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
April 22, 2021 AL HB 538 Limits the Time Frame for Receiving Absentee Ballot Applications Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 5)
April 22, 2021 OK HB 2663 Authorizes Early In-Person Absentee Voting Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 2)
April 22, 2021 MT HB 651 Requires Ballot Initiatives Include a Warning Label on the Impact to Local Business Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 21)
April 22, 2021 AL HB 154 Requires Municipal Candidates to File Campaign Finance Reports Electronically Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 12)
April 22, 2021 AL HB 388 Requires General Election Laws be Implemented 6 Months Before a General Election Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 4)
April 22, 2021 AR SB 701 Establishes a Uniform Process for Opening and Validating all Absentee Ballots Bill Failed - Senate (11 - 20)
April 21, 2021 OK HB 2564 Amends the Election Recount Process to Require Recounts on Statewide Issues or Question Elections Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 8)
April 21, 2021 TN SB 1534 Prohibits Any Person from Contributing Funds to the State Election Commission to Conduct Elections Bill Passed - House (72 - 20)
April 21, 2021 NY S 830 Extends Voting Rights to Convicted Felons on Parole Bill Passed - House (97 - 52)
April 21, 2021 OH SB 80 Requires Party Affiliations of Judicial Candidates to be Listed on Election Ballots Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 9)
April 20, 2021 ND SB 2271 Establishes a Statement of Legislative Intent Regarding Presidential Elections Conference Report Adopted - House (80 - 12)
April 20, 2021 ND SB 2271 Establishes a Statement of Legislative Intent Regarding Presidential Elections Conference Report Adopted - Senate (39 - 8)
April 20, 2021 AZ SB 1485 Rescinds Voters From the Early Ballots Mailing List Bill Passed - House (31 - 29)
April 20, 2021 AR SB 498 Requires Written Complaints be Sent by the County Board of Election Commissioners to the State Board of Election Commissioners Bill Passed - House (79 - 9)
April 20, 2021 AR SB 557 Amends the Duties of County Board Election Commissioner Members Bill Passed - House (76 - 17)
April 20, 2021 AR SB 643 Limits the Time Frame for Absentee Ballot Applications to be Received Bill Passed - House (65 - 25)
April 19, 2021 OK HB 2939 Requires the County Election Board Record Every Voter's Ballot History Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 12)
April 19, 2021 OK SB 710 Authorizes the State Election Board to Participate in Multistate Voter List Maintenance Organizations Bill Passed - House (68 - 20)
April 16, 2021 ID H 350 Requires Elections to Replace Trustees who are Recalled Bill Passed - House (55 - 14)
April 15, 2021 IN SB 398 Limits the Hours of an Election Drop Box and Expands Voting for Those with Disabilities Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (40 - 2)
April 14, 2021 WI SB 213 Authorizes Individuals to File Election Law Violation Claims Against Election Officials Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 11)
April 14, 2021 TN SB 1534 Prohibits Any Person from Contributing Funds to the State Election Commission to Conduct Elections Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 4)
April 14, 2021 WI SB 210 Requires Election Administrators Allow Election Observers to be No More Than 3 Feet Away from Voter Registration Tables Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 11)
April 13, 2021 OK HB 1752 Establishes a 30-Day Time Limit for a County Election Board to Remove Deceased People from the Central Registry Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 8)
April 13, 2021 IN SB 353 Requires Presenting Valid Identification to Request an Absentee Ballot Online Bill Passed - House (71 - 23)
April 13, 2021 AR HB 1715 Requires Voters' Signatures on Absentee Ballots Match the Signature from Their Voter Registration Application Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 8)
April 13, 2021 AZ HB 2359 Requires any Method of Electronic Access to be Secured While Voting In Person Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 0)
April 13, 2021 AR SB 488 Exempts Certain Forms of Examining and Copying of Public Records Bill Passed - House (71 - 21)
April 13, 2021 AR SB 643 Limits the Time Frame for Absentee Ballot Applications to be Received Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 8)
April 12, 2021 MD HB 206 Increases the Hours Early Voting Centers are Mandated to be Open for Elections Concurrence Vote Passed - House (111 - 24)
April 12, 2021 MT SB 350 Amends the Election Law Regarding Minor Parties Bill Passed - House (67 - 33)
April 12, 2021 MD SB 525 Requires the Baltimore City Centralized Booking Facility Provide a Secure Designated Ballot Drop Box Bill Passed - House (95 - 43)
