Ballot hot buttons include abortion, same-sex marriage

(CNN) -- Voters will head to the polls Tuesday not only to choose a president, but to decide on a series of proposals that could create major policy changes in their communities for years to come.

Voters in California, Arizona and Florida will weigh in on a constitutional ban on same-sex marriage.

"Ballot measures are tremendously important. They're not recommendations; they're actual laws and constitutional amendments that voters pass directly," said Jennie Bowser, senior elections analyst for the National Conference of State Legislatures. "Once the voters say yes, it goes on the books."

Social issues including abortion rights, affirmative action and same-sex marriage dominate this year's list of some 150 ballot measures in 33 states.

Colorado could come close to banning abortion if voters approve a proposal to define person to "include any human being from the moment of fertilization." The term would apply to sections of the Colorado Constitution that protect "natural and essential rights of persons."

In South Dakota, voters will decide whether to allow abortions only in cases of rape and incest. California's Proposition 4 requires physicians to provide parental notification to guardians of minors at least 48 hours before performing an abortion.iReport.com: Watch Prop 8 debate in Utah

Affirmative action measures in Colorado and Nebraska would prohibit state governments from discriminating against or granting preferential treatment to people based on race, ethnicity, color, sex or national origin.

If California's Proposition 8 on same-sex marriage passes, it would overrule a state Supreme Court decision that legalized same-sex unions in May. An Arkansas proposal would prohibit unmarried sexual partners from adopting children or serving as foster parents.