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
Oct. 29, 2019 PA SB 421 Establishes Mail-In Voting Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (35 - 14)
Sept. 10, 2019 CA AB 681 Requires Voter Party Affiliation Notification Prior To Primary Elections Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 11)
Aug. 26, 2019 NJ S 4069 Amends Absentee Ballot Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 10)
July 1, 2019 DE HB 73 Amends the Delaware Constitution to Authorize the General Assembly to Pass Laws On Absentee Voting Bill Failed - Senate (11 - 8)
June 30, 2019 OR HB 2983 Requires Disclosure of Organizations Giving Certain Monetary Donations to Campaigns Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 7)
June 29, 2019 OR SB 861 Requires State to Pay for Ballot Return Envelopes Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 9)
June 29, 2019 OR SJR 18 Establishes a Constitutional Amendment Referral for Allowing Campaign Contribution and Expenditure Limits Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 5)
June 27, 2019 NH HB 315 Repeals Participation in Interstate Voter Registration Crosscheck Program Conference Report Adopted - Senate (14 - 10)
June 27, 2019 PA SB 48 Amends State Election Laws Regarding Straight Party Voting Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 19)
June 19, 2019 NY S 6532 Extends Voter Registration Cutoff Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 22)
June 18, 2019 ME LD 1083 Increases the Use of Ranked Choice Voting "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Adopted - Senate (20 - 14)
June 13, 2019 NY S 3822 Authorizes Certain Individuals to Vote in Primary at 17 Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 22)
June 10, 2019 ME LD 1463 Establishes Automatic Voter Registration Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 14)
June 3, 2019 ME LD 1626 Establishes a Presidential Primary System in Maine "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (19 - 13)
May 30, 2019 NH HB 651 Authorizes the Use of Campaign Funds for Child Care Expenses "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Adopted - Senate (15 - 9)
May 30, 2019 NH HB 611 Increases Access to Absentee Voting "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (13 - 11)
May 30, 2019 NH HB 105 Repeals State Photo Identification Voter ID Laws Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 10)
May 24, 2019 AZ SB 1451 Amends Ballot Initiative Requirements Conference Report Adopted - Senate (16 - 10)
May 23, 2019 IL HB 2625 Requires Subcircuit Judicial Boundary Lines be Redrawn Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 19)
May 21, 2019 NV AB 186 Authorizes Nevada to Join the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact Bill Passed - Senate (12 - 8)
May 21, 2019 NY S 4347 Limits Corporate Influence and Participation in Political Campaigns Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 18)
May 21, 2019 NY S 4347 Limits Corporate Influence and Participation in Political Campaigns Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 18)
May 20, 2019 TX HB 2911 Amends Election Law to Determine Voter Eligibility Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 12)
May 14, 2019 ME LD 816 Authorizes Interstate Agreement to Elect the President by Popular Vote Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 16)
May 9, 2019 ME LD 431 Establishes Election Day as a State Holiday "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Adopted - Senate (19 - 15)
May 3, 2019 FL HB 5 Increases Ballot Initiative Signature Collection Requirements Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (22 - 17)
May 2, 2019 FL SB 7066 Requires Felons Pay Outstanding Court Fees Prior to Voting Rights Restoration Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 17)
May 2, 2019 CO HB 19-1318 Amends Campaign Finance Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
May 2, 2019 CA SB 27 Requires Presidential Candidates to Release Tax Returns Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 10)
April 29, 2019 CO HB 19-1278 Authorizes Primary Voting for 17 Year Olds and Increases Rural Voter Services Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17)
April 26, 2019 ND SB 2148 Establishes the Creation of an Ethics Commission Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (42 - 5)
April 26, 2019 CO HB 19-1266 Authorizes Voting Rights to Paroled Felons Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
April 25, 2019 TN HB 1079 Increases Penalties for Voter Registration Errors Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 6)
April 24, 2019 CO SB 19-235 Expands Automatic Voter Registration System Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 16)
April 23, 2019 NV SB 450 Amends Provisions Relating to Recall Elections Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 5)
April 17, 2019 IA HF 692 Requires Bar Codes on Absentee Ballots to Determine Time of Mailing Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 18)
April 17, 2019 ND HB 1521 Amends State Ethic Laws for Campaign Lobbying Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 8)
April 17, 2019 ND HB 1521 Amends State Ethic Laws for Campaign Lobbying Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 8)
April 11, 2019 DE HB 38 Amends Early Voting Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 5)
April 11, 2019 IL SB 145 Requires Presidential Candidates to Release Tax Returns Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 19)
