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 ID H 377 Prohibits Teaching the Topic Known as "Critical Race Theory" Bill Passed - House (57 - 12)
April 22, 2021 IL HB 2542 Authorizes Individuals to Change Their Names on Various Acts Regarding Criminal Code Bill Passed - House (85 - 27)
April 22, 2021 IL HB 1064 Authorizes a Person Who Was Convicted Under the Age of 21 for First Degree Murder to be Released for Parole After 40 Years Bill Passed - House (66 - 47)
April 21, 2021 AR SB 573 Authorizes Concealed Carry in Government Buildings, Parks and Property Bill Passed - House (78 - 16)
April 21, 2021 AR HB 1547 Prohibits Mandating COVID-19 Vaccinations Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 8)
April 21, 2021 AR HB 1547 Prohibits Mandating COVID-19 Vaccinations Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 8)
April 21, 2021 NY S 830 Extends Voting Rights to Convicted Felons on Parole Bill Passed - House (97 - 52)
April 21, 2021 National PN 79-4 Nomination of Vanita Gupta to be Associate Attorney General Nomination Confirmed - Senate (51 - 49)
April 21, 2021 NY S 830 Extends Voting Rights to Convicted Felons on Parole Bill Passed - House (97 - 52)
April 21, 2021 PA HB 747 Authorizes Retail Stores to Remain Open with One Staff and One Shopper During Disaster Emergency Declarations Bill Passed - House (117 - 84)
April 21, 2021 AR HB 1761 Prohibits the Teaching of CRT in Schools Bill Passed - House (63 - 13)
April 21, 2021 NY S 5321 Increases the Maximum Civil Penalty to $1,000 for Mortgagee Violations Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 14)
April 21, 2021 National HR 1573 Access to Counsel Act of 2021 Bill Passed - House (217 - 207)
April 20, 2021 AR SB 590 Repeals Mask Mandates by All Government Entities Bill Passed - House (69 - 20)
April 20, 2021 AL SB 91 Prohibits Racial Profiling Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 7)
April 20, 2021 AR SB 615 Prohibits Governmental Entities from Mandating Vaccine Passports Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 8)
April 20, 2021 NV AB 286 Prohibits Production and Sale of Ghost Guns Bill Passed - House (26 - 16)
April 20, 2021 AL SB 91 Prohibits Racial Profiling Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 7)
April 20, 2021 ID S 1205 Prohibits Cooperating with Enforcement of Federal Gun Laws Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 7)
April 19, 2021 ND HB 1383 Prohibits State Enforcement of Federal Regulations on Firearms Conference Report Adopted - Senate (40 - 7)
April 19, 2021 ND HB 1383 Prohibits State Enforcement of Federal Regulations on Firearms Conference Report Adopted - House (80 - 12)
April 19, 2021 NV SB 6 Authorizes Seizure of Firearms from "High-Risk" Individuals Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 5)
April 19, 2021 NV SB 6 Authorizes Seizure of Firearms from "High-Risk" Individuals Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 5)
April 16, 2021 IL HB 25 Establishes the Right to Counsel for Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - House (82 - 25)
April 15, 2021 IN HB 1123 Authorizes Lawmakers to Call a Special Session During a Public Emergency Veto Override Passed - House (59 - 26)
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 15, 2021 WA HB 1140 Requires Law Enforcement Provide Attorney Access to Juveniles Concurrence Vote Passed - House (56 - 41)
April 15, 2021 MT HB 632 Appropriates Funds as Part of COVID-19 Relief Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 17)
April 15, 2021 MT HB 504 Prohibits Peace Officers from Curtailing the Possession of Firearms Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 17)
April 15, 2021 MT HB 504 Prohibits Peace Officers from Curtailing the Possession of Firearms Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 17)
April 15, 2021 FL HB 1 Increases Criminal Penalties for Assaulting Law Enforcement Officials Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 17)
April 15, 2021 ND SCR 4016 Alleges Opposition to Implementation of COVID-19 Passports Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (34 - 13)
April 15, 2021 ND SCR 4016 Alleges Opposition to Implementation of COVID-19 Passports Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (34 - 13)
