Click on each issue to see how voters cast their ballots.
For more of our elections coverage, visit governing.com/elections.
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CRIMINAL JUSTICE
- Bucking Trends, Death Penalty Wins Voters' Support in 3 States
Americans' support for capital punishment has been waning, but you wouldn't know that by looking at Tuesday's election results.
States: California, Nebraska, Oklahoma
- Can't Afford Bail? In One State, That Doesn't Matter Anymore
New Mexico voters may have energized a national movement to reform the criminal justice policies that keep lower-income Americans locked up.
States: New Mexico
- Despite Overwhelming Legal Opposition, Voters Give Crime Victims Their Own Bill of Rights
Voters in three states approved "Marsy's Law," which ensures victims and their families are informed of developments in a criminal case.
States: Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota
- Marijuana Legalized for Fun in 4 More States and Medicine in 4 Others
Only one state's voters rejected easing access to the drugs.
States: Arizona, Arkansas, California, Florida, Maine, Massachusetts, Montana, Nevada, North Dakota
- Voters Across the Country Get Tough on Guns
As Congress and legislatures stall on the issue, voters are doing what they can to keep firearms out of the hands of dangerous people.
States: California, Maine, Nevada, Washington State
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How Old Is Too Old to Be a Judge? Voters in 4 States Got to Decide.
Voters generally agreed to raise the age limits -- but not do away with them altogether.
States: Alabama, Georgia, Oregon, Pennsylvania
EDUCATION
- Voters Give Georgia's Plan to Take Over Failing Schools an "F"
As other states launch similar plans to improve education, Georgia is back to the drawing board.
States: Georgia
- Pleas for More Education Funding Fall Short on Election Day
Voters in two states rejected measures that would have raised taxes -- either for consumers or corporations.
States: Oklahoma, Oregon
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Bilingual Education Will Make a Comeback in California
The state, which has more English-language learners than any other, restricted bilingual education in the '90s. Voters are bringing it back.
States: California
ENERGY & TRANSPORTATION
- Washington State Rejects What Would Have Been the Nation's First Carbon Tax
The ballot measure, which was meant to curb pollution, had even divided environmentalists.
States: Washington State
- In Cash-Strapped States, Voters Protect Transportation Funds
Illinois and New Jersey are joining the growing number of states that restrict how transportation money can be spent.
States: Illinois, New Jersey
- Nevadans Vote to Dismantle the State's Electric Monopoly
The ballot measure to make the state’s electric utility compete for business was backed by a group of heavy hitters in Nevada politics.
States: Nevada
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Solar Measure Fails in the Sunshine State
Voters rejected a controversial measure that pit environmentalists versus electric utilities.
States: Florida
FINANCE
- Missouri Passes Nation's First Ban on Services Sales Taxes
As states increasingly look to tax services, Missouri voters decided to keep that from ever happening. How that will impact consumers is unclear.
States: Missouri
- Facing 652% Interest Rates, South Dakota Voters Regulate Payday Lending
They joined the growing number of states that regulate the industry that critics say traps poor people in a cycle of debt.
States: South Dakota
- Arkansas, California Voters Approve Spending on Mega Projects
In an anti-debt climate, voters in the two states cleared the way for spending on major economic development projects.
States: Arkansas, California
- Pleas for More Education Funding Fall Short on Election Day
Voters in two states rejected measures that would have raised taxes -- either for consumers or corporations.
States: Oklahoma, Oregon
- Voters Just Say No to Higher Cigarette Taxes in All But 1 State
Californians were the only to agree to raise the price of tobacco. Will it impact smoking rates?
States: California, Colorado, Missouri, North Dakota
- Drug Companies Score a Big Election Victory
The industry spent millions of dollars to keep voters in California from passing a first-in-nation law that was meant to cut the soaring cost of prescription drugs.
States: California
- Voters in 4 States Limit Money's Role in U.S. Politics
They took steps to repeal the Citizens United ruling, limit campaign contribution limits and create publicly financed elections.
States: California, Missouri, South Dakota, Washington State
- New Jersey Voters Refuse to Build Casinos Outside Atlantic City
With Atlantic City in financial crisis because of casino closures, the state's voters aren't willing to take any more gambles.
States: New Jersey
- Washington State Rejects What Would Have Been Nation's First Carbon Tax
The ballot measure, which was meant to curb pollution, had even divided environmentalists.
