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
Feb. 13, 2012 SD HB 1234 Eliminates Teacher Tenure Bill Passed - House (41 - 28)
Jan. 30, 2012 SD HCR 1004 Urging Academic Study of the Bible in Public Schools Resolution Passed - Senate (25 - 10)
Jan. 25, 2012 SD HCR 1004 Urging Academic Study of the Bible in Public Schools Resolution Passed - House (55 - 13)
Oct. 24, 2011 SD HB 1001 State Legislative Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 4)
Oct. 24, 2011 SD HB 1001 State Legislative Redistricting Bill Passed - House (50 - 18)
March 8, 2011 SD SB 156 Prohibits Employment of Undocumented Immigrants Bill Failed - House (33 - 35)
March 2, 2011 SD HB 1217 Requiring Counseling and a Waiting Period Prior to an Abortion Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13)
Feb. 23, 2011 SD SB 156 Prohibits Employment of Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
Feb. 22, 2011 SD HB 1217 Requiring Counseling and a Waiting Period Prior to an Abortion Bill Passed - House (49 - 19)
Feb. 17, 2011 SD HB 1171 Fetus Protection Bill Bill Tabled - House (61 - 4)
Feb. 9, 2011 SD HB 1061 Regulation of Registered Midwives Bill Passed - House (37 - 32)
Feb. 8, 2011 SD HB 1061 Regulation of Registered Midwives Bill Failed - House (36 - 31)
Feb. 7, 2011 SD HB 1152 Drug Testing for Welfare Recipients Bill Failed - House (32 - 36)
March 30, 2010 SD SB 196 2010-2011 Budget Bill Passed - House (44 - 25)
March 30, 2010 SD SB 196 2010-2011 Budget Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 14)
March 29, 2010 SD SB 121 Deaf and Hearing-Impaired Education Promotion Programs Veto Override Failed - House (33 - 34)
March 29, 2010 SD SB 121 Deaf and Hearing-Impaired Education Promotion Programs Veto Override Passed - Senate (30 - 4)
March 29, 2010 SD SB 169 Insurance Law Amendments Veto Override Failed - Senate (21 - 13)
March 29, 2010 SD HB 1060 Wind Energy Facility Tax Refunds Veto Override Passed - House (49 - 19)
March 10, 2010 SD SB 169 Insurance Law Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
March 10, 2010 SD HB 1231 Prescription Drug Registry Concurrence Vote Passed - House (56 - 9)
March 9, 2010 SD HB 1231 Prescription Drug Registry Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 5)
March 8, 2010 SD SB 18 Restrictions on Retirement for Rehired Public Employees Bill Passed - House (55 - 13)
March 8, 2010 SD SB 169 Insurance Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (39 - 28)
March 8, 2010 SD HB 1240 Need-Based Education Grant Fund Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11)
March 4, 2010 SD Cooper Nomination John L. Cooper, Game, Fish and Parks Commission Nomination Confirmed - Senate (22 - 12)
March 3, 2010 SD SB 89 Exempts Certain Firearms From Federal Regulation Bill Passed - House (49 - 19)
March 1, 2010 SD HCR 1009 Urges Changes to the Public School Environmental Curriculum Concurrence Vote Passed - House (37 - 33)
March 1, 2010 SD SB 63 Pilot Charter School Bill Passed - House (49 - 20)
Feb. 24, 2010 SD HCR 1009 Urges Changes to the Public School Environmental Curriculum Resolution Passed - Senate (18 - 17)
Feb. 23, 2010 SD HB 1083 Appropriations for the Sanford Lab at Homestake Bill Failed - House (45 - 23)
Feb. 23, 2010 SD HB 1240 Need-Based Education Grant Fund Bill Passed - House (64 - 4)
Feb. 19, 2010 SD HB 1107 Driver's License Renewal by Mail Bill Failed - House (33 - 30)
Feb. 18, 2010 SD SB 89 Exempts Certain Firearms From Federal Regulation Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 4)
Feb. 17, 2010 SD HCR 1009 Urges Changes to the Public School Environmental Curriculum Resolution Passed - House (36 - 30)
Feb. 17, 2010 SD HB 1178 Prohibiting Text Messaging While Driving Bill Failed - House (32 - 37)
Feb. 11, 2010 SD Jerstad Amdt Per Student Funding Increase Amendment Rejected - Senate (17 - 18)
