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
July 28, 2015 WI SB 209 Appropriates Funds for New Sports and Entertainment Arena Bill Passed - House (52 - 34)
July 15, 2015 WI SB 209 Appropriates Funds for New Sports and Entertainment Arena Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 10)
July 8, 2015 WI SB 21 2015-2017 Biennium Budget Bill Passed - House (52 - 46)
July 8, 2015 WI SB 179 Prohibits Abortions After 20 Weeks Bill Passed - House (61 - 34)
July 7, 2015 WI SB 21 2015-2017 Biennium Budget Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 15)
June 9, 2015 WI SB 70 Authorizes Certain Officers to Carry Firearms in Schools Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 11)
June 9, 2015 WI SB 179 Prohibits Abortions After 20 Weeks Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 14)
May 13, 2015 WI AB 177 Limits Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Purchases Bill Passed - House (60 - 35)
May 13, 2015 WI AB 192 Requires Drug Tests for Certain Individuals Bill Passed - House (63 - 32)
May 13, 2015 WI AB 191 Requires Drug Testing for Job Training Programs Bill Passed - House (62 - 33)
March 5, 2015 WI SB 44 Prohibits Employers from Mandating Employees to Join or Pay Unions Bill Passed - House (62 - 35)
Feb. 25, 2015 WI SB 44 Prohibits Employers from Mandating Employees to Join or Pay Unions Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 15)
April 1, 2014 WI AB 120 Prohibits Certain Actions Made by Health Care Providers from Being Used Against Them in Court Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 14)
April 1, 2014 WI AB 556 Expands Jailhouse Strip Search Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 15)
March 20, 2014 WI AB 19 Requires an Individual to Disclose the Number of Asbestos Trusts they Plan to Sue Concurrence Vote Passed - House (55 - 38)
March 20, 2014 WI SB 324 Amends the Absentee Voting Procedures Bill Passed - House (56 - 38)
March 20, 2014 WI SB 655 Amends Campaign Finance and Lobbying Laws Bill Passed - House (54 - 37)
March 18, 2014 WI SB 1 Reduces State Income Taxes Bill Passed - House (61 - 35)
March 12, 2014 WI AB 19 Requires an Individual to Disclose the Number of Asbestos Trusts they Plan to Sue Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 16)
March 12, 2014 WI SB 324 Amends the Absentee Voting Procedures Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 16)
March 12, 2014 WI SB 655 Amends Campaign Finance and Lobbying Laws Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 16)
March 4, 2014 WI SB 1 Reduces State Income Taxes Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 15)
Feb. 18, 2014 WI AB 161 Authorizes the Appeal of Court Orders that Suspend State Law Concurrence Vote Passed - House (60 - 36)
Feb. 11, 2014 WI AB 161 Authorizes the Appeal of Court Orders that Suspend State Law Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 14)
Nov. 5, 2013 WI AB 297 Amends Laws Concerning the Use of Race-Based Nicknames, Logos, Mascots, and Team Names Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 16)
Oct. 15, 2013 WI AB 297 Amends Laws Concerning the Use of Race-Based Nicknames, Logos, Mascots, and Team Names Bill Passed - House (52 - 41)
June 21, 2013 WI AB 40 2013-2015 Biennium Budget Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 16)
June 18, 2013 WI AB 40 2013-2015 Biennium Budget Bill Passed - House (55 - 42)
June 13, 2013 WI SB 206 Requires an Ultrasound Prior to an Abortion Bill Passed - House (56 - 39)
June 13, 2013 WI AB 217 Prohibits Sex-Selective Abortions Bill Passed - House (58 - 39)
June 13, 2013 WI AB 216 Prohibits State Health Insurance Plan from Covering Abortions Bill Passed - House (58 - 39)
June 12, 2013 WI SB 206 Requires an Ultrasound Prior to an Abortion Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 15)
May 14, 2013 WI AB 85 Amends Milwaukee County Board Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 14)
May 8, 2013 WI AB 85 Amends Milwaukee County Board Regulations Bill Passed - House (60 - 38)
April 16, 2013 WI AB 82 Prohibits the Unauthorized Transfer of Food Stamps Bill Passed - House (73 - 24)
