The party was over early in Little Rock.

• The AP called the governor's race for Republican Sarah Huckabee Sanders at 7:30pm as the polls were closing.

Why it matters: Sanders will be the first woman to lead the Natural State.

Context: The soon-to-be 47th governor has never served in elected office, but spent two years as White House press secretary during former President Trump’s administration.

• Her campaign and advertising has been long on rhetoric about protecting Arkansas from the "radical left," but short on details about how she will govern.
• Yes, but: In October, Sanders' campaign began publicly outlining her positions on public safety and education.

State of play: Sanders will succeed Gov. Asa Hutchinson, a popular moderate conservative.

• She inherits a record $1.6 billion revenue surplus and economic opportunity rooted in traditional industries, like steel production, and new industries, including next-gen transportation.
• Arkansas' poor health statistics, low education scores, high crime rates and a crowded prison system are a few challenges she faces.

By the numbers: With 85% of the precincts reporting, unofficial returns showed that Sanders had nearly 63% of the vote, with Democratic opponent Chris Jones receiving 35% and Libertarian Ricky Dale Harrington Jr. taking less than 2%.

Flashback: Sanders' father, Mike Huckabee, was governor of Arkansas from 1996 to 2007.

What they're saying: "I'd like to say that my dad is one of the best governors Arkansas has ever had and one of the best the country has ever seen. I'm hoping to take that title away from him pretty soon," Sanders told a crowded room at the Statehouse Convention Center in Little Rock.

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Recreational marijuana remains illegal in Arkansas after voters rejected a constitutional amendment that would have allowed licensed dispensaries to sell to anyone over 21 and decriminalized possessing up to 1 ounce, the AP reported.

Context: Polls indicate a majority of Arkansans support legalization.

• However, some pro-legalization politicians and advocates encouraged voters to reject Issue 4, arguing it would give money and concentrated power to the marijuana industry while failing to do enough to help those historically hurt by anti-marijuana laws.

What happened: The amendment was a citizen-led ballot initiative. Responsible Growth Arkansas gathered enough signatures from registered voters to get the issue on the ballot. The state Board of Election Commissioners denied certification of the amendment, a decision that was overturned by the Arkansas Supreme Court in September.

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Here's a highlights reel of municipal and county winners, according to unofficial but final results from Benton and Washington county election commissions:

• Washington County judge: Republican Patrick Deakins won against Democrat Josh Moody with 52% of the vote.
• Fayetteville City Council: Sarah Moore defeated incumbent Mark Kinion with 59% of the vote to represent Ward 2. Scott Berna defeated incumbent Sloan Scroggin with 53% of the vote to represent Ward 3. Read our coverage.
• Rogers City Council: Voters decided to keep incumbent Barney Hayes over University of Arkansas student Richard Labit to represent Ward 4. Hayes won 74% of the vote. Read our coverage.
• Springdale City Council: Incumbent Amelia Taldo-Williams won against challenger Spencer Ordonez with over 70% of the vote to represent Ward 4. Read our coverage.

Bentonville City Council: Four races were decided including:

• Real estate agent Beckie Seba beat out Allyson de la Houssaye, a biking nonprofit director, with 57% approval from voters to represent Ward 1. Read our coverage.
• Incumbent Cindy Acree will keep her seat after winning 62% of the vote against Sam's Club merchant Ragan Hensley for Ward 2. Read our coverage.
• Voters also kept incumbent Aubrey Patterson, with 64% approval over challenger Tyler Masters, president of the Equality Crew, an LGBTQ+ youth-focused organization, for Ward 3. Read our coverage.
• Incumbent Octavio Sanchez won against Tom Hoehn, digital and social media executive at 4Media Group, with 63% of the vote, to represent Ward 4. Read our coverage.

Of note: Springdale candidates are elected by Washington and Benton county residents. The results reported represent combined results from both counties.

See more winners and who's headed to runoffs

Alcohol sales will be allowed seven days a week after voters approved separate measures by 71% in Rogers and 74% in Bentonville, according to final but unofficial results from the Benton County Election Commission.

Why it matters: Advocates say the change lifts a burden off residents who had to travel to other cities or out of the state for alcohol on Sundays, and prevents the cities from missing out on tax revenue.

What's changing: Alcohol sales are currently only allowed in restaurants, bars and breweries on Sundays. Liquor stores and other retailers that sell wholesale alcohol will be permitted once election results are certified.

Yes, and: Officials in Benton and Washington counties must find other ways to address jail overcrowding after voters rejected proposals to raise sales taxes to pay for jail expansions.

What happened: Benton County residents rejected a ballot measure with 63% of the vote that would have allowed the county to issue $167 million in bonds to add beds, health care facilities and a new sheriff's office, plus a 0.125% sales and use tax. Voters also chose not to implement a 0.25% sales and use tax to be used in part to repay the bonds by 62% of the vote.

• Washington County cannot issue $113.5 million in bonds to expand its jail after a 59% vote against or $28.5 million in bonds to expand the juvenile court facility after a 54% vote against. If either or both passed, a countywide 0.255 sales and use tax would have been implemented to repay the bonds.