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
May 20, 2021 NV AB 88 Requires Schools to Change Any Identifier that is "Racially Discriminatory" Bill Passed - Senate (12 - 8)
May 19, 2021 IA HJR 5 Amends the State Constitution to Repeal the Right to an Abortion Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 18)
May 19, 2021 OR SJR 12 Amends the State Constitution to Establish Healthcare as a Right for All Citizens Bill Passed - House (34 - 23)
May 18, 2021 National S 937 COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act Bill Passed - House (364 - 62)
May 18, 2021 CT SB 1 Alleges Racism is a Public Health Crisis Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 5)
May 13, 2021 CA AB 1184 Establishes Privacy Rights for Gender-Affirming Care Bill Passed - House (59 - 13)
May 11, 2021 WI AJR 9 Establishes a Resolution to Add Wisconsin to the List of States Supporting a Constitutional Convention Joint Resolution Passed - House (58 - 36)
May 11, 2021 TX HB 3979 Prohibits the Teaching of "Critical Race Theory" in Schools Bill Passed - House (79 - 65)
May 5, 2021 TN SB 623 Prohibits Teaching "Critical Race Theory" in K-12 Schools Conference Report Adopted - Senate (25 - 7)
May 5, 2021 TN SB 623 Prohibits Teaching "Critical Race Theory" in K-12 Schools Conference Report Adopted - House (69 - 20)
May 5, 2021 CO SB 21-188 Authorizes a Voter with a Disability to Print the Ballot or Return the Ballot by Electronic Transmission Bill Passed - House (41 - 22)
May 5, 2021 IA HF 889 Prohibits the Implementation of COVID-19 Vaccine Passports Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 16)
May 5, 2021 KS SCR 1611 Alleges Abuse of Federal Power, Seeks Constitutional Amendment Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
May 5, 2021 PA HR 91 Establishes a Task Force to Review the Failure to Advertise a Proposed Constitutional Amendment Resolution Passed - House (111 - 90)
May 3, 2021 TN SB 1335 Classifies Tennessee as a "Second Amendment Sanctuary State" Bill Passed - House (75 - 13)
May 3, 2021 TN SB 1335 Classifies Tennessee as a "Second Amendment Sanctuary State" Bill Passed - House (75 - 13)
April 29, 2021 NE LB 451 Prohibits the Process Known as Hair Discrimination Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 4)
April 28, 2021 IA HF 802 Limits the Types of Diversity Training Schools and Governments May Offer Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 18)
April 28, 2021 MO HB 271 Limits the Authority of Local Health Officials to Close Organizations During a Public Health Emergency Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 6)
April 28, 2021 IA HF 889 Prohibits the Implementation of COVID-19 Vaccine Passports Bill Passed - House (58 - 35)
April 27, 2021 FL SJR 204 Authorizes Referendum as to Abolishment of Constitution Revision Commission Bill Passed - House (86 - 28)
April 26, 2021 AR SB 298 Classifies Federal Gun Restrictions as Invalid Veto Override Passed - Senate (21 - 12)
April 26, 2021 MT HB 504 Prohibits Peace Officers from Curtailing the Possession of Firearms Concurrence Vote Passed - House (70 - 28)
April 26, 2021 AR SB 615 Prohibits Governmental Entities from Mandating Vaccine Passports Bill Passed - House (76 - 12)
April 26, 2021 ID H 377 Prohibits Teaching the Topic Known as "Critical Race Theory" Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 8)
April 26, 2021 OR HB 3164 Limits the Circumstances that an Individual Could be Charged with Interfering with an Officer Bill Passed - House (48 - 10)
April 22, 2021 IN SB 414 Requires Universities to Survey Students About the Climate for Free Speech on Campus Conference Report Adopted - Senate (42 - 7)
April 22, 2021 National S 937 COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act Bill Passed - Senate (94 - 1)
April 22, 2021 ID H 377 Prohibits Teaching the Topic Known as "Critical Race Theory" Bill Passed - House (57 - 12)
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 AR HB 1761 Prohibits the Teaching of CRT in Schools Bill Passed - House (63 - 13)
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 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 MT HB 504 Prohibits Peace Officers from Curtailing the Possession of Firearms Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 17)
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 14, 2021 NV SB 212 Prohibits Police Officers from Using Deadly Force Before De-escalation Bill Passed - Senate (12 - 9)
April 13, 2021 AL SB 319 Authorizes Voting to Expand Casino Gambling Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 9)
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 9, 2021 NH HB 542 Authorizes Places of Worship to Stay Open During States of Emergency Bill Passed - House (199 - 173)
April 8, 2021 AL SB 267 Prohibits Implementation of COVID-19 Vaccine Passports Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 0)
April 7, 2021 NH CACR 8 Prohibits Restrictions on the Right to Own, Carry, or Use Firearms Amendment Rejected - House (201 - 174)
April 1, 2021 OR SB 398 Establishes the Presence of a Noose as a Hate Crime Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 1)
March 30, 2021 DE SB 72 Classifies Discrimination Against Any Person Because of their Religion as Illegal Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 0)
