Prop*50

Washington results are in

While more than 300,000 ballots still have to be counted, the results of most ballot questions in Washington appear to be settled. Initiative 1183, which sought to privatize liquor sales, is passing at a comfortable 59.7%. A similar measure failed in 2010, but the $22.5 million spent by retailer Costco in favor of Initiative 1183 this year may have helped turn results around. Also passing is Initiative 1163, requiring training and background checks for home health care workers.

Less clear are the results on Initiative 1125, which would require that all revenue from motor fuel taxes and vehicle tolls be used for transporation. With about 76% of the ballots counted, the "yes" vote currently stands at 49%.

Results are rolling in, with one big surprise

The first surprise of the night comes with the apparent failure of Mississippi's "personhood" initiative. Widely expected to pass, it is presently at a 43% "yes" vote with 63% of precincts reporting. On the other hand, with the passage of Initiative 27, Mississippi looks to be the thirty-first state to implement a voter ID requirement.

The two popular referenda on the ballot have passed tonight. In Ohio, voters have overturned SB 5, which limited public employee union bargaining rights. In Maine, voters have vetoed LD 1376, which did away with the state's Election Day registration law.

Other instances of voter backlash include two recall efforts against state legislators. While official election results won't come in until all early ballots have been counted, it appears that Arizona Senate President Russell Pearce has lost his seat in a recall election. The second recall on today's ballot, against Michigan Representative Paul Scott, is currently too close to call at 49.2% yes and 50.8% no, with 29 of 35 precincts counted.

Statewide bond measures have fared well, which is not unusual, even in a bad economy. All three bonds on statewide ballots today have passed -- $575 million for highways in Arkansas, and two measures in Texas: $6 billion for water development and a continuation of bonding authority for higher education loans.

It's still too early to report on Washington's election results, so please check back later tonight.