An effort to limit the ability of unions to automatically deduct political contributions from their member's paychecks failed on election day in California. The California secretary of state's website shows that Proposition 32 failed by a significant margin with roughly 56 percent in opposition.  Labor groups funneled over $75 million to defeat the measure backed by business groups that also gave roughly $60 million to support the referendum which would have prevented unions from giving money to candidates or political causes unless the contributions are voluntarily made.

Michigan voters rejected two ballot initiatives that would have amended the state constitution to require utilities to generate 25 percent of their electricity by 2025 and another that would grant a all workers in the state constitutionally protected collective bargaining rights and prevent the state from passing "right to work" laws. According to results from the Michigan secretary of state's website, the renewable energy referendum was opposed by nearly 63 percent of voters and the collective bargaining amendment fell by a margin of approximately 58 percent to 42 percent. 

Yesterday, the issue of same-sex marriage was on the ballot in four states, and in all four, voters chose in favor of marriage equality. 

Yesterday, Colorado and Washington made history, becoming the first states to legalize small amounts of marijuana for recreational use.  The measures also call for the establishment of a state regulatory and taxation framework similar to those used for tobacco and alcohol.

On November 5^th voters across the country made a number of decisions at the ballot box that will have fiscal implications for many states for years to come. Ballot measures proposed a number of tax-related changes, including sales and income tax increases, changes to property tax exemptions, caps on certain taxes, increasing legislatures’ ability to provide tax breaks to individuals and businesses, and a requirement that new state taxes be passed by a supermajority or go to the voters.

Four states – Idaho, Kentucky, Nebraska and Wyoming – considered constitutional amendments that would protect the rights of residents to hunt and fish on Tuesday, and each state’s voters overwhelmingly supported the amendments joining 13 other states that had previously endorsed the idea: Idaho – 73% / 27%, Kentucky – 84% / 16%, Nebraska – 77% / 23% and Wyoming – 89% / 11%. Louisiana voters easily endorsed a constitutional amendment strengthening the right of that state’s residents to keep and bear arms – 74% / 26%.

The controversial ballot initiative to amend the state constitution to declare Arizona's "sovereign and exclusive authority and jurisdiction over the air, water, public lands, minerals, wildlife and other natural resources within its boundaries" failed by a wide margin on election day. According to results from the Arizona Secretary of State's website, Proposition 120 was defeated 67.54% to 32.46%. Although five precincts are still outstanding, the 300,000 vote margin of opposition is likely too large for supporters to overcome.

Voters in three Western states – Colorado, Oregon, and Washington – will decide today whether to legalize the recreational use of marijuana by adults 21 and over, while also establishing a state regulatory and taxation framework similar to those used for tobacco and alcohol.  Passage of these measures would set up a showdown with the federal government, because the drug would still be illegal under federal law.