Feb. 10, 2010 SD HB 1060 Agriculture and Business Facility Tax Refund Reductions Bill Passed - House (48 - 19)
Jan. 27, 2010 SD SB 18 Restrictions on Retirement for Rehired Public Employees Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 10)
March 13, 2009 SD HB 1300 2009-2010 Budget Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 10)
March 13, 2009 SD HB 1300 2009-2010 Budget Bill Passed - House (42 - 28)
March 12, 2009 SD HB 1197 Tax Changes Relating to Single Family Dwellings Under Construction Veto Override Passed - Senate (26 - 8)
March 11, 2009 SD HB 1197 Tax Changes Relating to Single Family Dwellings Under Construction Veto Override Passed - House (60 - 10)
March 9, 2009 SD HB 1240 Smoking Ban Concurrence Vote Passed - House (46 - 23)
March 5, 2009 SD SJR 3 Extending Senate Terms and Legislative Term-Limits Bill Failed - House (17 - 49)
March 4, 2009 SD HB 1240 Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
Feb. 23, 2009 SD SB 195 Stem Cell Research Amendments Bill Failed - Senate (14 - 20)
Feb. 23, 2009 SD HB 1240 Smoking Ban Bill Passed - House (43 - 27)
Feb. 18, 2009 SD HB 1171 Exemptions from School District Minimum Size Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 12)
Feb. 17, 2009 SD SB 106 School Funding Formula Revision Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7)
Feb. 17, 2009 SD HB 1278 Ban on Local Firearm Restrictions Bill Passed - House (46 - 20)
Feb. 12, 2009 SD SB 156 Expansion of Hate Crime Law Bill Failed - Senate (13 - 21)
Feb. 9, 2009 SD SJR 1 Authorization of Legal Gaming due to Gaming in Bordering States Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
Feb. 9, 2009 SD SJR 3 Extending Senate Terms and Legislative Term-Limits Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
Feb. 4, 2009 SD HB 1171 Exemptions from School District Minimum Size Requirements Bill Passed - House (36 - 34)
Feb. 3, 2009 SD SB 83 Statewide Indoor Smoking Ban Bill Failed - Senate (17 - 18)
Feb. 3, 2009 SD SB 79 Primary Seat Belt Enforcement Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13)
Feb. 2, 2009 SD HB 1004 Legalizing the Killing of Threatening Mountain Lions Bill Passed - House (37 - 32)
March 17, 2008 SD HB 1233 Government Spending Database Veto Override Failed - Senate (22 - 12)
March 17, 2008 SD HB 1233 Government Spending Database Veto Override Passed - House (61 - 8)
Feb. 27, 2008 SD HB 1085 Constructing Science Facilities at Universities Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 3)
Feb. 26, 2008 SD SB 126 Repealing Liquor License Cap Bill Passed - House (45 - 25)
Feb. 26, 2008 SD SB 174 Railroad Eminent Domain Bill Passed - House (54 - 16)
Feb. 26, 2008 SD HB 1233 Government Spending Database Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13)
Feb. 25, 2008 SD SB 173 Eliminating Restrictions on Corporate Dairy Farms Bill Passed - House (63 - 6)
Feb. 21, 2008 SD HB 1250 Legislative Pay Raise Bill Tabled - Senate (29 - 4)
Feb. 21, 2008 SD HB 1151 Adult-Oriented Business Restrictions Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 10)
Feb. 20, 2008 SD SB 88 Offering Sonograms to Women Considering Abortion Bill Passed - House (38 - 32)
Feb. 14, 2008 SD HB 1124 Teacher Compensation and Performance Bill Passed - House (39 - 29)
Feb. 14, 2008 SD HB 1151 Adult-Oriented Business Restrictions Bill Passed - House (47 - 21)
Feb. 13, 2008 SD HB 1085 Constructing Science Facilities at Universities Bill Passed - House (61 - 6)
Feb. 13, 2008 SD SJR 1 Eliminating Term Limits Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (27 - 8)
Feb. 13, 2008 SD HB 1233 Government Spending Database Bill Passed - House (47 - 22)
Feb. 13, 2008 SD SB 174 Railroad Eminent Domain Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 13)