April 10, 2019 IL SB 2090 Expands Access to Voting in Jails Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 17)
April 10, 2019 NC SB 250 Amends Voting Rolls to Correlate with Jury Selection Excusals Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 19)
April 10, 2019 IL SB 1970 Authorizes Student Absences for Voting Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 10)
April 9, 2019 OR SB 870 Authorizes Interstate Agreement to Elect the President by Popular Vote Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 12)
April 3, 2019 ID H 296 Amends Ballot Initiative Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
March 28, 2019 NH SB 156 Establishes Limits to Election Contributions by Limited Liability Corporations (13 - 11)
March 28, 2019 NH SB 67 Amends Definition of Resident and Residency "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (14 - 10)
March 28, 2019 NH SB 156 Establishes Limits to Election Contributions by Limited Liability Corporations (13 - 11)
March 26, 2019 ID H 270 Authorizes Public Schools as Election Polling Sites Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 12)
March 22, 2019 ID S 1159 Increases Threshold for Ballot Initiative Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17)
March 12, 2019 NM HB 55 Authorizes Interstate Agreement to Elect the President by Popular Vote Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 16)
March 12, 2019 NC SB 214 Exempts Upcoming 2019 Election from Photo ID Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 21)
March 12, 2019 WA SB 5078 Requires Presidential and VP Candidates Release 5 Years of Tax Returns Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 21)
March 9, 2019 WV SB 622 Increases Election and Campaign Contribution Limits Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (19 - 15)
March 7, 2019 DE SB 22 Authorizes Interstate Agreement to Elect the President by Popular Vote Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 7)
March 5, 2019 HI SB 216 Requires Ballot Recount Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 0)
March 4, 2019 SD HB 1094 Increases Transparency in the Petition Circulation Process Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 13)
Feb. 21, 2019 NJ S 119 Requires Certain Candidates To Disclose Income Tax Returns Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 11)
Feb. 14, 2019 AZ SB 1072 Requires Identification for Early Voting Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 13)
Jan. 30, 2019 WA SB 5273 Amends Presidential Primary Dates Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 18)
Jan. 29, 2019 CO SB 19-042 Authorizes Interstate Agreement to Elect the President by Popular Vote Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 16)
Jan. 15, 2019 NY A 774 Authorizes Voter Pre-Registration Bill Passed - Senate (47 - 14)
Jan. 14, 2019 NY A 776 Limits Campaign Contributions by Closing LLC Loophole Bill Passed - Senate (55 - 6)
Jan. 14, 2019 NY A 775 Requires the Transference of Registration and Enrollment of Voters after Moving Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 12)
Jan. 14, 2019 NY S 1102 Establishes Early Voting Period Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 13)
Date No. Title Outcome
10/29 SB 421 Establishes Mail-In Voting Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (35 - 14)
9/10 AB 681 Requires Voter Party Affiliation Notification Prior To Primary Elections Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 11)
8/26 S 4069 Amends Absentee Ballot Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 10)
7/01 HB 73 Amends the Delaware Constitution to Authorize the General Assembly to Pass Laws On Absentee Voting Bill Failed - Senate (11 - 8)
6/30 HB 2983 Requires Disclosure of Organizations Giving Certain Monetary Donations to Campaigns Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 7)
6/29 SB 861 Requires State to Pay for Ballot Return Envelopes Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 9)
6/29 SJR 18 Establishes a Constitutional Amendment Referral for Allowing Campaign Contribution and Expenditure Limits Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 5)
6/27 HB 315 Repeals Participation in Interstate Voter Registration Crosscheck Program Conference Report Adopted - Senate (14 - 10)
6/27 SB 48 Amends State Election Laws Regarding Straight Party Voting Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 19)
6/19 S 6532 Extends Voter Registration Cutoff Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 22)
6/18 LD 1083 Increases the Use of Ranked Choice Voting "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Adopted - Senate (20 - 14)
6/13 S 3822 Authorizes Certain Individuals to Vote in Primary at 17 Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 22)
6/10 LD 1463 Establishes Automatic Voter Registration Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 14)
6/03 LD 1626 Establishes a Presidential Primary System in Maine "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (19 - 13)
5/30 HB 651 Authorizes the Use of Campaign Funds for Child Care Expenses "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Adopted - Senate (15 - 9)
5/30 HB 611 Increases Access to Absentee Voting "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (13 - 11)
5/30 HB 105 Repeals State Photo Identification Voter ID Laws Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 10)
5/24 SB 1451 Amends Ballot Initiative Requirements Conference Report Adopted - Senate (16 - 10)
5/23 HB 2625 Requires Subcircuit Judicial Boundary Lines be Redrawn Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 19)
