Is Your State as Gridlocked as the U.S. Senate?

Alabama requires 3/5 of senators elected to approve a limit for debate. The Rules Committee or 21/35 senators may petition for this vote. The vote threshold to pass this for redistricting or appropriation measures is only 18 votes (majority elected). Unlike the U.S. Senate, Alabama has time limits on speaking time, requiring more effort to execute a filibuster.

Alaska has multiple rules to limit or end debate. To successfully pass a motion for the previous question, 2/3 of senators present are required. No vote threshold is specified on the Alaska Senate’s motion to limit debate, but the body rules reference Mason’s Manual for the implementation of cases not covered by the rules, implying that only a simple majority may be needed.

The exact vote threshold required to pass a motion to limit debate is unspecified. However, Arizona’s rules reference the Mason’s Manual’s role in determining procedure unspecified in the rules, which would set it at a simple majority.

Although Arkansas has a high vote threshold to end the filibuster (24/35 senators to pass a motion for the previous question), it also sets time limits for speaking, which the U.S. Senate does not.

A majority of senators are needed to pass a motion for the previous question.

Limiting debate in the Colorado Senate requires the support of a majority of senators elected.

Connecticut allows both motions for the previous question and motions to close debate at a specified time. The vote threshold is unspecified, but Connecticut’s rules reference Mason’s Manual, which applies when not inconsistent with the rules and would set limits at a simple majority.

Neither a motion to close or limit debate are in order during debate

2/3 senators present are required to pass a motion to limit debate. However, Florida also has pre-set time limits for how long a senator can speak before yielding the floor, making a filibuster harder to execute than in the U.S. Senate.

A majority of senators voting is required to both pass a motion for the previous question and a motion to resolve debate.

3/5 vote in favor is needed to pass a motion for the previous question. Like the U.S. Senate, the Hawaii Senate has no pre-set limits on debate.

In addition to having a high vote threshold (2/3 majority voting for both the previous question and the motion to limit debate), Idaho has no pre-set time limits on debate.

A majority of senators elected are necessary to pass a motion for the previous question.

A majority of senators elected are necessary to pass a motion for the previous question.

A majority of senators present and voting are necessary to pass a motion for the previous question.

A majority vote of senators present is needed to pass a motion for the previous question. 10 senators must sponsor the motion.

A majority of senators elected are necessary to pass a motion for the previous question. A motion to limit debate is also in order, though no vote threshold is specified.

Louisiana has multiple rules to break a filibuster. A majority Senators present and voting can pass a motion for the previous question or non-interruptive motion to limit debate. On the other hand, 2/3 elected senators (26 Senators) are required as signatories for a motion to limit debate while another senator is speaking. The same number must vote in favor for it to pass.

Neither a motion to close or limit debate are in order during debate in Maine.

3/5 senators elected must approve a motion to limit debate. Although senators can only speak once until everyone who desires to has spoken, there are no pre-set time limits on debate.

Theoretically, the motion to close debate at a specified time would require a majority of senators present to pass.

A majority of senators voting are necessary to pass a motion for the previous question.

A majority of senators present are necessary to pass a motion for the previous question.

A majority of senators present and voting are necessary to pass a previous motion or a motion to limit debate. The vote thresholds are unspecified, but a separate rule in the Mississippi Senate rules sets unspecified vote thresholds at a majority present and voting.

A majority of senators elected are necessary to pass a motion for the previous question. The motion must be submitted through a written demand signed by five senators.

Montana’s rules reference Mason’s Manual, which governs proceedings unspecified in the rules. It would set limits at a simple majority.

Nebraska has multiple vote thresholds to break a filibuster: A majority of senators elected is required for previous question, and 2/3 of senators present is required for cloture. Only certain senators can move for cloture, and five senators must demand the previous question.

A majority of senators present are needed to pass a motion for the previous question. Three senators must demand the motion.

A majority of senators present are needed to pass a motion for the previous question.

A majority of senators voting are needed to pass a motion for the previous question.

A majority of senators present are needed to pass a motion to close debate or a motion for the previous question.

A majority of senators are necessary to pass a motion for the previous question. Only a certain senators can order the motion.

A majority of senators present are needed to pass a motion for the previous question. Only a certain senators can order the motion.

Threshold to limit debate is unclear, but Mason’s Manual governs the Senate in all situations unspecified in the rules. Accordingly, a majority of senators present would be needed to pass a motion for the previous question or a motion to close debate.

A majority vote of the senate is needed to pass a motion for the previous question. It must be demanded by three senators.

A majority present and voting are necessary to pass a motion to limit debate (unless it fails on its first pass; then it needs 2/3 majority voting).

A majority present is needed to pass a motion for the previous question.

A majority voting is needed to pass a motion for the previous question. A motion to limit or close debate is also in order.

A majority of senators voting is necessary to pass a motion for a previous question, close debate, or fix a time for closing debate.

26/46 senators elected or 3/5 senators present, whichever is lower, are needed to close debate and fix a certain time to vote on third reading (the final vote to pass the bill or resolution).

A majority of senators present is needed to pass a motion for the previous question.

2/3 of senators present and voting are necessary to pass a motion for the previous question. Although the Tennessee Senate has a high vote threshold to break a filibuster, it has pre-set limits on debate, unlike the U.S. Senate.

A majority of senators present and voting are necessary to pass a motion for the previous question.

Motions for the previous question are explicitly outlawed, and motions to limit debate are not listed as in order during debate

Motions for the previous question are explicitly outlawed, and motions to limit debate are not listed as in order when the question is pending

A majority of senators present are necessary to passing motions for the previous question and motions for the pending question.

A majority of senators present are necessary to pass a motion for the previous question.

A majority of senators present are necessary to pass a motion for the previous question.

A motion for the previous question may pass if carried by a majority. A motion for the previous question can also be amended to become a motion to limit debate.

A motion for the previous question is in order, but the threshold is unspecified. Wyoming’s rules reference Mason’s Manual, which would govern in all cases not specified in the rules. This would set limits at a simple majority. The motion must be seconded by three other members.