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
Feb. 28, 2006 WI SJR 53 Constitutional amendment defining marriage between one man and one woman Amendment Adopted - House (62 - 31)
March 2, 2006 WI AB 1073 Medical Malpractice Lawsuit Caps Bill Passed - House (74 - 22)
March 7, 2006 WI AB 1073 Medical Malpractice Lawsuit Caps Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 8)
March 9, 2006 WI ASA 3 Ethanol Bill Motion Agreed - Senate (17 - 15)
March 7, 2006 WI SB 618 School Voucher Program Expansion Concurrence Vote Passed - House (59 - 35)
March 3, 2006 WI SB 618 School Voucher Program Expansion Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 13)
Jan. 31, 2006 WI SB 403 Concealed Weapons Veto Override Failed - House (64 - 34)
Jan. 26, 2006 WI SB 403 Concealed Weapons Veto Override Passed - Senate (23 - 10)
Jan. 17, 2006 WI SB 403 Concealed Weapons Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 5)
May 3, 2006 WI AB 414 Smoking Ban Expansion Nonconcurrence Vote Passed - Senate (17 - 14)
May 4, 2006 WI SSA 1 Spending Limit Amendment Rejected - Senate (12 - 20)
May 4, 2006 WI SJR 63 Spending Limit Amendment Rejected - Senate (11 - 21)
April 27, 2006 WI AJR 77 Constitutional Amendment for a Spending Limit Amendment Adopted - House (50 - 48)
May 4, 2006 WI SB 567 Limit Public Assistance to Citizens or Legal Residents of the United States Bill Passed - House (51 - 42)
Feb. 23, 2006 WI SB 567 Limit Public Assistance to Citizens or Legal Residents of the United States Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 14)
May 16, 2006 WI SJR 5 Advisory Referendum on the Death Penalty Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (18 - 15)
May 4, 2006 WI SJR 5 Advisory Referendum on the Death Penalty Joint Resolution Passed - House (47 - 45)
March 7, 2006 WI SJR 5 Advisory Referendum on the Death Penalty Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (20 - 13)
April 25, 2006 WI AB 4 Tax Deduction for Health Savings Account Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 14)
May 31, 2006 WI AB 4 Tax Deduction for Health Savings Account Veto Override Failed - House (61 - 36)
May 2, 2006 WI SB 1 Ethics Bill Motion Rejected - House (45 - 51)
Jan. 19, 2006 WI AB 766 Medical Malpractice Lawsuit Caps Veto Override Failed - House (63 - 36)
Feb. 1, 2007 WI AJR 1 Partial Veto by Alteration Ban Joint Resolution Passed - House (70 - 25)
May 16, 2007 WI SB 129 Emergency Contraception for Sexual Assault Victims Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 6)
May 9, 2007 WI SB 77 Financial Disclosure For Issue Based Groups Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7)
May 9, 2007 WI AB 207 Telecommunication Regulation Bill Passed - House (66 - 28)
April 24, 2007 WI AB 205 Restrictions on Off-Reservation Native American Casinos Bill Passed - House (57 - 38)
June 26, 2007 WI SS SB 40 2007-2009 Biennium Budget Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 15)
May 9, 2007 WI AB 260 Employment Discrimination Exception for Sexual or Violent Offenders Bill Passed - House (61 - 33)
April 17, 2007 WI AJR 17 Voter Identification Constitutional Amendment Bill Passed - House (54 - 43)
May 16, 2007 WI AB 30 Felon Employment in Educational Agencies Bill Passed - House (64 - 29)
Sept. 18, 2007 WI AB 506 2007-2009 Biennium Education Budget Bill Passed - House (70 - 27)
Sept. 18, 2007 WI AB 507 2008 Levy Limits Bill Passed - House (52 - 45)
Oct. 30, 2007 WI AB 427 Prevention of Coercive Abortion Bill Passed - House (65 - 32)
Nov. 8, 2007 WI SB 299 School Tax Credit Formula Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 8)
Oct. 15, 2007 WI SB 2 Transportation Funding Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 14)
Jan. 23, 2008 WI AB 377 Emergency Contraception for Sexual Assault Victims Bill Passed - House (61 - 35)
