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
Feb. 1, 2024 MA H 4139 Amends and Updates Various State Gun Control Laws Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 3)
Jan. 18, 2024 MA S 2551 Repeals Certain Language in Several State Laws Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 0)
Jan. 10, 2024 MA H 4241 Prohibits Revenge Porn and Increases Penalties Bill Passed - House (151 - 0)
Oct. 18, 2023 MA H 4135 Amends and Updates Various State Gun Control Laws Bill Passed - House (120 - 38)
Oct. 18, 2023 MA H 4139 Amends and Updates Various State Gun Control Laws Bill Passed - House (120 - 38)
Oct. 18, 2023 MA H 4135 Amends and Updates Various State Gun Control Laws Bill Passed - House (120 - 38)
Aug. 1, 2022 MA H 5164 Authorizes Sports Wagering in the Commonwealth Bill Passed - House (151 - 2)
Aug. 1, 2022 MA H 5164 Authorizes Sports Wagering in the Commonwealth (36 - 4)
July 26, 2022 MA H 5090 Expands Protections for Reproductive and Gender-Affirming Care Bill Passed - House (137 - 16)
July 26, 2022 MA H 5090 Expands Protections for Reproductive and Gender-Affirming Care Bill Passed - House (137 - 16)
July 26, 2022 MA H 5090 Expands Protections for Reproductive and Gender-Affirming Care (39 - 1)
July 26, 2022 MA H 5090 Expands Protections for Reproductive and Gender-Affirming Care (39 - 1)
June 30, 2022 MA S 2988 Limits Use of Asset Forfeiture Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 9)
June 30, 2022 MA S 2987 Prohibits Juvenile Diversion Under Certain Circumstances Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 8)
June 16, 2022 MA S 2924 Specifies Mail-In Voting Regulations Bill Passed - House (126 - 29)
June 9, 2022 MA H 4805 Authorizes State Drivers Licenses for Certain Undocumented Persons Veto Override Passed - Senate (32 - 8)
June 8, 2022 MA H 4805 Authorizes State Drivers Licenses for Certain Undocumented Persons Veto Override Passed - House (119 - 36)
May 26, 2022 MA H 4805 Authorizes State Drivers Licenses for Certain Undocumented Persons Bill Passed - House (117 - 36)
May 26, 2022 MA H 4805 Authorizes State Drivers Licenses for Certain Undocumented Persons (32 - 8)
May 5, 2022 MA H 4470 Authorizes Driver's Licenses for Certain Undocumented Persons (32 - 8)
March 31, 2022 MA H 4554 Prohibits Discrimination on the Basis of Hair or Hairstyle (40 - 0)
Feb. 16, 2022 MA H 4461 Authorizes Driver's Licenses for Certain Undocumented Immigrants (120 - 36)
Feb. 16, 2022 MA H 4470 Authorizes Driver's Licenses for Certain Undocumented Persons Bill Passed - House (120 - 36)
July 22, 2021 MA H 3977 Authorizes the Legalization of Sports Betting Bill Passed - House (156 - 3)
June 10, 2021 MA H 3862 Appropriates Funds for the 2021 Fiscal Year and Supplements Existing Appropriations Bill Passed - House (131 - 29)
Dec. 1, 2020 MA S 2963 Amends Various Police Accountability and Reform Laws Concurrence Vote Passed - House (91 - 67)
Dec. 1, 2020 MA S 2963 Amends Various Police Accountability and Reform Laws Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 11)
July 28, 2020 MA S 2844 Repeals Previous Restrictions on Students with Disabilities Attending Universities of Higher Education Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 0)
July 28, 2020 MA S 2848 Establishes a Commission to Revise the State Seal and Motto Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 0)
July 14, 2020 MA S 2800 Amends Police Standards and Restructures Policing Resources Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 7)
July 14, 2020 MA S 2800 Amends Police Standards and Restructures Policing Resources Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 7)
June 30, 2020 MA H 4818 Establishes a Special Commission to Reduce Racial Inequalities in Maternal Health Bill Passed - House (159 - 0)
June 30, 2020 MA H 4818 Establishes a Special Commission to Reduce Racial Inequalities in Maternal Health Bill Passed - House (159 - 0)
March 28, 2019 MA H 3638 Appropriates Funding to Family Planning and Women Reproductive Health Clinics Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 5)
March 13, 2019 MA H 140 Prohibits Sexual Orientation Conversion Therapy for Minors Bill Passed - House (148 - 8)
