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
Dec. 18, 2024 OH HB 74 Amends Various State Election Laws and Regulations Concurrence Vote Passed - House (61 - 28)
Dec. 18, 2024 OH HB 74 Amends Various State Election Laws and Regulations Concurrence Vote Passed - House (61 - 28)
Nov. 20, 2024 NC SB 382 Transfers $227 Million from North Carolina's Reserve Fund to the Helene Fund and Rescinds Election Board Appointment Powers from Governor to Auditor Conference Report Adopted - House (63 - 46)
Nov. 18, 2024 National HR 5658 Vote by Mail Tracking Act Bill Passed - House (396 - 6)
Nov. 13, 2024 MI HB 4127 Prohibits Open Carrying at Polling Places Concurrence Vote Passed - House (56 - 53)
Nov. 13, 2024 MI HB 4128 Prohibits Open Carrying at Ballot Drop Box Locations Concurrence Vote Passed - House (56 - 53)
Sept. 17, 2024 National HR 8314 No Foreign Election Interference Act Bill Failed - House (218 - 181)
Aug. 30, 2024 CA AB 2839 Prohibits Deceptive Content in Election Advertisements Concurrence Vote Passed - House (63 - 8)
July 10, 2024 National HR 8281 Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act Bill Passed - House (221 - 198)
July 9, 2024 PA HB 2473 Amends the Pennsylvania Election Code and Outlines the Process for Appeals to the Court and County Board Membership Bill Passed - House (105 - 97)
July 1, 2024 PA HB 2433 Prohibits Foreign-Influenced Corporations from Influencing Elections Bill Passed - House (126 - 76)
July 1, 2024 PA HB 2433 Prohibits Foreign-Influenced Corporations from Influencing Elections Bill Passed - House (126 - 76)
June 30, 2024 DE HB 316 Establishes New Electoral Crime of Distributing Deepfakes Concurrence Vote Passed - House (40 - 1)
June 13, 2024 MI SB 604 Amends Sentencing Guidelines Related to Election Recounts Bill Passed - House (56 - 53)
June 13, 2024 MI SB 603 Amends the Requirements for Election Recounts in Michigan Bill Passed - House (56 - 53)
June 8, 2024 NY S 9837 Requires the Board of Elections to Provide a Domestic Postage Paid Return Envelope for Voters Bill Passed - House (92 - 49)
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 30, 2024 OH HB 1 Prohibits Foreign Nationals from Contributing Money Directly or Indirectly to State Ballot Initiatives Bill Passed - House (63 - 31)
May 29, 2024 NY S 6130 Authorizes Attorneys to be Poll Watchers Concurrence Vote Passed - House (98 - 49)
May 28, 2024 NY S 5943 Amends the Order in Which Candidates Appear on State and Federal Ballots Bill Passed - House (96 - 48)
May 28, 2024 NY S 5943 Amends the Order in Which Candidates Appear on State and Federal Ballots Bill Passed - House (96 - 48)
May 23, 2024 OK HB 1105 Increases the Challenge Period for Initiative Petitions and Referendums from 10 to 90 Days Concurrence Vote Passed - House (72 - 18)
May 23, 2024 National HR 192 To prohibit individuals who are not citizens of the United States from voting in elections in the District of Columbia Bill Passed - House (262 - 143)
May 22, 2024 CA AB 2355 Requires Entities that Create, Publish, or Distribute Political Advertisements Provide a Disclosure of AI Use Bill Passed - House (64 - 0)
May 21, 2024 CA AB 1807 Amends Certain Sections of the Elections Code Relating to Elections Bill Passed - House (58 - 13)
May 21, 2024 CA AB 2642 Amends Statutes Regarding Elections Bill Passed - House (59 - 10)
May 21, 2024 CA AB 1807 Amends Certain Sections of the Elections Code Relating to Elections Bill Passed - House (58 - 13)
May 18, 2024 MN SF 37 Authorizes Minnesota Voters to Vote On a Constitutional Amendment Providing For Equality Under the Law Bill Passed - House (68 - 62)
May 13, 2024 MN HF 4772 Establishes Various Election Policies and Campaign Finance Laws Conference Report Adopted - House (70 - 63)
