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
Nov. 19, 2025 WI AB 385 Requires Verification of Security Code and Billing Address for a Political Entity to Accept an Online Donation Via Credit Card Bill Passed - House (55 - 42)
Sept. 9, 2025 MI HB 4602 Prohibits the Secretary of State From Restricting Local Election Clerks From Using Any Lawful Source for Testing Voting Machines Bill Passed - House (63 - 41)
Sept. 2, 2025 TX HB 18 (Special Session) Prohibits Lawmakers From Accepting Campaign Donations While Absent From an Ongoing Legislative Session Bill Passed - House (86 - 46)
May 20, 2025 ME LD 1576 Prohibits Legislative Staff from Lobbying for at Least a Year after Leaving Their Positions "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (115 - 28)
April 28, 2025 AK HB 16 Limits State Politicians' Ability to Accept Campaign Donations Bill Passed - House (22 - 18)
April 16, 2025 AZ SB 1612 Requires Companies that Seek State Contracts or Grants to Disclose "Anything of Value" They Have Provided to the Governor, a Gubernatorial Campaign, or Other Entities Bill Passed - House (31 - 25)
April 1, 2025 MT HB 201 Requires Signature Gatherers to Disclose to Individuals They Approach Their First Name and the State Where they Legally Reside Conference Report Adopted - House (57 - 42)
March 27, 2025 KS HB 2054 Increases the Amount Individuals and Organizations Can Donate to Political Candidates Conference Report Adopted - House (72 - 52)
March 24, 2025 KS HB 2206 Amends and Renames it the Kansas Public Disclosure Commission Concurrence Vote Passed - House (78 - 44)
March 17, 2025 AR HB 1574 Amends Current Arkansas Laws Regarding Paid Canvassers Bill Passed - House (75 - 16)
March 14, 2025 KY HB 45 Prohibits Foreign Donors and Entities from Donating to Campaigns for Ballot Measures Concurrence Vote Passed - House (77 - 12)
March 13, 2025 KS SB 5 Prohibits Use of Funds Provided by Congress for Elections and Election-Related Activities Unless Approved by the Legislature Bill Passed - House (86 - 37)
March 7, 2025 MT HB 818 Prohibits Most Foreign Contributions to Ballot Initiative Organizations Bill Passed - House (57 - 42)
Feb. 14, 2025 KS HB 2106 Prohibits Contributions to Support or Defeat a Constitutional Amendment Referendum from Foreign Nationals Bill Passed - House (94 - 25)
Feb. 12, 2025 WY HB 337 Prohibits Political Groups Including PACS and Organizations Influencing State Policy from Allowing Foreign Nationals to Fund or Participate in the Initiative Bill Passed - House (58 - 2)
Feb. 12, 2025 KY HB 45 Prohibits Foreign Donors and Entities from Donating to Campaigns for Ballot Measures Bill Passed - House (85 - 12)
Feb. 5, 2025 SD SB 12 Repeals a Campaign Finance Loophole that Authorized Unlimited Funds Into a Campaign Bill Passed - House (38 - 29)
Feb. 4, 2025 VA HB 2165 Prohibits the Use of Campaign Funds for Personal Expenses Bill Passed - House (99 - 0)
Jan. 30, 2025 NJ A 5117 Increases the Signature Threshold for State Office-Seekers Concurrence Vote Passed - House (49 - 26)
Dec. 18, 2024 OH HB 74 Amends Various State Election Laws and Regulations Concurrence Vote Passed - House (61 - 28)
July 1, 2024 PA HB 2433 Prohibits Foreign-Influenced Corporations from Influencing Elections Bill Passed - House (126 - 76)
May 30, 2024 OH HB 1 Prohibits Foreign Nationals from Contributing Money Directly or Indirectly to State Ballot Initiatives Bill Passed - House (63 - 31)
