The 2012 election cycle saw a record number of women elected to Congress. An all time high of 20 women were elected in the Senate, and at least 77 women in the House, with a few races left uncertain.

Tuesday, Californians voted for a three-strikes law reform, while a proposition to abolish the death penalty failed in the state. While the state will undergo changes in sentencing for repeat offenders, the death penalty remains on the books, with over 700 inmates on death row.

Joe Arpaio is known as the “Toughest Sheriff in America" for his hard stance on crime and undocumented immigrants in Maricopa County, Arizona. He has been investigated by the US Department of Justice for discrimination and supposed misconduct, although he denies the accusations.

The United States Senate has 12 new Members joining its ranks. The balance of power essentially remains unchanged as the Democratic Party retains its majority while Angus King replaces fellow Independent Joe Lieberman. Below is a short bio on each new Senator-elect.

The bottom line is that George Will is in denial (as are most Republicans). He argued that the winner of the election is the status quo. Because he can't admit what actually happened.

Young people may have sealed President Obama’s re-election, according to a series of post-election tallies. While there was concern about the political interest of voters aged 18 to 29, this demographic came out to the polls in record numbers Tuesday.