July 19, 2018 MA S 2598 Authorizes Diversion Program for First-Time Prostitution Offenses Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 0)
June 28, 2018 MA H 4670 Authorizes Temporary Firearm Removal to Those Deemed a Threat Concurrence Vote Passed - House (132 - 15)
June 28, 2018 MA S 2562 Authorizes Non-Binary Gender on Driver's Licenses Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 1)
June 27, 2018 MA H 4664 Prohibits Gender Conversion Therapy Bill Passed - House (137 - 14)
May 23, 2018 MA H 4517 Authorizes Extreme Risk Protection Orders Bill Passed - House (139 - 14)
May 23, 2018 MA H 4517 Authorizes Extreme Risk Protection Orders Bill Passed - House (139 - 14)
April 4, 2018 MA S 2371 Amends Criminal Justice Law Conference Report Adopted - House (148 - 5)
April 4, 2018 MA S 2372 Establishes the Garden of Peace Trust Fund Conference Report Adopted - House (152 - 0)
April 4, 2018 MA S 2371 Amends Criminal Justice Law Conference Report Adopted - Senate (37 - 0)
Oct. 26, 2017 MA S 2200 Amends Various Criminal Justice Laws Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 10)
Oct. 11, 2017 MA Amdt 1 Prohibits Sale or Possession of "Bump Stocks" Bill Passed - House (152 - 3)
June 21, 2017 MA H 3768 Authorizes Reforms to Recreational Marijuana Laws Bill Passed - House (126 - 28)
May 24, 2017 MA H 3034 Limits the Use of Prison Labor Bill Passed - House (120 - 35)
June 1, 2016 MA S 735 Prohibits Discrimination Based on Gender Identity Bill Passed - House (116 - 36)
May 12, 2016 MA S 735 Prohibits Discrimination Based on Gender Identity Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 4)
July 31, 2014 MA H 4278 Amends Firearm Laws Conference Report Adopted - Senate (37 - 3)
July 31, 2014 MA H 4278 Amends Firearm Laws Conference Report Adopted - Senate (37 - 3)
July 31, 2014 MA H 4278 Amends Firearm Laws Conference Report Adopted - House (122 - 30)
July 31, 2014 MA H 4278 Amends Firearm Laws Conference Report Adopted - House (122 - 30)
July 16, 2014 MA H 4184 Requires Parole Eligibility for Certain Juveniles Sentenced to Life Imprisonment Conference Report Adopted - Senate (35 - 4)
July 16, 2014 MA H 4184 Requires Parole Eligibility for Certain Juveniles Sentenced to Life Imprisonment Conference Report Adopted - House (131 - 18)
July 9, 2014 MA H 4278 Amends Firearm Laws Bill Passed - House (112 - 38)
July 9, 2014 MA H 4278 Amends Firearm Laws Bill Passed - House (112 - 38)
June 18, 2014 MA H 4184 Authorizes Parole Eligibility for Certain Juveniles Sentenced to Life Imprisonment Bill Passed - House (129 - 16)
June 12, 2014 MA H 4111 Appropriates Funds for the Expansion of the Boston Convention Center Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 6)
May 28, 2014 MA H 4111 Appropriates Funds for the Expansion of the Boston Convention Center Bill Passed - House (131 - 19)
July 19, 2012 MA H 3818 Requires Habitual Violent Offenders to Serve Their Full Sentence Conference Report Adopted - Senate (31 - 7)
July 18, 2012 MA H 3818 Requires Habitual Violent Offenders to Serve Their Full Sentence Conference Report Adopted - House (139 - 14)
May 31, 2012 MA H Amdt 11 Requires Photo Identification to Vote Amendment Adopted - House (105 - 43)
May 30, 2012 MA H 3986 Authorizes Child Care Workers to Form Labor Organizations Bill Passed - House (117 - 32)
April 25, 2012 MA H Amdt 804.1 Electronic Benefit Transfer Cards Amendment Adopted - House (123 - 33)
April 25, 2012 MA H Amdt 804.1 Electronic Benefit Transfer Cards Amendment Adopted - House (123 - 33)
Oct. 13, 2011 MA H 3711 Authorizes Gambling Casinos Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 14)
Sept. 14, 2011 MA H 3711 Authorizes Gambling Casinos Bill Passed - House (123 - 32)
July 31, 2010 MA H 5000 Gambling Law Amendments Conference Report Adopted - Senate (25 - 15)
July 31, 2010 MA H 5000 Gambling Law Amendments Conference Report Adopted - House (117 - 36)
July 1, 2010 MA H 4619 Gambling Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 15)
May 26, 2010 MA H 4703 Sentencing Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (139 - 17)
