It's Election Day 2007. Unlike last year, when affirmative-action ballot measures were being weighed in Michigan and same-sex-marriage bans were being voted on in eight states, this Election Day appears to be a relativley subdued affair, with a few impactful ballot measures of particular note.

Looking at some key national races across the country, Democrats are heavily favored to win back the Kentucky governor's mansion. In Virginia, Democrats are looking to see if they can continue picking up seats in the state legislature and possibly take control of the state Senate. Why do those races matter? If the Democrats are succesful, it may be an indication that Virginia will be in play for the party during the presidential election, reports MSNBC. If Republicans hold onto the state Senate, MSNBC says immigration will be credited with the comeback.

In Mississippi, Gov. Haley Barbour is favored to defeat his Democratic opponent John Arthur Eaves. Barbour's campaign was largely based off of his successful management of the devastation following Hurricane Katrina, according to The Associated Press. Eaves, an attorney running as a conservative evangelical, has run a controversial campaign.

In San Francisco, Mayor Gavin Newsom, best known for opening City Hall to same-sex weddings six weeks into his first term, is expected to easily win reelection to a second term.

Here are some ballot measures of note:

Stem-Cell Research

A referendum on whether to authorize $450 million over 10 years to fund stem-cell research will be decided by voters in New Jersey. A poll conducted by the Rutgers University Eagleton Institute found that likely voters support the referendum 57 percent to 36 percent, according to The Trenton Times.

New Jersey Gov. Jon Corzine has gone on record supporting the referendum. Corzine says the research could assist in battling diseases ranging from Alzheimer's to Parkinson's. The Roman Catholic Church and anti-abortion groups have come out in opposition to the measure.

School Vouchers 

A proposal in Utah would create the country's first statewide school-voucher program open to all families regardless of income, reports The Associated Press. If approved, the plan would grant $500 to $3,000, depending on income, for each child sent to private school. Unlike other plans aimed at low-income students, Utah's plan would be available to anyone, including affluent families in well-performing districts.

Immigration 

Virginia, once a Republican stronghold, has seen Democrats win major statewide elections over the past 10 years, including the last two gubernatorial elections and grabbing a U.S. Senate seat last year. But that trend could end, reports CNN, over the immigration issue, as Republican candidates in the state are vowing to take a hard line against undocumented immigrants, including blocking them from receiving public services.

More Election '08 >>