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
Nov. 29, 2023 OH HB 161 Repeals the Marital Loophole in Rape Cases Bill Passed - House (75 - 1)
Sept. 6, 2023 MI HB 4302 Increases Minimum Age for Marriage Consent to 18 Concurrence Vote Passed - House (102 - 5)
May 3, 2023 CT HB 6639 Requires Timely Scheduling of Temporary Financial Support Hearings in Divorce Proceedings Bill Passed - House (143 - 0)
May 3, 2023 CT HB 6569 Increases the Minimum Age to Marry to 18 Years Old Bill Passed - House (98 - 45)
March 28, 2023 OR HB 2032 Expands "Domestic Partnership" Eligibility Under Family Fairness Act Concurrence Vote Passed - House (44 - 12)
March 6, 2023 TN HB 878 Authorizes Marriage Clerks to Refuse to Perform a Marriage Ceremony Against Their Beliefs Bill Passed - House (74 - 22)
March 1, 2023 WV HB 3018 Prohibits Child Marriage in the State Bill Passed - House (84 - 13)
Jan. 31, 2023 OR HB 2032 Expands "Domestic Partnership" Eligibility Under Family Fairness Act Bill Passed - House (51 - 8)
June 30, 2022 MI HB 4195 Amends Divorce Filing Law Concurrence Vote Passed - House (103 - 3)
June 21, 2022 MI HB 4699 Amends Statute Relating to Criminal Sexual Conduct Bill Passed - House (105 - 0)
March 16, 2022 AK HB 62 Repeals Child Marriage Laws Bill Passed - House (27 - 13)
March 9, 2022 FL SB 1796 Establishes New Laws Governing Alimony Bill Passed - House (74 - 42)
March 4, 2020 VA HB 623 Repeals the State Statutory Same-Sex Marriage Ban and Amends State Gender-Neutral Terms Concurrence Vote Passed - House (53 - 43)
May 23, 2019 AL SB 69 Repeals Marriage Licenses Bill Passed - House (67 - 26)
April 16, 2019 NV AB 139 Requires Individuals to be At Least 18 Years Old to Marry Bill Passed - House (32 - 8)
June 27, 2018 OH HB 511 Increases Minimum Age for Marriage Bill Passed - House (90 - 2)
June 7, 2018 NJ S 427 Increases Minimum Age for Marriage to 18 Bill Passed - House (59 - 0)
April 19, 2018 DE HB 337 Prohibits Underage Marriage Bill Passed - House (23 - 11)
Feb. 19, 2018 MO HB 1630 Increases Minimum Age for Marriage to 16 Bill Passed - House (95 - 50)
Feb. 23, 2017 UT HB 99 Amends Bigamy Laws Bill Passed - House (48 - 25)
March 3, 2016 TN HJR 529 Expresses Disagreement with the Decision in Obergefell v. Hodges Joint Resolution Passed - House (73 - 18)
Jan. 29, 2016 ID H 425 Expands Tax Law to Include Marriages Authorized by the Supreme Court Bill Passed - House (54 - 16)
Sept. 15, 2015 AL SB 21 Repeals Marriage Licenses Bill Failed - House (53 - 36)
June 11, 2015 NC SB 2 Authorizes Officials to Not Perform Certain Marriage Duties Veto Override Passed - House (69 - 41)
May 28, 2015 NC SB 2 Authorizes Officials to Not Perform Certain Marriage Duties Bill Passed - House (67 - 43)
March 20, 2015 ID HJM 4 Appeals to Congress to Impeach Certain Members of the Judiciary Bill Passed - House (44 - 25)
March 12, 2015 AL HB 56 Authorizes Officials to Refuse to Perform Marriage Ceremonies Bill Passed - House (69 - 25)
March 11, 2015 UT SB 297 Authorizes Certain Government Employees to Decline to Perform Marriage Services Bill Passed - House (66 - 9)
March 11, 2015 NH HB 681 Increases Marriage License Fee Bill Passed - House (223 - 146)
March 17, 2014 AK Amdt 1 Exempts Same-Sex Partners of Military Members from Driver's License Requirements Amendment Rejected - House (14 - 22)
Nov. 8, 2013 HI SB 1 - HD 1 Authorizes Same-Sex Marriage Bill Passed - House (30 - 19)
Nov. 5, 2013 IL SB 10 Authorizes Same-Sex Marriage Bill Passed - House (61 - 54)
June 13, 2013 WA HB 2075 Repeals Marital Trust Estate Tax Exemption Bill Passed - House (53 - 33)
May 23, 2013 NV SJR 13 Authorizes Same-Sex Marriage Joint Resolution Passed - House (27 - 14)
