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
Sept. 3, 2021 CA SB 2 Prohibits the Transfer of Police Officers to Other Departments Following Misconduct Convictions Bill Passed - House (49 - 21)
Sept. 2, 2021 CA SB 16 Expands the Public's Access to Police Records Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 9)
Sept. 2, 2021 CA SB 556 Limits the Ability of Local Governments to Regulate the Placement of Cell Wireless Facilities Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 6)
Sept. 2, 2021 CA SB 714 Authorizes DREAMers to Participate in County Central Committees Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 6)
Sept. 2, 2021 CA AB 48 Prohibits Police from Using Tear Gas on Protestors Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 10)
Sept. 1, 2021 NC HB 324 Prohibits the Teaching of Certain Topics Related to Racism, Civics, and American History Concurrence Vote Passed - House (61 - 41)
Sept. 1, 2021 CA SB 16 Expands the Public's Access to Police Records Bill Passed - House (57 - 13)
Sept. 1, 2021 CA AB 1356 Prohibits Patients and Providers at Reproductive Healthcare Facilities from Being Recorded Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 10)
Sept. 1, 2021 CA SB 714 Authorizes DREAMers to Participate in County Central Committees Bill Passed - House (57 - 11)
Sept. 1, 2021 CA SB 556 Limits the Ability of Local Governments to Regulate the Placement of Cell Wireless Facilities Bill Passed - House (53 - 9)
Sept. 1, 2021 NY S 50001 Authorizes New Yorkers to Participate in State and Local Government Meetings Virtually Bill Passed - House (81 - 60)
Sept. 1, 2021 NY S 50001 Authorizes New Yorkers to Participate in State and Local Government Meetings Virtually Bill Passed - House (81 - 60)
Sept. 1, 2021 NY S 50001 Authorizes New Yorkers to Participate in State and Local Government Meetings Virtually Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 19)
Sept. 1, 2021 NY S 50001 Authorizes New Yorkers to Participate in State and Local Government Meetings Virtually Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 19)
Aug. 31, 2021 TX SB 6 Amends Cash Bail Laws For Individuals Accused of Violent Crimes Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 5)
Aug. 30, 2021 TX SB 6 Amends Cash Bail Laws For Individuals Accused of Violent Crimes Bill Passed - House (85 - 40)
Aug. 30, 2021 CA AB 816 Requires State and Local Governments to Develop Plans to Reduce Homelessness Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 7)
Aug. 30, 2021 CA SJR 1 Establishes Resolution Urging Student Debt Cancellation Bill Passed - House (55 - 13)
Aug. 26, 2021 NC HB 324 Prohibits the Teaching of Certain Topics Related to Racism, Civics, and American History Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 17)
Aug. 26, 2021 CA SB 9 Authorizes the Development of Up to Two Duplexes Without Local Reviews or Hearings Bill Passed - House (45 - 19)
Aug. 25, 2021 NC HB 805 Increases Penalties for People Engaged in "Riots" Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 19)
Aug. 23, 2021 CA SB 10 Authorizes Cities to Rezone Certain Lands for Low-Income Housing Bill Passed - House (44 - 12)
Aug. 10, 2021 National HR 3684 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act Bill Passed - Senate (69 - 30)
July 29, 2021 National HR 4502 Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2022 Bill Passed - House (219 - 208)
July 22, 2021 National HR 3985 Averting Loss of Life and Injury by Expediting SIVs Act of 2021 Bill Passed - House (407 - 16)
July 21, 2021 MI HB 4411 Appropriates School Aid for FY 2021-2022 Veto Override Failed - House (54 - 54)
July 20, 2021 LA SB 203 Exempts Groundwater District Commissioners from Provisions of the Code of Governmental Ethics Veto Override Failed - Senate (25 - 12)
July 16, 2021 TX SB 3 Prohibits Teaching "Critical Race Theory" in Public Schools Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 4)
July 15, 2021 CA AB 133 Expands Medi-Cal Eligibility to Low-Income Adults Regardless of Immigration Status Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 8)
July 15, 2021 CA AB 133 Expands Medi-Cal Eligibility to Low-Income Adults Regardless of Immigration Status Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 8)
July 15, 2021 MI SB 529 Appropriates $1.6 Billion for Local Infrastructure Projects Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
July 1, 2021 National HR 3684 INVEST in America Act Bill Passed - House (221 - 201)
