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
March 1, 2021 NC SB 43 Establishes Churches With Schools Have the Right to Bear Arms Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 18)
March 1, 2021 MT HB 121 Repeals the Ability for Health Boards to Implement Rules Surrounding Covid-19 Bill Passed - House (68 - 31)
Feb. 27, 2021 VA HB 2004 Requires Releasing Records From Closed Criminal Investigations Conference Report Adopted - Senate (23 - 15)
Feb. 27, 2021 VA HJ 555 Extends Voting Rights to Citizens on Parole Conference Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 18)
Feb. 27, 2021 VA HB 1909 Establishes Gun-Free Zones on School Board Property Conference Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 17)
Feb. 27, 2021 VA SJ 272 Amends the Qualifications to Vote Conference Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 17)
Feb. 27, 2021 VA HJ 555 Extends Voting Rights to Citizens on Parole Conference Report Adopted - House (56 - 40)
Feb. 27, 2021 VA SJ 272 Amends the Qualifications to Vote Conference Report Adopted - House (56 - 40)
Feb. 27, 2021 MT HB 334 Expands Which Healthcare Providers Can Grant COVID-19 Vaccine Exemptions Bill Passed - House (65 - 34)
Feb. 27, 2021 National HR 1319 American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 Bill Passed - House (219 - 212)
Feb. 27, 2021 WA HB 1054 Prohibits Chokeholds, No-Knock Warrants, and Other Police Tactics Bill Passed - House (54 - 43)
Feb. 25, 2021 NH HB 197 Expands "Stand Your Ground" Laws "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (206 - 144)
Feb. 25, 2021 MI SB 114 Appropriates $2 Billion in COVID-19 Related Funds Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
Feb. 25, 2021 MI SB 29 Appropriates Funds for COVID-19 Vaccination, Testing, Rental Assistance, and School Aid Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
Feb. 25, 2021 MT HB 429 Rescinds Gubernatorial Power to Suspend Election Laws During Emergencies Bill Passed - House (71 - 27)
Feb. 25, 2021 SC S 147 Establishes COVID-19 Liability Protections for Businesses Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 3)
Feb. 25, 2021 SC S 147 Establishes COVID-19 Liability Protections for Businesses Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 3)
Feb. 25, 2021 OH HB 9 Prohibits Selling Dextromethorphan Without a Prescription Bill Passed - House (87 - 7)
Feb. 25, 2021 CT HB 6516 Authorizes Tax Fairness for Remote Workers During COVID-19 Pandemic Bill Passed - House (125 - 24)
Feb. 25, 2021 WA SB 5038 Prohibits Open Carry Near the State Capitol or Public Demonstrations Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 20)
Feb. 25, 2021 National HR 5 Equality Act Bill Passed - House (224 - 206)
Feb. 25, 2021 WA SB 5051 Expands the Role of the State's Law Enforcement Oversight Agency Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 19)
Feb. 25, 2021 MO HB 345 Restructures Arbitration Award Guidelines Bill Passed - House (110 - 47)
Feb. 25, 2021 SD HB 1075 Repeals Any Federal or State Court Action Reducing Firearm or Ammunition Rights Bill Passed - House (59 - 7)
Feb. 25, 2021 GA HB 218 Requires the State to Recognize Gun Carry Permits from Other States Bill Passed - House (103 - 69)
Feb. 25, 2021 MN SF 1 Requires Businesses Design and Implement a Safety Preparedness Plan Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 29)
Feb. 24, 2021 AR SB 24 Expands "Stand Your Ground" Laws Bill Passed - House (72 - 23)
Feb. 24, 2021 CT HB 6515 Prohibits Discrimination Based on Hairstyle Bill Passed - House (138 - 9)
Feb. 24, 2021 AK SB 70 Extends Access to Naloxone Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 0)
Feb. 24, 2021 AZ HB 2551 Authorizes Individuals with Concealed Carry Permits to Enter Most Buildings with Firearms Bill Passed - House (31 - 29)
Feb. 24, 2021 NY S 830 Extends Voting Rights to Convicted Felons on Parole Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 20)
Feb. 24, 2021 NY S 830 Extends Voting Rights to Convicted Felons on Parole Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 20)
