Because there is more than just California out there.
Out in Texas, the City of Houston voted on the repeal of a very controversial equal rights ordinance that the Houston City Council passed in 2014 that increased protection for gay and transgender people while also banning discrimination based in a variety of other arenas.
Amid conservative fears that the law would be abused, petitions and signature gathering efforts took place and voters got to weigh in on the ordinance. With a 61-39 voting margin, Houston's voting base rejected it swiftly.
Salt Lake City’s mayoral race went down to the wire, but it was Jackie Biskupski who won out by less than a 5 percentage-point spread over two-term incumbent Ralph Becker. Biskupski became the first openly gay city mayor in the state of Utah.
Across the country, up in New England, Portland, Maine saw a $15 minimum wage measure pop up this cycle. But behind a heavily spending opposition group, spearheaded by the Portland Regional Chamber of Commerce, the votes came in 58-42 against raising the city minimum wage.