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 |
---|---|---|---|---|
May 31, 2024 | OH | HB 1 | Prohibits Foreign Nationals from Contributing Money Directly or Indirectly to State Ballot Initiatives | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 7) |
May 30, 2024 | OH | HB 1 | Prohibits Foreign Nationals from Contributing Money Directly or Indirectly to State Ballot Initiatives | Bill Passed - House (63 - 31) |
May 9, 2024 | AK | HB 358 | Prohibits the Use of Artificial Intelligence to Create Deep Fakes | Bill Passed - House (38 - 2) |
May 8, 2024 | OH | HB 114 | Authorizes Usage of Campaign Funds for Childcare Services | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 7) |
May 3, 2024 | MN | HF 4411 | Increases Various Election Security Measures for Local Government | Bill Passed - House (83 - 44) |
April 12, 2024 | FL | SJR 1114 | Authorizes the Repeal of Article 6 of the Florida State Constitution | Joint Resolution Passed - House (82 - 29) |
March 7, 2024 | FL | SB 7014 | Increases the Maximum Fine for Violations of Specified Lobbying Provisions | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (79 - 34) |
March 6, 2024 | FL | SB 7014 | Increases the Maximum Fine for Violations of Specified Lobbying Provisions | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 4) |
Feb. 28, 2024 | FL | SJR 1114 | Authorizes the Repeal of Article 6 of the Florida State Constitution | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (28 - 11) |
Feb. 28, 2024 | OH | SB 215 | Prohibits Foreign Nationals From Making Contributions or Expenditures Regarding Ballot Issue Campaigns | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 7) |
Feb. 14, 2024 | NM | HB 182 | Amends the State Campaign Reporting Act to Require Disclaimers on "Materially Deceptive Media" | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 14) |
Feb. 14, 2024 | NM | SB 108 | Requires the Election Fund be Reimbursed by the General Fund for All Election Costs | Bill Passed - House (59 - 5) |
Feb. 12, 2024 | NM | HB 182 | Amends the State Campaign Reporting Act to Require Disclaimers on "Materially Deceptive Media" | Bill Passed - House (38 - 28) |
Nov. 9, 2023 | MI | SB 614 | Requires Broad Financial Disclosure for State Candidates for Public Office | Bill Passed - House (61 - 47) |
Nov. 9, 2023 | MI | SB 616 | Prohibits Certain Candidate Expenditures and Disbursements | Bill Passed - House (62 - 46) |
Nov. 9, 2023 | MI | SB 615 | Establishes Exceptions for Expenditure Disclosure Requirements | Bill Passed - House (61 - 47) |
Nov. 9, 2023 | MI | SB 613 | Requires Broad Financial Disclosure for State Officials | Bill Passed - House (59 - 49) |
Nov. 2, 2023 | MI | SB 615 | Establishes Exceptions for Expenditure Disclosure Requirements | Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 2) |
Nov. 1, 2023 | MI | SB 614 | Requires Broad Financial Disclosure for State Candidates for Public Office | Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 2) |
Nov. 1, 2023 | MI | SB 616 | Prohibits Certain Candidate Expenditures and Disbursements | Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 2) |
Nov. 1, 2023 | MI | SB 613 | Requires Broad Financial Disclosure for State Officials | Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 2) |
July 25, 2023 | ME | LD 1610 | Prohibits Campaign Spending by Foreign Governments and Establishes an Anticorruption Amendment in the State Constitution | Veto Override Failed - House (73 - 50) |
June 23, 2023 | ME | LD 1610 | Prohibits Campaign Spending by Foreign Governments and Establishes an Anticorruption Amendment in the State Constitution | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 13) |
June 14, 2023 | OH | HB 114 | Authorizes Usage of Campaign Funds for Childcare Services | Bill Passed - House (65 - 29) |
June 12, 2023 | RI | H 5962 | Amends Provisions Regarding Rhode Island Campaign Contributions and Expenditure Reporting | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (41 - 29) |
March 30, 2023 | NJ | S 2866 | Establishes the Elections Transparency Act | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 12) |
March 30, 2023 | NJ | S 2866 | Establishes the Elections Transparency Act | Bill Passed - House (45 - 31) |
Sept. 21, 2022 | National | HR 8873 | Presidential Election Reform Act | Bill Passed - House (229 - 203) |
May 27, 2022 | OK | SB 1695 | Requires Appointed Officials to File Financial Disclosure Statements | Veto Override Passed - House (84 - 1) |
April 28, 2022 | TN | SB 1005 | Requires State Candidates to Report Campaign Expenditures in Greater Detail | Conference Report Adopted - House (85 - 3) |