March 29, 2021 CO HB 21-1011 Requires Providing Multilingual Ballot Access Bill Passed - House (40 - 23)
March 25, 2021 IL HB 158 Reduces Racial Disparities in Medical Care Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 16)
Date No. Title Outcome
5/20 AB 88 Requires Schools to Change Any Identifier that is "Racially Discriminatory" Bill Passed - Senate (12 - 8)
5/19 HJR 5 Amends the State Constitution to Repeal the Right to an Abortion Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 18)
5/19 SJR 12 Amends the State Constitution to Establish Healthcare as a Right for All Citizens Bill Passed - House (34 - 23)
5/18 S 937 COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act Bill Passed - House (364 - 62)
5/18 SB 1 Alleges Racism is a Public Health Crisis Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 5)
5/13 AB 1184 Establishes Privacy Rights for Gender-Affirming Care Bill Passed - House (59 - 13)
5/11 AJR 9 Establishes a Resolution to Add Wisconsin to the List of States Supporting a Constitutional Convention Joint Resolution Passed - House (58 - 36)
5/11 HB 3979 Prohibits the Teaching of "Critical Race Theory" in Schools Bill Passed - House (79 - 65)
5/05 SB 623 Prohibits Teaching "Critical Race Theory" in K-12 Schools Conference Report Adopted - Senate (25 - 7)
5/05 SB 623 Prohibits Teaching "Critical Race Theory" in K-12 Schools Conference Report Adopted - House (69 - 20)
5/05 SB 21-188 Authorizes a Voter with a Disability to Print the Ballot or Return the Ballot by Electronic Transmission Bill Passed - House (41 - 22)
5/05 HF 889 Prohibits the Implementation of COVID-19 Vaccine Passports Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 16)
5/05 SCR 1611 Alleges Abuse of Federal Power, Seeks Constitutional Amendment Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
5/05 HR 91 Establishes a Task Force to Review the Failure to Advertise a Proposed Constitutional Amendment Resolution Passed - House (111 - 90)
5/03 SB 1335 Classifies Tennessee as a "Second Amendment Sanctuary State" Bill Passed - House (75 - 13)
5/03 SB 1335 Classifies Tennessee as a "Second Amendment Sanctuary State" Bill Passed - House (75 - 13)
4/29 LB 451 Prohibits the Process Known as Hair Discrimination Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 4)
4/28 HF 802 Limits the Types of Diversity Training Schools and Governments May Offer Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 18)
4/28 HB 271 Limits the Authority of Local Health Officials to Close Organizations During a Public Health Emergency Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 6)
4/28 HF 889 Prohibits the Implementation of COVID-19 Vaccine Passports Bill Passed - House (58 - 35)
4/27 SJR 204 Authorizes Referendum as to Abolishment of Constitution Revision Commission Bill Passed - House (86 - 28)
4/26 SB 298 Classifies Federal Gun Restrictions as Invalid Veto Override Passed - Senate (21 - 12)
4/26 HB 504 Prohibits Peace Officers from Curtailing the Possession of Firearms Concurrence Vote Passed - House (70 - 28)
4/26 SB 615 Prohibits Governmental Entities from Mandating Vaccine Passports Bill Passed - House (76 - 12)
4/26 H 377 Prohibits Teaching the Topic Known as "Critical Race Theory" Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 8)
4/26 HB 3164 Limits the Circumstances that an Individual Could be Charged with Interfering with an Officer Bill Passed - House (48 - 10)
4/22 SB 414 Requires Universities to Survey Students About the Climate for Free Speech on Campus Conference Report Adopted - Senate (42 - 7)
4/22 S 937 COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act Bill Passed - Senate (94 - 1)
4/22 H 377 Prohibits Teaching the Topic Known as "Critical Race Theory" Bill Passed - House (57 - 12)
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 HB 1761 Prohibits the Teaching of CRT in Schools Bill Passed - House (63 - 13)
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)
4/15 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 504 Prohibits Peace Officers from Curtailing the Possession of Firearms Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 17)
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)
4/14 SB 212 Prohibits Police Officers from Using Deadly Force Before De-escalation Bill Passed - Senate (12 - 9)
4/13 SB 319 Authorizes Voting to Expand Casino Gambling Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 9)
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)
4/09 HB 542 Authorizes Places of Worship to Stay Open During States of Emergency Bill Passed - House (199 - 173)
4/08 SB 267 Prohibits Implementation of COVID-19 Vaccine Passports Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 0)
4/07 CACR 8 Prohibits Restrictions on the Right to Own, Carry, or Use Firearms Amendment Rejected - House (201 - 174)
4/01 SB 398 Establishes the Presence of a Noose as a Hate Crime Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 1)
3/30 SB 72 Classifies Discrimination Against Any Person Because of their Religion as Illegal Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 0)
3/29 HB 21-1011 Requires Providing Multilingual Ballot Access Bill Passed - House (40 - 23)
3/25 HB 158 Reduces Racial Disparities in Medical Care Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 16)

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