Feb. 11, 2008 SD HB 1171 Hunting Mountain Lions Bill Failed - House (26 - 42)
Feb. 11, 2008 SD SB 189 Accessibility of Public Records Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 15)
Feb. 6, 2008 SD SB 126 Repealing Liquor License Cap Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 14)
Feb. 6, 2008 SD SB 164 Right to Obtain Contraception Bill Failed - Senate (12 - 22)
Feb. 5, 2008 SD HB 1250 Legislative Pay Raise Bill Passed - House (54 - 14)
Feb. 4, 2008 SD HB 1261 Firearm Possession on College Campuses Bill Passed - House (63 - 3)
Jan. 31, 2008 SD SB 173 Eliminating Restrictions on Corporate Dairy Farms Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 8)
Jan. 29, 2008 SD SB 88 Offering Sonograms to Women Considering Abortion Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 12)
Jan. 29, 2008 SD HB 1193 Offering Sonograms to Women Considering Abortion Bill Passed - House (38 - 31)
Jan. 24, 2008 SD SB 126 Repealing Liquor License Cap Bill Failed - Senate (16 - 19)
Jan. 22, 2008 SD SB 26 State Regulation of Preschools Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 11)
March 3, 2007 SD HB 1048 Campaign Contribution Reform Conference Report Adopted - House (45 - 22)
March 3, 2007 SD HB 1048 Campaign Contribution Reform Conference Report Adopted - Senate (19 - 16)
March 2, 2007 SD SB 207 Minimum Wage Increase Bill Passed - House (62 - 8)
March 1, 2007 SD HB 1082 School District Consolidation Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 10)
Feb. 28, 2007 SD SB 95 Control of Technical Institutes Bill Passed - House (50 - 19)
Feb. 28, 2007 SD SB 199 Mandatory School Attendance Bill Passed - House (46 - 23)
Feb. 26, 2007 SD HB 1139 Tobacco Tax Funds Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
Feb. 22, 2007 SD HB 1048 Campaign Contribution Reform Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11)
Feb. 20, 2007 SD HB 1082 School District Consolidation Bill Passed - House (37 - 33)
Feb. 20, 2007 SD SB 208 Tanning Restrictions Bill Failed - Senate (10 - 24)
Feb. 15, 2007 SD SB 157 Teacher Compensation Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 5)
Feb. 14, 2007 SD HB 1293 Abortion Limitations Bill Passed - House (45 - 25)
Feb. 14, 2007 SD HB 1160 Physician Presence at Executions Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 3)
Feb. 14, 2007 SD HB 1175 Lethal Injection Reform Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7)
Feb. 14, 2007 SD SB 196 Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17)
Date No. Title Outcome
2/13 HB 1234 Eliminates Teacher Tenure Bill Passed - House (41 - 28)
1/30 HCR 1004 Urging Academic Study of the Bible in Public Schools Resolution Passed - Senate (25 - 10)
1/25 HCR 1004 Urging Academic Study of the Bible in Public Schools Resolution Passed - House (55 - 13)
10/24 HB 1001 State Legislative Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 4)
10/24 HB 1001 State Legislative Redistricting Bill Passed - House (50 - 18)
3/08 SB 156 Prohibits Employment of Undocumented Immigrants Bill Failed - House (33 - 35)
3/02 HB 1217 Requiring Counseling and a Waiting Period Prior to an Abortion Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13)
2/23 SB 156 Prohibits Employment of Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
2/22 HB 1217 Requiring Counseling and a Waiting Period Prior to an Abortion Bill Passed - House (49 - 19)
2/17 HB 1171 Fetus Protection Bill Bill Tabled - House (61 - 4)
2/09 HB 1061 Regulation of Registered Midwives Bill Passed - House (37 - 32)
2/08 HB 1061 Regulation of Registered Midwives Bill Failed - House (36 - 31)
2/07 HB 1152 Drug Testing for Welfare Recipients Bill Failed - House (32 - 36)
3/30 SB 196 2010-2011 Budget Bill Passed - House (44 - 25)
3/30 SB 196 2010-2011 Budget Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 14)