April 28, 2010 MA Sánchez Amdt Sending Public Benefits Amendment to Study Amendment Adopted - House (83 - 75)
April 14, 2010 MA H 4591 Gaming Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (120 - 37)
Feb. 4, 2010 MA H 4466 Expanding Driving Regulations Bill Passed - House (146 - 9)
Jan. 28, 2010 MA H 4441 School Nutrition Standards Bill Passed - House (152 - 4)
Nov. 18, 2009 MA S 2210 Sentencing Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 12)
Oct. 8, 2009 MA SB 2028 Pandemic and Disaster Preparedness Plan Bill Passed - House (114 - 36)
June 3, 2009 MA H Amendment 2 Eliminate Evacuation Day and Bunker Hill Day Amendment Rejected - House (78 - 78)
July 29, 2008 MA Peterson Amdt to H 5022 Reducing Firearm Licensing Fee Amendment Adopted - House (97 - 59)
July 29, 2008 MA SB 800 Repealing Out of State Marriage Restrictions Bill Passed - House (119 - 36)
July 29, 2008 MA S 2807 Election Day Voter Registration Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 5)
July 29, 2008 MA SB 800 Repealing Out of State Marriage Restrictions Bill Passed - House (119 - 36)
March 20, 2008 MA H 4920 to 4307 Establishing and Regulating Casinos Amendment Adopted - House (106 - 48)
Jan. 23, 2008 MA H 4477 Cell Phone Driving Ban Bill Passed - House (107 - 47)
Nov. 1, 2007 MA S 1353 Reproductive Health Clinic Buffer Zones Bill Passed - House (122 - 28)
Nov. 1, 2007 MA S 1353 Reproductive Health Clinic Buffer Zones Bill Passed - House (122 - 28)
June 14, 2007 MA S 2220 Constitutional Amendment Defining Marriage Bill Failed - House (40 - 117)
June 14, 2007 MA S 2220 Constitutional Amendment Defining Marriage Bill Failed - House (40 - 117)
June 14, 2007 MA S 2220 Constitutional Amendment Defining Marriage Bill Failed - House (40 - 117)
June 14, 2007 MA S 2220 Constitutional Amendment Defining Marriage Bill Failed - Senate (5 - 34)
June 14, 2007 MA S 2220 Constitutional Amendment Defining Marriage Bill Failed - Senate (5 - 34)
June 14, 2007 MA S 2220 Constitutional Amendment Defining Marriage Bill Failed - Senate (5 - 34)
July 13, 2006 MA H 4176 Sale of Hypodermic Needles and Syringes Veto Override Passed - Senate (25 - 11)
July 13, 2006 MA H 126 Unsigned Political Posters Veto Override Passed - Senate (30 - 6)
June 7, 2006 MA H 4176 Sale of Hypodermic Needles and Syringes Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 8)
May 24, 2006 MA H 4479 MassHealth Immigrant Eligibility Veto Override Veto Override Passed - Senate (34 - 5)
April 25, 2006 MA H 4479 Health Care Access & Affordability Bill Section 112 Veto Override Passed - House (137 - 19)
Jan. 11, 2006 MA H 1230 In State Tuition for Undocumented Immigrants Bill Failed - House (57 - 96)
Date No. Title Outcome
2/01 H 4139 Amends and Updates Various State Gun Control Laws Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 3)
1/18 S 2551 Repeals Certain Language in Several State Laws Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 0)
1/10 H 4241 Prohibits Revenge Porn and Increases Penalties Bill Passed - House (151 - 0)
10/18 H 4135 Amends and Updates Various State Gun Control Laws Bill Passed - House (120 - 38)
10/18 H 4139 Amends and Updates Various State Gun Control Laws Bill Passed - House (120 - 38)
10/18 H 4135 Amends and Updates Various State Gun Control Laws Bill Passed - House (120 - 38)
8/01 H 5164 Authorizes Sports Wagering in the Commonwealth Bill Passed - House (151 - 2)
8/01 H 5164 Authorizes Sports Wagering in the Commonwealth (36 - 4)
7/26 H 5090 Expands Protections for Reproductive and Gender-Affirming Care Bill Passed - House (137 - 16)
7/26 H 5090 Expands Protections for Reproductive and Gender-Affirming Care Bill Passed - House (137 - 16)
7/26 H 5090 Expands Protections for Reproductive and Gender-Affirming Care (39 - 1)
7/26 H 5090 Expands Protections for Reproductive and Gender-Affirming Care (39 - 1)
6/30 S 2988 Limits Use of Asset Forfeiture Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 9)
6/30 S 2987 Prohibits Juvenile Diversion Under Certain Circumstances Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 8)
6/16 S 2924 Specifies Mail-In Voting Regulations Bill Passed - House (126 - 29)
