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. 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) |
| 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) |
| 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 2 | Establishes a Constitutional Amendment that Restores Felon Voting Rights | Bill Passed - House (65 - 33) |
| Aug. 4, 2025 | VA | HB 2002 | Prohibits the Cancellation of the Voter Registration of Deployed Service Members | 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) |
| April 2, 2025 | VA | HB 1657 | Establishes Timelines for Removal of Ineligible Voters | Veto Override Failed - House (50 - 46) |
| Feb. 21, 2025 | VA | HB 2276 | Establishes Guidelines for Verifying and Protecting Voter Registration Information | Conference Report Adopted - House (54 - 41) |
| 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 | HB 2094 | Establishes Regulations for Artificial Intelligence (AI) | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (52 - 46) |
| Feb. 19, 2025 | VA | SB 1009 | Authorizes Ranked Choice Voting for Certain Local Elections | Bill Passed - House (50 - 46) |
| Feb. 4, 2025 | VA | HB 2668 | Establishes Procedures for the Removal of Electoral Board Members | Bill Passed - House (77 - 21) |
| 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 2276 | Establishes Guidelines for Verifying and Protecting Voter Registration Information | Bill Passed - House (56 - 42) |
| 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 2002 | Prohibits the Cancellation of the Voter Registration of Deployed Service Members | Bill Passed - House (52 - 46) |
| Feb. 4, 2025 | VA | HB 1657 | Establishes Timelines for Removal of Ineligible Voters | Bill Passed - House (53 - 45) |
| 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 2277 | Establishes Regulations for Electoral Board Members | Bill Passed - House (51 - 47) |
| Feb. 4, 2025 | VA | HB 2277 | Establishes Regulations for Electoral Board Members | Bill Passed - House (51 - 47) |
| Jan. 14, 2025 | VA | HJR 9 | Establishes a Constitutional Amendment Protecting Marriage Equality | Joint Resolution Passed - House (58 - 35) |
| Jan. 14, 2025 | VA | HJR 1 | Establishes a Constitutional Amendment Enshrining Rights to Abortion | Joint Resolution Passed - House (51 - 48) |
| Jan. 14, 2025 | VA | HJR 2 | Establishes a Constitutional Amendment that Restores Felon Voting Rights | Joint Resolution Passed - House (55 - 44) |
| Jan. 14, 2025 | VA | HJR 2 | Establishes a Constitutional Amendment that Restores Felon Voting Rights | Joint Resolution Passed - House (55 - 44) |
| March 4, 2024 | VA | SB 487 | Requires the Joint Commission on Technology and Science Analyze Usage of Artificial Intelligence by Public Bodies | (89 - 7) |
| Jan. 26, 2023 | VA | HB 1693 | Prohibits Election Ballot Drop Boxes | Bill Passed - House (51 - 47) |
| Jan. 26, 2023 | VA | HB 1877 | Limits Early Voting to 2 Weeks Before an Election | Bill Passed - House (51 - 47) |
| March 10, 2022 | VA | SB 652 | Amends Requirements for Absentee Voting | Bill Passed - House (52 - 47) |
| March 9, 2022 | VA | SB 35 | Extends the 60-Day Commission Planning Period | Bill Passed - House (53 - 45) |
| Jan. 12, 2022 | VA | HR 3 | Establishes House Rules for the 2022 Legislative Session | Bill Passed - House (51 - 48) |
| April 7, 2021 | VA | SB 1245 | Requires the Establishment of Drop-Box Locations | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (55 - 45) |
| Feb. 27, 2021 | VA | SJ 272 | Amends the Qualifications to Vote | Conference Report Adopted - House (56 - 40) |
| Feb. 27, 2021 | VA | SB 1385 | Rescinds the Sunset on a Pilot Program Allowing a Locality to Request an Electric Utility to Place Underground Electric Distribution Lines | Conference Report Adopted - House (55 - 42) |
| 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. 22, 2021 | VA | SB 1148 | Amends the Primary Election Date | Bill Passed - House (82 - 18) |
| 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 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. 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 | HB 1968 | Authorizes the Electoral Board or General Registrar of a County or City to Provide Absentee Voting | Bill Passed - House (55 - 45) |
| Oct. 2, 2020 | VA | HB 5093 | Expands the Violation of a Pandemic-Related Executive Order to Include a Fine | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (59 - 37) |
| Sept. 25, 2020 | VA | SB 5033 | Amends Court Authority in Criminal Cases | Bill Passed - House (53 - 44) |
| Sept. 4, 2020 | VA | SB 5120 | Appropriates Funds to Provide Prepaid Postage on Absentee Ballots for the General Election | Bill Passed - House (55 - 43) |
| April 22, 2020 | VA | HB 207 | Establishes Permanent Absentee Voter List | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (52 - 43) |
| April 22, 2020 | VA | SB 588 | Authorizes Counties to Levy Certain Taxes | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (56 - 35) |
| March 8, 2020 | VA | SB 183 | Authorizes Localities to Remove, Relocate, or Alter Monuments | Conference Report Adopted - House (52 - 44) |
