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:
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.
| Date | State | Bill No. | Title | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan. 16, 2026 | VA | HJ 4 | Establishes a Constitutional Amendment to Authorize Redistricting Outside of the Decennial Cycle if Another State Also Redistricts | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 18) |
| Jan. 16, 2026 | VA | HJ 2 | Establishes a Constitutional Amendment that Restores Felon Voting Rights | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 18) |
| Jan. 14, 2026 | VA | HJ 2 | Establishes a Constitutional Amendment that Restores Felon Voting Rights | Bill Passed - House (65 - 33) |
| Jan. 14, 2026 | VA | HJ 4 | Establishes a Constitutional Amendment to Authorize Redistricting Outside of the Decennial Cycle if Another State Also Redistricts | Bill Passed - House (62 - 33) |
| April 2, 2025 | VA | HB 1657 | Establishes Timelines for Removal of Ineligible Voters | Veto Override Failed - House (50 - 46) |
| April 2, 2025 | VA | HB 2056 | Authorizes Localities to Set Hours of Operation for Satellite Voting Locations | Veto Override Failed - House (50 - 44) |
| Feb. 21, 2025 | VA | HB 2276 | Establishes Guidelines for Verifying and Protecting Voter Registration Information | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (22 - 18) |
| Feb. 21, 2025 | VA | HB 2276 | Establishes Guidelines for Verifying and Protecting Voter Registration Information | Conference Report Adopted - House (54 - 41) |
| Feb. 20, 2025 | VA | SB 1009 | Authorizes Ranked Choice Voting for Certain Local Elections | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (20 - 19) |
| Feb. 19, 2025 | VA | SB 1009 | Authorizes Ranked Choice Voting for Certain Local Elections | Bill Passed - House (50 - 46) |
| Feb. 18, 2025 | VA | HB 1657 | Establishes Timelines for Removal of Ineligible Voters | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19) |
| Feb. 14, 2025 | VA | HB 2277 | Establishes Regulations for Electoral Board Members | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14) |
| Feb. 14, 2025 | VA | HB 2056 | Authorizes Localities to Set Hours of Operation for Satellite Voting Locations | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14) |
| Feb. 4, 2025 | VA | HB 2165 | Prohibits the Use of Campaign Funds for Personal Expenses | Bill Passed - House (99 - 0) |
| Feb. 4, 2025 | VA | HB 2276 | Establishes Guidelines for Verifying and Protecting Voter Registration Information | Bill Passed - House (56 - 42) |
| Feb. 4, 2025 | VA | HB 2165 | Prohibits the Use of Campaign Funds for Personal Expenses | Bill Passed - House (99 - 0) |
| Feb. 4, 2025 | VA | SB 1002 | Prohibits the Use of Campaign Funds for Personal Expenses | Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 4) |
| Feb. 4, 2025 | VA | SB 1002 | Prohibits the Use of Campaign Funds for Personal Expenses | Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 4) |
| Feb. 4, 2025 | VA | HB 2277 | Establishes Regulations for Electoral Board Members | Bill Passed - House (51 - 47) |
| Feb. 4, 2025 | VA | HB 2056 | Authorizes Localities to Set Hours of Operation for Satellite Voting Locations | Bill Passed - House (53 - 45) |
| Feb. 4, 2025 | VA | HB 1657 | Establishes Timelines for Removal of Ineligible Voters | Bill Passed - House (53 - 45) |
| Jan. 31, 2025 | VA | HJR 2 | Establishes a Constitutional Amendment that Restores Felon Voting Rights | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (21 - 18) |
| Jan. 14, 2025 | VA | HJR 2 | Establishes a Constitutional Amendment that Restores Felon Voting Rights | Joint Resolution Passed - House (55 - 44) |
| Jan. 26, 2023 | VA | HB 1877 | Limits Early Voting to 2 Weeks Before an Election | Bill Passed - House (51 - 47) |
| Jan. 26, 2023 | VA | HB 1693 | Prohibits Election Ballot Drop Boxes | Bill Passed - House (51 - 47) |
| March 10, 2022 | VA | SB 652 | Amends Requirements for Absentee Voting | Concurrence Vote Failed - Senate (19 - 21) |
| March 10, 2022 | VA | SB 652 | Amends Requirements for Absentee Voting | Bill Passed - House (52 - 47) |
| Feb. 15, 2022 | VA | SJ 1 | Expands Voting Rights of Released Inmates | (24 - 16) |
| April 7, 2021 | VA | SB 1245 | Requires the Establishment of Drop-Box Locations | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (55 - 45) |
| April 7, 2021 | VA | SB 1245 | Requires the Establishment of Drop-Box Locations | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 19) |
| Feb. 27, 2021 | VA | SJ 272 | Amends the Qualifications to Vote | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 17) |
| Feb. 27, 2021 | VA | HJ 555 | Extends Voting Rights to Citizens on Parole | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 18) |