6/09 H 4805 Authorizes State Drivers Licenses for Certain Undocumented Persons Veto Override Passed - Senate (32 - 8)
6/08 H 4805 Authorizes State Drivers Licenses for Certain Undocumented Persons Veto Override Passed - House (119 - 36)
5/26 H 4805 Authorizes State Drivers Licenses for Certain Undocumented Persons Bill Passed - House (117 - 36)
5/26 H 4805 Authorizes State Drivers Licenses for Certain Undocumented Persons (32 - 8)
5/05 H 4470 Authorizes Driver's Licenses for Certain Undocumented Persons (32 - 8)
3/31 H 4554 Prohibits Discrimination on the Basis of Hair or Hairstyle (40 - 0)
2/16 H 4461 Authorizes Driver's Licenses for Certain Undocumented Immigrants (120 - 36)
2/16 H 4470 Authorizes Driver's Licenses for Certain Undocumented Persons Bill Passed - House (120 - 36)
7/22 H 3977 Authorizes the Legalization of Sports Betting Bill Passed - House (156 - 3)
6/10 H 3862 Appropriates Funds for the 2021 Fiscal Year and Supplements Existing Appropriations Bill Passed - House (131 - 29)
12/01 S 2963 Amends Various Police Accountability and Reform Laws Concurrence Vote Passed - House (91 - 67)
12/01 S 2963 Amends Various Police Accountability and Reform Laws Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 11)
7/28 S 2844 Repeals Previous Restrictions on Students with Disabilities Attending Universities of Higher Education Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 0)
7/28 S 2848 Establishes a Commission to Revise the State Seal and Motto Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 0)
7/14 S 2800 Amends Police Standards and Restructures Policing Resources Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 7)
7/14 S 2800 Amends Police Standards and Restructures Policing Resources Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 7)
6/30 H 4818 Establishes a Special Commission to Reduce Racial Inequalities in Maternal Health Bill Passed - House (159 - 0)
6/30 H 4818 Establishes a Special Commission to Reduce Racial Inequalities in Maternal Health Bill Passed - House (159 - 0)
3/28 H 3638 Appropriates Funding to Family Planning and Women Reproductive Health Clinics Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 5)
3/13 H 140 Prohibits Sexual Orientation Conversion Therapy for Minors Bill Passed - House (148 - 8)
7/19 S 2598 Authorizes Diversion Program for First-Time Prostitution Offenses Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 0)
6/28 H 4670 Authorizes Temporary Firearm Removal to Those Deemed a Threat Concurrence Vote Passed - House (132 - 15)
6/28 S 2562 Authorizes Non-Binary Gender on Driver's Licenses Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 1)
6/27 H 4664 Prohibits Gender Conversion Therapy Bill Passed - House (137 - 14)
5/23 H 4517 Authorizes Extreme Risk Protection Orders Bill Passed - House (139 - 14)
5/23 H 4517 Authorizes Extreme Risk Protection Orders Bill Passed - House (139 - 14)
4/04 S 2371 Amends Criminal Justice Law Conference Report Adopted - House (148 - 5)
4/04 S 2372 Establishes the Garden of Peace Trust Fund Conference Report Adopted - House (152 - 0)
4/04 S 2371 Amends Criminal Justice Law Conference Report Adopted - Senate (37 - 0)
10/26 S 2200 Amends Various Criminal Justice Laws Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 10)
10/11 Amdt 1 Prohibits Sale or Possession of "Bump Stocks" Bill Passed - House (152 - 3)
6/21 H 3768 Authorizes Reforms to Recreational Marijuana Laws Bill Passed - House (126 - 28)
5/24 H 3034 Limits the Use of Prison Labor Bill Passed - House (120 - 35)
6/01 S 735 Prohibits Discrimination Based on Gender Identity Bill Passed - House (116 - 36)
5/12 S 735 Prohibits Discrimination Based on Gender Identity Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 4)
7/31 H 4278 Amends Firearm Laws Conference Report Adopted - Senate (37 - 3)
7/31 H 4278 Amends Firearm Laws Conference Report Adopted - Senate (37 - 3)
7/31 H 4278 Amends Firearm Laws Conference Report Adopted - House (122 - 30)
7/31 H 4278 Amends Firearm Laws Conference Report Adopted - House (122 - 30)
7/16 H 4184 Requires Parole Eligibility for Certain Juveniles Sentenced to Life Imprisonment Conference Report Adopted - Senate (35 - 4)