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 9, 2024 AK HB 358 Prohibits the Use of Artificial Intelligence to Create Deep Fakes Bill Passed - House (38 - 2)
May 6, 2024 CO SB 24-210 Amends Various Election Laws Including Delaying Implementation of State Ranked Choice Voting Bill Passed - House (53 - 9)
May 3, 2024 MN HF 4411 Increases Various Election Security Measures for Local Government Bill Passed - House (83 - 44)
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)
May 2, 2024 AL SB 186 Prohibits Ranked Choice Voting Bill Passed - House (74 - 28)
May 1, 2024 PA HB 847 Authorizes Election Officials to Begin Counting Mail-In Ballots 7 Days Before an Election Bill Passed - House (102 - 99)
April 30, 2024 CO HB 24-1147 Requires Disclosure of the Usage of Deepfakes During an Election Concurrence Vote Passed - House (43 - 19)
April 20, 2024 CO HB 24-1349 Authorizes a Ballot Proposal to Establish a 9% Excise Tax on Ammo Vendors, Gun Dealers and Firearms Manufacturers Bill Passed - House (44 - 18)
April 18, 2024 IA SF 2433 Appropriates Funding for the Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing (DIAL) Bill Passed - House (56 - 35)
April 12, 2024 KY HB 622 Repeals the Governor's Authority to Fill a Vacant U.S. Senate Seat and Instead Require a Special Election Veto Override Passed - House (81 - 17)
April 12, 2024 FL SJR 1114 Authorizes the Repeal of Article 6 of the Florida State Constitution Joint Resolution Passed - House (82 - 29)
March 28, 2024 GA HB 1207 Requires Proofing of Ballots By Local Superintendents in Certain Races Concurrence Vote Passed - House (100 - 75)
March 28, 2024 GA SB 189 Establishes New Rules and Regulations for Challenging Voter Qualifications Bill Passed - House (101 - 73)
March 27, 2024 ID S 1377 Requires Paid Signature Gatherers to Disclose that They are Being Paid Bill Passed - House (54 - 16)
March 27, 2024 MO HB 2628 Prohibits Distributing False Media Messages for Any Political Candidate within 90 Days of an Election Bill Passed - House (133 - 5)
March 21, 2024 GA SB 368 Prohibits Foreign Nationals from Donating to Political Campaigns Bill Passed - House (161 - 2)
March 11, 2024 ID H 599 Prohibits Ballot Harvesting Bill Passed - House (58 - 11)
March 9, 2024 WV SB 624 Rescinds Voter Registration Records for individuals Who Move out of the State or Receive a Driver's License in Another Concurrence Vote Passed - House (96 - 1)
March 9, 2024 WV HB 4350 Repeals State Policy Allowing Individuals to File Candidacy for a Vacant Public Office After the Filing Deadline Concurrence Vote Passed - House (83 - 12)
March 8, 2024 WV HB 4552 Requires Candidates in Partisan Elections to Immediately Verify Their Party Affiliation Concurrence Vote Passed - House (96 - 1)
March 7, 2024 FL SB 7014 Increases the Maximum Fine for Violations of Specified Lobbying Provisions Concurrence Vote Passed - House (79 - 34)
March 7, 2024 WV SB 542 Specifies Vacancy Protocols for County Commissions Bill Passed - House (95 - 3)
March 7, 2024 AL SB 1 Prohibits Assistance with Absentee Voting Bill Passed - House (75 - 28)
March 7, 2024 MS HB 1609 Authorizes Voter Restoration for Individuals Previously Convicted of Non-Violent Felonies Bill Passed - House (96 - 11)
March 6, 2024 OR SB 1533 Requires the Secretary of State Translate Voter Pamphlets into the 10 Most Common Languages in the State Bill Passed - House (45 - 9)
March 6, 2024 MS HB 1156 Expands Laws for Polling Places Bill Passed - House (122 - 0)
March 6, 2024 OR HB 4024 Establishes a Cap on Individual Campaign Contributions Bill Passed - House (52 - 5)
March 6, 2024 OR HB 4024 Establishes a Cap on Individual Campaign Contributions Bill Passed - House (52 - 5)
March 5, 2024 SD HB 1244 Authorizes Individuals to Withdraw Their Signatures from Ballot-Question Petitions Concurrence Vote Passed - House (60 - 10)
March 5, 2024 OR SB 1571 Requires Disclosure of AI in Political Campaign Advertisements Bill Passed - House (52 - 3)