April 9, 2013 WI AB 15 Authorizes Work-Share Programs Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 15)
March 7, 2013 WI SB 1 Amends Wisconsin's Iron-Ore Mining Regulations Bill Passed - House (58 - 39)
March 6, 2013 WI SB 2 Limits the Secretary of State's Role in Legislation Bill Passed - House (59 - 37)
March 6, 2013 WI AB 15 Authorizes Work-Share Programs Bill Passed - House (74 - 22)
Feb. 27, 2013 WI SB 1 Amends Wisconsin's Iron-Ore Mining Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 16)
Jan. 29, 2013 WI SB 2 Limits the Secretary of State's Role in Legislation Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 14)
March 13, 2012 WI SB 237 Amending Sexual Education Guidelines Bill Passed - House (60 - 34)
March 13, 2012 WI SB 92 Prohibits Abortion Coverage through Healthcare Insurance Exchanges Bill Passed - House (61 - 34)
March 6, 2012 WI AJR 63 Limits Recalls of Elected Officials Amendment Adopted - House (60 - 37)
Feb. 22, 2012 WI SB 306 Requires Physicians Performing Abortions to Determine if the Woman's Consent is Voluntary Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 15)
Feb. 21, 2012 WI SB 202 Repeals Punitive Damages for Workplace Discrimination Bill Passed - House (60 - 35)
Feb. 21, 2012 WI SB 386 Removes Voter Registration at High Schools Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 16)
Feb. 21, 2012 WI SJR 21 Prohibits mandated health insurance Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (17 - 16)
Feb. 15, 2012 WI SB 368 Amends Wetland Development Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 15)
Jan. 26, 2012 WI AB 426 Requirements for Mining Permits Bill Passed - House (59 - 36)
Nov. 3, 2011 WI SB 202 Repeals Punitive Damages for Workplace Discrimination Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 16)
Nov. 2, 2011 WI SB 237 Amending Sexual Education Guidelines Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 15)
Nov. 1, 2011 WI AB 69 Use of Deadly Force in Self-Defense Bill Passed - House (71 - 24)
Nov. 1, 2011 WI SB 45 Administration of Medications to Students Bill Passed - House (63 - 32)
Nov. 1, 2011 WI AB 147 Inadmissibility of Apology Statements by Health Care Providers Bill Passed - House (62 - 33)
Oct. 27, 2011 WI SB 12 Limits Attorney Fees in Consumer Cases Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 15)
Oct. 27, 2011 WI SB 23 Amends Tax Enforcement System Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 15)
Oct. 25, 2011 WI SB 45 Administration of Medications to Students Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 15)
Oct. 20, 2011 WI SB 95 Evaluating Teacher Performance Using Standardized Test Scores Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 16)
Oct. 20, 2011 WI SB 92 Prohibits Abortion Coverage through Healthcare Insurance Exchanges Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 16)
Sept. 13, 2011 WI SB 115 Presidential Primary Date Bill Passed - House (65 - 32)
July 20, 2011 WI SB 149 Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - House (59 - 38)
July 20, 2011 WI SB 148 Legislative Redistricting Bill Passed - House (57 - 40)
July 19, 2011 WI SB 149 Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 14)
July 19, 2011 WI SB 148 Legislative Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 14)
June 21, 2011 WI SB 93 Weapons Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (68 - 27)
June 16, 2011 WI AB 40 2011-2013 Biennium Budget Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 14)
June 14, 2011 WI SB 93 Weapons Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 8)
June 14, 2011 WI AB 40 2011-2013 Biennium Budget Bill Passed - House (60 - 38)
June 8, 2011 WI SB 116 Relating to Overseas Absentee Voting Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 13)
May 11, 2011 WI SB 13 Repealing Regulations for Telecommunications Services Bill Passed - House (80 - 13)
May 11, 2011 WI AB 7 Voter Identification Requirements Bill Passed - House (60 - 35)
May 11, 2011 WI SB 13 Repealing Regulations for Telecommunications Services Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 8)
March 10, 2011 WI AB 11 Collective Bargaining Rights for Public Employees Conference Report Adopted - House (53 - 42)
