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
Dec. 27, 2018 OH HB 228 Establishes New Self-Defense and Firearm Handling Rules Veto Override Passed - Senate (21 - 11)
Dec. 27, 2018 OH HB 228 Establishes New Self-Defense and Firearm Handling Rules Veto Override Passed - House (67 - 22)
Dec. 6, 2018 OH HB 228 Establishes New Self-Defense and Firearm Handling Rules Concurrence Vote Passed - House (59 - 22)
Dec. 6, 2018 OH HB 228 Establishes New Self-Defense and Firearm Handling Rules Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 10)
Nov. 14, 2018 OH HB 228 Establishes New Self-Defense and Firearm Handling Rules Bill Passed - House (65 - 32)
Oct. 29, 2018 NJ S 2465 Prohibits 3D Printed Firearms Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 0)
Oct. 3, 2018 PA HB 2060 Requires Surrender of Firearms in Protection Abuse Situations Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 5)
Sept. 26, 2018 PA HB 2060 Requires Surrender of Firearms in Protection Abuse Situations Bill Passed - House (131 - 62)
Aug. 21, 2018 CA AB 2103 Requires Concealed Carry Applicants Complete 8 Hours of Gun Safety Training Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 9)
July 26, 2018 NJ S 2846 Authorizes Police to Carry High Capacity Magazines Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 0)
June 28, 2018 MA H 4670 Authorizes Temporary Firearm Removal to Those Deemed a Threat Concurrence Vote Passed - House (132 - 15)
June 27, 2018 OH SB 81 Amends Renewal Procedures for Veteran Concealed Carry Permits Bill Passed - House (84 - 7)
June 14, 2018 DE HB 300 Prohibits Bump Stocks Conference Report Adopted - House (36 - 2)
June 13, 2018 NY A 11148 Authorizes Extreme Risk Protection Orders Bill Passed - House (108 - 30)
June 7, 2018 NJ A 2761 Prohibits Firearm Magazines with More than 10 Rounds Concurrence Vote Passed - House (45 - 20)
June 7, 2018 NJ A 1217 Authorizes Extreme Risk Protective Orders Concurrence Vote Passed - House (56 - 11)
June 7, 2018 NJ A 2761 Prohibits Firearm Magazines with More than 10 Rounds Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 13)
June 7, 2018 NJ A 1217 Authorizes Extreme Risk Protective Orders Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 5)
June 7, 2018 NJ A 2757 Requires Background Checks for Private Gun Sales Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 3)
June 7, 2018 NJ A 1181 Amends Various Firearm Confiscation Measures Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 5)
June 7, 2018 NJ A 2758 Requires Justifiable Need to Carry a Handgun Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 13)
May 30, 2018 IL SB 337 Amends Gun Dealer Licensing Rules Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (35 - 20)
May 30, 2018 IL SB 3256 Requires 72 Hour Waiting Period for Guns Bill Passed - House (72 - 44)
May 30, 2018 IL HB 2354 Authorizes Courts to Confiscate Firearms from Potentially Dangerous Individuals Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 11)
May 29, 2018 IL SB 337 Amends Gun Dealer Licensing Rules Bill Passed - House (65 - 49)
May 29, 2018 CA SB 1100 Increases the Purchasing Age for Firearms to 21 Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 10)
May 23, 2018 IL HB 2354 Authorizes Courts to Confiscate Firearms from Potentially Dangerous Individuals Bill Passed - House (80 - 32)
May 23, 2018 MA H 4517 Authorizes Extreme Risk Protection Orders Bill Passed - House (139 - 14)
May 8, 2018 CT HB 5542 Prohibits Bump Stocks Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 10)
May 2, 2018 OK SB 1212 Establishes a State Firearm Constitutional Carry Program Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (33 - 9)
May 1, 2018 CT HB 5542 Prohibits Bump Stocks Bill Passed - House (114 - 35)
April 12, 2018 RI H 7075 Prohibits Bump Stocks Bill Passed - House (65 - 3)
April 12, 2018 RI H 7688 Authorizes Extreme Risk Protection Orders Bill Passed - House (60 - 8)
April 5, 2018 MD HB 819 Amends Handgun Permit Rules and Regulations Concurrence Vote Passed - House (98 - 31)
