Gay marriage
On Election Day, voters in three states made history when they endorsed gay marriage in Maine, Maryland and Washington. Although same-sex marriage has already been legalized in six states and Washington, D.C. through state legislation or court rulings, the Nov. 6 election was the first time it's been legalized by popular vote. Minnesota voted to repeal a ban on same-sex marriage and will now recognize married same-sex couples. Wisconsin also made headlines on Tuesday after electing Tammy Baldwin, the country's first openly gay U.S. senator.
Legalization of marijuana
Colorado and Washington were the first states to legalize recreational marijuana use on Tuesday, making it the first time citizens ever voted to legalize marijuana. Massachusetts also voted to legalize medical marijuana on Election Day. The Colorado and Washington ballots only legalize marijuana use for adults, and cannabis will remain a controlled substance under federal law. Massachusetts legalized marijuana for medicinal purposes by a wide margin and became the 18th state to do so. The legalization of marijuana is projected to make up to $60 million a year in revenue.
Historic number of female senators
The newly elected 113th Congress will now have 20 female senators - the most in U.S. history. Joining the Senate will be: Republican Deb Fischer (Neb.) and Democrats Tammy Baldwin (Wis.), Heidi Heitkamp (N.D.), Mazie Hirono (Hawaii) and Elizabeth Warren (Mass.). Six democratic women who were running for re-election also won their races: Maria Cantwell (Wash.), Dianne Feinstein (Calif.), Kirsten Gillibrand (N.Y.), Amy Klobuchar (Minn.), Claire McCaskill (Mo.) and Debbie Stabenow (Mich.). There are currently 17 female U.S. senators, which was a previous record in the Senate.
Email: news@ubspectrum.com
Gay marriage
On Election Day, voters in three states made history when they endorsed gay marriage in Maine, Maryland and Washington. Although same-sex marriage has already been legalized in six states and Washington, D.C. through state legislation or court rulings, the Nov. 6 election was the first time it's been legalized by popular vote. Minnesota voted to repeal a ban on same-sex marriage and will now recognize married same-sex couples. Wisconsin also made headlines on Tuesday after electing Tammy Baldwin, the country's first openly gay U.S. senator.
Legalization of marijuana
Colorado and Washington were the first states to legalize recreational marijuana use on Tuesday, making it the first time citizens ever voted to legalize marijuana. Massachusetts also voted to legalize medical marijuana on Election Day. The Colorado and Washington ballots only legalize marijuana use for adults, and cannabis will remain a controlled substance under federal law. Massachusetts legalized marijuana for medicinal purposes by a wide margin and became the 18th state to do so. The legalization of marijuana is projected to make up to $60 million a year in revenue.
Historic number of female senators
The newly elected 113th Congress will now have 20 female senators - the most in U.S. history. Joining the Senate will be: Republican Deb Fischer (Neb.) and Democrats Tammy Baldwin (Wis.), Heidi Heitkamp (N.D.), Mazie Hirono (Hawaii) and Elizabeth Warren (Mass.). Six democratic women who were running for re-election also won their races: Maria Cantwell (Wash.), Dianne Feinstein (Calif.), Kirsten Gillibrand (N.Y.), Amy Klobuchar (Minn.), Claire McCaskill (Mo.) and Debbie Stabenow (Mich.). There are currently 17 female U.S. senators, which was a previous record in the Senate.
Email: news@ubspectrum.com
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
