The primary objective for Project Vote Smart is to provide the essential tools that American citizens need when selecting their representatives and monitoring their job performances. Along with Biographical Backgrounds, Issue Positions (Political Courage Test), Campaign Finances, Public Statements, and Special Interest Group Ratings, the Key Votes Program is one of the six major arms of the Project Vote Smart Voter Self-Defense System that aids the average citizen in understanding how their representatives represent them on issues.
It is commonplace to hear incumbents touting the line "Don't believe me? Check my voting record," and Americans need an easily accessible and comprehensive collection of these voting records to view for themselves. Project Vote Smart's Key Votes Program has been developed to fulfill this need.
State Key Votes is the newest portion of the Key Votes Program. We are now tracking all 50 legislatures. For each key vote we will provide on our website:
- A category or categories
- Title of Legislation
- Official title of Legislation
- Official synopsis or summary of the version of the bill that was voted on
- Project Vote Smart synopsis
- Explanatory notes (when necessary)
- Highlights
- Bill status
- Floor votes
- Direct link to the full bill text
There are six major stages to the State Key Votes Program:
1. Tracking the legislatures
2. Selecting key votes
3. Entering Votes into Admin
4. Preparing a Bill Summary
5. Revising Summaries
CategoryKeyVotes