May 9, 2013 MN HF 1054 Authorizes Same-Sex Marriage Bill Passed - House (75 - 59)
May 2, 2013 RI H 5015 Authorizes Same-Sex Marriage Concurrence Vote Passed - House (56 - 15)
April 23, 2013 DE HB 75 Authorizes Same-Sex Marriage Bill Passed - House (23 - 18)
April 18, 2013 FL SB 718 Amends Alimony Provisions Bill Passed - House (85 - 31)
March 12, 2013 CO SB 11 Authorizes Civil Unions Bill Passed - House (39 - 26)
March 6, 2013 OK HB 1908 Establishes a Marriage Promotion Campaign Bill Passed - House (71 - 27)
Jan. 30, 2013 WY HB 168 Authorizes Same-Sex Civil Unions Bill Failed - House (25 - 34)
Jan. 24, 2013 RI H 5015 Authorizes Same-Sex Marriage Bill Passed - House (51 - 19)
July 19, 2012 National H Amdt 1416 Prohibits Use of Funds in Contravention of the Defense of Marriage Act Amendment Adopted - House (247 - 166)
May 16, 2012 MD SB 1302 Increases Tax Rates for Certain Individuals Bill Passed - House (77 - 60)
May 9, 2012 National H Amdt 1096 Prohibits Use of Funds in Contravention with the Defense of Marriage Act Amendment Adopted - House (245 - 171)
March 21, 2012 NH HB 437 Repeals Same-Sex Marriage "Inexpedient to Legislate" Vote Passed - House (211 - 116)
March 14, 2012 NH HB 1264 Authorizes Individuals to Refuse to Provide Services for Marriages "Inexpedient to Legislate" Vote Passed - House (246 - 85)
Feb. 28, 2012 UT HB 316 Extends Waiting Period for Divorce Bill Passed - House (43 - 26)
Feb. 17, 2012 MD HB 438 Authorizes Same-Sex Marriage Bill Passed - House (72 - 67)
Feb. 16, 2012 NJ S 1 Authorizes Same-Sex Marriage Bill Passed - House (42 - 33)
Feb. 8, 2012 WA SB 6239 Authorizes Same-Sex Marriage Bill Passed - House (55 - 43)
Jan. 9, 2012 NJ A 4366 Amending Annulment Requirements and Eliminating Marriage Wait Period Bill Passed - House (46 - 23)
Dec. 14, 2011 National HR 1540 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012 Conference Report Adopted - House (283 - 136)
Sept. 12, 2011 NC SB 514 Constitutional Amendment to Define Marriage Bill Passed - House (75 - 42)
June 15, 2011 NY A 8354 Marriage Equality Enactment Bill Passed - House (80 - 63)
May 21, 2011 MN SF 1308 Prohibiting Same-Sex Marriage Amendment Adopted - House (70 - 62)
April 21, 2011 WA HB 1267 Definition of Parenthood Conference Report Adopted - House (57 - 40)
April 14, 2011 DE SB 30 Same-Sex Civil Unions Bill Passed - House (26 - 15)
April 1, 2011 TX Amdt 143 Requiring Public Colleges and Universities to Fund Student Centers for Family and Traditional Values Amendment Adopted - House (110 - 24)
March 9, 2011 MD Amendment 223923 Civil Marriage Protection Act Amendment Rejected - House (63 - 72)
March 2, 2011 WY HB 74 Prohibiting Recognition of Out-of-State Same-Sex Marriages Conference Report Adopted - House (31 - 28)
Feb. 28, 2011 WA HB 1267 Definition of Parenthood Bill Passed - House (57 - 41)
Feb. 11, 2011 HI SB 232 Civil Unions for All Couples Bill Passed - House (31 - 19)
Feb. 9, 2011 WY HB 256 Tenant Rights in Domestic and Sexual Violence Cases Bill Passed - House (33 - 26)
Feb. 1, 2011 IA HJR 6 Banning Same Sex Marriage Amendment Adopted - House (62 - 37)
Jan. 24, 2011 WY HB 74 Prohibiting the Recognition of Same-Sex Marriage Bill Passed - House (32 - 27)
Dec. 15, 2010 National HR 2965 Don't Ask, Don't Tell Repeal Act Concurrence Vote Passed - House (250 - 175)
April 8, 2010 AZ HB 2650 Authorizing Extension of Divorce Waiting Period Bill Failed - House (27 - 28)
July 18, 2006 National H J Res 88 Same-Sex Marriage Resolution Joint Resolution Failed - House (236 - 187)
April 28, 2004 National HR 4181 Marriage Penalty Tax Bill Bill Passed - House (323 - 95)
Sept. 13, 2000 National HR 4810 Marriage Tax Relief Bill Veto Override Failed - House (270 - 158)
