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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb. 16, 2016 | WI | AB 450 | Prohibits Local Policies Preventing Immigration Status Inquiries | Bill Passed - House (62 - 35) |
| Feb. 16, 2016 | WI | SB 707 | Prohibits a Legislator from Holding Office as County Executive | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 13) |
| Feb. 16, 2016 | WI | SB 533 | Prohibits Local Governments from Issuing Identification Cards | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 13) |
| Feb. 11, 2016 | WI | AB 568 | Authorizes Landlords to Evict Tenants for Criminal Activity | Bill Passed - House (60 - 31) |
| Feb. 9, 2016 | WI | AB 582 | Amends Shoreline Zoning and Property Regulations | Bill Passed - House (56 - 39) |
| Feb. 9, 2016 | WI | SB 295 | Authorizes Voters to Register Online | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 13) |
| Feb. 9, 2016 | WI | AB 600 | Amends Shoreline Development Regulations | Bill Passed - House (57 - 39) |
| Jan. 20, 2016 | WI | AB 310 | Prohibits a Public Entity from Distributing Certain Funds to Abortion Clinics | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 14) |
| Jan. 20, 2016 | WI | SB 248 | Repeals Certain Requirements to Strip Search Detained Individuals | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 14) |
| Oct. 21, 2015 | WI | SB 43 | Amends John Doe Law | Bill Passed - House (61 - 36) |
| Oct. 21, 2015 | WI | SB 43 | Amends John Doe Law | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 14) |
| Sept. 24, 2015 | WI | AB 310 | Prohibits a Public Entity from Distributing Certain Funds to Abortion Clinics | Bill Passed - House (60 - 35) |
| July 28, 2015 | WI | SB 209 | Appropriates Funds for New Sports and Entertainment Arena | Bill Passed - House (52 - 34) |
| July 15, 2015 | WI | SB 209 | Appropriates Funds for New Sports and Entertainment Arena | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 10) |
| July 8, 2015 | WI | SB 179 | Prohibits Abortions After 20 Weeks | Bill Passed - House (61 - 34) |
| July 8, 2015 | WI | SB 21 | 2015-2017 Biennium Budget | Bill Passed - House (52 - 46) |
| July 7, 2015 | WI | SB 21 | 2015-2017 Biennium Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 15) |
| June 9, 2015 | WI | SB 179 | Prohibits Abortions After 20 Weeks | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 14) |
| June 9, 2015 | WI | SB 70 | Authorizes Certain Officers to Carry Firearms in Schools | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 11) |
| May 13, 2015 | WI | AB 192 | Requires Drug Tests for Certain Individuals | Bill Passed - House (63 - 32) |
| May 13, 2015 | WI | AB 191 | Requires Drug Testing for Job Training Programs | Bill Passed - House (62 - 33) |
| May 13, 2015 | WI | AB 177 | Limits Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Purchases | Bill Passed - House (60 - 35) |
| March 5, 2015 | WI | SB 44 | Prohibits Employers from Mandating Employees to Join or Pay Unions | Bill Passed - House (62 - 35) |
| Feb. 25, 2015 | WI | SB 44 | Prohibits Employers from Mandating Employees to Join or Pay Unions | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 15) |
| April 1, 2014 | WI | AB 556 | Expands Jailhouse Strip Search Requirements | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 15) |
| April 1, 2014 | WI | AB 120 | Prohibits Certain Actions Made by Health Care Providers from Being Used Against Them in Court | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 14) |
| March 20, 2014 | WI | AB 19 | Requires an Individual to Disclose the Number of Asbestos Trusts they Plan to Sue | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (55 - 38) |
| March 20, 2014 | WI | SB 655 | Amends Campaign Finance and Lobbying Laws | Bill Passed - House (54 - 37) |
| March 20, 2014 | WI | SB 324 | Amends the Absentee Voting Procedures | Bill Passed - House (56 - 38) |
| March 18, 2014 | WI | SB 1 | Reduces State Income Taxes | Bill Passed - House (61 - 35) |
| March 12, 2014 | WI | AB 19 | Requires an Individual to Disclose the Number of Asbestos Trusts they Plan to Sue | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 16) |