7/16 H 4184 Requires Parole Eligibility for Certain Juveniles Sentenced to Life Imprisonment Conference Report Adopted - House (131 - 18)
7/09 H 4278 Amends Firearm Laws Bill Passed - House (112 - 38)
7/09 H 4278 Amends Firearm Laws Bill Passed - House (112 - 38)
6/18 H 4184 Authorizes Parole Eligibility for Certain Juveniles Sentenced to Life Imprisonment Bill Passed - House (129 - 16)
6/12 H 4111 Appropriates Funds for the Expansion of the Boston Convention Center Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 6)
5/28 H 4111 Appropriates Funds for the Expansion of the Boston Convention Center Bill Passed - House (131 - 19)
7/19 H 3818 Requires Habitual Violent Offenders to Serve Their Full Sentence Conference Report Adopted - Senate (31 - 7)
7/18 H 3818 Requires Habitual Violent Offenders to Serve Their Full Sentence Conference Report Adopted - House (139 - 14)
5/31 H Amdt 11 Requires Photo Identification to Vote Amendment Adopted - House (105 - 43)
5/30 H 3986 Authorizes Child Care Workers to Form Labor Organizations Bill Passed - House (117 - 32)
4/25 H Amdt 804.1 Electronic Benefit Transfer Cards Amendment Adopted - House (123 - 33)
4/25 H Amdt 804.1 Electronic Benefit Transfer Cards Amendment Adopted - House (123 - 33)
10/13 H 3711 Authorizes Gambling Casinos Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 14)
9/14 H 3711 Authorizes Gambling Casinos Bill Passed - House (123 - 32)
7/31 H 5000 Gambling Law Amendments Conference Report Adopted - Senate (25 - 15)
7/31 H 5000 Gambling Law Amendments Conference Report Adopted - House (117 - 36)
7/01 H 4619 Gambling Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 15)
5/26 H 4703 Sentencing Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (139 - 17)
4/28 Sánchez Amdt Sending Public Benefits Amendment to Study Amendment Adopted - House (83 - 75)
4/14 H 4591 Gaming Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (120 - 37)
2/04 H 4466 Expanding Driving Regulations Bill Passed - House (146 - 9)
1/28 H 4441 School Nutrition Standards Bill Passed - House (152 - 4)
11/18 S 2210 Sentencing Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 12)
10/08 SB 2028 Pandemic and Disaster Preparedness Plan Bill Passed - House (114 - 36)
6/03 H Amendment 2 Eliminate Evacuation Day and Bunker Hill Day Amendment Rejected - House (78 - 78)
7/29 Peterson Amdt to H 5022 Reducing Firearm Licensing Fee Amendment Adopted - House (97 - 59)
7/29 SB 800 Repealing Out of State Marriage Restrictions Bill Passed - House (119 - 36)
7/29 S 2807 Election Day Voter Registration Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 5)
7/29 SB 800 Repealing Out of State Marriage Restrictions Bill Passed - House (119 - 36)
3/20 H 4920 to 4307 Establishing and Regulating Casinos Amendment Adopted - House (106 - 48)
1/23 H 4477 Cell Phone Driving Ban Bill Passed - House (107 - 47)
11/01 S 1353 Reproductive Health Clinic Buffer Zones Bill Passed - House (122 - 28)
11/01 S 1353 Reproductive Health Clinic Buffer Zones Bill Passed - House (122 - 28)
6/14 S 2220 Constitutional Amendment Defining Marriage Bill Failed - House (40 - 117)
6/14 S 2220 Constitutional Amendment Defining Marriage Bill Failed - House (40 - 117)
6/14 S 2220 Constitutional Amendment Defining Marriage Bill Failed - House (40 - 117)
6/14 S 2220 Constitutional Amendment Defining Marriage Bill Failed - Senate (5 - 34)
6/14 S 2220 Constitutional Amendment Defining Marriage Bill Failed - Senate (5 - 34)
6/14 S 2220 Constitutional Amendment Defining Marriage Bill Failed - Senate (5 - 34)
7/13 H 4176 Sale of Hypodermic Needles and Syringes Veto Override Passed - Senate (25 - 11)
7/13 H 126 Unsigned Political Posters Veto Override Passed - Senate (30 - 6)
6/07 H 4176 Sale of Hypodermic Needles and Syringes Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 8)
5/24 H 4479 MassHealth Immigrant Eligibility Veto Override Veto Override Passed - Senate (34 - 5)
4/25 H 4479 Health Care Access & Affordability Bill Section 112 Veto Override Passed - House (137 - 19)
1/11 H 1230 In State Tuition for Undocumented Immigrants Bill Failed - House (57 - 96)

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