Feb. 28, 2008 WI AB 377 Emergency Contraception for Sexual Assault Victims Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 6)
Dec. 11, 2007 WI ASA 1 Emergency Contraception for Sexual Assault Victims Amendment Adopted - House (56 - 41)
Dec. 11, 2007 WI AJR 5 State Christmas Tree Joint Resolution Passed - House (84 - 12)
Dec. 11, 2007 WI SB 176 Compensation for Discharged Police Officers Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 3)
Dec. 11, 2007 WI SJR 5 Limiting Governor's Partial Veto Authority Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (33 - 0)
Jan. 15, 2008 WI SJR 5 Limiting Governor's Partial Veto Authority Joint Resolution Passed - House (94 - 1)
Jan. 15, 2008 WI SB 130 Minimum Wage Increase Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 13)
Jan. 15, 2008 WI AB 363 Limiting the Scope of Citizen-Proposed Ordinances Bill Passed - House (48 - 44)
Feb. 19, 2008 WI SB 171 Financing of Judicial Campaigns Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 10)
Oct. 15, 2007 WI SB 1 2007-2008 Budget Bill Failed - House (44 - 53)
Oct. 15, 2007 WI SB 1 2007-2008 Budget Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 14)
Feb. 19, 2008 WI SB 396 Virtual Charter Schools Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 15)
Feb. 19, 2008 WI S Amnd. 1 Virtual Charter School Enrollment Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (17 - 16)
Feb. 19, 2008 WI S Amnd. 1 Virtual Charter School Enrollment Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (16 - 17)
Feb. 26, 2008 WI AB 695 John Doe Proceedings Bill Passed - House (84 - 13)
Feb. 26, 2008 WI A Amnd. 1 Divestment Due to Genocide Amendment Amendment Tabled - House (50 - 47)
Feb. 28, 2008 WI AB 581 Gun Possession During Emergencies Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 5)
Dec. 11, 2007 WI AB 581 Gun Possession During Emergencies Bill Passed - House (84 - 13)
March 4, 2008 WI SB 537 John Doe Proceedings Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 15)
Feb. 28, 2008 WI AB 710 Partial-Birth/Late-Term Abortion Ban Bill Passed - House (59 - 38)
Feb. 28, 2008 WI AB 770 Corporate Research and Development Tax Credit Bill Passed - House (84 - 13)
March 5, 2008 WI AB 346 Nuclear Power Plant Construction Bill Passed - House (57 - 38)
Feb. 26, 2008 WI AR 13 Supporting the Individual's Right to Bear Arms Resolution Passed - House (78 - 18)
Feb. 28, 2008 WI AB 870 Virtual Charter Schools Bill Passed - House (53 - 44)
March 5, 2008 WI AB 47 Health Savings Account Tax Deductions Bill Passed - House (60 - 35)
Feb. 28, 2008 WI A Amnd. 1 Exemptions to Partial-Birth/Late-Term Abortion Ban Amendment Tabled - House (54 - 43)
Feb. 28, 2008 WI A Amnd. 2 Exemptions to Partial-Birth/Late-Term Abortion Ban Amendment Tabled - House (54 - 43)
March 5, 2008 WI AB 151 Financial Aid Ineligibility for Drug Offenders Bill Passed - House (70 - 24)
March 5, 2008 WI AB 67 Business Education Tax Credit Bill Passed - House (55 - 40)
March 5, 2008 WI AB 901 Austism Treatment Funding Bill Passed - House (55 - 39)
March 6, 2008 WI SB 523 Great Lakes Water Resources Compact Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 6)
March 11, 2008 WI AB 482 Prohibiting Teacher Residency Requirements Bill Passed - House (62 - 35)
March 11, 2008 WI AB 862 Government Spending Database Bill Passed - House (81 - 16)
May 14, 2008 WI AB 1 Budget Repair Plan Conference Report Adopted - House (51 - 46)
May 13, 2008 WI AB 1 Budget Repair Plan Conference Report Adopted - Senate (17 - 16)
March 25, 2008 WI AB 1 Budget Repair Plan Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 14)
March 12, 2008 WI AB 1 Budget Repair Plan Bill Passed - House (51 - 46)
Feb. 26, 2008 WI SB 178 Insurance Coverage for Autism Treatment Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 8)