| March 12, 2014 | WI | SB 655 | Amends Campaign Finance and Lobbying Laws | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 16) |
| March 12, 2014 | WI | SB 324 | Amends the Absentee Voting Procedures | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 16) |
| March 4, 2014 | WI | SB 1 | Reduces State Income Taxes | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 15) |
| Feb. 18, 2014 | WI | AB 161 | Authorizes the Appeal of Court Orders that Suspend State Law | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (60 - 36) |
| Feb. 11, 2014 | WI | AB 161 | Authorizes the Appeal of Court Orders that Suspend State Law | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 14) |
| Nov. 5, 2013 | WI | AB 297 | Amends Laws Concerning the Use of Race-Based Nicknames, Logos, Mascots, and Team Names | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 16) |
| Oct. 15, 2013 | WI | AB 297 | Amends Laws Concerning the Use of Race-Based Nicknames, Logos, Mascots, and Team Names | Bill Passed - House (52 - 41) |
| June 21, 2013 | WI | AB 40 | 2013-2015 Biennium Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 16) |
| June 18, 2013 | WI | AB 40 | 2013-2015 Biennium Budget | Bill Passed - House (55 - 42) |
| June 13, 2013 | WI | SB 206 | Requires an Ultrasound Prior to an Abortion | Bill Passed - House (56 - 39) |
| June 13, 2013 | WI | AB 216 | Prohibits State Health Insurance Plan from Covering Abortions | Bill Passed - House (58 - 39) |
| June 13, 2013 | WI | AB 217 | Prohibits Sex-Selective Abortions | Bill Passed - House (58 - 39) |
| June 12, 2013 | WI | SB 206 | Requires an Ultrasound Prior to an Abortion | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 15) |
| May 14, 2013 | WI | AB 85 | Amends Milwaukee County Board Regulations | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 14) |
| May 8, 2013 | WI | AB 85 | Amends Milwaukee County Board Regulations | Bill Passed - House (60 - 38) |
| April 16, 2013 | WI | AB 82 | Prohibits the Unauthorized Transfer of Food Stamps | Bill Passed - House (73 - 24) |
| April 9, 2013 | WI | AB 15 | Authorizes Work-Share Programs | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 15) |
| March 7, 2013 | WI | SB 1 | Amends Wisconsin's Iron-Ore Mining Regulations | Bill Passed - House (58 - 39) |
| March 6, 2013 | WI | SB 2 | Limits the Secretary of State's Role in Legislation | Bill Passed - House (59 - 37) |
| March 6, 2013 | WI | AB 15 | Authorizes Work-Share Programs | Bill Passed - House (74 - 22) |
| Feb. 27, 2013 | WI | SB 1 | Amends Wisconsin's Iron-Ore Mining Regulations | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 16) |
| Jan. 29, 2013 | WI | SB 2 | Limits the Secretary of State's Role in Legislation | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 14) |
| March 13, 2012 | WI | SB 92 | Prohibits Abortion Coverage through Healthcare Insurance Exchanges | Bill Passed - House (61 - 34) |
| March 13, 2012 | WI | SB 237 | Amending Sexual Education Guidelines | Bill Passed - House (60 - 34) |
| March 6, 2012 | WI | AJR 63 | Limits Recalls of Elected Officials | Amendment Adopted - House (60 - 37) |
| Feb. 22, 2012 | WI | SB 306 | Requires Physicians Performing Abortions to Determine if the Woman's Consent is Voluntary | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 15) |
| Feb. 21, 2012 | WI | SB 202 | Repeals Punitive Damages for Workplace Discrimination | Bill Passed - House (60 - 35) |
| Feb. 21, 2012 | WI | SB 386 | Removes Voter Registration at High Schools | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 16) |
| Feb. 21, 2012 | WI | SJR 21 | Prohibits mandated health insurance | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (17 - 16) |
| Feb. 15, 2012 | WI | SB 368 | Amends Wetland Development Regulations | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 15) |
| Jan. 26, 2012 | WI | AB 426 | Requirements for Mining Permits | Bill Passed - House (59 - 36) |
| Nov. 3, 2011 | WI | SB 202 | Repeals Punitive Damages for Workplace Discrimination | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 16) |
| Nov. 2, 2011 | WI | SB 237 | Amending Sexual Education Guidelines | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 15) |