May 28, 2024 NY S 5943 Amends the Order in Which Candidates Appear on State and Federal Ballots Bill Passed - House (96 - 48)
May 21, 2024 CA AB 1807 Amends Certain Sections of the Elections Code Relating to Elections Bill Passed - House (58 - 13)
May 13, 2024 MN HF 4772 Establishes Various Election Policies and Campaign Finance Laws Conference Report Adopted - House (70 - 63)
May 9, 2024 AK HB 358 Prohibits the Use of Artificial Intelligence to Create Deep Fakes Bill Passed - House (38 - 2)
May 3, 2024 MN HF 4411 Increases Various Election Security Measures for Local Government Bill Passed - House (83 - 44)
May 2, 2024 AL SB 186 Prohibits Ranked Choice Voting Bill Passed - House (74 - 28)
April 12, 2024 FL SJR 1114 Authorizes the Repeal of Article 6 of the Florida State Constitution Joint Resolution Passed - House (82 - 29)
March 21, 2024 GA SB 368 Prohibits Foreign Nationals from Donating to Political Campaigns Bill Passed - House (161 - 2)
March 7, 2024 FL SB 7014 Increases the Maximum Fine for Violations of Specified Lobbying Provisions Concurrence Vote Passed - House (79 - 34)
March 6, 2024 OR HB 4024 Establishes a Cap on Individual Campaign Contributions Bill Passed - House (52 - 5)
Feb. 28, 2024 AZ HCR 2056 Prohibits Elections Officials from Receiving Funding from Foreign Governments Joint Resolution Passed - House (31 - 28)
Feb. 14, 2024 NM SB 108 Requires the Election Fund be Reimbursed by the General Fund for All Election Costs Bill Passed - House (59 - 5)
Feb. 12, 2024 NM HB 182 Amends the State Campaign Reporting Act to Require Disclaimers on "Materially Deceptive Media" Bill Passed - House (38 - 28)
Nov. 9, 2023 MI SB 614 Requires Broad Financial Disclosure for State Candidates for Public Office Bill Passed - House (61 - 47)
Nov. 9, 2023 MI SB 616 Prohibits Certain Candidate Expenditures and Disbursements Bill Passed - House (62 - 46)
Nov. 9, 2023 MI SB 615 Establishes Exceptions for Expenditure Disclosure Requirements Bill Passed - House (61 - 47)
Nov. 9, 2023 MI SB 613 Requires Broad Financial Disclosure for State Officials Bill Passed - House (59 - 49)
July 25, 2023 ME LD 1610 Prohibits Campaign Spending by Foreign Governments and Establishes an Anticorruption Amendment in the State Constitution Veto Override Failed - House (73 - 50)
June 14, 2023 OH HB 114 Authorizes Usage of Campaign Funds for Childcare Services Bill Passed - House (65 - 29)
June 12, 2023 RI H 5962 Amends Provisions Regarding Rhode Island Campaign Contributions and Expenditure Reporting Concurrence Vote Passed - House (41 - 29)
March 30, 2023 NJ S 2866 Establishes the Elections Transparency Act Bill Passed - House (45 - 31)
March 8, 2023 NC HB 151 Authorizes a Joint Resolution Establishing Term Limits for Congress Joint Resolution Passed - House (69 - 48)
Sept. 21, 2022 National HR 8873 Presidential Election Reform Act Bill Passed - House (229 - 203)
May 27, 2022 OK SB 1695 Requires Appointed Officials to File Financial Disclosure Statements Veto Override Passed - House (84 - 1)
April 28, 2022 TN SB 1005 Requires State Candidates to Report Campaign Expenditures in Greater Detail Conference Report Adopted - House (85 - 3)
March 24, 2022 MS HB 1365 Prohibits State and Local Election Officials from Soliciting or Accepting Private Funds Conference Report Adopted - House (77 - 38)
March 24, 2022 ID H 810 Amends Law to Provide for Public Disclosure of Campaign Contact Telephone Numbers Bill Passed - House (66 - 2)
