(CNN) -- Ballot measures approving same-sex marriage and the recreational use of marijuana were approved Tuesday by voters in a handful of states, signaling a historical social shift by popular vote. Voters in Maine approved for the first time in history a measure that gives the right to same-sex couples to marry, while in Maryland voters also made history by upholding a new law allowing same-sex couples to marry in the state, according to CNN projections. A couple of percentage points were all that separated similar measures in Minnesota and Washington, initial returns showed. Colorado and Washington, meanwhile, voted to approve state initiatives legalizing marijuana, while Oregon voters turned away a similar initiative, projections show.
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NEW: Maryland, Maine, Washington allow same-sex marriage
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NEW: Montana, Alabama voters approve anti-Obamacare measure
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Colorado, Washington voters legalize the recreational use of marijuana
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Florida voters defeat anti-Obamacare and anti-abortion measures
Voters in @placeholder, meanwhile, nixed a constitutional amendment that would have banned the use of public funds for abortions, according to a CNN projection.