As results from elections on Tuesday continue to be tallied, voters in three states appear to have approved several ballot measures that may affect higher education. (A more complete description of the measures can be found here.)

In Maine, where voting was closest on the measures and at least 94 percent of precincts have reported, 51 percent of voters approved a $43.5-million bond package for colleges and universities. A $55-million bond package for research-commercialization grants also won approval, with 51 percent of the vote. But a measure that would have provided slot-machine revenue to some institutions appeared to have narrowly failed, garnering only 48 percent of the vote.

In Texas, with nearly 100 percent of precincts reporting, new oversight of Angelo State University was approved by 66 percent of voters. A $500-million bond reauthorization for student loans passed with 66 percent of the vote. An eminent-domain proposal passed with 80 percent of the vote. And a $3-billion cancer initiative passed with 61 percent of the vote.

In Washington State, where results were not yet final, 53 percent of voters approved a measure to allow higher-education institutions to invest in corporate stocks and bonds. And 52 percent of voters approved new regulations that would affect tax increases.

New Jersey voters, however, rejected a plan to borrow $450-million to finance stem-cell research. With 97 percent of precincts reporting, 53 percent of voters rejected the measure, which had been championed by Gov. Jon S. Corzine, a Democrat. —JJ Hermes