June 30, 2021 ME LD 1592 Establishes Decriminalization of Prostitution and Strengthens Laws Against Sexual Exploitation Veto Override Failed - House (76 - 70)
June 30, 2021 AZ SB 1572 Establishes a Literacy Instruction Exam for Teacher Certification Applicants Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (17 - 12)
June 30, 2021 WI SB 120 Establishes Use of Force Policies for Law Enforcement Officers Concurrence Vote Failed - Senate (12 - 20)
June 30, 2021 AZ HB 2906 Prohibits the Teaching of Critical Race Theory Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 12)
June 30, 2021 AZ SB 1572 Establishes a Literacy Instruction Exam for Teacher Certification Applicants Bill Passed - House (31 - 28)
June 30, 2021 AZ HB 2550 Prohibits False Complaints Against a Peace Officer Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 12)
June 30, 2021 NJ A 4463 Requires Confidentiality of Court Records for Certain Evictions Initiated During the COVID-19 Pandemic Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 13)
June 30, 2021 NJ S 3319 Repeals Certain Juvenile Justice Penalties Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 9)
June 29, 2021 RI H 5028 Requires Civics Education for Students in Grades 8-12 Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 0)
June 29, 2021 DE SB 111 Specifies Automatic Expungement Process Bill Passed - House (36 - 5)
June 29, 2021 DE SB 148 Expands the Division of Civil Rights and Public Trusts Responsibility to Review Deadly Use of Force Incidents Bill Passed - House (26 - 15)
June 29, 2021 RI H 5929 Requires Health Insurers Cover Cost of Doula Services for Expectant Mothers Bill Passed - House (66 - 0)
June 28, 2021 OH HB 244 Prohibits COVID-19 Vaccination Requirements in State Public Schools and Universities Concurrence Vote Passed - House (62 - 34)
June 28, 2021 OH HB 244 Prohibits COVID-19 Vaccination Requirements in State Public Schools and Universities Concurrence Vote Passed - House (62 - 34)
June 28, 2021 OH HB 244 Prohibits COVID-19 Vaccination Requirements in State Public Schools and Universities Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 8)
June 28, 2021 OH HB 244 Prohibits COVID-19 Vaccination Requirements in State Public Schools and Universities Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 8)
June 28, 2021 AZ SB 1848 Authorizes Emergency Shelter Beds for Homeless Senior Citizens Bill Passed - House (43 - 15)
June 28, 2021 National HR 391 Global Health Security Act of 2021 Bill Passed - House (307 - 112)
Date No. Title Outcome
9/03 SB 2 Prohibits the Transfer of Police Officers to Other Departments Following Misconduct Convictions Bill Passed - House (49 - 21)
9/02 SB 16 Expands the Public's Access to Police Records Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 9)
9/02 SB 556 Limits the Ability of Local Governments to Regulate the Placement of Cell Wireless Facilities Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 6)
9/02 SB 714 Authorizes DREAMers to Participate in County Central Committees Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 6)
9/02 AB 48 Prohibits Police from Using Tear Gas on Protestors Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 10)
9/01 HB 324 Prohibits the Teaching of Certain Topics Related to Racism, Civics, and American History Concurrence Vote Passed - House (61 - 41)
9/01 SB 16 Expands the Public's Access to Police Records Bill Passed - House (57 - 13)
9/01 AB 1356 Prohibits Patients and Providers at Reproductive Healthcare Facilities from Being Recorded Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 10)
9/01 SB 714 Authorizes DREAMers to Participate in County Central Committees Bill Passed - House (57 - 11)
9/01 SB 556 Limits the Ability of Local Governments to Regulate the Placement of Cell Wireless Facilities Bill Passed - House (53 - 9)
9/01 S 50001 Authorizes New Yorkers to Participate in State and Local Government Meetings Virtually Bill Passed - House (81 - 60)
9/01 S 50001 Authorizes New Yorkers to Participate in State and Local Government Meetings Virtually Bill Passed - House (81 - 60)
9/01 S 50001 Authorizes New Yorkers to Participate in State and Local Government Meetings Virtually Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 19)
9/01 S 50001 Authorizes New Yorkers to Participate in State and Local Government Meetings Virtually Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 19)
