MERCED -- Voters in the 12th Senate District won't know who they elected until at least Thursday, when thousands of absentee ballots are counted. Updated Nov. 6, 4:00 pm

LOS ANGELES - When Bill Simon's concession speech finally came shortly before midnight on Tuesday, it was a brief affair. A chance for thank yous, but no tears were lost. Most of the crowd at the LAX Westin Hotel were still riding high from an astounding Republican night nationwide. Even though CNN and other major networks promised that exit poll results would not be released prematurely, the numbers came soon enough anyway.

BERKELEY -- By a wide margin, voters approved movie star Arnold Schwarzenegger's plan to spend $550 million a year on after-school programs. Updated Nov. 6, 1:38 am

LOS ANGELES -- Incumbent Democrat Gray Davis claimed victory and a second term Tuesday night in the California gubernatorial race against Republican challenger Bill Simon. Updated Nov. 6, 1:17 am

OAKLAND -- No Gray clouds rained on the Green party Tuesday night. Updated Nov. 6, 1:10 am

BERKELEY -- Same-day voter registration was headed toward defeat Tuesday night. With two-thirds of the votes counted, Proposition 52 was being voted down by a solid majority of California voters. Updated Nov. 6, 1:05 am

BERKELEY -- California voters Tuesday rejected a well-funded but much-criticized ballot measure that would have shifted millions in state funds to transportation projects -- many of them supported by developers who contributed to the campaign. Updated Nov. 6, 1:00 pm

MODESTO - Somewhere on Route 99 between Stockton and Modesto, a driver cruising past a row of brightly lit chain motels Friday was told that Dick Monteith wants to take away a woman's right to choose -- "even if the mother's life is in danger," said the female voice on the radio. A few minutes later, on another frequency, a male voice warned that Dennis Cardoza supports abortion "even as a form of birth control."

MODESTO -- Democrat Dennis Cardoza inched to an early lead over Republican Dick Monteith Tuesday night in the battle to succeed Rep. Gary Condit whose political career crashed amid his relationship with slain intern Chandra Levy. Updated Nov. 5, 11:00 pm

OAKLAND -- In a Spanish-language radio ad paid for by the Republican Party, Panchito and Lupita sit down to a plate of enchiladas and complain that the Democrats are "teaching our children…that homosexual practice is OK." Updated Nov. 5, 9:48 pm

LOS ANGELES - On a loosely crowded plaza near Los Angeles' oldest street there's a funk band playing. It's a large ensemble by the name of Bill's Band and they're all in red. They can play anything from James Brown to Van Morrison to a raunchy rendition of "Lady Marmalade." The "Voulez Vous Coucher Avec Moi, Ce Soir" chorus by the way, isn't sung by one of the two go-go dancers in the short leather minis with the high leg kicks, synchronized booty bouncing, and up-skirts galore. There are three other less scantily clad singers for that. Still there's just something about hearing "Do you want to go to bed with me?" in French that seems to really help get out the Republican vote down here on Olvera street. It doesn't even seem to faze those sullen people on Broadway either, the ones grasping their posters of dead fetuses.

EMERYVILLE--If voters approve it on Tuesday, Proposition 49 could drop a bundle on this this tiny, financially struggling three-school district-- $50,000 next year for the elementary school and $75,000 for the middle and high schools. At first glance, that looks like a great deal, especially since the district's year-old mentoring program runs out of money in December.

BERKELEY - California voters will be asked Tuesday to put billions of their tax dollars toward creating affordable housing, improving schools and protecting the environment. The votes may shed light on how comfortable Californians feel spending as the economy continues to falter.