March 10, 2022 FL HB 921 Establishes New Regulations and Limitations on Campaign Financing Concurrence Vote Passed - House (80 - 40)
Feb. 24, 2022 WI SB 935 Amends Various Election Fraud Laws Bill Passed - House (56 - 38)
June 6, 2019 OR HB 2983 Requires Disclosure of Organizations Giving Certain Monetary Donations to Campaigns Bill Passed - House (39 - 17)
March 25, 2019 ID S 1113 Amends Campaign Finance Regulations Bill Passed - House (52 - 15)
Jan. 14, 2019 NY A 776 Limits Campaign Contributions by Closing LLC Loophole Bill Failed - House (133 - 13)
Feb. 18, 2016 NC HB 2 Amends Congressional Primary Election Date Bill Passed - House (71 - 32)
March 28, 2015 MT SB 289 Requires Certain Political Groups to Disclose Expenditures Bill Passed - House (51 - 48)
Aug. 11, 2014 FL SB 2-A Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - House (71 - 38)
May 6, 2014 CT SB 455 Amends the Funding for the Public Campaign Finance Program Bill Passed - House (102 - 40)
March 20, 2014 WI SB 655 Amends Campaign Finance and Lobbying Laws Bill Passed - House (54 - 37)
Dec. 11, 2013 MI SB 661 Amends Campaign Finance Regulations Bill Passed - House (56 - 52)
Dec. 11, 2013 National HR 2019 Kids First Research Act of 2013 Bill Passed - House (295 - 103)
April 24, 2013 FL HB 569 Amends State Campaign Finance Laws Concurrence Vote Passed - House (79 - 34)
March 19, 2013 KS HB 2022 Prohibits Automatic Deductions by Public Labor Organizations for Political Fundraising Concurrence Vote Passed - House (68 - 54)
Oct. 18, 2012 NJ AR 86 Opposes the U.S. Supreme Court Decision in Citizens United Versus Federal Elections Commission Resolution Passed - House (49 - 23)
Feb. 15, 2012 AK HB 311 Amends Requirements for Electronic Campaign Finance Disclosure Conference Report Adopted - House (26 - 5)
Feb. 15, 2012 MI HB 5085 Prohibits public employers from deducting political contributions from employee paychecks Concurrence Vote Passed - House (62 - 43)
Jan. 26, 2012 UT HB 50 Repeals the Election Campaign Fund Bill Passed - House (51 - 20)
May 21, 2011 TN SB 1915 Increases Contribution Limits to Campaigns Bill Passed - House (65 - 20)
March 2, 2011 WV HB 2732 Increased Fees for Lawsuits Bill Passed - House (65 - 35)
Feb. 24, 2011 KS HB 2130 Prohibits Union Dues for Political Activities Bill Passed - House (75 - 46)
Jan. 26, 2011 National HR 359 Abolishing Federal Financing of Presidential Election Campaigns Bill Passed - House (239 - 160)
June 24, 2010 National HR 5175 Campaign Finance Disclosure Requirements Bill Passed - House (219 - 206)
April 25, 2008 VT S 278 Campaign Finance Limitations Veto Override Failed - House (99 - 51)
April 5, 2006 National HR 513 527 Reform Act of 2005 Bill Passed - House (218 - 209)
Feb. 14, 2002 National HR 2356 Campaign Reform Act of 2001 Bill Passed - House (240 - 189)
June 28, 2000 National HR 4762 '527' Political Groups Bill Passed - House (385 - 39)
Sept. 14, 1999 National HR 417 Campaign Finance Reform bill Bill Passed - House (252 - 177)
Aug. 6, 1998 National H Amdt 862 Federal Campaign Finance Amendment Amendment Rejected - House (147 - 222)
Aug. 6, 1998 National HR 2183 Campaign Finance Reform bill Bill Passed - House (252 - 179)
Aug. 3, 1998 National H Amdt 690 Shays Amendment Amendment Adopted - House (237 - 186)
July 20, 1998 National H Amdt 716 Noncitizen Campaign Contribution Amendment Amendment Adopted - House (267 - 131)
