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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.

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Date State Bill No. Title Outcome
Sept. 28, 2021 WI AB 563 Requires Schools Teach Students on the Declaration of Independence, Constitution, Bill of Rights and Compare Democratic Principals to Communism, Socialism, and Totalitarianism Bill Passed - House (61 - 37)
Sept. 28, 2021 WI AB 414 Prohibit Government Agencies from Holding Employee Training Sessions that Say Individuals are Responsible for Past Acts by People of the Same Race Bill Passed - House (60 - 38)
Sept. 28, 2021 WI SJR 63 Establishes State Legislative Districts Bill Passed - House (60 - 38)
Sept. 28, 2021 CT SR 76 Authorizes Governor's Renewed Emergency Declaration Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 15)
Sept. 27, 2021 OR SB 882 Amends State Legislative Districts Bill Passed - House (31 - 18)
Sept. 27, 2021 OR SB 881 Amends State Congressional Districts Bill Passed - House (33 - 16)
Sept. 27, 2021 PA SB 738 Establishes a Public Website to Track Constitutional Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 6)
Sept. 27, 2021 PA SB 738 Establishes a Public Website to Track Constitutional Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 6)
Sept. 23, 2021 MA H 4121 Establishes House Working Group on COVID-19 Bill Passed - House (131 - 28)
Sept. 23, 2021 MA H 4121 Establishes House Working Group on COVID-19 Bill Passed - House (131 - 28)
Sept. 20, 2021 OR SB 882 Amends State Legislative Districts Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 11)
Sept. 20, 2021 OR SB 881 Amends State Congressional Districts Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 11)
Sept. 15, 2021 NC SB 360 Prohibits Any State Agency from Settling Certain Lawsuits Without the Approval of the General Assembly Bill Passed - House (58 - 47)
Sept. 9, 2021 CA AB 105 Requires State Boards and Committees to be More Diverse Concurrence Vote Passed - House (58 - 12)
Sept. 8, 2021 CA SB 660 Prohibits Recall Organizers from Paying Signature Gatherers on a Per-Signature Basis Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 11)
Sept. 8, 2021 CA AB 105 Requires State Boards and Committees to be More Diverse Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 8)
Sept. 7, 2021 CA AB 970 Reduces Obstacles to Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Bill Passed - House (59 - 11)
Sept. 3, 2021 CA SB 594 Amends Redistricting Regulations for Congressional Districts Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 0)
Sept. 2, 2021 CA SB 714 Authorizes DREAMers to Participate in County Central Committees Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 6)
Sept. 2, 2021 CA SB 660 Prohibits Recall Organizers from Paying Signature Gatherers on a Per-Signature Basis Bill Passed - House (51 - 18)
Sept. 2, 2021 CA AB 970 Reduces Obstacles to Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 9)
Sept. 1, 2021 CA AB 1203 Amends Property Tax Laws and the Assessment Appeals Court Concurrence Vote Passed - House (61 - 15)
Sept. 1, 2021 CA SB 714 Authorizes DREAMers to Participate in County Central Committees Bill Passed - House (57 - 11)
Sept. 1, 2021 MI HB 4061 Prohibits Using the Public Threat Alert System for Executive Orders Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 16)
Sept. 1, 2021 MI HB 4272 Exempts Michigan Made Gas Cans from Federal Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 16)
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)
Aug. 30, 2021 CA AB 816 Requires State and Local Governments to Develop Plans to Reduce Homelessness Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 7)
Aug. 27, 2021 TX SB 1 Amends Various Early Voting Laws to Require Individual Signature Verification and Prohibit Drive-Thru and 24 Hour Voting Bill Passed - House (80 - 41)
Aug. 27, 2021 TX SB 13 Repeals Certain 2022 Election Dates Bill Passed - House (96 - 25)
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. 24, 2021 National HR 4 John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2021 Bill Passed - House (219 - 212)
Aug. 24, 2021 National H Res 601 Providing for consideration of (H.R. 4) John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act; providing for consideration of the Senate amendment to (H.R. 3684) Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act; and providing for the adoption of the concurrent resolution (S. Con. Res. 14); and for other purposes Resolution Passed - House (220 - 212)
Aug. 24, 2021 National H Res 601 Providing for consideration of (H.R. 4) John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act; providing for consideration of the Senate amendment to (H.R. 3684) Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act; and providing for the adoption of the concurrent resolution (S. Con. Res. 14); and for other purposes Resolution Passed - House (220 - 212)
Aug. 17, 2021 MI HB 4840 Requires Ballots from Elections to be Retained for 22 Months After Certification Bill Passed - House (80 - 28)
