Ohio:
In Ohio, a key swing state won by President Barack Obama in the 2008 election, a strong push by organized labor succeeded in turning back a Republican effort to reduce the power of public sector unions in the state.
With nearly 40 percent of the vote counted, the Republican-backed law was opposed by 63 percent of voters with 37 percent in favor. Even in some Republican areas of the state the measure was losing.
Mississippi:
The so-called "personhood" initiative was rejected by more than 55 percent of voters, falling far short of the threshold needed for it to be enacted. If it had passed, it was virtually assured of drawing legal challenges because it conflicts with the Supreme Court's 1973 Roe v. Wade decision that established a legal right to abortion. Supporters of the initiative wanted to provoke a lawsuit to challenge the landmark ruling.
Maine:
By a relatively wide margin, Mainers on Tuesday overturned a recently passed law that would have ended a 38-year-old practice of allowing voters to register on Election Day.
Arizona:
In Arizona, state Sen. Russell Pearce, architect of the tough immigration law that put the state at the forefront of the national debate, faced a recall attempt led by a fellow Republican. He was defeated by challenger Jerry Lewis on Tuesday night.
Traverse City:
Early results show voters in Traverse City support an ordinance that prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation.
Votes to keep the controversial measure on the books lead “no” votes 2,080 to 1,204 as of 8:45 p.m. Approximately 1,500 absentee ballots remain uncounted, along with results from one small precinct in Leelanau County.
Remember the Republicans want to take the rights of locals away on that issue.
Edit, the next morning: Gave Scott his own post above, wanted to add that it seems that voters were open to tax increases across the state as well. Grand Rapids passed its school bond issue, Lansing passed their public safety issue, and in Detroit...
Despite Metro Detroit's stubbornly sluggish economy, voters in numerous communities opened their wallets Tuesday, passing tax issues to fund basic services including police, fire and libraries.
...
Voters said yes to tax issues in communities including Dearborn, Garden City, Eastpointe, Roseville, Warren, Bloomfield Hills and Hazel Park.
All the above takes some of the sting out of 2010. Not all, but some...