June 17, 1998 National H Amdt 688 Campaign Finance Reform Commission Amendment Amendment Rejected - House (156 - 201)
March 30, 1998 National HR 3581 Campaign Finance Reform bill Bill Failed - House (74 - 337)
March 30, 1998 National HR 3582 Campaign Reporting and Disclosure Act of 1998 Bill Passed - House (405 - 6)
July 25, 1996 National HR 3820 Campaign Finance Reform Bill Failed - House (162 - 259)
Nov. 22, 1993 National HR 3 Congressional Campaign Spending Limit and Election Reform Act of 1993 Bill Passed - House (255 - 175)
Date No. Title Outcome
11/19 AB 385 Requires Verification of Security Code and Billing Address for a Political Entity to Accept an Online Donation Via Credit Card Bill Passed - House (55 - 42)
9/09 HB 4602 Prohibits the Secretary of State From Restricting Local Election Clerks From Using Any Lawful Source for Testing Voting Machines Bill Passed - House (63 - 41)
9/02 HB 18 (Special Session) Prohibits Lawmakers From Accepting Campaign Donations While Absent From an Ongoing Legislative Session Bill Passed - House (86 - 46)
5/20 LD 1576 Prohibits Legislative Staff from Lobbying for at Least a Year after Leaving Their Positions "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (115 - 28)
4/28 HB 16 Limits State Politicians' Ability to Accept Campaign Donations Bill Passed - House (22 - 18)
4/16 SB 1612 Requires Companies that Seek State Contracts or Grants to Disclose "Anything of Value" They Have Provided to the Governor, a Gubernatorial Campaign, or Other Entities Bill Passed - House (31 - 25)
4/01 HB 201 Requires Signature Gatherers to Disclose to Individuals They Approach Their First Name and the State Where they Legally Reside Conference Report Adopted - House (57 - 42)
3/27 HB 2054 Increases the Amount Individuals and Organizations Can Donate to Political Candidates Conference Report Adopted - House (72 - 52)
3/24 HB 2206 Amends and Renames it the Kansas Public Disclosure Commission Concurrence Vote Passed - House (78 - 44)
3/17 HB 1574 Amends Current Arkansas Laws Regarding Paid Canvassers Bill Passed - House (75 - 16)
3/14 HB 45 Prohibits Foreign Donors and Entities from Donating to Campaigns for Ballot Measures Concurrence Vote Passed - House (77 - 12)
3/13 SB 5 Prohibits Use of Funds Provided by Congress for Elections and Election-Related Activities Unless Approved by the Legislature Bill Passed - House (86 - 37)
3/07 HB 818 Prohibits Most Foreign Contributions to Ballot Initiative Organizations Bill Passed - House (57 - 42)
2/14 HB 2106 Prohibits Contributions to Support or Defeat a Constitutional Amendment Referendum from Foreign Nationals Bill Passed - House (94 - 25)
2/12 HB 337 Prohibits Political Groups Including PACS and Organizations Influencing State Policy from Allowing Foreign Nationals to Fund or Participate in the Initiative Bill Passed - House (58 - 2)
2/12 HB 45 Prohibits Foreign Donors and Entities from Donating to Campaigns for Ballot Measures Bill Passed - House (85 - 12)
2/05 SB 12 Repeals a Campaign Finance Loophole that Authorized Unlimited Funds Into a Campaign Bill Passed - House (38 - 29)
2/04 HB 2165 Prohibits the Use of Campaign Funds for Personal Expenses Bill Passed - House (99 - 0)
1/30 A 5117 Increases the Signature Threshold for State Office-Seekers Concurrence Vote Passed - House (49 - 26)
12/18 HB 74 Amends Various State Election Laws and Regulations Concurrence Vote Passed - House (61 - 28)
