The people speak: voters faced important and sometimes complex policy questions on statewide ballots.

• Author: Bowser, Jennie Drage

Cruising under the radar of the most exciting presidential election in memory were 153 measures on statewide ballots around the country. Voters were asked to address taxes, social issues, health care, education, gambling and a wide array of other issues from the treatment of farm animals to physician-assisted suicide.

In 2004, the overriding theme among ballot measures was same-sex marriage. In 2006, it was property rights. This year there is no theme. Measures were all over the map, with no single issue dominating nationwide.

Voters approved 24 of the 59 citizen initiatives on the ballot Nov. 4, and rejected 30. Five remain undecided at press time. Between 1996 and 2006, 49.4 percent of initiatives were approved. This year it may be more like 42 percent.

Coincidentally, there were 59 initiatives on ballots in the last presidential election. Voters were more generous with their "yes" votes in 2004 though, approving 56 percent of them.

Of the 84 measures referred by legislatures, voters approved 59 and rejected 23. Two remain undecided. Between 1996 and 2006, 77.1 percent of the legislative measures on statewide ballots were approved by voters. This year, it looks like it will be around 73 percent.

There were two also popular referenda. Voters in Maine rejected one that would have increased taxes on the beverage industry in order to fund the state's health care program. In Ohio, they upheld a measure that regulates the payday loan industry.

Here is a look at how other key issues fared.

SAME-SEX MARRIAGE BANS

Of the 29 states that voted on banning same-sex marriage between 1998 and 2006, just Arizona voted not to in 2006. Voters changed their minds this year and Arizona joined California and Florida in approving bans. Fifty-two percent of California voters approved a constitutional amendment that overturns a state Supreme Court ruling that found the state discriminated against same-sex couples.

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And voters in Arkansas decided to prohibit unmarried couples--both same-sex and opposite-sex--from adopting or becoming foster parents.

ABORTION

Only five out of 23 abortion restrictions on statewide ballots between 1982 and 2006 have passed. That mood prevailed this year as well, with all three abortion bans rejected by voters. This was the third time California voters rejected a measure requiring parental notification and a waiting period for a minor's abortion (the first were in 2005 and 2006), and the second time South Dakota...