| Feb. 27, 2021 | VA | SJ 272 | Amends the Qualifications to Vote | Conference Report Adopted - House (56 - 40) |
| Feb. 27, 2021 | VA | HJ 555 | Extends Voting Rights to Citizens on Parole | Conference Report Adopted - House (56 - 40) |
| Feb. 24, 2021 | VA | HB 2020 | Amends the Nomination Processes to Accommodate Servicemembers on Active Duty | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (53 - 45) |
| Feb. 23, 2021 | VA | HB 1888 | Requires the Creation of More Ballot Drop Boxes | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (53 - 43) |
| Feb. 23, 2021 | VA | SB 1148 | Amends the Primary Election Date | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 14) |
| Feb. 23, 2021 | VA | SB 1097 | Rescinds the Mandate for a Witness Signature on Absentee Ballots | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (22 - 17) |
| Feb. 23, 2021 | VA | HB 2020 | Amends the Nomination Processes to Accommodate Servicemembers on Active Duty | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 10) |
| Feb. 22, 2021 | VA | SB 1097 | Rescinds the Mandate for a Witness Signature on Absentee Ballots | Bill Passed - House (55 - 45) |
| Feb. 22, 2021 | VA | SB 1148 | Amends the Primary Election Date | Bill Passed - House (82 - 18) |
| Feb. 22, 2021 | VA | SB 1239 | Authorizes the General Registrar to Contract with a Third Party for the Printing, Assembly, and Mailing of Absentee Ballots | Bill Passed - House (70 - 30) |
| Feb. 19, 2021 | VA | HB 1888 | Requires the Creation of More Ballot Drop Boxes | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 17) |
| Feb. 19, 2021 | VA | HB 1968 | Authorizes the Electoral Board or General Registrar of a County or City to Provide Absentee Voting | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 17) |
| Feb. 19, 2021 | VA | HB 2125 | Authorizes a Person Who is 16 Years of Age or Older to Preregister to Vote | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 17) |
| Feb. 19, 2021 | VA | HB 1810 | Authorizes the Governor to Order the Online Voter Registration System be Made Available After Close of Registration if a System Error Occurs | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 4) |
| Feb. 18, 2021 | VA | HB 2081 | Prohibits the Possession of Firearms Within 40 Feet of a Polling Place | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 18) |
| Feb. 15, 2021 | VA | SB 1281 | Specifies that the General Registrar of a Locality Does Not Need to be a Resident of that Locality | Bill Passed - House (54 - 46) |
| Feb. 1, 2021 | VA | HB 2125 | Authorizes a Person Who is 16 Years of Age or Older to Preregister to Vote | Bill Passed - House (54 - 45) |
| Jan. 25, 2021 | VA | HB 2081 | Prohibits the Possession of Firearms Within 40 Feet of a Polling Place | Bill Passed - House (53 - 47) |
| Jan. 25, 2021 | VA | SB 1239 | Authorizes the General Registrar to Contract with a Third Party for the Printing, Assembly, and Mailing of Absentee Ballots | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 12) |
| Jan. 25, 2021 | VA | HB 1968 | Authorizes the Electoral Board or General Registrar of a County or City to Provide Absentee Voting | Bill Passed - House (55 - 45) |
| Jan. 25, 2021 | VA | SB 1281 | Specifies that the General Registrar of a Locality Does Not Need to be a Resident of that Locality | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 8) |
| Sept. 4, 2020 | VA | SB 5120 | Appropriates Funds to Provide Prepaid Postage on Absentee Ballots for the General Election | Bill Passed - House (55 - 43) |
| Aug. 28, 2020 | VA | SB 5120 | Appropriates Funds to Provide Prepaid Postage on Absentee Ballots for the General Election | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 16) |
| April 22, 2020 | VA | HB 1255 | Establishes a Constitutional Amendment to Create an Independent Redistricting Commission | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 19) |
| April 22, 2020 | VA | HB 207 | Establishes Permanent Absentee Voter List | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (52 - 43) |
| April 22, 2020 | VA | HB 207 | Establishes Permanent Absentee Voter List | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 19) |
| March 7, 2020 | VA | HB 235 | Establishes and Authorizes a Process for Automatic Voter Registration | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 18) |
| March 7, 2020 | VA | HB 201 | Authorizes Same-Day Voter Registration | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 17) |
| March 7, 2020 | VA | HB 19 | Repeals Photo Identification Requirement for Voting | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (20 - 19) |
| March 5, 2020 | VA | HB 19 | Repeals Photo Identification Requirement for Voting | Conference Report Adopted - House (54 - 45) |
| March 5, 2020 | VA | HB 235 | Establishes and Authorizes a Process for Automatic Voter Registration | Conference Report Adopted - House (53 - 46) |