April 15, 2021 OR SJM 4 Alleges Congress Should Implement Reparations for African Americans Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 9)
April 15, 2021 AL SB 358 Prohibits State and Local Governments from Enforcing Any Federal Firearms Act Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 5)
April 15, 2021 AL SB 358 Prohibits State and Local Governments from Enforcing Any Federal Firearms Act Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 5)
April 15, 2021 MN SF 970 Amends Public Safety Laws to Ensure Police Accountability Bill Passed - Senate (44 - 23)
April 14, 2021 WA HB 1267 Establishes the Office of Independent Investigations within the Governor's Office to Investigate Deadly Use of Force Incidents Involving Police Officers Concurrence Vote Passed - House (56 - 41)
April 14, 2021 WA HB 1320 Amends Protection Order Laws to include Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault, Stalking, Anti-Harassment, Vulnerable Adult, and Extreme Risk Protection Orders Concurrence Vote Passed - House (55 - 42)
April 14, 2021 IA SF 342 Increases Qualified Immunity Protections for Law Enforcement Bill Passed - House (63 - 30)
April 14, 2021 OK HB 1643 Authorizes Law Enforcement and Other Officials to Make Certain Personal Information Confidential Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 8)
April 14, 2021 NV SB 212 Prohibits Police Officers from Using Deadly Force Before De-escalation Bill Passed - Senate (12 - 9)
April 14, 2021 NV SB 212 Prohibits Police Officers from Using Deadly Force Before De-escalation Bill Passed - Senate (12 - 9)
April 14, 2021 TX SB 20 Requires Hotels to Permit Guests to Carry Firearms to Private Rooms Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 13)
April 14, 2021 TN SB 858 Prohibits COVID-19 Vaccine Passports Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 4)
April 14, 2021 OR SB 704 Prohibits the Use of the "Gay Panic" Murder Defense Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 1)
April 13, 2021 HI SB 726 Requires Officers Serving a Warrant to Wait Thirty Seconds Before Entry Bill Passed - House (43 - 5)
April 13, 2021 NV AB 395 Rescinds the Death Penalty Bill Passed - House (26 - 16)
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 MT SB 283 Specifies Response to Guns in Schools Bill Passed - House (87 - 13)
Date No. Title Outcome
4/22 H 377 Prohibits Teaching the Topic Known as "Critical Race Theory" Bill Passed - House (57 - 12)
4/22 HB 2542 Authorizes Individuals to Change Their Names on Various Acts Regarding Criminal Code Bill Passed - House (85 - 27)
4/22 HB 1064 Authorizes a Person Who Was Convicted Under the Age of 21 for First Degree Murder to be Released for Parole After 40 Years Bill Passed - House (66 - 47)
4/21 SB 573 Authorizes Concealed Carry in Government Buildings, Parks and Property Bill Passed - House (78 - 16)
4/21 HB 1547 Prohibits Mandating COVID-19 Vaccinations Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 8)
4/21 HB 1547 Prohibits Mandating COVID-19 Vaccinations Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 8)
4/21 S 830 Extends Voting Rights to Convicted Felons on Parole Bill Passed - House (97 - 52)
4/21 PN 79-4 Nomination of Vanita Gupta to be Associate Attorney General Nomination Confirmed - Senate (51 - 49)
4/21 S 830 Extends Voting Rights to Convicted Felons on Parole Bill Passed - House (97 - 52)
4/21 HB 747 Authorizes Retail Stores to Remain Open with One Staff and One Shopper During Disaster Emergency Declarations Bill Passed - House (117 - 84)
4/21 HB 1761 Prohibits the Teaching of CRT in Schools Bill Passed - House (63 - 13)
4/21 S 5321 Increases the Maximum Civil Penalty to $1,000 for Mortgagee Violations Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 14)
4/21 HR 1573 Access to Counsel Act of 2021 Bill Passed - House (217 - 207)
4/20 SB 590 Repeals Mask Mandates by All Government Entities Bill Passed - House (69 - 20)
4/20 SB 91 Prohibits Racial Profiling Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 7)
4/20 SB 615 Prohibits Governmental Entities from Mandating Vaccine Passports Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 8)