5/21 AB 186 Authorizes Nevada to Join the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact Bill Passed - Senate (12 - 8)
5/21 S 4347 Limits Corporate Influence and Participation in Political Campaigns Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 18)
5/21 S 4347 Limits Corporate Influence and Participation in Political Campaigns Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 18)
5/20 HB 2911 Amends Election Law to Determine Voter Eligibility Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 12)
5/14 LD 816 Authorizes Interstate Agreement to Elect the President by Popular Vote Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 16)
5/09 LD 431 Establishes Election Day as a State Holiday "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Adopted - Senate (19 - 15)
5/03 HB 5 Increases Ballot Initiative Signature Collection Requirements Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (22 - 17)
5/02 SB 7066 Requires Felons Pay Outstanding Court Fees Prior to Voting Rights Restoration Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 17)
5/02 HB 19-1318 Amends Campaign Finance Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
5/02 SB 27 Requires Presidential Candidates to Release Tax Returns Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 10)
4/29 HB 19-1278 Authorizes Primary Voting for 17 Year Olds and Increases Rural Voter Services Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17)
4/26 SB 2148 Establishes the Creation of an Ethics Commission Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (42 - 5)
4/26 HB 19-1266 Authorizes Voting Rights to Paroled Felons Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
4/25 HB 1079 Increases Penalties for Voter Registration Errors Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 6)
4/24 SB 19-235 Expands Automatic Voter Registration System Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 16)
4/23 SB 450 Amends Provisions Relating to Recall Elections Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 5)
4/17 HF 692 Requires Bar Codes on Absentee Ballots to Determine Time of Mailing Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 18)
4/17 HB 1521 Amends State Ethic Laws for Campaign Lobbying Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 8)
4/17 HB 1521 Amends State Ethic Laws for Campaign Lobbying Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 8)
4/11 HB 38 Amends Early Voting Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 5)
4/11 SB 145 Requires Presidential Candidates to Release Tax Returns Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 19)
4/10 SB 2090 Expands Access to Voting in Jails Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 17)
4/10 SB 250 Amends Voting Rolls to Correlate with Jury Selection Excusals Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 19)
4/10 SB 1970 Authorizes Student Absences for Voting Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 10)
4/09 SB 870 Authorizes Interstate Agreement to Elect the President by Popular Vote Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 12)
4/03 H 296 Amends Ballot Initiative Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
3/28 SB 156 Establishes Limits to Election Contributions by Limited Liability Corporations (13 - 11)
3/28 SB 67 Amends Definition of Resident and Residency "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (14 - 10)
3/28 SB 156 Establishes Limits to Election Contributions by Limited Liability Corporations (13 - 11)
3/26 H 270 Authorizes Public Schools as Election Polling Sites Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 12)
3/22 S 1159 Increases Threshold for Ballot Initiative Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17)
3/12 HB 55 Authorizes Interstate Agreement to Elect the President by Popular Vote Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 16)
3/12 SB 214 Exempts Upcoming 2019 Election from Photo ID Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 21)
3/12 SB 5078 Requires Presidential and VP Candidates Release 5 Years of Tax Returns Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 21)
3/09 SB 622 Increases Election and Campaign Contribution Limits Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (19 - 15)
3/07 SB 22 Authorizes Interstate Agreement to Elect the President by Popular Vote Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 7)
3/05 SB 216 Requires Ballot Recount Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 0)
3/04 HB 1094 Increases Transparency in the Petition Circulation Process Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 13)
2/21 S 119 Requires Certain Candidates To Disclose Income Tax Returns Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 11)
2/14 SB 1072 Requires Identification for Early Voting Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 13)
1/30 SB 5273 Amends Presidential Primary Dates Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 18)
1/29 SB 19-042 Authorizes Interstate Agreement to Elect the President by Popular Vote Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 16)
1/15 A 774 Authorizes Voter Pre-Registration Bill Passed - Senate (47 - 14)
1/14 A 776 Limits Campaign Contributions by Closing LLC Loophole Bill Passed - Senate (55 - 6)
1/14 A 775 Requires the Transference of Registration and Enrollment of Voters after Moving Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 12)
1/14 S 1102 Establishes Early Voting Period Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 13)

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