Same-sex marriage, medical marijuana and casino gambling lead the list of measures voters in several states across the United States considered Tuesday.
Six states have 26 measures on their ballots for the 2009 Election Day, down from the 33.2 average number of initiatives common in odd-year elections, the National Council of State Legislatures said on its Web site.
Voters in Maine and Washington considered ratcheting back the rights of same-sex couples Tuesday.
In Maine, voters were asked to overturn a law permitting same-sex marriage. In Washington, voters determined whether to repeal a law giving domestic partnership rights to same-sex and unmarried senior couples that are equivalent to the rights provided by marriage.
Maine voters also were asked to consider amending existing medical marijuana laws to expand the list of conditions for which it can be prescribed and set up a procedure to grow the list in the future without a public vote. The measure also would create and regulate a dispensary system, among other things.
Ohio voters considered whether to allow one casino to be built in each of four specific cities. Tuesday's ballot question was the fifth time since 1990 that Ohio voters were asked to approve casino gambling -- the four previous initiatives failed.
Other measures states put to their voters involved setting revenue limits and several bonding questions.
Election Day 2009 also featured three races that political pundits painted as an early referendum on U.S. President Barack Obama.
Going into Tuesday's elections Republican challengers were doing well against Democratic hopefuls in New Jersey and Virginia races for governor. Polls indicate Republican challenger Chris Christie in a statistical dead heat with Democratic incumbent Jon Corzine in New Jersey and GOP challenger Bob McDonnell was holding a lead over Democratic candidate Creigh Deeds.
A congressional election in upstate New York has turned into a litmus test for conservatives. Locally GOP-endorsed Dede Scozzafava dropped out and endorsed Democratic candidate Bill Owens following a backlash by Republican conservatives who put up their own candidate, Doug Hoffman.
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