Aug. 17, 2021 MI HB 4837 Prohibits Third Parties from Accessing the Qualified Voter File Bill Passed - House (75 - 33)
Aug. 17, 2021 MI HB 4838 Prohibits Electronic Poll Books from Being Connected to the Internet Bill Passed - House (77 - 31)
Aug. 11, 2021 TX SB 1 Amends Various Early Voting Laws to Require Individual Signature Verification and Prohibit Drive-Thru and 24 Hour Voting Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 11)
Aug. 11, 2021 National S Con Res 14 A concurrent resolution setting forth the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2022 and setting forth the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2023 through 2031 Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (50 - 49)
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 28, 2021 National HR 4346 Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2022 Bill Passed - House (215 - 207)
July 20, 2021 LA SB 224 Increases Requirements for Absentee Voting by Mail Veto Override Failed - Senate (24 - 12)
July 20, 2021 LA SB 220 Establishes Rules for Legislative Auditor Examinations, Audits, and Reviews of Elections and Retention of Election Records Veto Override Failed - Senate (21 - 15)
July 20, 2021 National PN 126 Nomination of Jennifer Abruzzo as General Counsel of the National Labor Relations Board Nomination Confirmed - Senate (51 - 50)
July 13, 2021 TX SB 1 Amends Various Early Voting Laws to Require Individual Signature Verification and Prohibit Drive-Thru and 24 Hour Voting Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 4)
June 30, 2021 AZ HB 2905 Limits Distribution of Mail-In Ballots Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 12)
June 30, 2021 National H Res 503 Establishing the Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the United States Capitol Bill Passed - House (222 - 190)
June 29, 2021 National HR 2662 IG Independence and Empowerment Act Bill Passed - House (221 - 182)
June 29, 2021 National HR 2662 IG Independence and Empowerment Act Bill Passed - House (221 - 182)
June 28, 2021 CA SB 152 Authorizes a Recall Election without the Approval of the Joint Legislative Budget Committee Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 9)
June 28, 2021 CA SB 152 Authorizes a Recall Election without the Approval of the Joint Legislative Budget Committee Bill Passed - House (59 - 19)
June 25, 2021 PA SB 255 Appropriates Funds for Executive, Legislative, and Judicial Departments Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (43 - 7)
June 25, 2021 PA SB 255 Appropriates Funds for Executive, Legislative, and Judicial Departments Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (43 - 7)
June 25, 2021 PA SB 255 Appropriates Funds for Executive, Legislative, and Judicial Departments Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (43 - 7)
June 25, 2021 PA SB 255 Appropriates Funds for Executive, Legislative, and Judicial Departments Bill Passed - House (140 - 61)
June 25, 2021 PA SB 255 Appropriates Funds for Executive, Legislative, and Judicial Departments Bill Passed - House (140 - 61)
June 25, 2021 PA SB 255 Appropriates Funds for Executive, Legislative, and Judicial Departments Bill Passed - House (140 - 61)
June 25, 2021 AZ SB 1835 Establishes Fines for Impersonating Election Officials Bill Passed - House (31 - 25)
June 25, 2021 OH SB 80 Requires Party Affiliations of Judicial Candidates to be Listed on Election Ballots Bill Passed - House (52 - 37)
June 25, 2021 OH SB 80 Requires Party Affiliations of Judicial Candidates to be Listed on Election Ballots Bill Passed - House (52 - 37)
June 25, 2021 PA HB 1300 Establishes State Legislative Authority Over Elections Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 21)
June 25, 2021 AZ HB 2905 Limits Distribution of Mail-In Ballots Bill Passed - House (31 - 26)
June 24, 2021 National S J Res 13 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission relating to "Update of Commission's Conciliation Procedures". Joint Resolution Passed - House (219 - 210)
June 24, 2021 NJ S 3999 Authorizes the Secretary of State and State Motor Vehicle Commission to Share Voter and Motor Vehicle Information Bill Passed - House (63 - 10)
June 24, 2021 PA SB 115 Authorizes Nurses to Hold a License in Multiple States Bill Passed - House (146 - 55)
June 24, 2021 OR HB 3291 Requires Ballots Returned by Mail to be Postmarked by the Date of the Election Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 13)
June 24, 2021 AZ SB 1819 Requires New Security Features on Ballots Bill Passed - House (31 - 29)
June 24, 2021 AZ SB 1835 Establishes Fines for Impersonating Election Officials Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 14)
June 24, 2021 NJ A 698 Requires Incarcerated Individuals be Counted for Municipal, County, and Congressional Redistricting Purposes Bill Passed - House (50 - 25)
June 23, 2021 VT H 227 Amends Election Laws and Regulations for the City of Winooski Veto Override Passed - Senate (20 - 10)
June 23, 2021 VT H 227 Amends Election Laws and Regulations for the City of Winooski Veto Override Passed - House (103 - 47)
