865 Non-Discrimination Bill Concurrence Vote Passed - House (88 - 47)
3/17 S 164 Same-Day Voter Registration Bill Passed - House (63 - 45)
5/02 S 18 Genetically Modified Seed Liability Bill Conference Report Adopted - Senate (19 - 8)
4/25 S 18 Genetically Modified Seed Liability Bill Conference Report Adopted - House (77 - 63)
2/22 HA to H 856 Mandatory Minimum Sentencing Amendment Amendment Rejected - House (50 - 82)
2/13 HR 11 Troop Withdrawal From Iraq Resolution Passed - House (95 - 52)
3/23 H. 353 Amending Unionization Requirements for State Employees Bill Passed - House (78 - 59)
4/20 SR 16 Urging National Executive Impeachment Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 9)
4/25 HR. 18 Urging National Executive Impeachment Resolution Failed - House (60 - 87)
3/21 H 44 Life Ending Prescriptions for Terminally Ill Patients Bill Failed - House (63 - 82)
5/01 SA. 520 Energy Tax Amendment to H. 520 Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 14)
4/25 S 278 Campaign Finance Limitations Veto Override Failed - House (99 - 51)
4/22 S 278 Campaign Finance Limitations Veto Override Passed - Senate (26 - 4)
2/20 Ainsworth Amdt Legislative Pay Cut Amendment Rejected - House (50 - 88)
2/27 S 34 Presidential Election by National Popular Vote Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 10)
4/03 S 115 Same-Sex Marriage Bill Passed - House (94 - 52)
3/23 S 115 Same-Sex Marriage Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 4)
3/23 Same-Sex Marriage Ballot Question Amendment Rejected - Senate (11 - 19)
5/01 H 436 Nuclear Plant Decommissioning Fund Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 4)
3/27 H 436 Nuclear Plant Decommissioning Fund Amendments Bill Passed - House (93 - 46)
4/07 S 115 Same-Sex Marriage Veto Override Passed - House (100 - 49)
4/07 S 115 Same-Sex Marriage Veto Override Passed - Senate (23 - 5)
5/07 H 441 2009-2010 Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (18 - 10)
4/03 H 441 2009-2010 Budget Bill Passed - House (94 - 52)
4/01 H 438 Gas Tax Increase to Fund Transportation Construction Bonds Bill Passed - House (108 - 35)
4/15 H 442 Tax Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (82 - 54)
4/15 H 147 Primary Seat Belt Enforcement Bill Passed - House (104 - 40)
4/22 H 446 Renewable Energy Amendments Bill Passed - House (88 - 44)
5/04 Transportation Amendment to S 67 Selective Service Registration by Drivers License Amendment Rejected - House (60 - 68)
5/06 H 436 Nuclear Plant Decommisioning Fund Concurrence Vote Passed - House (85 - 52)
5/07 H 446 Renewable Energy Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - House (91 - 49)
5/05 H 446 Renewable Energy Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 10)
6/02 H 441 2009-2010 Budget Veto Override Passed - House (100 - 50)
6/02 H 441 2009-2010 Budget Veto Override Passed - Senate (23 - 5)
2/24 S 289 Authorizing Nuclear Power Plant Operation Until 2032 Bill Failed - Senate (4 - 26)
4/23 S 88 Health Care Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (91 - 42)
5/12 H 485 Property Tax and Land Use Law Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (20 - 9)
1/27 H 485 Property Tax and Land Use Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (104 - 34)
4/27 SR 17 Requesting Congressional Waiver From Federal Drinking Age Requirement Resolution Passed - Senate (14 - 13)
2/22 S 31 Electing the President by Popular Vote Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 10)
5/05 H 202 Single-Payer and Unified Health System Conference Report Adopted - House (94 - 49)
5/03 H 202 Single-Payer and Unified Health System Conference Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 9)
3/24 H 202 Single-Payer and Unified Health System Bill Passed - House (92 - 49)
5/05 S 17 Medical Marijuana Bill Passed - House (99 - 44)
5/06 H 436 Tax Law Amendments Conference Report Adopted - House (94 - 48)
5/05 H 436 Tax Law Amendments Conference Report Adopted - Senate (17 - 10)
2/24 H 559 Establishes a Health Benefit Exchange Bill Passed - House (88 - 38)
3/01 S 199 Repeals Philosophical Exemption to Immunization Motion Agreed - Senate (25 - 4)
5/04 H 464 Prohibits Hydraulic Fracturing Conference Report Adopted - House (103 - 36)
2/13 Galbraith and Hartwell Amdt Establishes Immunity for Doctors Prescribing or People Present to Lethal Dosage Amendment Adopted - Senate (16 - 15)
5/13 S 77 Prohibits Liability for Self-Administered Lethal Dosages Concurrence Vote Passed - House (75 - 65)
5/08 S 77 Prohibits Liability for Self-Administered Lethal Dosages Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (17 - 13)