March 9, 2011 WI AB 11 Collective Bargaining Rights for Public Employees Conference Report Adopted - Senate (18 - 1)
Feb. 25, 2011 WI AB 11 Collective Bargaining Rights for Public Employees Bill Passed - House (51 - 17)
Feb. 2, 2011 WI SB 10 Wetland Regulations Bill Passed - House (56 - 35)
Feb. 2, 2011 WI SB 10 Wetland Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 11)
Jan. 27, 2011 WI AB 7 Small Business Tax Credit Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 8)
Jan. 25, 2011 WI AB 5 Requiring a Two-Thirds Vote in the Legislature for Tax Increases Bill Passed - House (57 - 36)
Jan. 25, 2011 WI AB 3 Tax Incentives for Job Creation Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 9)
Jan. 25, 2011 WI AB 7 Small Business Tax Credit Bill Passed - House (60 - 33)
Jan. 20, 2011 WI SB 1 Tort Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (57 - 36)
Jan. 20, 2011 WI SB 2 Tax Benefits for Health Savings Accounts Bill Passed - House (66 - 28)
Jan. 20, 2011 WI AB 3 Tax Incentives for Job Creation Bill Passed - House (82 - 12)
Jan. 20, 2011 WI SB 2 Tax Benefits for Health Savings Accounts Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12)
Jan. 18, 2011 WI SB 1 Tort Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 14)
April 23, 2010 WI AB 720 Statewide Smoking Ban Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - House (60 - 34)
April 22, 2010 WI SB 437 Education Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (50 - 47)
April 22, 2010 WI SB 434 Legalizing Sale of Unpasteurized Milk Bill Passed - House (60 - 35)
April 20, 2010 WI SB 484 BadgerCare Plus Basic Health Plan Bill Passed - House (50 - 47)
April 20, 2010 WI Amdt 1 Expelling Representative Jeffery Wood Amendment Tabled - House (49 - 48)
April 20, 2010 WI Amdt 6 Censuring Representative Jeffery Wood Amendment Adopted - House (73 - 24)
April 20, 2010 WI AB 696 Landline Phone Service Deregulation Bill Passed - House (71 - 27)
April 15, 2010 WI AB 612 Limiting Access to 9-1-1 Recordings Bill Passed - House (67 - 30)
April 15, 2010 WI SB 437 Education Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 15)
April 15, 2010 WI SB 434 Legalizing Sale of Unpasteurized Milk Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 8)
April 15, 2010 WI AB 106 Authorizing Sale of Alcohol to 18-20 Year-Olds Under Parental or Spousal Supervision Bill Passed - House (56 - 41)
April 13, 2010 WI SB 530 Payday Lending Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12)
Feb. 25, 2010 WI AB 35 Complaint Process for Race-Based Names, Logos and Mascots of Schools Bill Passed - House (51 - 42)
Date No. Title Outcome
7/28 SB 209 Appropriates Funds for New Sports and Entertainment Arena Bill Passed - House (52 - 34)
7/15 SB 209 Appropriates Funds for New Sports and Entertainment Arena Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 10)
7/08 SB 21 2015-2017 Biennium Budget Bill Passed - House (52 - 46)
7/08 SB 179 Prohibits Abortions After 20 Weeks Bill Passed - House (61 - 34)
7/07 SB 21 2015-2017 Biennium Budget Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 15)
6/09 SB 70 Authorizes Certain Officers to Carry Firearms in Schools Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 11)
6/09 SB 179 Prohibits Abortions After 20 Weeks Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 14)
5/13 AB 177 Limits Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Purchases Bill Passed - House (60 - 35)
5/13 AB 192 Requires Drug Tests for Certain Individuals Bill Passed - House (63 - 32)
5/13 AB 191 Requires Drug Testing for Job Training Programs Bill Passed - House (62 - 33)
3/05 SB 44 Prohibits Employers from Mandating Employees to Join or Pay Unions Bill Passed - House (62 - 35)
2/25 SB 44 Prohibits Employers from Mandating Employees to Join or Pay Unions Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 15)
4/01 AB 120 Prohibits Certain Actions Made by Health Care Providers from Being Used Against Them in Court Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 14)
4/01 AB 556 Expands Jailhouse Strip Search Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 15)