May 28, 2008 WI AB 1 Education Line Item Veto Override Veto Override Failed - House (60 - 36)
May 28, 2008 WI AB 1 Education Line Item Veto Override Veto Override Failed - House (57 - 39)
May 28, 2008 WI AB 1 Education Line Item Veto Override Veto Override Failed - House (57 - 39)
Jan. 27, 2009 WI AB 1 Wisconsin-Based Products and Services Purchasing Goals Bill Passed - House (77 - 22)
Jan. 27, 2009 WI AB 2 Mandatory State Contracting with Domestic Companies Bill Passed - House (69 - 30)
Feb. 10, 2009 WI SB 1 Minimum Wage Increase Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 14)
Feb. 18, 2009 WI SB 62 2008-2009 Budget Amendments Bill Passed - House (51 - 48)
Feb. 18, 2009 WI SB 62 2008-2009 Budget Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 15)
March 24, 2009 WI SB 37 Allowing Drivers To Keep Licenses While Paying Fines Bill Passed - House (53 - 45)
April 23, 2009 WI SB 27 Requires Insurance Coverage for Children's Hearing Aid Treatments Bill Passed - House (80 - 16)
April 29, 2009 WI SB 20 Discriminatory Pay Compensation Bill Passed - House (51 - 47)
April 28, 2009 WI SB 20 Discriminatory Pay Compensation Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 15)
May 13, 2009 WI SB 181 Indoor Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 8)
May 13, 2009 WI SB 181 Indoor Smoking Ban Bill Passed - House (61 - 38)
April 28, 2009 WI AB 100 Restricting Health Insurance Companies' Ability to Exclude Individuals. Bill Passed - House (61 - 38)
June 9, 2009 WI SB 167 Decreasing the Minimum Hunting Age Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 6)
June 25, 2009 WI AB 75 2009-2011 Biennium Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (17 - 15)
June 26, 2009 WI AB 75 2009-2011 Biennium Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (51 - 46)
June 17, 2009 WI AB 75 2009-2011 Biennium Budget Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 16)
June 11, 2009 WI AB 75 2009-2011 Biennium Budget Bill Passed - House (50 - 48)
June 26, 2009 WI AB 281 Phosphorus in Cleaning Products Bill Passed - House (60 - 37)
Sept. 22, 2009 WI AB 119 Requiring Kindergarten for First Grade Enrollment Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 15)
Sept. 16, 2009 WI AB 119 Requiring Kindergarten for First Grade Enrollment Bill Passed - House (53 - 44)
Sept. 16, 2009 WI SB 185 State Regulation of Wind Energy Systems Bill Passed - House (65 - 31)
Sept. 22, 2009 WI AB 138 Board Appointment of the Secretary of Natural Resources Bill Passed - House (61 - 32)
Date No. Title Outcome
2/28 SJR 53 Constitutional amendment defining marriage between one man and one woman Amendment Adopted - House (62 - 31)
3/02 AB 1073 Medical Malpractice Lawsuit Caps Bill Passed - House (74 - 22)
3/07 AB 1073 Medical Malpractice Lawsuit Caps Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 8)
3/09 ASA 3 Ethanol Bill Motion Agreed - Senate (17 - 15)
3/07 SB 618 School Voucher Program Expansion Concurrence Vote Passed - House (59 - 35)
3/03 SB 618 School Voucher Program Expansion Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 13)
1/31 SB 403 Concealed Weapons Veto Override Failed - House (64 - 34)
1/26 SB 403 Concealed Weapons Veto Override Passed - Senate (23 - 10)
1/17 SB 403 Concealed Weapons Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 5)
5/03 AB 414 Smoking Ban Expansion Nonconcurrence Vote Passed - Senate (17 - 14)
5/04 SSA 1 Spending Limit Amendment Rejected - Senate (12 - 20)
5/04 SJR 63 Spending Limit Amendment Rejected - Senate (11 - 21)
4/27 AJR 77 Constitutional Amendment for a Spending Limit Amendment Adopted - House (50 - 48)
5/04 SB 567 Limit Public Assistance to Citizens or Legal Residents of the United States Bill Passed - House (51 - 42)
2/23 SB 567 Limit Public Assistance to Citizens or Legal Residents of the United States Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 14)