Feb. 24, 2021 AZ HB 2551 Authorizes Individuals with Concealed Carry Permits to Enter Most Buildings with Firearms Bill Passed - House (31 - 29)
Feb. 24, 2021 WA HB 1078 Extends Voting Rights to Citizens on Parole Bill Passed - House (57 - 41)
Feb. 23, 2021 MO SB 51 Establishes Protections for Various Organizations from COVID-19 Related Lawsuits Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 13)
Feb. 23, 2021 AZ SB 1294 Authorizes Job Applicants Nondisclosure Status of Sealed Criminal Records Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 9)
Feb. 23, 2021 IN SB 69 Increases Penalties for School Bus Stop Arm Violations Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 11)
Feb. 23, 2021 ID H 140 Prohibits Imposing Vaccine Mandates for State Contractors Bill Passed - House (49 - 21)
Feb. 23, 2021 ID H 140 Prohibits Imposing Vaccine Mandates for State Contractors Bill Passed - House (49 - 21)
Feb. 23, 2021 MO SB 51 Establishes Protections for Various Organizations from COVID-19 Related Lawsuits Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 13)
Feb. 23, 2021 AZ HB 2152 Amends Arizona Revised Statues in Regards to Disclosure of Law Enforcement Body Camera Footage Bill Passed - House (31 - 29)
Feb. 23, 2021 AL HB 73 Requires the Judicial Circuit to Create Diversion Programs Bill Passed - House (88 - 9)
Feb. 23, 2021 IN SB 200 Authorizes the State Attorney General to Appoint a Special Prosecutor for Crimes County Prosecutors Decide not to Charge Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 20)
Feb. 23, 2021 WA HB 1090 Prohibits the State from Contracting with Private For-Profit Prisons and Detention Facilities Bill Passed - House (76 - 21)
Feb. 23, 2021 AL HB 23 Authorizes Judges to Use Their Discretion When Determining Sentences Bill Passed - House (84 - 18)
Feb. 23, 2021 AZ HB 2152 Amends Arizona Revised Statues in Regards to Disclosure of Law Enforcement Body Camera Footage Bill Passed - House (31 - 29)
Feb. 22, 2021 VA SB 1165 Repeals the Death Penalty Bill Passed - House (57 - 43)
Feb. 22, 2021 VA SB 1165 Repeals the Death Penalty Bill Passed - House (57 - 43)
Feb. 22, 2021 NJ S 3456 Rescinds Mandatory Minimum Terms of Imprisonment Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 14)
Feb. 22, 2021 IN HB 1369 Authorizes Carrying a Firearm Without a Permit Bill Passed - House (65 - 31)
Date No. Title Outcome
3/01 SB 43 Establishes Churches With Schools Have the Right to Bear Arms Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 18)
3/01 HB 121 Repeals the Ability for Health Boards to Implement Rules Surrounding Covid-19 Bill Passed - House (68 - 31)
2/27 HB 2004 Requires Releasing Records From Closed Criminal Investigations Conference Report Adopted - Senate (23 - 15)
2/27 HJ 555 Extends Voting Rights to Citizens on Parole Conference Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 18)
2/27 HB 1909 Establishes Gun-Free Zones on School Board Property Conference Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 17)
2/27 SJ 272 Amends the Qualifications to Vote Conference Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 17)
2/27 HJ 555 Extends Voting Rights to Citizens on Parole Conference Report Adopted - House (56 - 40)
2/27 SJ 272 Amends the Qualifications to Vote Conference Report Adopted - House (56 - 40)
2/27 HB 334 Expands Which Healthcare Providers Can Grant COVID-19 Vaccine Exemptions Bill Passed - House (65 - 34)
2/27 HR 1319 American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 Bill Passed - House (219 - 212)
2/27 HB 1054 Prohibits Chokeholds, No-Knock Warrants, and Other Police Tactics Bill Passed - House (54 - 43)
2/25 HB 197 Expands "Stand Your Ground" Laws "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (206 - 144)
2/25 SB 114 Appropriates $2 Billion in COVID-19 Related Funds Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
2/25 SB 29 Appropriates Funds for COVID-19 Vaccination, Testing, Rental Assistance, and School Aid Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
2/25 HB 429 Rescinds Gubernatorial Power to Suspend Election Laws During Emergencies Bill Passed - House (71 - 27)