3/29 SB 121 Deaf and Hearing-Impaired Education Promotion Programs Veto Override Failed - House (33 - 34)
3/29 SB 121 Deaf and Hearing-Impaired Education Promotion Programs Veto Override Passed - Senate (30 - 4)
3/29 SB 169 Insurance Law Amendments Veto Override Failed - Senate (21 - 13)
3/29 HB 1060 Wind Energy Facility Tax Refunds Veto Override Passed - House (49 - 19)
3/10 SB 169 Insurance Law Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
3/10 HB 1231 Prescription Drug Registry Concurrence Vote Passed - House (56 - 9)
3/09 HB 1231 Prescription Drug Registry Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 5)
3/08 SB 18 Restrictions on Retirement for Rehired Public Employees Bill Passed - House (55 - 13)
3/08 SB 169 Insurance Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (39 - 28)
3/08 HB 1240 Need-Based Education Grant Fund Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11)
3/04 Cooper Nomination John L. Cooper, Game, Fish and Parks Commission Nomination Confirmed - Senate (22 - 12)
3/03 SB 89 Exempts Certain Firearms From Federal Regulation Bill Passed - House (49 - 19)
3/01 HCR 1009 Urges Changes to the Public School Environmental Curriculum Concurrence Vote Passed - House (37 - 33)
3/01 SB 63 Pilot Charter School Bill Passed - House (49 - 20)
2/24 HCR 1009 Urges Changes to the Public School Environmental Curriculum Resolution Passed - Senate (18 - 17)
2/23 HB 1083 Appropriations for the Sanford Lab at Homestake Bill Failed - House (45 - 23)
2/23 HB 1240 Need-Based Education Grant Fund Bill Passed - House (64 - 4)
2/19 HB 1107 Driver's License Renewal by Mail Bill Failed - House (33 - 30)
2/18 SB 89 Exempts Certain Firearms From Federal Regulation Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 4)
2/17 HCR 1009 Urges Changes to the Public School Environmental Curriculum Resolution Passed - House (36 - 30)
2/17 HB 1178 Prohibiting Text Messaging While Driving Bill Failed - House (32 - 37)
2/11 Jerstad Amdt Per Student Funding Increase Amendment Rejected - Senate (17 - 18)
2/10 HB 1060 Agriculture and Business Facility Tax Refund Reductions Bill Passed - House (48 - 19)
1/27 SB 18 Restrictions on Retirement for Rehired Public Employees Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 10)
3/13 HB 1300 2009-2010 Budget Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 10)
3/13 HB 1300 2009-2010 Budget Bill Passed - House (42 - 28)
3/12 HB 1197 Tax Changes Relating to Single Family Dwellings Under Construction Veto Override Passed - Senate (26 - 8)
3/11 HB 1197 Tax Changes Relating to Single Family Dwellings Under Construction Veto Override Passed - House (60 - 10)
3/09 HB 1240 Smoking Ban Concurrence Vote Passed - House (46 - 23)
3/05 SJR 3 Extending Senate Terms and Legislative Term-Limits Bill Failed - House (17 - 49)
3/04 HB 1240 Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
2/23 SB 195 Stem Cell Research Amendments Bill Failed - Senate (14 - 20)
2/23 HB 1240 Smoking Ban Bill Passed - House (43 - 27)
2/18 HB 1171 Exemptions from School District Minimum Size Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 12)
2/17 SB 106 School Funding Formula Revision Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7)
2/17 HB 1278 Ban on Local Firearm Restrictions Bill Passed - House (46 - 20)
2/12 SB 156 Expansion of Hate Crime Law Bill Failed - Senate (13 - 21)
2/09 SJR 1 Authorization of Legal Gaming due to Gaming in Bordering States Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
2/09 SJR 3 Extending Senate Terms and Legislative Term-Limits Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
2/04 HB 1171 Exemptions from School District Minimum Size Requirements Bill Passed - House (36 - 34)
2/03 SB 83 Statewide Indoor Smoking Ban Bill Failed - Senate (17 - 18)