April 3, 2018 MD HB 1302 Authorizes Extreme Risk Protective Order Concurrence Vote Passed - House (93 - 46)
April 3, 2018 MD SB 101 Amends Certain Definitions and Regulations for Crimes of Violence Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (38 - 7)
March 30, 2018 NY S 8121 Prohibits Individuals Convicted of Domestic Abuse from Purchasing Firearms Bill Passed - House (94 - 34)
March 30, 2018 VT S 55 Amends Various State Gun Laws Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 13)
March 30, 2018 NY S 8121 Prohibits Individuals Convicted of Domestic Abuse from Purchasing Firearms Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 19)
March 27, 2018 VT S 55 Amends Various State Gun Laws Bill Passed - House (89 - 54)
March 26, 2018 NJ A 2758 Requires Justifiable Need to Carry a Handgun Bill Passed - House (48 - 26)
March 26, 2018 NJ A 1217 Authorizes Extreme Risk Protective Orders Bill Passed - House (59 - 12)
March 26, 2018 NJ A 2757 Requires Background Checks for Private Gun Sales Bill Passed - House (62 - 10)
March 26, 2018 NJ A 2761 Prohibits Firearm Magazines with More than 10 Rounds Bill Passed - House (48 - 25)
March 26, 2018 NJ A 1181 Amends Various Firearm Confiscation Measures Bill Passed - House (62 - 7)
March 20, 2018 DE HB 330 Increases Minimum Purchase Age for Firearms Bill Passed - House (24 - 16)
March 18, 2018 IL HB 1465 Establishes Age Limit for Purchase of Assault-Style Weapons Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 22)
March 15, 2018 KS HB 2042 Authorizes Individuals Aged 18-20 to Obtain a Concealed Carry Permit Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 15)
March 15, 2018 MD HB 888 Prohibits Certain Firearms Accessories Bill Passed - House (128 - 7)
March 14, 2018 National HR 4909 STOP School Violence Act of 2018 Bill Passed - House (407 - 10)
March 13, 2018 ID S 1313 Authorizes "Stand Your Ground" Policy Bill Passed - House (57 - 12)
March 10, 2018 WY HB 168 Authorizes "Stand Your Ground" Policy Concurrence Vote Passed - House (49 - 11)
March 9, 2018 WY HB 168 Authorizes "Stand Your Ground" Policy Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 4)
March 7, 2018 SD HB 1083 Amends Concealed Carry Provisions Concurrence Vote Passed - House (63 - 3)
March 7, 2018 MS HB 1083 Authorizes Concealed Carry on Public Property Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 18)
March 7, 2018 FL SB 7026 Establishes the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Act Bill Passed - House (67 - 50)
March 6, 2018 OK HB 2632 Authorizes "Stand Your Ground" in Defense of Church Members Bill Passed - House (62 - 21)
March 5, 2018 FL SB 7026 Establishes the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Act Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18)
March 2, 2018 ID S 1313 Authorizes "Stand Your Ground" Policy Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 6)
Feb. 28, 2018 IL SB 1657 Requires State-Level License to Sell Firearms Bill Passed - House (64 - 52)
Feb. 28, 2018 IL HB 1467 Prohibits Bump Stocks Bill Passed - House (83 - 31)
Feb. 28, 2018 IL HB 1465 Establishes Age Limit for Purchase of Assault-Style Weapons Bill Passed - House (64 - 51)
Feb. 27, 2018 WA SB 5992 Prohibits Bump Stocks Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 18)
Feb. 23, 2018 WA SB 5992 Prohibits Bump Stocks Bill Passed - House (56 - 41)
Feb. 22, 2018 OR HB 4145 Prohibits Convicted Stalkers from Possessing Firearms Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 13)
Feb. 15, 2018 OR HB 4145 Prohibits Convicted Stalkers from Possessing Firearms Bill Passed - House (37 - 23)
Feb. 15, 2018 AL HB 34 Authorizes "Stand Your Ground' in Defense of Church Members Bill Passed - House (40 - 16)
Feb. 14, 2018 SD HB 1106 Authorizes Hunting Preference Points to be Granted to Individuals age 10 Years or Older Bill Passed - House (54 - 10)