March 5, 2024 IA HF 2610 Amends Voter Laws in Iowa Bill Passed - House (62 - 35)
March 4, 2024 KY HB 622 Repeals the Governor's Authority to Fill a Vacant U.S. Senate Seat and Instead Require a Special Election Bill Passed - House (88 - 4)
Feb. 29, 2024 AZ HB 2876 Repeals No-Excuse Mail-In Voting Bill Passed - House (31 - 28)
Feb. 28, 2024 AZ HCR 2056 Prohibits Elections Officials from Receiving Funding from Foreign Governments Joint Resolution Passed - House (31 - 28)
Feb. 28, 2024 AZ HCR 2056 Prohibits Elections Officials from Receiving Funding from Foreign Governments Joint Resolution Passed - House (31 - 28)
Feb. 22, 2024 MO HB 1749 Amends Statutes for Initiative Petitions and Referendums Bill Passed - House (104 - 41)
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. 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. 14, 2024 NM SB 5 Prohibits Fireams at State Drop Boxes and Polling Places Bill Passed - House (35 - 34)
Feb. 13, 2024 WI SB 488 Establishes the 2024 State Legislative District Map Bill Passed - House (63 - 33)
Feb. 12, 2024 NM HB 182 Amends the State Campaign Reporting Act to Require Disclaimers on "Materially Deceptive Media" Bill Passed - House (38 - 28)
Feb. 12, 2024 NM HB 182 Amends the State Campaign Reporting Act to Require Disclaimers on "Materially Deceptive Media" Bill Passed - House (38 - 28)
Feb. 8, 2024 WA HB 1932 Authorizes Local Governments to Amend Their General Elections to Even-Numbered Years When Voter Turnout is High Bill Passed - House (52 - 45)
Feb. 8, 2024 AZ HB 2785 Requires the Department of Administration to Coordinate with State Agencies Concerning Elections Bill Passed - House (56 - 2)
Feb. 2, 2024 AK HB 129 Amends Voter Registration Rules in Alaska Bill Passed - House (33 - 6)
Jan. 30, 2024 KY HB 341 Prohibits Non-Citizens from Voting in an Election Bill Passed - House (81 - 15)
Jan. 24, 2024 WI AB 415 Establishes a 5-Member Advisory Commission to Examine State Legislative District Maps Concurrence Vote Passed - House (63 - 35)
Jan. 19, 2024 LA HB 17 Authorizes Certain Offices to Conduct Closed Party Primary Elections and Amends Election Codes Concurrence Vote Passed - House (67 - 36)
Date No. Title Outcome
12/18 HB 74 Amends Various State Election Laws and Regulations Concurrence Vote Passed - House (61 - 28)
12/18 HB 74 Amends Various State Election Laws and Regulations Concurrence Vote Passed - House (61 - 28)
11/20 SB 382 Transfers $227 Million from North Carolina's Reserve Fund to the Helene Fund and Rescinds Election Board Appointment Powers from Governor to Auditor Conference Report Adopted - House (63 - 46)
11/18 HR 5658 Vote by Mail Tracking Act Bill Passed - House (396 - 6)
11/13 HB 4127 Prohibits Open Carrying at Polling Places Concurrence Vote Passed - House (56 - 53)
11/13 HB 4128 Prohibits Open Carrying at Ballot Drop Box Locations Concurrence Vote Passed - House (56 - 53)
9/17 HR 8314 No Foreign Election Interference Act Bill Failed - House (218 - 181)
8/30 AB 2839 Prohibits Deceptive Content in Election Advertisements Concurrence Vote Passed - House (63 - 8)
7/10 HR 8281 Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act Bill Passed - House (221 - 198)
7/09 HB 2473 Amends the Pennsylvania Election Code and Outlines the Process for Appeals to the Court and County Board Membership Bill Passed - House (105 - 97)
7/01 HB 2433 Prohibits Foreign-Influenced Corporations from Influencing Elections Bill Passed - House (126 - 76)
7/01 HB 2433 Prohibits Foreign-Influenced Corporations from Influencing Elections Bill Passed - House (126 - 76)
6/30 HB 316 Establishes New Electoral Crime of Distributing Deepfakes Concurrence Vote Passed - House (40 - 1)
6/13 SB 604 Amends Sentencing Guidelines Related to Election Recounts Bill Passed - House (56 - 53)