| March 5, 2020 | VA | HB 19 | Repeals Photo Identification Requirement for Voting | Conference Report Adopted - House (54 - 45) |
| March 5, 2020 | VA | HB 201 | Authorizes Same-Day Voter Registration | Conference Report Adopted - House (52 - 44) |
| 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 1255 | Establishes a Constitutional Amendment to Create an Independent Redistricting Commission | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (54 - 45) |
| March 5, 2020 | VA | HB 1255 | Establishes a Constitutional Amendment to Create an Independent Redistricting Commission | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (54 - 45) |
| 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. 26, 2020 | VA | HB 1 | Authorizes Absentee Voting Without Needing Excuse | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (62 - 34) |
| Feb. 26, 2020 | VA | SB 35 | Authorizes Localities to Prohibit Guns at Public Events | Bill Passed - House (53 - 46) |
| Feb. 24, 2020 | VA | SB 601 | Establishes Election Day to Replace Lee-Jackson Day | Bill Passed - House (55 - 44) |
| 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 108 | Establishes Election Day as a State Holiday | Bill Passed - House (55 - 42) |
| Feb. 6, 2020 | VA | HB 220 | Requires Prepaid Postage on All Absentee Ballots | Bill Passed - House (60 - 38) |
| Jan. 15, 2020 | VA | HJ 1 | Establishes an Amendment to the US Constitution Relating to Equal Rights | Bill Passed - House (59 - 41) |
| Jan. 15, 2020 | VA | HJ 1 | Establishes an Amendment to the US Constitution Relating to Equal Rights | Bill Passed - House (59 - 41) |
| 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. 23, 2017 | VA | HB 2000 | Prohibits Establishment of Sanctuary Cities | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (65 - 34) |
| Feb. 7, 2017 | VA | HB 2000 | Prohibits Establishment of Sanctuary Cities | Bill Passed - House (63 - 33) |
| Feb. 10, 2016 | VA | HB 1371 | Prohibits Cities from Increasing Minimum Wage or Benefits | Bill Passed - House (65 - 34) |
| Feb. 6, 2014 | VA | HJ 9 | Encourages Congress to Convene a Constitutional Convention | Joint Resolution Failed - House (29 - 67) |
| Feb. 6, 2014 | VA | HJ 9 | Encourages Congress to Convene a Constitutional Convention | Joint Resolution Failed - House (29 - 67) |
| Feb. 3, 2014 | VA | HB 706 | Authorizes Legislators to Hire Counsel to Represent Virginia in Court | Bill Passed - House (65 - 32) |
| Feb. 3, 2014 | VA | HB 706 | Authorizes Legislators to Hire Counsel to Represent Virginia in Court | Bill Passed - House (65 - 32) |
| Jan. 30, 2014 | VA | HB 63 | Authorizes Home-Schooled Students to Participate in Public School Interscholastic Programs | Bill Passed - House (60 - 39) |
| Feb. 20, 2013 | VA | SB 1324 | Establishes Education Institution and Board | Bill Passed - House (64 - 34) |
| Feb. 20, 2013 | VA | SB 1256 | Requires Photo Identification for Voting | Bill Passed - House (65 - 34) |
| March 8, 2012 | VA | SB 1 | Requires Photo Identification to Vote | Bill Passed - House (66 - 31) |
| Feb. 1, 2012 | VA | HB 9 | Voter Identification Requirements | Bill Passed - House (69 - 30) |
| Jan. 13, 2012 | VA | HB 251 | Congressional Redistricting | Bill Passed - House (74 - 21) |
| 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 28, 2011 | VA | HB 5005 | Redistricting for State Senate and House | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (63 - 7) |
| April 21, 2010 | VA | Amdt 18 | Reducing Funding for Public Media | Amendment Rejected - House (43 - 52) |
| April 21, 2010 | VA | Amdt 28 | Reducing Funding for Comprehensive Services for At Risk Youth and Families | Amendment Rejected - House (25 - 69) |
| April 21, 2010 | VA | Amdt 91 | Limiting State Funding of Abortion | Amendment Adopted - House (64 - 30) |
| March 14, 2010 | VA | HB 30 | 2010-2012 Biennium Budget | Conference Report Adopted - House (73 - 23) |
| Feb. 12, 2010 | VA | SB 283 | Prohibiting Federal Individual Health Insurance Mandate | Bill Passed - House (67 - 29) |
| Feb. 9, 2010 | VA | HB 629 | Asbestos Lawsuit Restrictions | Bill Passed - House (49 - 48) |
| Feb. 8, 2010 | VA | HB 756 | Allocating Offshore Drilling Royalties | Bill Passed - House (71 - 26) |
| Feb. 3, 2010 | VA | HB 502 | Expanding Death Penalty Eligibility to Accomplices | Bill Passed - House (74 - 24) |
| Feb. 25, 2009 | VA | SB 1167 | Increasing the Fees for Personalized License Plates | Bill Failed - House (41 - 57) |
| Feb. 25, 2009 | VA | SB 961 | Expanding Death Penalty Eligibility to Accomplices | Bill Passed - House (74 - 26) |
| Feb. 4, 2009 | VA | HB 1671 | "Derelict Building" Plan Requirements | Bill Passed - House (80 - 17) |
| July 9, 2008 | VA | SB 6009 | Transportation Taxes | Bill Failed - House (39 - 59) |
| Feb. 21, 2008 | VA | HB 30 | 2008-2010 Biennium Budget | Bill Passed - House (93 - 5) |
| Feb. 8, 2008 | VA | HB 933 | "Triggerman Rule" in Capital Murder Cases | Bill Passed - House (77 - 21) |
| April 4, 2007 | VA | HB 2347 | Capital Murder of a Witness | Veto Override Passed - House (83 - 16) |
| April 4, 2007 | VA | Sub HB 2348 | Extension of "Triggerman Rule" | Veto Override Passed - House (79 - 21) |