April 28, 2022 | TN | SB 1005 | Requires State Candidates to Report Campaign Expenditures in Greater Detail | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (31 - 1) |
March 24, 2022 | MS | HB 1365 | Prohibits State and Local Election Officials from Soliciting or Accepting Private Funds | Conference Report Adopted - House (77 - 38) |
March 24, 2022 | ID | H 810 | Amends Law to Provide for Public Disclosure of Campaign Contact Telephone Numbers | Bill Passed - House (66 - 2) |
March 10, 2022 | FL | HB 921 | Establishes New Regulations and Limitations on Campaign Financing | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (80 - 40) |
March 7, 2022 | FL | HB 921 | Establishes New Regulations and Limitations on Campaign Financing | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 16) |
Feb. 24, 2022 | WI | SB 935 | Amends Various Election Fraud Laws | Bill Passed - House (56 - 38) |
Feb. 22, 2022 | WI | SB 935 | Amends Various Election Fraud Laws | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 14) |
June 30, 2019 | OR | HB 2983 | Requires Disclosure of Organizations Giving Certain Monetary Donations to Campaigns | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 7) |
June 6, 2019 | OR | HB 2983 | Requires Disclosure of Organizations Giving Certain Monetary Donations to Campaigns | Bill Passed - House (39 - 17) |
May 21, 2019 | NY | S 4347 | Limits Corporate Influence and Participation in Political Campaigns | Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 18) |
April 26, 2019 | ND | SB 2148 | Establishes the Creation of an Ethics Commission | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (42 - 5) |
April 17, 2019 | ND | HB 1521 | Amends State Ethic Laws for Campaign Lobbying | Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 8) |
March 28, 2019 | NH | SB 156 | Establishes Limits to Election Contributions by Limited Liability Corporations | (13 - 11) |
March 25, 2019 | ID | S 1113 | Amends Campaign Finance Regulations | Bill Passed - House (52 - 15) |
Jan. 14, 2019 | NY | A 776 | Limits Campaign Contributions by Closing LLC Loophole | Bill Passed - Senate (55 - 6) |
Jan. 14, 2019 | NY | A 776 | Limits Campaign Contributions by Closing LLC Loophole | Bill Failed - House (133 - 13) |
Nov. 8, 2018 | MI | SB 1022 | Authorizes use of Campaign Finance Funds for Repayment of Debts and Obligations of Campaigns by Former Candidates | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 12) |
April 3, 2017 | TN | SB 38 | Amends Provisions for Campaign Fundraising | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 2) |
Feb. 19, 2016 | NC | HB 2 | Amends Congressional Primary Election Date | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 15) |
Feb. 18, 2016 | NC | HB 2 | Amends Congressional Primary Election Date | Bill Passed - House (71 - 32) |
April 15, 2015 | MT | SB 289 | Requires Certain Political Groups to Disclose Expenditures | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 20) |
March 28, 2015 | MT | SB 289 | Requires Certain Political Groups to Disclose Expenditures | Bill Passed - House (51 - 48) |
Feb. 26, 2015 | MT | SB 289 | Requires Certain Political Groups to Disclose Expenditures | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 22) |
Sept. 11, 2014 | National | S J Res 19 | A Joint Resolution Proposing an Amendment to the Constitution of the United States Relating to Contributions and Expenditures Intended to Affect Elections | Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (54 - 42) |
Aug. 11, 2014 | FL | SB 2-A | Congressional Redistricting | Bill Passed - House (71 - 38) |
Aug. 11, 2014 | FL | SB 2-A | Congressional Redistricting | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 12) |
May 6, 2014 | CT | SB 455 | Amends the Funding for the Public Campaign Finance Program | Bill Passed - House (102 - 40) |
May 2, 2014 | CT | SB 455 | Amends the Funding for the Public Campaign Finance Program | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 10) |
March 20, 2014 | WI | SB 655 | Amends Campaign Finance and Lobbying Laws | Bill Passed - House (54 - 37) |
March 12, 2014 | WI | SB 655 | Amends Campaign Finance and Lobbying Laws | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 16) |
Jan. 16, 2014 | VT | S 82 | Amends Campaign Finance Law | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (20 - 8) |
Dec. 12, 2013 | MI | SB 661 | Amends Campaign Finance Regulations | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 14) |
Dec. 11, 2013 | MI | SB 661 | Amends Campaign Finance Regulations | Bill Passed - House (56 - 52) |