Feb. 9, 2018 WA SB 6298 Amends Definitions and Regulations for Domestic Violence Crimes Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 13)
Feb. 7, 2018 MS HB 1083 Authorizes Concealed Carry on Public Property Bill Passed - House (80 - 29)
Feb. 2, 2018 KS HB 2042 Authorizes Individuals Aged 18-20 to Obtain a Concealed Carry Permit Bill Passed - House (76 - 44)
Jan. 25, 2018 WA SB 5992 Prohibits Bump Stocks Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 20)
Date No. Title Outcome
12/27 HB 228 Establishes New Self-Defense and Firearm Handling Rules Veto Override Passed - Senate (21 - 11)
12/27 HB 228 Establishes New Self-Defense and Firearm Handling Rules Veto Override Passed - House (67 - 22)
12/06 HB 228 Establishes New Self-Defense and Firearm Handling Rules Concurrence Vote Passed - House (59 - 22)
12/06 HB 228 Establishes New Self-Defense and Firearm Handling Rules Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 10)
11/14 HB 228 Establishes New Self-Defense and Firearm Handling Rules Bill Passed - House (65 - 32)
10/29 S 2465 Prohibits 3D Printed Firearms Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 0)
10/03 HB 2060 Requires Surrender of Firearms in Protection Abuse Situations Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 5)
9/26 HB 2060 Requires Surrender of Firearms in Protection Abuse Situations Bill Passed - House (131 - 62)
8/21 AB 2103 Requires Concealed Carry Applicants Complete 8 Hours of Gun Safety Training Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 9)
7/26 S 2846 Authorizes Police to Carry High Capacity Magazines Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 0)
6/28 H 4670 Authorizes Temporary Firearm Removal to Those Deemed a Threat Concurrence Vote Passed - House (132 - 15)
6/27 SB 81 Amends Renewal Procedures for Veteran Concealed Carry Permits Bill Passed - House (84 - 7)
6/14 HB 300 Prohibits Bump Stocks Conference Report Adopted - House (36 - 2)
6/13 A 11148 Authorizes Extreme Risk Protection Orders Bill Passed - House (108 - 30)
6/07 A 2761 Prohibits Firearm Magazines with More than 10 Rounds Concurrence Vote Passed - House (45 - 20)
6/07 A 1217 Authorizes Extreme Risk Protective Orders Concurrence Vote Passed - House (56 - 11)
6/07 A 2761 Prohibits Firearm Magazines with More than 10 Rounds Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 13)
6/07 A 1217 Authorizes Extreme Risk Protective Orders Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 5)
6/07 A 2757 Requires Background Checks for Private Gun Sales Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 3)
6/07 A 1181 Amends Various Firearm Confiscation Measures Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 5)
6/07 A 2758 Requires Justifiable Need to Carry a Handgun Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 13)
5/30 SB 337 Amends Gun Dealer Licensing Rules Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (35 - 20)
5/30 SB 3256 Requires 72 Hour Waiting Period for Guns Bill Passed - House (72 - 44)
5/30 HB 2354 Authorizes Courts to Confiscate Firearms from Potentially Dangerous Individuals Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 11)
5/29 SB 337 Amends Gun Dealer Licensing Rules Bill Passed - House (65 - 49)
5/29 SB 1100 Increases the Purchasing Age for Firearms to 21 Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 10)
5/23 HB 2354 Authorizes Courts to Confiscate Firearms from Potentially Dangerous Individuals Bill Passed - House (80 - 32)
5/23 H 4517 Authorizes Extreme Risk Protection Orders Bill Passed - House (139 - 14)
5/08 HB 5542 Prohibits Bump Stocks Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 10)
5/02 SB 1212 Establishes a State Firearm Constitutional Carry Program Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (33 - 9)
5/01 HB 5542 Prohibits Bump Stocks Bill Passed - House (114 - 35)
4/12 H 7075 Prohibits Bump Stocks Bill Passed - House (65 - 3)
4/12 H 7688 Authorizes Extreme Risk Protection Orders Bill Passed - House (60 - 8)