States: Washington State
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In Cash-Strapped States, Voters Protect Transportation Funds
Illinois and New Jersey are joining the growing number of states that restrict how transportation money can be spent.
States: Illinois, New Jersey
GUNS
- Voters Across the Country Get Tough on Guns
As Congress and legislatures stall on the issue, voters are doing what they can to keep firearms out of the hands of dangerous people.
States: California, Maine, Nevada, Washington State
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Indiana and Kansas Make Fishing and Hunting a Constitutional Right
More than 80 percent of voters approved amendments on the ballot in both states.
States: Indiana, Kansas
HEALTH
- Single-Payer Health Care Takes a Big Hit at the Ballot
Despite Bernie Sanders' campaigning, Colorado voters overwhelmingly rejected plans to make their state the first in America to create a universal health-care system.
States: Colorado
- Drug Companies Score a Big Election Victory
The industry spent millions of dollars to keep voters in California from passing a first-in-nation law that was meant to cut the soaring cost of prescription drugs.
States: California
- Marijuana Legalized for Fun in 4 More States and Medicine in 4 Others
Only one state's voters rejected easing access to the drug.
States: Arizona, Arkansas, California, Florida, Maine, Massachusetts, Montana, Nevada, North Dakota
- Colorado Strengthens Physician-Assisted Suicide Movement
The right to die has been slow to gain momentum, especially among voters. In Colorado, they defied the odds.
States: Colorado
- Voters Just Say No to Higher Cigarette Taxes in All But 1 State
Californians were the only to agree to raise the price of tobacco. Will it impact smoking rates?
States: California, Colorado, Missouri, North Dakota
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Condoms-in-Porn Rule Dies at the Ballot Box
It's a win for the porn industry and the state of California, which stood to lose millions of dollars if the measure passed.
States: California
LABOR
- 4 States Vote to Raise the Minimum Wage, 1 Votes to Keep It As Is
South Dakota's ballot measure, which failed, would have actually reduced the minimum wage for some.
States: Arizona, Colorado, Maine, South Dakota, Washington
- Unions See Spotty Right-to-Work Results in Alabama, Virginia
Business leaders and Republican legislators want to make laws that limit the power of labor unions permanent. In one state, they just did.
States: Alabama, Virginia
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Election Brings Change to How Minnesota Lawmakers Are Paid
Like most state legislators in America, Minnesota's were in charge of their own pay -- and yet, they haven't had a raise in 20 years.
States: Minnesota
MARIJUANA
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Marijuana Legalized for Fun in 4 More States and Medicine in 4 Others
Only one state's voters rejected easing access to the drug.
States: Arizona, Arkansas, California, Florida, Maine, Massachusetts, Montana, Nevada, North Dakota
VOTING & POLITICS
- Maine Becomes First State to Adopt a New Way of Voting
Unhappy with the results of their past elections, Mainers have opted for ranked-choice voting. It could lead to more civilized politics but lower voter turnout.
States: Maine
- D.C. Inches Closer to Becoming the 51st State
The plan to achieve statehood easily won voters' support. But will it win the support of Congress?
States: District of Columbia
- Voters in 4 States Limit Money's Role in U.S. Politics
They took steps to repeal the Citizens United ruling, limit campaign contribution limits and create publicly financed elections.
States: California, Missouri, South Dakota, Washington State
- With Independents on the Rise, Colorado Changes Its Election Rules
Voters in the state approved ballot measures that would, among other things, let unaffiliated voters participate in primaries.
States: Colorado
- Automatic Voter Registration Is Spreading. How Will It Impact Turnout in Future Elections?
Alaska is the latest state to adopt a system in which residents will be automatically registered to vote.
States: Alaska
- Election Brings Change to How Minnesots Lawmakers Are Paid
Like most state legislators in America, Minnesota's were in charge of their own pay -- and yet, they haven't had a raise in 20 years.
States: Minnesota
- Amid Governor's Scandal, Alabamians Clarify Impeachment Rules
A constitutional tweak became embroiled in talk of impeachment, misuse of funds and an alleged affair by Gov. Robert Bentley.
States: Alabama
- Voters Make Missouri a Voter ID State
GOP lawmakers in the state have been trying to pass a voter ID law for a decade. They finally got their way.
States: Missouri