Dec. 11, 2013 | National | HR 2019 | Kids First Research Act of 2013 | Bill Passed - House (295 - 103) |
Nov. 14, 2013 | MI | SB 661 | Amends Campaign Finance Regulations | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18) |
May 20, 2013 | AL | SB 445 | Repeals Limits on Campaign Financing | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (27 - 4) |
April 24, 2013 | FL | HB 569 | Amends State Campaign Finance Laws | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (79 - 34) |
March 19, 2013 | KS | HB 2022 | Prohibits Automatic Deductions by Public Labor Organizations for Political Fundraising | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (68 - 54) |
March 14, 2013 | KS | HB 2022 | Prohibits Automatic Deductions by Public Labor Organizations for Political Fundraising | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 16) |
Oct. 18, 2012 | NJ | AR 86 | Opposes the U.S. Supreme Court Decision in Citizens United Versus Federal Elections Commission | Resolution Passed - House (49 - 23) |
July 17, 2012 | National | S 3369 | DISCLOSE Act | Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (53 - 45) |
March 8, 2012 | ME | LD 1774 | Campaign Finance Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 15) |
Feb. 15, 2012 | AK | HB 311 | Amends Requirements for Electronic Campaign Finance Disclosure | Conference Report Adopted - House (26 - 5) |
Feb. 15, 2012 | AK | HB 311 | Amends Requirements for Electronic Campaign Finance Disclosure | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (14 - 2) |
Feb. 15, 2012 | MI | HB 5085 | Prohibits public employers from deducting political contributions from employee paychecks | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (62 - 43) |
Feb. 14, 2012 | MI | HB 5085 | Prohibits public employers from deducting political contributions from employee paychecks | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 12) |
Jan. 26, 2012 | UT | HB 50 | Repeals the Election Campaign Fund | Bill Passed - House (51 - 20) |
May 21, 2011 | TN | SB 1915 | Increases Contribution Limits to Campaigns | Bill Passed - House (65 - 20) |
May 20, 2011 | TN | SB 1915 | Increases Contribution Limits to Campaigns | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 11) |
March 2, 2011 | WV | HB 2732 | Increased Fees for Lawsuits | Bill Passed - House (65 - 35) |
Feb. 24, 2011 | KS | HB 2130 | Prohibits Union Dues for Political Activities | Bill Passed - House (75 - 46) |
Jan. 26, 2011 | National | HR 359 | Abolishing Federal Financing of Presidential Election Campaigns | Bill Passed - House (239 - 160) |
Sept. 23, 2010 | National | S 3628 | Campaign Finance Disclosure Requirements | Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (59 - 39) |
July 27, 2010 | National | S 3628 | Campaign Finance Disclosure Requirements | Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (57 - 41) |
June 24, 2010 | National | HR 5175 | Campaign Finance Disclosure Requirements | Bill Passed - House (219 - 206) |
April 25, 2008 | VT | S 278 | Campaign Finance Limitations | Veto Override Failed - House (99 - 51) |
April 22, 2008 | VT | S 278 | Campaign Finance Limitations | Veto Override Passed - Senate (26 - 4) |
April 5, 2006 | National | HR 513 | 527 Reform Act of 2005 | Bill Passed - House (218 - 209) |
March 20, 2002 | National | HR 2356 | Campaign Reform Act of 2001 | Bill Passed - Senate (60 - 40) |
Feb. 14, 2002 | National | HR 2356 | Campaign Reform Act of 2001 | Bill Passed - House (240 - 189) |
April 2, 2001 | National | S 27 | Campaign Reform Act of 2001 | Bill Passed - Senate (59 - 41) |
March 26, 2001 | National | S Amdt 145 | Campaign Reform Act of 2001 Amendment | Amendment Adopted - Senate (51 - 46) |
March 21, 2001 | National | S Amdt 134 | Campaign Reform Act - Union Amendment | Amendment Adopted - Senate (69 - 31) |
March 20, 2001 | National | S Amdt 115 | Campaign Reform Act of 2001 Amendment | Amendment Adopted - Senate (70 - 30) |
June 29, 2000 | National | HR 4762 | '527' Political Groups | Bill Passed - Senate (92 - 6) |
June 28, 2000 | National | HR 4762 | '527' Political Groups | Bill Passed - House (385 - 39) |
Sept. 14, 1999 | National | HR 417 | Campaign Finance Reform bill | Bill Passed - House (252 - 177) |
Aug. 6, 1998 | National | H Amdt 862 | Federal Campaign Finance Amendment | Amendment Rejected - House (147 - 222) |
Aug. 6, 1998 | National | HR 2183 | Campaign Finance Reform bill | Bill Passed - House (252 - 179) |
Aug. 3, 1998 | National | H Amdt 690 | Shays Amendment | Amendment Adopted - House (237 - 186) |