June 23, 2021 WI AB 369 Amends Congressional Districts Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 12)
June 23, 2021 OH SB 3 Authorizes Ohio to Join the Nurse Licensure Compact Bill Passed - House (60 - 35)
June 23, 2021 WI AB 369 Amends Congressional Districts Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 12)
June 23, 2021 WI AB 374 Establishes Guidelines for Potential Opioid Settlement Disbursement to State Counties Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 11)
Date No. Title Outcome
9/28 AB 563 Requires Schools Teach Students on the Declaration of Independence, Constitution, Bill of Rights and Compare Democratic Principals to Communism, Socialism, and Totalitarianism Bill Passed - House (61 - 37)
9/28 AB 414 Prohibit Government Agencies from Holding Employee Training Sessions that Say Individuals are Responsible for Past Acts by People of the Same Race Bill Passed - House (60 - 38)
9/28 SJR 63 Establishes State Legislative Districts Bill Passed - House (60 - 38)
9/28 SR 76 Authorizes Governor's Renewed Emergency Declaration Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 15)
9/27 SB 882 Amends State Legislative Districts Bill Passed - House (31 - 18)
9/27 SB 881 Amends State Congressional Districts Bill Passed - House (33 - 16)
9/27 SB 738 Establishes a Public Website to Track Constitutional Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 6)
9/27 SB 738 Establishes a Public Website to Track Constitutional Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 6)
9/23 H 4121 Establishes House Working Group on COVID-19 Bill Passed - House (131 - 28)
9/23 H 4121 Establishes House Working Group on COVID-19 Bill Passed - House (131 - 28)
9/20 SB 882 Amends State Legislative Districts Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 11)
9/20 SB 881 Amends State Congressional Districts Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 11)
9/15 SB 360 Prohibits Any State Agency from Settling Certain Lawsuits Without the Approval of the General Assembly Bill Passed - House (58 - 47)
9/09 AB 105 Requires State Boards and Committees to be More Diverse Concurrence Vote Passed - House (58 - 12)
9/08 SB 660 Prohibits Recall Organizers from Paying Signature Gatherers on a Per-Signature Basis Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 11)
9/08 AB 105 Requires State Boards and Committees to be More Diverse Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 8)
9/07 AB 970 Reduces Obstacles to Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Bill Passed - House (59 - 11)
9/03 SB 594 Amends Redistricting Regulations for Congressional Districts Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 0)
9/02 SB 714 Authorizes DREAMers to Participate in County Central Committees Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 6)
9/02 SB 660 Prohibits Recall Organizers from Paying Signature Gatherers on a Per-Signature Basis Bill Passed - House (51 - 18)
9/02 AB 970 Reduces Obstacles to Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 9)
9/01 AB 1203 Amends Property Tax Laws and the Assessment Appeals Court Concurrence Vote Passed - House (61 - 15)
9/01 SB 714 Authorizes DREAMers to Participate in County Central Committees Bill Passed - House (57 - 11)
9/01 HB 4061 Prohibits Using the Public Threat Alert System for Executive Orders Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 16)
9/01 HB 4272 Exempts Michigan Made Gas Cans from Federal Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 16)
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)
8/30 AB 816 Requires State and Local Governments to Develop Plans to Reduce Homelessness Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 7)
8/27 SB 1 Amends Various Early Voting Laws to Require Individual Signature Verification and Prohibit Drive-Thru and 24 Hour Voting Bill Passed - House (80 - 41)
8/27 SB 13 Repeals Certain 2022 Election Dates Bill Passed - House (96 - 25)
8/26 SB 9 Authorizes the Development of Up to Two Duplexes Without Local Reviews or Hearings Bill Passed - House (45 - 19)
8/24 HR 4 John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2021 Bill Passed - House (219 - 212)
8/24 H Res 601 Providing for consideration of (H.R. 4) John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act; providing for consideration of the Senate amendment to (H.R. 3684) Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act; and providing for the adoption of the concurrent resolution (S. Con. Res. 14); and for other purposes Resolution Passed - House (220 - 212)
8/24 H Res 601 Providing for consideration of (H.R. 4) John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act; providing for consideration of the Senate amendment to (H.R. 3684) Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act; and providing for the adoption of the concurrent resolution (S. Con. Res. 14); and for other purposes Resolution Passed - House (220 - 212)
8/17 HB 4840 Requires Ballots from Elections to be Retained for 22 Months After Certification Bill Passed - House (80 - 28)
8/17 HB 4837 Prohibits Third Parties from Accessing the Qualified Voter File Bill Passed - House (75 - 33)