2/25 S 147 Establishes COVID-19 Liability Protections for Businesses Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 3)
2/25 S 147 Establishes COVID-19 Liability Protections for Businesses Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 3)
2/25 HB 9 Prohibits Selling Dextromethorphan Without a Prescription Bill Passed - House (87 - 7)
2/25 HB 6516 Authorizes Tax Fairness for Remote Workers During COVID-19 Pandemic Bill Passed - House (125 - 24)
2/25 SB 5038 Prohibits Open Carry Near the State Capitol or Public Demonstrations Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 20)
2/25 HR 5 Equality Act Bill Passed - House (224 - 206)
2/25 SB 5051 Expands the Role of the State's Law Enforcement Oversight Agency Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 19)
2/25 HB 345 Restructures Arbitration Award Guidelines Bill Passed - House (110 - 47)
2/25 HB 1075 Repeals Any Federal or State Court Action Reducing Firearm or Ammunition Rights Bill Passed - House (59 - 7)
2/25 HB 218 Requires the State to Recognize Gun Carry Permits from Other States Bill Passed - House (103 - 69)
2/25 SF 1 Requires Businesses Design and Implement a Safety Preparedness Plan Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 29)
2/24 SB 24 Expands "Stand Your Ground" Laws Bill Passed - House (72 - 23)
2/24 HB 6515 Prohibits Discrimination Based on Hairstyle Bill Passed - House (138 - 9)
2/24 SB 70 Extends Access to Naloxone Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 0)
2/24 HB 2551 Authorizes Individuals with Concealed Carry Permits to Enter Most Buildings with Firearms Bill Passed - House (31 - 29)
2/24 S 830 Extends Voting Rights to Convicted Felons on Parole Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 20)
2/24 S 830 Extends Voting Rights to Convicted Felons on Parole Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 20)
2/24 HB 2551 Authorizes Individuals with Concealed Carry Permits to Enter Most Buildings with Firearms Bill Passed - House (31 - 29)
2/24 HB 1078 Extends Voting Rights to Citizens on Parole Bill Passed - House (57 - 41)
2/23 SB 51 Establishes Protections for Various Organizations from COVID-19 Related Lawsuits Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 13)
2/23 SB 1294 Authorizes Job Applicants Nondisclosure Status of Sealed Criminal Records Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 9)
2/23 SB 69 Increases Penalties for School Bus Stop Arm Violations Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 11)
2/23 H 140 Prohibits Imposing Vaccine Mandates for State Contractors Bill Passed - House (49 - 21)
2/23 H 140 Prohibits Imposing Vaccine Mandates for State Contractors Bill Passed - House (49 - 21)
2/23 SB 51 Establishes Protections for Various Organizations from COVID-19 Related Lawsuits Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 13)
2/23 HB 2152 Amends Arizona Revised Statues in Regards to Disclosure of Law Enforcement Body Camera Footage Bill Passed - House (31 - 29)
2/23 HB 73 Requires the Judicial Circuit to Create Diversion Programs Bill Passed - House (88 - 9)
2/23 SB 200 Authorizes the State Attorney General to Appoint a Special Prosecutor for Crimes County Prosecutors Decide not to Charge Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 20)
2/23 HB 1090 Prohibits the State from Contracting with Private For-Profit Prisons and Detention Facilities Bill Passed - House (76 - 21)
2/23 HB 23 Authorizes Judges to Use Their Discretion When Determining Sentences Bill Passed - House (84 - 18)
2/23 HB 2152 Amends Arizona Revised Statues in Regards to Disclosure of Law Enforcement Body Camera Footage Bill Passed - House (31 - 29)
2/22 SB 1165 Repeals the Death Penalty Bill Passed - House (57 - 43)
2/22 SB 1165 Repeals the Death Penalty Bill Passed - House (57 - 43)
2/22 S 3456 Rescinds Mandatory Minimum Terms of Imprisonment Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 14)
2/22 HB 1369 Authorizes Carrying a Firearm Without a Permit Bill Passed - House (65 - 31)

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