Aggregated News

On an Election Day when activists of many ideological stripes could tout victories on ballot measures, the narrow passage of a stem cell research initiative in Missouri sent a mixed message about that issue's political potency.

Supporters of the amendment to Missouri's Constitution called its passage a "mandate for protecting stem cell cures." Yet the measure, which prohibits the state from banning any embryonic stem cell research permitted under federal law, passed by 55,000 votes out of more than 2 million cast--a sharp drop from opinion polls last year that indicated the proposal drawing nearly 70 percent approval.

Democratic gains nationwide brought defeat for conservatives on numerous other state referendums, but not all.

Voters in Arizona made their state the first to defeat a same-sex marriage ban. Seven other states approved such bans.

Increases to the minimum wage passed in all six states where voters considered the issue, echoing a major priority of the incoming Democratic congressional leadership. In addition, six states rejected proposals to cut taxes or limit government spending.

Missouri's stem cell initiative spawned the most expensive and...