July 20, 2000 National HR 4810 Marriage Tax Relief Bill Conference Report Adopted - House (271 - 156)
Feb. 10, 2000 National HR 6 Changes in Income Tax Deductions for Married Couples Bill Passed - House (268 - 158)
Sept. 26, 1998 National HR 4579 Tax Cut bill Bill Passed - House (229 - 195)
July 12, 1996 National H Amdt 1286 Definition of Marriage Amendment Amendment Rejected - House (103 - 311)
July 12, 1996 National HR 3396 Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) Bill Passed - House (342 - 67)
Date No. Title Outcome
11/29 HB 161 Repeals the Marital Loophole in Rape Cases Bill Passed - House (75 - 1)
9/06 HB 4302 Increases Minimum Age for Marriage Consent to 18 Concurrence Vote Passed - House (102 - 5)
5/03 HB 6639 Requires Timely Scheduling of Temporary Financial Support Hearings in Divorce Proceedings Bill Passed - House (143 - 0)
5/03 HB 6569 Increases the Minimum Age to Marry to 18 Years Old Bill Passed - House (98 - 45)
3/28 HB 2032 Expands "Domestic Partnership" Eligibility Under Family Fairness Act Concurrence Vote Passed - House (44 - 12)
3/06 HB 878 Authorizes Marriage Clerks to Refuse to Perform a Marriage Ceremony Against Their Beliefs Bill Passed - House (74 - 22)
3/01 HB 3018 Prohibits Child Marriage in the State Bill Passed - House (84 - 13)
1/31 HB 2032 Expands "Domestic Partnership" Eligibility Under Family Fairness Act Bill Passed - House (51 - 8)
6/30 HB 4195 Amends Divorce Filing Law Concurrence Vote Passed - House (103 - 3)
6/21 HB 4699 Amends Statute Relating to Criminal Sexual Conduct Bill Passed - House (105 - 0)
3/16 HB 62 Repeals Child Marriage Laws Bill Passed - House (27 - 13)
3/09 SB 1796 Establishes New Laws Governing Alimony Bill Passed - House (74 - 42)
3/04 HB 623 Repeals the State Statutory Same-Sex Marriage Ban and Amends State Gender-Neutral Terms Concurrence Vote Passed - House (53 - 43)
5/23 SB 69 Repeals Marriage Licenses Bill Passed - House (67 - 26)
4/16 AB 139 Requires Individuals to be At Least 18 Years Old to Marry Bill Passed - House (32 - 8)
6/27 HB 511 Increases Minimum Age for Marriage Bill Passed - House (90 - 2)
6/07 S 427 Increases Minimum Age for Marriage to 18 Bill Passed - House (59 - 0)
4/19 HB 337 Prohibits Underage Marriage Bill Passed - House (23 - 11)
2/19 HB 1630 Increases Minimum Age for Marriage to 16 Bill Passed - House (95 - 50)
2/23 HB 99 Amends Bigamy Laws Bill Passed - House (48 - 25)
3/03 HJR 529 Expresses Disagreement with the Decision in Obergefell v. Hodges Joint Resolution Passed - House (73 - 18)
1/29 H 425 Expands Tax Law to Include Marriages Authorized by the Supreme Court Bill Passed - House (54 - 16)
9/15 SB 21 Repeals Marriage Licenses Bill Failed - House (53 - 36)
6/11 SB 2 Authorizes Officials to Not Perform Certain Marriage Duties Veto Override Passed - House (69 - 41)
5/28 SB 2 Authorizes Officials to Not Perform Certain Marriage Duties Bill Passed - House (67 - 43)
3/20 HJM 4 Appeals to Congress to Impeach Certain Members of the Judiciary Bill Passed - House (44 - 25)
3/12 HB 56 Authorizes Officials to Refuse to Perform Marriage Ceremonies Bill Passed - House (69 - 25)
3/11 SB 297 Authorizes Certain Government Employees to Decline to Perform Marriage Services Bill Passed - House (66 - 9)
3/11 HB 681 Increases Marriage License Fee Bill Passed - House (223 - 146)
3/17 Amdt 1 Exempts Same-Sex Partners of Military Members from Driver's License Requirements Amendment Rejected - House (14 - 22)
11/08 SB 1 - HD 1 Authorizes Same-Sex Marriage Bill Passed - House (30 - 19)
11/05 SB 10 Authorizes Same-Sex Marriage Bill Passed - House (61 - 54)
6/13 HB 2075 Repeals Marital Trust Estate Tax Exemption Bill Passed - House (53 - 33)
5/23 SJR 13 Authorizes Same-Sex Marriage Joint Resolution Passed - House (27 - 14)