5/16 SJR 5 Advisory Referendum on the Death Penalty Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (18 - 15)
5/04 SJR 5 Advisory Referendum on the Death Penalty Joint Resolution Passed - House (47 - 45)
3/07 SJR 5 Advisory Referendum on the Death Penalty Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (20 - 13)
4/25 AB 4 Tax Deduction for Health Savings Account Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 14)
5/31 AB 4 Tax Deduction for Health Savings Account Veto Override Failed - House (61 - 36)
5/02 SB 1 Ethics Bill Motion Rejected - House (45 - 51)
1/19 AB 766 Medical Malpractice Lawsuit Caps Veto Override Failed - House (63 - 36)
2/01 AJR 1 Partial Veto by Alteration Ban Joint Resolution Passed - House (70 - 25)
5/16 SB 129 Emergency Contraception for Sexual Assault Victims Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 6)
5/09 SB 77 Financial Disclosure For Issue Based Groups Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7)
5/09 AB 207 Telecommunication Regulation Bill Passed - House (66 - 28)
4/24 AB 205 Restrictions on Off-Reservation Native American Casinos Bill Passed - House (57 - 38)
6/26 SS SB 40 2007-2009 Biennium Budget Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 15)
5/09 AB 260 Employment Discrimination Exception for Sexual or Violent Offenders Bill Passed - House (61 - 33)
4/17 AJR 17 Voter Identification Constitutional Amendment Bill Passed - House (54 - 43)
5/16 AB 30 Felon Employment in Educational Agencies Bill Passed - House (64 - 29)
9/18 AB 506 2007-2009 Biennium Education Budget Bill Passed - House (70 - 27)
9/18 AB 507 2008 Levy Limits Bill Passed - House (52 - 45)
10/30 AB 427 Prevention of Coercive Abortion Bill Passed - House (65 - 32)
11/08 SB 299 School Tax Credit Formula Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 8)
10/15 SB 2 Transportation Funding Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 14)
1/23 AB 377 Emergency Contraception for Sexual Assault Victims Bill Passed - House (61 - 35)
2/28 AB 377 Emergency Contraception for Sexual Assault Victims Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 6)
12/11 ASA 1 Emergency Contraception for Sexual Assault Victims Amendment Adopted - House (56 - 41)
12/11 AJR 5 State Christmas Tree Joint Resolution Passed - House (84 - 12)
12/11 SB 176 Compensation for Discharged Police Officers Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 3)
12/11 SJR 5 Limiting Governor's Partial Veto Authority Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (33 - 0)
1/15 SJR 5 Limiting Governor's Partial Veto Authority Joint Resolution Passed - House (94 - 1)
1/15 SB 130 Minimum Wage Increase Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 13)
1/15 AB 363 Limiting the Scope of Citizen-Proposed Ordinances Bill Passed - House (48 - 44)
2/19 SB 171 Financing of Judicial Campaigns Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 10)
10/15 SB 1 2007-2008 Budget Bill Failed - House (44 - 53)
10/15 SB 1 2007-2008 Budget Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 14)
2/19 SB 396 Virtual Charter Schools Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 15)
2/19 S Amnd. 1 Virtual Charter School Enrollment Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (17 - 16)
2/19 S Amnd. 1 Virtual Charter School Enrollment Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (16 - 17)
2/26 AB 695 John Doe Proceedings Bill Passed - House (84 - 13)
2/26 A Amnd. 1 Divestment Due to Genocide Amendment Amendment Tabled - House (50 - 47)
2/28 AB 581 Gun Possession During Emergencies Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 5)
12/11 AB 581 Gun Possession During Emergencies Bill Passed - House (84 - 13)
3/04 SB 537 John Doe Proceedings Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 15)