8/17 HB 4838 Prohibits Electronic Poll Books from Being Connected to the Internet Bill Passed - House (77 - 31)
8/11 SB 1 Amends Various Early Voting Laws to Require Individual Signature Verification and Prohibit Drive-Thru and 24 Hour Voting Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 11)
8/11 S Con Res 14 A concurrent resolution setting forth the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2022 and setting forth the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2023 through 2031 Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (50 - 49)
7/29 HR 4502 Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2022 Bill Passed - House (219 - 208)
7/28 HR 4346 Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2022 Bill Passed - House (215 - 207)
7/20 SB 224 Increases Requirements for Absentee Voting by Mail Veto Override Failed - Senate (24 - 12)
7/20 SB 220 Establishes Rules for Legislative Auditor Examinations, Audits, and Reviews of Elections and Retention of Election Records Veto Override Failed - Senate (21 - 15)
7/20 PN 126 Nomination of Jennifer Abruzzo as General Counsel of the National Labor Relations Board Nomination Confirmed - Senate (51 - 50)
7/13 SB 1 Amends Various Early Voting Laws to Require Individual Signature Verification and Prohibit Drive-Thru and 24 Hour Voting Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 4)
6/30 HB 2905 Limits Distribution of Mail-In Ballots Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 12)
6/30 H Res 503 Establishing the Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the United States Capitol Bill Passed - House (222 - 190)
6/29 HR 2662 IG Independence and Empowerment Act Bill Passed - House (221 - 182)
6/29 HR 2662 IG Independence and Empowerment Act Bill Passed - House (221 - 182)
6/28 SB 152 Authorizes a Recall Election without the Approval of the Joint Legislative Budget Committee Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 9)
6/28 SB 152 Authorizes a Recall Election without the Approval of the Joint Legislative Budget Committee Bill Passed - House (59 - 19)
6/25 SB 255 Appropriates Funds for Executive, Legislative, and Judicial Departments Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (43 - 7)
6/25 SB 255 Appropriates Funds for Executive, Legislative, and Judicial Departments Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (43 - 7)
6/25 SB 255 Appropriates Funds for Executive, Legislative, and Judicial Departments Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (43 - 7)
6/25 SB 255 Appropriates Funds for Executive, Legislative, and Judicial Departments Bill Passed - House (140 - 61)
6/25 SB 255 Appropriates Funds for Executive, Legislative, and Judicial Departments Bill Passed - House (140 - 61)
6/25 SB 255 Appropriates Funds for Executive, Legislative, and Judicial Departments Bill Passed - House (140 - 61)
6/25 SB 1835 Establishes Fines for Impersonating Election Officials Bill Passed - House (31 - 25)
6/25 SB 80 Requires Party Affiliations of Judicial Candidates to be Listed on Election Ballots Bill Passed - House (52 - 37)
6/25 SB 80 Requires Party Affiliations of Judicial Candidates to be Listed on Election Ballots Bill Passed - House (52 - 37)
6/25 HB 1300 Establishes State Legislative Authority Over Elections Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 21)
6/25 HB 2905 Limits Distribution of Mail-In Ballots Bill Passed - House (31 - 26)
6/24 S J Res 13 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission relating to "Update of Commission's Conciliation Procedures". Joint Resolution Passed - House (219 - 210)
6/24 S 3999 Authorizes the Secretary of State and State Motor Vehicle Commission to Share Voter and Motor Vehicle Information Bill Passed - House (63 - 10)
6/24 SB 115 Authorizes Nurses to Hold a License in Multiple States Bill Passed - House (146 - 55)
6/24 HB 3291 Requires Ballots Returned by Mail to be Postmarked by the Date of the Election Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 13)
6/24 SB 1819 Requires New Security Features on Ballots Bill Passed - House (31 - 29)
6/24 SB 1835 Establishes Fines for Impersonating Election Officials Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 14)
6/24 A 698 Requires Incarcerated Individuals be Counted for Municipal, County, and Congressional Redistricting Purposes Bill Passed - House (50 - 25)
6/23 H 227 Amends Election Laws and Regulations for the City of Winooski Veto Override Passed - Senate (20 - 10)
6/23 H 227 Amends Election Laws and Regulations for the City of Winooski Veto Override Passed - House (103 - 47)
6/23 AB 369 Amends Congressional Districts Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 12)
6/23 SB 3 Authorizes Ohio to Join the Nurse Licensure Compact Bill Passed - House (60 - 35)
6/23 AB 369 Amends Congressional Districts Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 12)
6/23 AB 374 Establishes Guidelines for Potential Opioid Settlement Disbursement to State Counties Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 11)
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