5/09 HF 1054 Authorizes Same-Sex Marriage Bill Passed - House (75 - 59)
5/02 H 5015 Authorizes Same-Sex Marriage Concurrence Vote Passed - House (56 - 15)
4/23 HB 75 Authorizes Same-Sex Marriage Bill Passed - House (23 - 18)
4/18 SB 718 Amends Alimony Provisions Bill Passed - House (85 - 31)
3/12 SB 11 Authorizes Civil Unions Bill Passed - House (39 - 26)
3/06 HB 1908 Establishes a Marriage Promotion Campaign Bill Passed - House (71 - 27)
1/30 HB 168 Authorizes Same-Sex Civil Unions Bill Failed - House (25 - 34)
1/24 H 5015 Authorizes Same-Sex Marriage Bill Passed - House (51 - 19)
7/19 H Amdt 1416 Prohibits Use of Funds in Contravention of the Defense of Marriage Act Amendment Adopted - House (247 - 166)
5/16 SB 1302 Increases Tax Rates for Certain Individuals Bill Passed - House (77 - 60)
5/09 H Amdt 1096 Prohibits Use of Funds in Contravention with the Defense of Marriage Act Amendment Adopted - House (245 - 171)
3/21 HB 437 Repeals Same-Sex Marriage "Inexpedient to Legislate" Vote Passed - House (211 - 116)
3/14 HB 1264 Authorizes Individuals to Refuse to Provide Services for Marriages "Inexpedient to Legislate" Vote Passed - House (246 - 85)
2/28 HB 316 Extends Waiting Period for Divorce Bill Passed - House (43 - 26)
2/17 HB 438 Authorizes Same-Sex Marriage Bill Passed - House (72 - 67)
2/16 S 1 Authorizes Same-Sex Marriage Bill Passed - House (42 - 33)
2/08 SB 6239 Authorizes Same-Sex Marriage Bill Passed - House (55 - 43)
1/09 A 4366 Amending Annulment Requirements and Eliminating Marriage Wait Period Bill Passed - House (46 - 23)
12/14 HR 1540 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012 Conference Report Adopted - House (283 - 136)
9/12 SB 514 Constitutional Amendment to Define Marriage Bill Passed - House (75 - 42)
6/15 A 8354 Marriage Equality Enactment Bill Passed - House (80 - 63)
5/21 SF 1308 Prohibiting Same-Sex Marriage Amendment Adopted - House (70 - 62)
4/21 HB 1267 Definition of Parenthood Conference Report Adopted - House (57 - 40)
4/14 SB 30 Same-Sex Civil Unions Bill Passed - House (26 - 15)
4/01 Amdt 143 Requiring Public Colleges and Universities to Fund Student Centers for Family and Traditional Values Amendment Adopted - House (110 - 24)
3/09 Amendment 223923 Civil Marriage Protection Act Amendment Rejected - House (63 - 72)
3/02 HB 74 Prohibiting Recognition of Out-of-State Same-Sex Marriages Conference Report Adopted - House (31 - 28)
2/28 HB 1267 Definition of Parenthood Bill Passed - House (57 - 41)
2/11 SB 232 Civil Unions for All Couples Bill Passed - House (31 - 19)
2/09 HB 256 Tenant Rights in Domestic and Sexual Violence Cases Bill Passed - House (33 - 26)
2/01 HJR 6 Banning Same Sex Marriage Amendment Adopted - House (62 - 37)
1/24 HB 74 Prohibiting the Recognition of Same-Sex Marriage Bill Passed - House (32 - 27)
12/15 HR 2965 Don't Ask, Don't Tell Repeal Act Concurrence Vote Passed - House (250 - 175)
4/08 HB 2650 Authorizing Extension of Divorce Waiting Period Bill Failed - House (27 - 28)
7/18 H J Res 88 Same-Sex Marriage Resolution Joint Resolution Failed - House (236 - 187)
4/28 HR 4181 Marriage Penalty Tax Bill Bill Passed - House (323 - 95)
9/13 HR 4810 Marriage Tax Relief Bill Veto Override Failed - House (270 - 158)
7/20 HR 4810 Marriage Tax Relief Bill Conference Report Adopted - House (271 - 156)
2/10 HR 6 Changes in Income Tax Deductions for Married Couples Bill Passed - House (268 - 158)
9/26 HR 4579 Tax Cut bill Bill Passed - House (229 - 195)
7/12 H Amdt 1286 Definition of Marriage Amendment Amendment Rejected - House (103 - 311)
7/12 HR 3396 Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) Bill Passed - House (342 - 67)

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