| March 5, 2020 | VA | HB 201 | Authorizes Same-Day Voter Registration | Conference Report Adopted - House (52 - 44) |
| March 5, 2020 | VA | HB 1255 | Establishes a Constitutional Amendment to Create an Independent Redistricting Commission | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (54 - 45) |
| March 2, 2020 | VA | HB 1210 | Requires Voting and Election Materials in Languages Other Than English | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (60 - 38) |
| Feb. 28, 2020 | VA | HB 1210 | Requires Voting and Election Materials in Languages Other Than English | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 13) |
| Feb. 26, 2020 | VA | HB 1 | Authorizes Absentee Voting Without Needing Excuse | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (62 - 34) |
| Feb. 24, 2020 | VA | HB 1 | Authorizes Absentee Voting Without Needing Excuse | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 15) |
| Feb. 24, 2020 | VA | SB 601 | Establishes Election Day to Replace Lee-Jackson Day | Bill Passed - House (55 - 44) |
| Feb. 11, 2020 | VA | HB 177 | Requires Virginia to Elect the President by National Popular Vote | Bill Passed - House (51 - 46) |
| Feb. 7, 2020 | VA | HB 1103 | Authorizes Ranked Choice Voting | Bill Passed - House (57 - 42) |
| Feb. 6, 2020 | VA | HB 220 | Requires Prepaid Postage on All Absentee Ballots | Bill Passed - House (60 - 38) |
| Feb. 6, 2020 | VA | HB 108 | Establishes Election Day as a State Holiday | Bill Passed - House (55 - 42) |
| Feb. 4, 2020 | VA | SB 65 | Repeals State Photo Identification Voter ID Laws | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 19) |
| Jan. 21, 2020 | VA | SB 601 | Establishes Election Day to Replace Lee-Jackson Day | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 18) |
| Feb. 23, 2019 | VA | HJR 615 | Establishes an Independent Redistricting Commission | Conference Report Adopted - House (83 - 15) |
| Feb. 19, 2019 | VA | SB 1026 | Authorizes No-Excuse Absentee Voting | Bill Passed - House (89 - 10) |
| Feb. 1, 2016 | VA | SB 106 | Authorizes No-Excuse In-Person Absentee Voting | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19) |
| Feb. 20, 2013 | VA | SB 1256 | Requires Photo Identification for Voting | Bill Passed - House (65 - 34) |
| Feb. 5, 2013 | VA | SB 1256 | Requires Photo Identification for Voting | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 20) |
| Feb. 5, 2013 | VA | SB 719 | Amends Voting Requirements | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 20) |
| Jan. 28, 2013 | VA | SB 690 | Reduces the Number of Signatures Required to Run for President | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 17) |
| March 8, 2012 | VA | SB 1 | Requires Photo Identification to Vote | Bill Passed - House (66 - 31) |
| Feb. 27, 2012 | VA | HB 9 | Voter Identification Requirements | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 20) |
| Feb. 6, 2012 | VA | SB 1 | Requires Photo Identification to Vote | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 20) |
| Feb. 1, 2012 | VA | HB 9 | Voter Identification Requirements | Bill Passed - House (69 - 30) |
| Jan. 20, 2012 | VA | HB 251 | Congressional Redistricting | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 19) |
| Jan. 13, 2012 | VA | HB 251 | Congressional Redistricting | Bill Passed - House (74 - 21) |
| April 28, 2011 | VA | HB 5005 | Redistricting for State Senate and House | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (63 - 7) |
| April 11, 2011 | VA | HB 5001 | Legislative Redistricting | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (22 - 17) |
| Jan. 24, 2011 | VA | SB 949 | Allowing Absentee Voting For Any Reason | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 14) |
| Jan. 25, 2010 | VA | SB 83 | Authorizing No-Excuse, In-Person Absentee Voting | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 10) |
| Feb. 9, 2009 | VA | SJ 273 | Legislative Restoration of Voting Rights for Nonviolent Felons | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (27 - 13) |
| Feb. 9, 2009 | VA | SJ 354 | Civil Rights for Nonviolent Felons | Joint Resolution Failed - Senate (19 - 19) |
| Jan. 26, 2009 | VA | SB 810 | Authorizing No-Excuse, In-Person Absentee Voting | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 16) |
| Jan. 29, 2007 | VA | SB 920 | Requirements For Absentee Voting | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 15) |
| Jan. 25, 2007 | VA | SJ 307 | Voting Rights of Nonviolent Felons | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (29 - 10) |
| Jan. 23, 2007 | VA | SJ 352 | Creation of a Bipartisan Redistricting Commission | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (22 - 18) |
| Jan. 17, 2007 | VA | HB 1977 | Inaugural Committee Finance Reform | Bill Passed - House (62 - 32) |