Democrat Beverly Perdue became the first woman elected governor in North Carolina and Missouri picked Democrat Jay Nixon to replace departing GOP Gov. Matt Blunt.

The win in Missouri gave Democrats a 29-21 edge in state capitals nationwide. Democrats won seven of 11 governorships decided yesterday.

STATE LEGISLATURES ALSO CHANGING

Democrats took control of the New York Senate yesterday and, with that, all of state government.

Elsewhere, Democrats took power in the Delaware House and were in a fight to hold a majority in the Indiana House. Republicans gained control of the Tennessee and Oklahoma senates and fought to take back a majority in the Pennsylvania House. Nationwide, the final outcome was far from clear. Overall, 44 states voted on state lawmakers. Going into the election, Democrats controlled legislatures in 23 states, while Republicans dominate in 14. Twelve states were split, and Nebraska is nonpartisan.

GAY MARRIAGE BILL UNDECIDED

LOS ANGELES — Supporters and opponents of a ballot initiative that would outlaw same-sex marriage in California were preparing for a long, tense wait last night after early returns showed neither side with a clear advantage.

Returns showed the measure passing with 53 percent of the vote, but that was with only one-third of precincts reporting. The measure needs a simple majority to pass.

Ban-gay-marriage amendments were approved in Arizona and Florida.

2 STATES REJECT ABORTION BANS

Voters in Colorado and South Dakota rejected ballot measures yesterday that could have led to sweeping bans of abortion.

The Colorado measure would have defined life as beginning at conception. The South Dakota measure would have banned abortions except in cases of rape, incest and serious health threat to the mother.

AFFIRMATIVE ACTION BANNED

LINCOLN, Neb. — Nebraska voters have approved a ban on government-sponsored affirmative action.

The constitutional amendment approved yesterday bars state and local governments from giving preferential treatment to people on the basis of race, sex, ethnicity or national origin. Returns in Colorado on a similar measure were too close to call last night.

POT MEASURES GAIN APPROVAL

BOSTON — The marijuana reform movement won two prized victories yesterday, with Massachusetts voters decriminalizing possession of small amounts of the drug and Michigan joining 12 other states in allowing use of pot for medical purposes.

People caught in Massachusetts with an ounce or less of pot won't face criminal penalties. Instead, they'll forfeit the marijuana and pay a $100 fine.

NO BUSH NAME ON SEWAGE PLANT

SAN FRANCISCO — San Francisco voters have turned down the chance to rename a local sewage plant after President Bush.

Voters rejected the lighthearted attempt to memorialize the outgoing president at the Oceanside Water Pollution Control Plant. The measure's supporters say calling it the George W. Bush Sewage Plant would have been a fitting tribute to the 43rd president.