4/05 HB 819 Amends Handgun Permit Rules and Regulations Concurrence Vote Passed - House (98 - 31)
4/03 HB 1302 Authorizes Extreme Risk Protective Order Concurrence Vote Passed - House (93 - 46)
4/03 SB 101 Amends Certain Definitions and Regulations for Crimes of Violence Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (38 - 7)
3/30 S 8121 Prohibits Individuals Convicted of Domestic Abuse from Purchasing Firearms Bill Passed - House (94 - 34)
3/30 S 55 Amends Various State Gun Laws Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 13)
3/30 S 8121 Prohibits Individuals Convicted of Domestic Abuse from Purchasing Firearms Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 19)
3/27 S 55 Amends Various State Gun Laws Bill Passed - House (89 - 54)
3/26 A 2758 Requires Justifiable Need to Carry a Handgun Bill Passed - House (48 - 26)
3/26 A 1217 Authorizes Extreme Risk Protective Orders Bill Passed - House (59 - 12)
3/26 A 2757 Requires Background Checks for Private Gun Sales Bill Passed - House (62 - 10)
3/26 A 2761 Prohibits Firearm Magazines with More than 10 Rounds Bill Passed - House (48 - 25)
3/26 A 1181 Amends Various Firearm Confiscation Measures Bill Passed - House (62 - 7)
3/20 HB 330 Increases Minimum Purchase Age for Firearms Bill Passed - House (24 - 16)
3/18 HB 1465 Establishes Age Limit for Purchase of Assault-Style Weapons Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 22)
3/15 HB 2042 Authorizes Individuals Aged 18-20 to Obtain a Concealed Carry Permit Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 15)
3/15 HB 888 Prohibits Certain Firearms Accessories Bill Passed - House (128 - 7)
3/14 HR 4909 STOP School Violence Act of 2018 Bill Passed - House (407 - 10)
3/13 S 1313 Authorizes "Stand Your Ground" Policy Bill Passed - House (57 - 12)
3/10 HB 168 Authorizes "Stand Your Ground" Policy Concurrence Vote Passed - House (49 - 11)
3/09 HB 168 Authorizes "Stand Your Ground" Policy Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 4)
3/07 HB 1083 Amends Concealed Carry Provisions Concurrence Vote Passed - House (63 - 3)
3/07 HB 1083 Authorizes Concealed Carry on Public Property Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 18)
3/07 SB 7026 Establishes the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Act Bill Passed - House (67 - 50)
3/06 HB 2632 Authorizes "Stand Your Ground" in Defense of Church Members Bill Passed - House (62 - 21)
3/05 SB 7026 Establishes the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Act Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18)
3/02 S 1313 Authorizes "Stand Your Ground" Policy Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 6)
2/28 SB 1657 Requires State-Level License to Sell Firearms Bill Passed - House (64 - 52)
2/28 HB 1467 Prohibits Bump Stocks Bill Passed - House (83 - 31)
2/28 HB 1465 Establishes Age Limit for Purchase of Assault-Style Weapons Bill Passed - House (64 - 51)
2/27 SB 5992 Prohibits Bump Stocks Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 18)
2/23 SB 5992 Prohibits Bump Stocks Bill Passed - House (56 - 41)
2/22 HB 4145 Prohibits Convicted Stalkers from Possessing Firearms Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 13)
2/15 HB 4145 Prohibits Convicted Stalkers from Possessing Firearms Bill Passed - House (37 - 23)
2/15 HB 34 Authorizes "Stand Your Ground' in Defense of Church Members Bill Passed - House (40 - 16)
2/14 HB 1106 Authorizes Hunting Preference Points to be Granted to Individuals age 10 Years or Older Bill Passed - House (54 - 10)
2/09 SB 6298 Amends Definitions and Regulations for Domestic Violence Crimes Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 13)
2/07 HB 1083 Authorizes Concealed Carry on Public Property Bill Passed - House (80 - 29)
2/02 HB 2042 Authorizes Individuals Aged 18-20 to Obtain a Concealed Carry Permit Bill Passed - House (76 - 44)
1/25 SB 5992 Prohibits Bump Stocks Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 20)

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