7/01 HB 2433 Prohibits Foreign-Influenced Corporations from Influencing Elections Bill Passed - House (126 - 76)
5/30 HB 1 Prohibits Foreign Nationals from Contributing Money Directly or Indirectly to State Ballot Initiatives Bill Passed - House (63 - 31)
5/28 S 5943 Amends the Order in Which Candidates Appear on State and Federal Ballots Bill Passed - House (96 - 48)
5/21 AB 1807 Amends Certain Sections of the Elections Code Relating to Elections Bill Passed - House (58 - 13)
5/13 HF 4772 Establishes Various Election Policies and Campaign Finance Laws Conference Report Adopted - House (70 - 63)
5/09 HB 358 Prohibits the Use of Artificial Intelligence to Create Deep Fakes Bill Passed - House (38 - 2)
5/03 HF 4411 Increases Various Election Security Measures for Local Government Bill Passed - House (83 - 44)
5/02 SB 186 Prohibits Ranked Choice Voting Bill Passed - House (74 - 28)
4/12 SJR 1114 Authorizes the Repeal of Article 6 of the Florida State Constitution Joint Resolution Passed - House (82 - 29)
3/21 SB 368 Prohibits Foreign Nationals from Donating to Political Campaigns Bill Passed - House (161 - 2)
3/07 SB 7014 Increases the Maximum Fine for Violations of Specified Lobbying Provisions Concurrence Vote Passed - House (79 - 34)
3/06 HB 4024 Establishes a Cap on Individual Campaign Contributions Bill Passed - House (52 - 5)
2/28 HCR 2056 Prohibits Elections Officials from Receiving Funding from Foreign Governments Joint Resolution Passed - House (31 - 28)
2/14 SB 108 Requires the Election Fund be Reimbursed by the General Fund for All Election Costs Bill Passed - House (59 - 5)
2/12 HB 182 Amends the State Campaign Reporting Act to Require Disclaimers on "Materially Deceptive Media" Bill Passed - House (38 - 28)
11/09 SB 614 Requires Broad Financial Disclosure for State Candidates for Public Office Bill Passed - House (61 - 47)
11/09 SB 616 Prohibits Certain Candidate Expenditures and Disbursements Bill Passed - House (62 - 46)
11/09 SB 615 Establishes Exceptions for Expenditure Disclosure Requirements Bill Passed - House (61 - 47)
11/09 SB 613 Requires Broad Financial Disclosure for State Officials Bill Passed - House (59 - 49)
7/25 LD 1610 Prohibits Campaign Spending by Foreign Governments and Establishes an Anticorruption Amendment in the State Constitution Veto Override Failed - House (73 - 50)
6/14 HB 114 Authorizes Usage of Campaign Funds for Childcare Services Bill Passed - House (65 - 29)
6/12 H 5962 Amends Provisions Regarding Rhode Island Campaign Contributions and Expenditure Reporting Concurrence Vote Passed - House (41 - 29)
3/30 S 2866 Establishes the Elections Transparency Act Bill Passed - House (45 - 31)
3/08 HB 151 Authorizes a Joint Resolution Establishing Term Limits for Congress Joint Resolution Passed - House (69 - 48)
9/21 HR 8873 Presidential Election Reform Act Bill Passed - House (229 - 203)
5/27 SB 1695 Requires Appointed Officials to File Financial Disclosure Statements Veto Override Passed - House (84 - 1)
4/28 SB 1005 Requires State Candidates to Report Campaign Expenditures in Greater Detail Conference Report Adopted - House (85 - 3)
3/24 HB 1365 Prohibits State and Local Election Officials from Soliciting or Accepting Private Funds Conference Report Adopted - House (77 - 38)
3/24 H 810 Amends Law to Provide for Public Disclosure of Campaign Contact Telephone Numbers Bill Passed - House (66 - 2)