4/20 AB 286 Prohibits Production and Sale of Ghost Guns Bill Passed - House (26 - 16)
4/20 SB 91 Prohibits Racial Profiling Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 7)
4/20 S 1205 Prohibits Cooperating with Enforcement of Federal Gun Laws Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 7)
4/19 HB 1383 Prohibits State Enforcement of Federal Regulations on Firearms Conference Report Adopted - Senate (40 - 7)
4/19 HB 1383 Prohibits State Enforcement of Federal Regulations on Firearms Conference Report Adopted - House (80 - 12)
4/19 SB 6 Authorizes Seizure of Firearms from "High-Risk" Individuals Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 5)
4/19 SB 6 Authorizes Seizure of Firearms from "High-Risk" Individuals Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 5)
4/16 HB 25 Establishes the Right to Counsel for Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - House (82 - 25)
4/15 HB 1123 Authorizes Lawmakers to Call a Special Session During a Public Emergency Veto Override Passed - House (59 - 26)
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)
4/15 HB 1140 Requires Law Enforcement Provide Attorney Access to Juveniles Concurrence Vote Passed - House (56 - 41)
4/15 HB 632 Appropriates Funds as Part of COVID-19 Relief Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 17)
4/15 HB 504 Prohibits Peace Officers from Curtailing the Possession of Firearms Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 17)
4/15 HB 504 Prohibits Peace Officers from Curtailing the Possession of Firearms Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 17)
4/15 HB 1 Increases Criminal Penalties for Assaulting Law Enforcement Officials Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 17)
4/15 SCR 4016 Alleges Opposition to Implementation of COVID-19 Passports Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (34 - 13)
4/15 SCR 4016 Alleges Opposition to Implementation of COVID-19 Passports Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (34 - 13)
4/15 SJM 4 Alleges Congress Should Implement Reparations for African Americans Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 9)
4/15 SB 358 Prohibits State and Local Governments from Enforcing Any Federal Firearms Act Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 5)
4/15 SB 358 Prohibits State and Local Governments from Enforcing Any Federal Firearms Act Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 5)
4/15 SF 970 Amends Public Safety Laws to Ensure Police Accountability Bill Passed - Senate (44 - 23)
4/14 HB 1267 Establishes the Office of Independent Investigations within the Governor's Office to Investigate Deadly Use of Force Incidents Involving Police Officers Concurrence Vote Passed - House (56 - 41)
4/14 HB 1320 Amends Protection Order Laws to include Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault, Stalking, Anti-Harassment, Vulnerable Adult, and Extreme Risk Protection Orders Concurrence Vote Passed - House (55 - 42)
4/14 SF 342 Increases Qualified Immunity Protections for Law Enforcement Bill Passed - House (63 - 30)
4/14 HB 1643 Authorizes Law Enforcement and Other Officials to Make Certain Personal Information Confidential Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 8)
4/14 SB 212 Prohibits Police Officers from Using Deadly Force Before De-escalation Bill Passed - Senate (12 - 9)
4/14 SB 212 Prohibits Police Officers from Using Deadly Force Before De-escalation Bill Passed - Senate (12 - 9)
4/14 SB 20 Requires Hotels to Permit Guests to Carry Firearms to Private Rooms Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 13)
4/14 SB 858 Prohibits COVID-19 Vaccine Passports Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 4)
4/14 SB 704 Prohibits the Use of the "Gay Panic" Murder Defense Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 1)
4/13 SB 726 Requires Officers Serving a Warrant to Wait Thirty Seconds Before Entry Bill Passed - House (43 - 5)
4/13 AB 395 Rescinds the Death Penalty Bill Passed - House (26 - 16)
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 283 Specifies Response to Guns in Schools Bill Passed - House (87 - 13)

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