While Maine voters were asked to weigh in on bear hunting regulations in Tuesday¡¯s U.S. elections, voters in Alabama were given the chance to insure that state courts never rule according to Shariah law.

The 146 ballot measures show a broad spectrum of issues that are relevant to each state and vary widely among the nation¡¯s disparate cultures and political views.

Citizen groups and state legislatures have historically used the ballot process to decide politically sensitive issues through a direct vote.