6/13 SB 603 Amends the Requirements for Election Recounts in Michigan Bill Passed - House (56 - 53)
6/08 S 9837 Requires the Board of Elections to Provide a Domestic Postage Paid Return Envelope for Voters Bill Passed - House (92 - 49)
5/30 HB 1 Prohibits Foreign Nationals from Contributing Money Directly or Indirectly to State Ballot Initiatives Bill Passed - House (63 - 31)
5/30 HB 1 Prohibits Foreign Nationals from Contributing Money Directly or Indirectly to State Ballot Initiatives Bill Passed - House (63 - 31)
5/29 S 6130 Authorizes Attorneys to be Poll Watchers Concurrence Vote Passed - House (98 - 49)
5/28 S 5943 Amends the Order in Which Candidates Appear on State and Federal Ballots Bill Passed - House (96 - 48)
5/28 S 5943 Amends the Order in Which Candidates Appear on State and Federal Ballots Bill Passed - House (96 - 48)
5/23 HB 1105 Increases the Challenge Period for Initiative Petitions and Referendums from 10 to 90 Days Concurrence Vote Passed - House (72 - 18)
5/23 HR 192 To prohibit individuals who are not citizens of the United States from voting in elections in the District of Columbia Bill Passed - House (262 - 143)
5/22 AB 2355 Requires Entities that Create, Publish, or Distribute Political Advertisements Provide a Disclosure of AI Use Bill Passed - House (64 - 0)
5/21 AB 1807 Amends Certain Sections of the Elections Code Relating to Elections Bill Passed - House (58 - 13)
5/21 AB 2642 Amends Statutes Regarding Elections Bill Passed - House (59 - 10)
5/21 AB 1807 Amends Certain Sections of the Elections Code Relating to Elections Bill Passed - House (58 - 13)
5/18 SF 37 Authorizes Minnesota Voters to Vote On a Constitutional Amendment Providing For Equality Under the Law Bill Passed - House (68 - 62)
5/13 HF 4772 Establishes Various Election Policies and Campaign Finance Laws Conference Report Adopted - House (70 - 63)
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)
5/09 HB 358 Prohibits the Use of Artificial Intelligence to Create Deep Fakes Bill Passed - House (38 - 2)
5/06 SB 24-210 Amends Various Election Laws Including Delaying Implementation of State Ranked Choice Voting Bill Passed - House (53 - 9)
5/03 HF 4411 Increases Various Election Security Measures for Local Government Bill Passed - House (83 - 44)
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)
5/02 SB 186 Prohibits Ranked Choice Voting Bill Passed - House (74 - 28)
5/01 HB 847 Authorizes Election Officials to Begin Counting Mail-In Ballots 7 Days Before an Election Bill Passed - House (102 - 99)
4/30 HB 24-1147 Requires Disclosure of the Usage of Deepfakes During an Election Concurrence Vote Passed - House (43 - 19)
4/20 HB 24-1349 Authorizes a Ballot Proposal to Establish a 9% Excise Tax on Ammo Vendors, Gun Dealers and Firearms Manufacturers Bill Passed - House (44 - 18)
4/18 SF 2433 Appropriates Funding for the Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing (DIAL) Bill Passed - House (56 - 35)
4/12 HB 622 Repeals the Governor's Authority to Fill a Vacant U.S. Senate Seat and Instead Require a Special Election Veto Override Passed - House (81 - 17)
4/12 SJR 1114 Authorizes the Repeal of Article 6 of the Florida State Constitution Joint Resolution Passed - House (82 - 29)
3/28 HB 1207 Requires Proofing of Ballots By Local Superintendents in Certain Races Concurrence Vote Passed - House (100 - 75)
3/28 SB 189 Establishes New Rules and Regulations for Challenging Voter Qualifications Bill Passed - House (101 - 73)
3/27 S 1377 Requires Paid Signature Gatherers to Disclose that They are Being Paid Bill Passed - House (54 - 16)
3/27 HB 2628 Prohibits Distributing False Media Messages for Any Political Candidate within 90 Days of an Election Bill Passed - House (133 - 5)
3/21 SB 368 Prohibits Foreign Nationals from Donating to Political Campaigns Bill Passed - House (161 - 2)