3/10 HB 921 Establishes New Regulations and Limitations on Campaign Financing Concurrence Vote Passed - House (80 - 40)
2/24 SB 935 Amends Various Election Fraud Laws Bill Passed - House (56 - 38)
6/06 HB 2983 Requires Disclosure of Organizations Giving Certain Monetary Donations to Campaigns Bill Passed - House (39 - 17)
3/25 S 1113 Amends Campaign Finance Regulations Bill Passed - House (52 - 15)
1/14 A 776 Limits Campaign Contributions by Closing LLC Loophole Bill Failed - House (133 - 13)
2/18 HB 2 Amends Congressional Primary Election Date Bill Passed - House (71 - 32)
3/28 SB 289 Requires Certain Political Groups to Disclose Expenditures Bill Passed - House (51 - 48)
8/11 SB 2-A Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - House (71 - 38)
5/06 SB 455 Amends the Funding for the Public Campaign Finance Program Bill Passed - House (102 - 40)
3/20 SB 655 Amends Campaign Finance and Lobbying Laws Bill Passed - House (54 - 37)
12/11 SB 661 Amends Campaign Finance Regulations Bill Passed - House (56 - 52)
12/11 HR 2019 Kids First Research Act of 2013 Bill Passed - House (295 - 103)
4/24 HB 569 Amends State Campaign Finance Laws Concurrence Vote Passed - House (79 - 34)
3/19 HB 2022 Prohibits Automatic Deductions by Public Labor Organizations for Political Fundraising Concurrence Vote Passed - House (68 - 54)
10/18 AR 86 Opposes the U.S. Supreme Court Decision in Citizens United Versus Federal Elections Commission Resolution Passed - House (49 - 23)
2/15 HB 311 Amends Requirements for Electronic Campaign Finance Disclosure Conference Report Adopted - House (26 - 5)
2/15 HB 5085 Prohibits public employers from deducting political contributions from employee paychecks Concurrence Vote Passed - House (62 - 43)
1/26 HB 50 Repeals the Election Campaign Fund Bill Passed - House (51 - 20)
5/21 SB 1915 Increases Contribution Limits to Campaigns Bill Passed - House (65 - 20)
3/02 HB 2732 Increased Fees for Lawsuits Bill Passed - House (65 - 35)
2/24 HB 2130 Prohibits Union Dues for Political Activities Bill Passed - House (75 - 46)
1/26 HR 359 Abolishing Federal Financing of Presidential Election Campaigns Bill Passed - House (239 - 160)
6/24 HR 5175 Campaign Finance Disclosure Requirements Bill Passed - House (219 - 206)
4/25 S 278 Campaign Finance Limitations Veto Override Failed - House (99 - 51)
4/05 HR 513 527 Reform Act of 2005 Bill Passed - House (218 - 209)
2/14 HR 2356 Campaign Reform Act of 2001 Bill Passed - House (240 - 189)
6/28 HR 4762 '527' Political Groups Bill Passed - House (385 - 39)
9/14 HR 417 Campaign Finance Reform bill Bill Passed - House (252 - 177)
8/06 H Amdt 862 Federal Campaign Finance Amendment Amendment Rejected - House (147 - 222)
8/06 HR 2183 Campaign Finance Reform bill Bill Passed - House (252 - 179)
8/03 H Amdt 690 Shays Amendment Amendment Adopted - House (237 - 186)
7/20 H Amdt 716 Noncitizen Campaign Contribution Amendment Amendment Adopted - House (267 - 131)
6/17 H Amdt 688 Campaign Finance Reform Commission Amendment Amendment Rejected - House (156 - 201)
3/30 HR 3581 Campaign Finance Reform bill Bill Failed - House (74 - 337)
3/30 HR 3582 Campaign Reporting and Disclosure Act of 1998 Bill Passed - House (405 - 6)
7/25 HR 3820 Campaign Finance Reform Bill Failed - House (162 - 259)
11/22 HR 3 Congressional Campaign Spending Limit and Election Reform Act of 1993 Bill Passed - House (255 - 175)

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