3/20 AB 19 Requires an Individual to Disclose the Number of Asbestos Trusts they Plan to Sue Concurrence Vote Passed - House (55 - 38)
3/20 SB 324 Amends the Absentee Voting Procedures Bill Passed - House (56 - 38)
3/20 SB 655 Amends Campaign Finance and Lobbying Laws Bill Passed - House (54 - 37)
3/18 SB 1 Reduces State Income Taxes Bill Passed - House (61 - 35)
3/12 AB 19 Requires an Individual to Disclose the Number of Asbestos Trusts they Plan to Sue Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 16)
3/12 SB 324 Amends the Absentee Voting Procedures Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 16)
3/12 SB 655 Amends Campaign Finance and Lobbying Laws Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 16)
3/04 SB 1 Reduces State Income Taxes Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 15)
2/18 AB 161 Authorizes the Appeal of Court Orders that Suspend State Law Concurrence Vote Passed - House (60 - 36)
2/11 AB 161 Authorizes the Appeal of Court Orders that Suspend State Law Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 14)
11/05 AB 297 Amends Laws Concerning the Use of Race-Based Nicknames, Logos, Mascots, and Team Names Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 16)
10/15 AB 297 Amends Laws Concerning the Use of Race-Based Nicknames, Logos, Mascots, and Team Names Bill Passed - House (52 - 41)
6/21 AB 40 2013-2015 Biennium Budget Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 16)
6/18 AB 40 2013-2015 Biennium Budget Bill Passed - House (55 - 42)
6/13 SB 206 Requires an Ultrasound Prior to an Abortion Bill Passed - House (56 - 39)
6/13 AB 217 Prohibits Sex-Selective Abortions Bill Passed - House (58 - 39)
6/13 AB 216 Prohibits State Health Insurance Plan from Covering Abortions Bill Passed - House (58 - 39)
6/12 SB 206 Requires an Ultrasound Prior to an Abortion Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 15)
5/14 AB 85 Amends Milwaukee County Board Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 14)
5/08 AB 85 Amends Milwaukee County Board Regulations Bill Passed - House (60 - 38)
4/16 AB 82 Prohibits the Unauthorized Transfer of Food Stamps Bill Passed - House (73 - 24)
4/09 AB 15 Authorizes Work-Share Programs Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 15)
3/07 SB 1 Amends Wisconsin's Iron-Ore Mining Regulations Bill Passed - House (58 - 39)
3/06 SB 2 Limits the Secretary of State's Role in Legislation Bill Passed - House (59 - 37)
3/06 AB 15 Authorizes Work-Share Programs Bill Passed - House (74 - 22)
2/27 SB 1 Amends Wisconsin's Iron-Ore Mining Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 16)
1/29 SB 2 Limits the Secretary of State's Role in Legislation Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 14)
3/13 SB 237 Amending Sexual Education Guidelines Bill Passed - House (60 - 34)
3/13 SB 92 Prohibits Abortion Coverage through Healthcare Insurance Exchanges Bill Passed - House (61 - 34)
3/06 AJR 63 Limits Recalls of Elected Officials Amendment Adopted - House (60 - 37)
2/22 SB 306 Requires Physicians Performing Abortions to Determine if the Woman's Consent is Voluntary Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 15)
2/21 SB 202 Repeals Punitive Damages for Workplace Discrimination Bill Passed - House (60 - 35)
2/21 SB 386 Removes Voter Registration at High Schools Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 16)
2/21 SJR 21 Prohibits mandated health insurance Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (17 - 16)
2/15 SB 368 Amends Wetland Development Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 15)
1/26 AB 426 Requirements for Mining Permits Bill Passed - House (59 - 36)
11/03 SB 202 Repeals Punitive Damages for Workplace Discrimination Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 16)
11/02 SB 237 Amending Sexual Education Guidelines Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 15)
11/01 AB 69 Use of Deadly Force in Self-Defense Bill Passed - House (71 - 24)
11/01 SB 45 Administration of Medications to Students Bill Passed - House (63 - 32)
11/01 AB 147 Inadmissibility of Apology Statements by Health Care Providers Bill Passed - House (62 - 33)