| Nov. 1, 2011 | WI | AB 69 | Use of Deadly Force in Self-Defense | Bill Passed - House (71 - 24) |
| Nov. 1, 2011 | WI | SB 45 | Administration of Medications to Students | Bill Passed - House (63 - 32) |
| Nov. 1, 2011 | WI | AB 147 | Inadmissibility of Apology Statements by Health Care Providers | Bill Passed - House (62 - 33) |
| Oct. 27, 2011 | WI | SB 12 | Limits Attorney Fees in Consumer Cases | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 15) |
| Oct. 27, 2011 | WI | SB 23 | Amends Tax Enforcement System | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 15) |
| Oct. 25, 2011 | WI | SB 45 | Administration of Medications to Students | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 15) |
| Oct. 20, 2011 | WI | SB 92 | Prohibits Abortion Coverage through Healthcare Insurance Exchanges | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 16) |
| Oct. 20, 2011 | WI | SB 95 | Evaluating Teacher Performance Using Standardized Test Scores | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 16) |
| Sept. 13, 2011 | WI | SB 115 | Presidential Primary Date | Bill Passed - House (65 - 32) |
| July 20, 2011 | WI | SB 149 | Congressional Redistricting | Bill Passed - House (59 - 38) |
| July 20, 2011 | WI | SB 148 | Legislative Redistricting | Bill Passed - House (57 - 40) |
| July 19, 2011 | WI | SB 148 | Legislative Redistricting | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 14) |
| July 19, 2011 | WI | SB 149 | Congressional Redistricting | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 14) |
| June 21, 2011 | WI | SB 93 | Weapons Law Amendments | Bill Passed - House (68 - 27) |
| June 16, 2011 | WI | AB 40 | 2011-2013 Biennium Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 14) |
| June 14, 2011 | WI | AB 40 | 2011-2013 Biennium Budget | Bill Passed - House (60 - 38) |
| June 14, 2011 | WI | SB 93 | Weapons Law Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 8) |
| June 8, 2011 | WI | SB 116 | Relating to Overseas Absentee Voting | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 13) |
| May 11, 2011 | WI | SB 13 | Repealing Regulations for Telecommunications Services | Bill Passed - House (80 - 13) |
| May 11, 2011 | WI | SB 13 | Repealing Regulations for Telecommunications Services | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 8) |
| May 11, 2011 | WI | AB 7 | Voter Identification Requirements | Bill Passed - House (60 - 35) |
| March 10, 2011 | WI | AB 11 | Collective Bargaining Rights for Public Employees | Conference Report Adopted - House (53 - 42) |
| March 9, 2011 | WI | AB 11 | Collective Bargaining Rights for Public Employees | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (18 - 1) |
| Feb. 25, 2011 | WI | AB 11 | Collective Bargaining Rights for Public Employees | Bill Passed - House (51 - 17) |
| Feb. 2, 2011 | WI | SB 10 | Wetland Regulations | Bill Passed - House (56 - 35) |
| Feb. 2, 2011 | WI | SB 10 | Wetland Regulations | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 11) |
| Jan. 27, 2011 | WI | AB 7 | Small Business Tax Credit | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 8) |
| Jan. 25, 2011 | WI | AB 5 | Requiring a Two-Thirds Vote in the Legislature for Tax Increases | Bill Passed - House (57 - 36) |
| Jan. 25, 2011 | WI | AB 3 | Tax Incentives for Job Creation | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 9) |
| Jan. 25, 2011 | WI | AB 7 | Small Business Tax Credit | Bill Passed - House (60 - 33) |
| Jan. 20, 2011 | WI | SB 1 | Tort Law Amendments | Bill Passed - House (57 - 36) |
| Jan. 20, 2011 | WI | SB 2 | Tax Benefits for Health Savings Accounts | Bill Passed - House (66 - 28) |
| Jan. 20, 2011 | WI | AB 3 | Tax Incentives for Job Creation | Bill Passed - House (82 - 12) |
| Jan. 20, 2011 | WI | SB 2 | Tax Benefits for Health Savings Accounts | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12) |
| Jan. 18, 2011 | WI | SB 1 | Tort Law Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 14) |
| April 23, 2010 | WI | AB 720 | Statewide Smoking Ban Amendments | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (60 - 34) |