3/11 H 599 Prohibits Ballot Harvesting Bill Passed - House (58 - 11)
3/09 SB 624 Rescinds Voter Registration Records for individuals Who Move out of the State or Receive a Driver's License in Another Concurrence Vote Passed - House (96 - 1)
3/09 HB 4350 Repeals State Policy Allowing Individuals to File Candidacy for a Vacant Public Office After the Filing Deadline Concurrence Vote Passed - House (83 - 12)
3/08 HB 4552 Requires Candidates in Partisan Elections to Immediately Verify Their Party Affiliation Concurrence Vote Passed - House (96 - 1)
3/07 SB 7014 Increases the Maximum Fine for Violations of Specified Lobbying Provisions Concurrence Vote Passed - House (79 - 34)
3/07 SB 542 Specifies Vacancy Protocols for County Commissions Bill Passed - House (95 - 3)
3/07 SB 1 Prohibits Assistance with Absentee Voting Bill Passed - House (75 - 28)
3/07 HB 1609 Authorizes Voter Restoration for Individuals Previously Convicted of Non-Violent Felonies Bill Passed - House (96 - 11)
3/06 SB 1533 Requires the Secretary of State Translate Voter Pamphlets into the 10 Most Common Languages in the State Bill Passed - House (45 - 9)
3/06 HB 1156 Expands Laws for Polling Places Bill Passed - House (122 - 0)
3/06 HB 4024 Establishes a Cap on Individual Campaign Contributions Bill Passed - House (52 - 5)
3/06 HB 4024 Establishes a Cap on Individual Campaign Contributions Bill Passed - House (52 - 5)
3/05 HB 1244 Authorizes Individuals to Withdraw Their Signatures from Ballot-Question Petitions Concurrence Vote Passed - House (60 - 10)
3/05 SB 1571 Requires Disclosure of AI in Political Campaign Advertisements Bill Passed - House (52 - 3)
3/05 HF 2610 Amends Voter Laws in Iowa Bill Passed - House (62 - 35)
3/04 HB 622 Repeals the Governor's Authority to Fill a Vacant U.S. Senate Seat and Instead Require a Special Election Bill Passed - House (88 - 4)
2/29 HB 2876 Repeals No-Excuse Mail-In Voting Bill Passed - House (31 - 28)
2/28 HCR 2056 Prohibits Elections Officials from Receiving Funding from Foreign Governments Joint Resolution Passed - House (31 - 28)
2/28 HCR 2056 Prohibits Elections Officials from Receiving Funding from Foreign Governments Joint Resolution Passed - House (31 - 28)
2/22 HB 1749 Amends Statutes for Initiative Petitions and Referendums Bill Passed - House (104 - 41)
2/14 SB 108 Requires the Election Fund be Reimbursed by the General Fund for All Election Costs Bill Passed - House (59 - 5)
2/14 SB 108 Requires the Election Fund be Reimbursed by the General Fund for All Election Costs Bill Passed - House (59 - 5)
2/14 SB 5 Prohibits Fireams at State Drop Boxes and Polling Places Bill Passed - House (35 - 34)
2/13 SB 488 Establishes the 2024 State Legislative District Map Bill Passed - House (63 - 33)
2/12 HB 182 Amends the State Campaign Reporting Act to Require Disclaimers on "Materially Deceptive Media" Bill Passed - House (38 - 28)
2/12 HB 182 Amends the State Campaign Reporting Act to Require Disclaimers on "Materially Deceptive Media" Bill Passed - House (38 - 28)
2/08 HB 1932 Authorizes Local Governments to Amend Their General Elections to Even-Numbered Years When Voter Turnout is High Bill Passed - House (52 - 45)
2/08 HB 2785 Requires the Department of Administration to Coordinate with State Agencies Concerning Elections Bill Passed - House (56 - 2)
2/02 HB 129 Amends Voter Registration Rules in Alaska Bill Passed - House (33 - 6)
1/30 HB 341 Prohibits Non-Citizens from Voting in an Election Bill Passed - House (81 - 15)
1/24 AB 415 Establishes a 5-Member Advisory Commission to Examine State Legislative District Maps Concurrence Vote Passed - House (63 - 35)
1/19 HB 17 Authorizes Certain Offices to Conduct Closed Party Primary Elections and Amends Election Codes Concurrence Vote Passed - House (67 - 36)

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