2/03 SB 79 Primary Seat Belt Enforcement Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13)
2/02 HB 1004 Legalizing the Killing of Threatening Mountain Lions Bill Passed - House (37 - 32)
3/17 HB 1233 Government Spending Database Veto Override Failed - Senate (22 - 12)
3/17 HB 1233 Government Spending Database Veto Override Passed - House (61 - 8)
2/27 HB 1085 Constructing Science Facilities at Universities Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 3)
2/26 SB 126 Repealing Liquor License Cap Bill Passed - House (45 - 25)
2/26 SB 174 Railroad Eminent Domain Bill Passed - House (54 - 16)
2/26 HB 1233 Government Spending Database Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13)
2/25 SB 173 Eliminating Restrictions on Corporate Dairy Farms Bill Passed - House (63 - 6)
2/21 HB 1250 Legislative Pay Raise Bill Tabled - Senate (29 - 4)
2/21 HB 1151 Adult-Oriented Business Restrictions Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 10)
2/20 SB 88 Offering Sonograms to Women Considering Abortion Bill Passed - House (38 - 32)
2/14 HB 1124 Teacher Compensation and Performance Bill Passed - House (39 - 29)
2/14 HB 1151 Adult-Oriented Business Restrictions Bill Passed - House (47 - 21)
2/13 HB 1085 Constructing Science Facilities at Universities Bill Passed - House (61 - 6)
2/13 SJR 1 Eliminating Term Limits Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (27 - 8)
2/13 HB 1233 Government Spending Database Bill Passed - House (47 - 22)
2/13 SB 174 Railroad Eminent Domain Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 13)
2/11 HB 1171 Hunting Mountain Lions Bill Failed - House (26 - 42)
2/11 SB 189 Accessibility of Public Records Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 15)
2/06 SB 126 Repealing Liquor License Cap Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 14)
2/06 SB 164 Right to Obtain Contraception Bill Failed - Senate (12 - 22)
2/05 HB 1250 Legislative Pay Raise Bill Passed - House (54 - 14)
2/04 HB 1261 Firearm Possession on College Campuses Bill Passed - House (63 - 3)
1/31 SB 173 Eliminating Restrictions on Corporate Dairy Farms Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 8)
1/29 SB 88 Offering Sonograms to Women Considering Abortion Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 12)
1/29 HB 1193 Offering Sonograms to Women Considering Abortion Bill Passed - House (38 - 31)
1/24 SB 126 Repealing Liquor License Cap Bill Failed - Senate (16 - 19)
1/22 SB 26 State Regulation of Preschools Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 11)
3/03 HB 1048 Campaign Contribution Reform Conference Report Adopted - House (45 - 22)
3/03 HB 1048 Campaign Contribution Reform Conference Report Adopted - Senate (19 - 16)
3/02 SB 207 Minimum Wage Increase Bill Passed - House (62 - 8)
3/01 HB 1082 School District Consolidation Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 10)
2/28 SB 95 Control of Technical Institutes Bill Passed - House (50 - 19)
2/28 SB 199 Mandatory School Attendance Bill Passed - House (46 - 23)
2/26 HB 1139 Tobacco Tax Funds Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
2/22 HB 1048 Campaign Contribution Reform Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11)
2/20 HB 1082 School District Consolidation Bill Passed - House (37 - 33)
2/20 SB 208 Tanning Restrictions Bill Failed - Senate (10 - 24)
2/15 SB 157 Teacher Compensation Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 5)
2/14 HB 1293 Abortion Limitations Bill Passed - House (45 - 25)
2/14 HB 1160 Physician Presence at Executions Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 3)
2/14 HB 1175 Lethal Injection Reform Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7)
2/14 SB 196 Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17)

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