April 12, 2021 TX SB 1114 Requires Voter Registrars Cross-Reference Voter Rolls with the DMV to Remove Ineligible Voters Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 13)
April 12, 2021 TX SB 1112 Increases Penalties for Accepting Early Mail-In Ballots Without Verifying the Signature Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 13)
April 12, 2021 CO SB 21-188 Authorizes a Voter with a Disability to Print the Ballot or Return the Ballot by Electronic Transmission Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 13)
April 10, 2021 MD HB 156 Authorizes a Military or Overseas Voter to Submit a Federal Post Card Application to Vote Concurrence Vote Passed - House (108 - 25)
April 9, 2021 HI SB 159 Requires Automatic Voter Registration When Receiving Driver's Licenses Bill Passed - House (49 - 1)
April 8, 2021 MD HB 1048 Requires the Local Board of Elections Consider Certain Factors when Determining Ballot Drop Box Locations Concurrence Vote Passed - House (97 - 42)
April 8, 2021 TN HB 1448 Authorizes Non-Resident Property Owners to Vote in Municipal Elections Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 6)
April 8, 2021 NH HB 523 Requires Those who Register to Vote and Don't Have Identification to be Photographed "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (197 - 172)
April 8, 2021 NH HB 285 Limits the Process of Verifying Local Voter Checklists by the Secretary of State "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (199 - 172)
April 8, 2021 NH HB 292 Requires Voters Verify Their Identity in Order to Receive an Absentee Ballot Bill Passed - House (198 - 174)
April 8, 2021 TN SB 1120 Prohibits a Multi-Candidate Political Campaign Committee Officer from Running for State Office if Lawyer Fees Remain Unpaid Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 6)
April 8, 2021 NH HB 98 Establishes a New Date for the State Primary Bill Passed - House (195 - 174)
April 7, 2021 VA SB 1245 Requires the Establishment of Drop-Box Locations Concurrence Vote Passed - House (55 - 45)
April 7, 2021 VA SB 1245 Requires the Establishment of Drop-Box Locations Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
April 7, 2021 ID S 1110 Increases the Counties Needed to Reach 6 Percent of Signatures for an Initiative Bill Passed - House (51 - 18)
April 7, 2021 AZ HB 2569 Prohibits Election Administrators from Receiving Private Funding for Conducting Elections Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 14)
April 7, 2021 AZ HCR 2023 Prohibits the Federal Government's Interference in the State's Elections Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (16 - 14)
April 7, 2021 AR SB 498 Requires Written Complaints be Sent by the County Board of Election Commissioners to the State Board of Election Commissioners Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 8)
Date No. Title Outcome
4/22 HB 538 Limits the Time Frame for Receiving Absentee Ballot Applications Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 5)
4/22 HB 2663 Authorizes Early In-Person Absentee Voting Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 2)
4/22 HB 651 Requires Ballot Initiatives Include a Warning Label on the Impact to Local Business Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 21)
4/22 HB 154 Requires Municipal Candidates to File Campaign Finance Reports Electronically Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 12)
4/22 HB 388 Requires General Election Laws be Implemented 6 Months Before a General Election Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 4)
4/22 SB 701 Establishes a Uniform Process for Opening and Validating all Absentee Ballots Bill Failed - Senate (11 - 20)
4/21 HB 2564 Amends the Election Recount Process to Require Recounts on Statewide Issues or Question Elections Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 8)
4/21 SB 1534 Prohibits Any Person from Contributing Funds to the State Election Commission to Conduct Elections Bill Passed - House (72 - 20)
4/21 S 830 Extends Voting Rights to Convicted Felons on Parole Bill Passed - House (97 - 52)
4/21 SB 80 Requires Party Affiliations of Judicial Candidates to be Listed on Election Ballots Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 9)
4/20 SB 2271 Establishes a Statement of Legislative Intent Regarding Presidential Elections Conference Report Adopted - House (80 - 12)
4/20 SB 2271 Establishes a Statement of Legislative Intent Regarding Presidential Elections Conference Report Adopted - Senate (39 - 8)
4/20 SB 1485 Rescinds Voters From the Early Ballots Mailing List Bill Passed - House (31 - 29)
4/20 SB 498 Requires Written Complaints be Sent by the County Board of Election Commissioners to the State Board of Election Commissioners Bill Passed - House (79 - 9)
4/20 SB 557 Amends the Duties of County Board Election Commissioner Members Bill Passed - House (76 - 17)
4/20 SB 643 Limits the Time Frame for Absentee Ballot Applications to be Received Bill Passed - House (65 - 25)