10/27 SB 12 Limits Attorney Fees in Consumer Cases Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 15)
10/27 SB 23 Amends Tax Enforcement System Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 15)
10/25 SB 45 Administration of Medications to Students Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 15)
10/20 SB 95 Evaluating Teacher Performance Using Standardized Test Scores Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 16)
10/20 SB 92 Prohibits Abortion Coverage through Healthcare Insurance Exchanges Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 16)
9/13 SB 115 Presidential Primary Date Bill Passed - House (65 - 32)
7/20 SB 149 Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - House (59 - 38)
7/20 SB 148 Legislative Redistricting Bill Passed - House (57 - 40)
7/19 SB 149 Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 14)
7/19 SB 148 Legislative Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 14)
6/21 SB 93 Weapons Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (68 - 27)
6/16 AB 40 2011-2013 Biennium Budget Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 14)
6/14 SB 93 Weapons Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 8)
6/14 AB 40 2011-2013 Biennium Budget Bill Passed - House (60 - 38)
6/08 SB 116 Relating to Overseas Absentee Voting Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 13)
5/11 SB 13 Repealing Regulations for Telecommunications Services Bill Passed - House (80 - 13)
5/11 AB 7 Voter Identification Requirements Bill Passed - House (60 - 35)
5/11 SB 13 Repealing Regulations for Telecommunications Services Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 8)
3/10 AB 11 Collective Bargaining Rights for Public Employees Conference Report Adopted - House (53 - 42)
3/09 AB 11 Collective Bargaining Rights for Public Employees Conference Report Adopted - Senate (18 - 1)
2/25 AB 11 Collective Bargaining Rights for Public Employees Bill Passed - House (51 - 17)
2/02 SB 10 Wetland Regulations Bill Passed - House (56 - 35)
2/02 SB 10 Wetland Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 11)
1/27 AB 7 Small Business Tax Credit Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 8)
1/25 AB 5 Requiring a Two-Thirds Vote in the Legislature for Tax Increases Bill Passed - House (57 - 36)
1/25 AB 3 Tax Incentives for Job Creation Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 9)
1/25 AB 7 Small Business Tax Credit Bill Passed - House (60 - 33)
1/20 SB 1 Tort Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (57 - 36)
1/20 SB 2 Tax Benefits for Health Savings Accounts Bill Passed - House (66 - 28)
1/20 AB 3 Tax Incentives for Job Creation Bill Passed - House (82 - 12)
1/20 SB 2 Tax Benefits for Health Savings Accounts Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12)
1/18 SB 1 Tort Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 14)
4/23 AB 720 Statewide Smoking Ban Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - House (60 - 34)
4/22 SB 437 Education Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (50 - 47)
4/22 SB 434 Legalizing Sale of Unpasteurized Milk Bill Passed - House (60 - 35)
4/20 SB 484 BadgerCare Plus Basic Health Plan Bill Passed - House (50 - 47)
4/20 Amdt 1 Expelling Representative Jeffery Wood Amendment Tabled - House (49 - 48)
4/20 Amdt 6 Censuring Representative Jeffery Wood Amendment Adopted - House (73 - 24)
4/20 AB 696 Landline Phone Service Deregulation Bill Passed - House (71 - 27)
4/15 AB 612 Limiting Access to 9-1-1 Recordings Bill Passed - House (67 - 30)
4/15 SB 437 Education Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 15)
4/15 SB 434 Legalizing Sale of Unpasteurized Milk Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 8)
4/15 AB 106 Authorizing Sale of Alcohol to 18-20 Year-Olds Under Parental or Spousal Supervision Bill Passed - House (56 - 41)
4/13 SB 530 Payday Lending Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12)
2/25 AB 35 Complaint Process for Race-Based Names, Logos and Mascots of Schools Bill Passed - House (51 - 42)

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