Party-Line Voting Shows Little Change

Partisanship continues to be the driving force for closely contested floor votes in the 2023 state legislative session. While straight party-line votes at the procedural halfway point declined slightly from last year, some 97% of close floor votes so far this year have fallen nearly or entirely along party lines.

Closely Contested Floor Votes

What is a "closely contested" floor vote? Any roll call on the House or Senate floor that passes with opposition by one-third or more of the votes cast.

Straight Party-Line: All Republicans took one position, all Democrats took the other.

Near Party-Line: At least 90% of one or both parties voted the same way.

Not Party-Line: Neither party had at least 90% of members vote the same way.

Source: Virginia Legislative Information System.