4/19 HB 2939 Requires the County Election Board Record Every Voter's Ballot History Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 12)
4/19 SB 710 Authorizes the State Election Board to Participate in Multistate Voter List Maintenance Organizations Bill Passed - House (68 - 20)
4/16 H 350 Requires Elections to Replace Trustees who are Recalled Bill Passed - House (55 - 14)
4/15 SB 398 Limits the Hours of an Election Drop Box and Expands Voting for Those with Disabilities Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (40 - 2)
4/14 SB 213 Authorizes Individuals to File Election Law Violation Claims Against Election Officials Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 11)
4/14 SB 1534 Prohibits Any Person from Contributing Funds to the State Election Commission to Conduct Elections Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 4)
4/14 SB 210 Requires Election Administrators Allow Election Observers to be No More Than 3 Feet Away from Voter Registration Tables Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 11)
4/13 HB 1752 Establishes a 30-Day Time Limit for a County Election Board to Remove Deceased People from the Central Registry Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 8)
4/13 SB 353 Requires Presenting Valid Identification to Request an Absentee Ballot Online Bill Passed - House (71 - 23)
4/13 HB 1715 Requires Voters' Signatures on Absentee Ballots Match the Signature from Their Voter Registration Application Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 8)
4/13 HB 2359 Requires any Method of Electronic Access to be Secured While Voting In Person Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 0)
4/13 SB 488 Exempts Certain Forms of Examining and Copying of Public Records Bill Passed - House (71 - 21)
4/13 SB 643 Limits the Time Frame for Absentee Ballot Applications to be Received Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 8)
4/12 HB 206 Increases the Hours Early Voting Centers are Mandated to be Open for Elections Concurrence Vote Passed - House (111 - 24)
4/12 SB 350 Amends the Election Law Regarding Minor Parties Bill Passed - House (67 - 33)
4/12 SB 525 Requires the Baltimore City Centralized Booking Facility Provide a Secure Designated Ballot Drop Box Bill Passed - House (95 - 43)
4/12 SB 1114 Requires Voter Registrars Cross-Reference Voter Rolls with the DMV to Remove Ineligible Voters Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 13)
4/12 SB 1112 Increases Penalties for Accepting Early Mail-In Ballots Without Verifying the Signature Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 13)
4/12 SB 21-188 Authorizes a Voter with a Disability to Print the Ballot or Return the Ballot by Electronic Transmission Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 13)
4/10 HB 156 Authorizes a Military or Overseas Voter to Submit a Federal Post Card Application to Vote Concurrence Vote Passed - House (108 - 25)
4/09 SB 159 Requires Automatic Voter Registration When Receiving Driver's Licenses Bill Passed - House (49 - 1)
4/08 HB 1048 Requires the Local Board of Elections Consider Certain Factors when Determining Ballot Drop Box Locations Concurrence Vote Passed - House (97 - 42)
4/08 HB 1448 Authorizes Non-Resident Property Owners to Vote in Municipal Elections Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 6)
4/08 HB 523 Requires Those who Register to Vote and Don't Have Identification to be Photographed "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (197 - 172)
4/08 HB 285 Limits the Process of Verifying Local Voter Checklists by the Secretary of State "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (199 - 172)
4/08 HB 292 Requires Voters Verify Their Identity in Order to Receive an Absentee Ballot Bill Passed - House (198 - 174)
4/08 SB 1120 Prohibits a Multi-Candidate Political Campaign Committee Officer from Running for State Office if Lawyer Fees Remain Unpaid Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 6)
4/08 HB 98 Establishes a New Date for the State Primary Bill Passed - House (195 - 174)
4/07 SB 1245 Requires the Establishment of Drop-Box Locations Concurrence Vote Passed - House (55 - 45)
4/07 SB 1245 Requires the Establishment of Drop-Box Locations Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
4/07 S 1110 Increases the Counties Needed to Reach 6 Percent of Signatures for an Initiative Bill Passed - House (51 - 18)
4/07 HB 2569 Prohibits Election Administrators from Receiving Private Funding for Conducting Elections Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 14)
4/07 HCR 2023 Prohibits the Federal Government's Interference in the State's Elections Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (16 - 14)
4/07 SB 498 Requires Written Complaints be Sent by the County Board of Election Commissioners to the State Board of Election Commissioners Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 8)

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