2/28 AB 710 Partial-Birth/Late-Term Abortion Ban Bill Passed - House (59 - 38)
2/28 AB 770 Corporate Research and Development Tax Credit Bill Passed - House (84 - 13)
3/05 AB 346 Nuclear Power Plant Construction Bill Passed - House (57 - 38)
2/26 AR 13 Supporting the Individual's Right to Bear Arms Resolution Passed - House (78 - 18)
2/28 AB 870 Virtual Charter Schools Bill Passed - House (53 - 44)
3/05 AB 47 Health Savings Account Tax Deductions Bill Passed - House (60 - 35)
2/28 A Amnd. 1 Exemptions to Partial-Birth/Late-Term Abortion Ban Amendment Tabled - House (54 - 43)
2/28 A Amnd. 2 Exemptions to Partial-Birth/Late-Term Abortion Ban Amendment Tabled - House (54 - 43)
3/05 AB 151 Financial Aid Ineligibility for Drug Offenders Bill Passed - House (70 - 24)
3/05 AB 67 Business Education Tax Credit Bill Passed - House (55 - 40)
3/05 AB 901 Austism Treatment Funding Bill Passed - House (55 - 39)
3/06 SB 523 Great Lakes Water Resources Compact Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 6)
3/11 AB 482 Prohibiting Teacher Residency Requirements Bill Passed - House (62 - 35)
3/11 AB 862 Government Spending Database Bill Passed - House (81 - 16)
5/14 AB 1 Budget Repair Plan Conference Report Adopted - House (51 - 46)
5/13 AB 1 Budget Repair Plan Conference Report Adopted - Senate (17 - 16)
3/25 AB 1 Budget Repair Plan Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 14)
3/12 AB 1 Budget Repair Plan Bill Passed - House (51 - 46)
2/26 SB 178 Insurance Coverage for Autism Treatment Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 8)
5/28 AB 1 Education Line Item Veto Override Veto Override Failed - House (60 - 36)
5/28 AB 1 Education Line Item Veto Override Veto Override Failed - House (57 - 39)
5/28 AB 1 Education Line Item Veto Override Veto Override Failed - House (57 - 39)
1/27 AB 1 Wisconsin-Based Products and Services Purchasing Goals Bill Passed - House (77 - 22)
1/27 AB 2 Mandatory State Contracting with Domestic Companies Bill Passed - House (69 - 30)
2/10 SB 1 Minimum Wage Increase Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 14)
2/18 SB 62 2008-2009 Budget Amendments Bill Passed - House (51 - 48)
2/18 SB 62 2008-2009 Budget Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 15)
3/24 SB 37 Allowing Drivers To Keep Licenses While Paying Fines Bill Passed - House (53 - 45)
4/23 SB 27 Requires Insurance Coverage for Children's Hearing Aid Treatments Bill Passed - House (80 - 16)
4/29 SB 20 Discriminatory Pay Compensation Bill Passed - House (51 - 47)
4/28 SB 20 Discriminatory Pay Compensation Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 15)
5/13 SB 181 Indoor Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 8)
5/13 SB 181 Indoor Smoking Ban Bill Passed - House (61 - 38)
4/28 AB 100 Restricting Health Insurance Companies' Ability to Exclude Individuals. Bill Passed - House (61 - 38)
6/09 SB 167 Decreasing the Minimum Hunting Age Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 6)
6/25 AB 75 2009-2011 Biennium Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (17 - 15)
6/26 AB 75 2009-2011 Biennium Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (51 - 46)
6/17 AB 75 2009-2011 Biennium Budget Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 16)
6/11 AB 75 2009-2011 Biennium Budget Bill Passed - House (50 - 48)
6/26 AB 281 Phosphorus in Cleaning Products Bill Passed - House (60 - 37)
9/22 AB 119 Requiring Kindergarten for First Grade Enrollment Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 15)
9/16 AB 119 Requiring Kindergarten for First Grade Enrollment Bill Passed - House (53 - 44)
9/16 SB 185 State Regulation of Wind Energy Systems Bill Passed - House (65 - 31)
9/22 AB 138 Board Appointment of the Secretary of Natural Resources Bill Passed - House (61 - 32)

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