8/31 SB 6 Amends Cash Bail Laws For Individuals Accused of Violent Crimes Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 5)
8/30 SB 6 Amends Cash Bail Laws For Individuals Accused of Violent Crimes Bill Passed - House (85 - 40)
8/30 AB 816 Requires State and Local Governments to Develop Plans to Reduce Homelessness Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 7)
8/30 SJR 1 Establishes Resolution Urging Student Debt Cancellation Bill Passed - House (55 - 13)
8/26 HB 324 Prohibits the Teaching of Certain Topics Related to Racism, Civics, and American History Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 17)
8/26 SB 9 Authorizes the Development of Up to Two Duplexes Without Local Reviews or Hearings Bill Passed - House (45 - 19)
8/25 HB 805 Increases Penalties for People Engaged in "Riots" Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 19)
8/23 SB 10 Authorizes Cities to Rezone Certain Lands for Low-Income Housing Bill Passed - House (44 - 12)
8/10 HR 3684 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act Bill Passed - Senate (69 - 30)
7/29 HR 4502 Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2022 Bill Passed - House (219 - 208)
7/22 HR 3985 Averting Loss of Life and Injury by Expediting SIVs Act of 2021 Bill Passed - House (407 - 16)
7/21 HB 4411 Appropriates School Aid for FY 2021-2022 Veto Override Failed - House (54 - 54)
7/20 SB 203 Exempts Groundwater District Commissioners from Provisions of the Code of Governmental Ethics Veto Override Failed - Senate (25 - 12)
7/16 SB 3 Prohibits Teaching "Critical Race Theory" in Public Schools Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 4)
7/15 AB 133 Expands Medi-Cal Eligibility to Low-Income Adults Regardless of Immigration Status Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 8)
7/15 AB 133 Expands Medi-Cal Eligibility to Low-Income Adults Regardless of Immigration Status Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 8)
7/15 SB 529 Appropriates $1.6 Billion for Local Infrastructure Projects Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
7/01 HR 3684 INVEST in America Act Bill Passed - House (221 - 201)
6/30 LD 1592 Establishes Decriminalization of Prostitution and Strengthens Laws Against Sexual Exploitation Veto Override Failed - House (76 - 70)
6/30 SB 1572 Establishes a Literacy Instruction Exam for Teacher Certification Applicants Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (17 - 12)
6/30 SB 120 Establishes Use of Force Policies for Law Enforcement Officers Concurrence Vote Failed - Senate (12 - 20)
6/30 HB 2906 Prohibits the Teaching of Critical Race Theory Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 12)
6/30 SB 1572 Establishes a Literacy Instruction Exam for Teacher Certification Applicants Bill Passed - House (31 - 28)
6/30 HB 2550 Prohibits False Complaints Against a Peace Officer Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 12)
6/30 A 4463 Requires Confidentiality of Court Records for Certain Evictions Initiated During the COVID-19 Pandemic Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 13)
6/30 S 3319 Repeals Certain Juvenile Justice Penalties Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 9)
6/29 H 5028 Requires Civics Education for Students in Grades 8-12 Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 0)
6/29 SB 111 Specifies Automatic Expungement Process Bill Passed - House (36 - 5)
6/29 SB 148 Expands the Division of Civil Rights and Public Trusts Responsibility to Review Deadly Use of Force Incidents Bill Passed - House (26 - 15)
6/29 H 5929 Requires Health Insurers Cover Cost of Doula Services for Expectant Mothers Bill Passed - House (66 - 0)
6/28 HB 244 Prohibits COVID-19 Vaccination Requirements in State Public Schools and Universities Concurrence Vote Passed - House (62 - 34)
6/28 HB 244 Prohibits COVID-19 Vaccination Requirements in State Public Schools and Universities Concurrence Vote Passed - House (62 - 34)
6/28 HB 244 Prohibits COVID-19 Vaccination Requirements in State Public Schools and Universities Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 8)
6/28 HB 244 Prohibits COVID-19 Vaccination Requirements in State Public Schools and Universities Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 8)
6/28 SB 1848 Authorizes Emergency Shelter Beds for Homeless Senior Citizens Bill Passed - House (43 - 15)
6/28 HR 391 Global Health Security Act of 2021 Bill Passed - House (307 - 112)

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