5/01 S 77 Prohibits Liability for Self-Administered Lethal Dosages Bill Passed - House (81 - 64)
2/14 S 77 Prohibits Liability for Self-Administered Lethal Dosages Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 8)
2/20 H 265 Amends Education Property Tax Rates for Fiscal Year 2014 Bill Passed - House (96 - 45)
3/29 H 530 2014 Budget Bill Passed - House (91 - 49)
4/16 H 200 Reduces Penalties for Small Amounts of Marijuana Bill Passed - House (92 - 49)
1/16 S 82 Amends Campaign Finance Law Conference Report Adopted - Senate (20 - 8)
4/23 H 112 Requires Labeling of Genetically Engineered Food Concurrence Vote Passed - House (114 - 30)
2/25 S 241 Authorizes Recreational Use of Marijuana Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 12)
4/03 S 20 Establish and Regulate Dental Therapy Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 8)
3/22 HB 422 Requires Law Enforcement to Remove Firearms from the Scene of an Alleged Domestic Assault Bill Passed - House (78 - 60)
3/23 S 96 Establishes Protections For Journalists Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 0)
1/27 HB 125 Establishes Budget for Fiscal Year 2017-2018 Bill Passed - House (141 - 0)
4/12 HB 492 Establishes a Board for Racial Justice in Policing Bill Passed - House (120 - 25)
4/18 H 333 Requires Gender-Neutral Bathrooms Bill Passed - Senate
4/21 H 333 Requires Gender-Neutral Bathrooms Bill Passed - House (123 - 19)
5/02 S 16 Authorizes Medical Marijuana to Treat Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Bill Passed - House (130 - 16)
5/03 H 170 Authorizes Recreational Marijuana Bill Passed - House (75 - 71)
5/03 H 196 Requires a Statewide Payroll Tax to Fund a Paid Family Leave Insurance Program Bill Passed - House (88 - 58)
3/15 S 79 Prohibits the Disclosure of Personally Identifying Information Bill Passed - House (110 - 24)
2/24 S 79 Prohibits the Disclosure of Personally Identifying Information Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 0)
5/10 S 22 Reduces Penalties for Possession of Marijuana Concurrence Vote Passed - House (79 - 66)
5/05 S 22 Reduces Penalties for Possession of Marijuana Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (20 - 9)
1/04 H 511 Authorizes Possession of 1 Ounce of Marijuana Bill Passed - House (81 - 63)
2/15 S 40 Increases State Minimum Wage to $15 per Hour Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 10)
3/30 S 55 Amends Various State Gun Laws Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 13)
3/27 S 55 Amends Various State Gun Laws Bill Passed - House (89 - 54)
4/19 S 103 Requires Regulations of Toxic Substances in Products Veto Override Passed - Senate (22 - 8)
5/08 H 707 Amends State Workplace Sexual Harassment Policies Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 0)
2/02 S 289 Requires Internet Providers Compliance with State Net Neutrality Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 5)
5/03 H 25 Amends State Domestic Terrorism Laws Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 0)
3/16 H 710 Amends State Beer Franchise Contracts Bill Passed - House (123 - 11)
2/01 H 47 Increases the E-Cigarette Sales Tax Bill Passed - House (134 - 6)
2/21 H 57 Expands and Preserves Abortion Rights and Protections Bill Passed - House (106 - 37)
9/22 S 54 Authorizes the Sale and Regulation of Cannabis Conference Report Adopted - Senate (23 - 6)
9/17 S 54 Authorizes the Sale and Regulation of Cannabis Conference Report Adopted - House (92 - 56)
2/28 S 54 Authorizes the Sale and Regulation of Cannabis Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 5)
3/21 S 169 Establishes a 24-Hour Waiting Period for Handgun Purchases Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 10)
5/15 H 107 Establishes a Paid Statewide Family and Medical Leave Program Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 10)
4/05 H 107 Establishes a Paid Statewide Family and Medical Leave Program Bill Passed - House (92 - 52)
5/21 S 37 Requires Corporate Compensation for Long-Term Health Monitoring Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (19 - 11)
5/16 S 37 Requires Corporate Compensation for Long-Term Health Monitoring Bill Passed - House (100 - 42)
4/10 S 333 Establishes a Temporary Moratorium on Evictions and Foreclosures during COVID-19 Pandemic Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 0)
4/10 S 114 Establishes Emergency Judicial Response Standards during COVID-19 Pandemic Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 0)

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