Minimum wage laws ballot measures
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Voters have decided onminimum wage laws ballot measures across the U.S. As a state ballot measure topic, minimum wage laws cover measures related to state minimum wages, including increases, inflation-based adjustments, exemptions, and other changes. The topic is grouped within thelabor, healthcare, and public assistance policy area.
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This page provides information on:
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- History of minimum wage measures
- Comprehensive list of ballot measures by year and state
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Upcoming ballot measures
- See also:2026 ballot measures and2027 ballot measures
The following is a list of state ballot measures related to this topic that are certified or potential for this year and future elections:
2026
History of minimum wage measures
From 1996 to 2025, there were 32 ballot measures to increase state minimum wages. Voters approved 28 (87.50%) and rejected four (12.50%).[1] In 2024, California and Massachusetts became the first states to reject minimum wage increase ballot measures since 1996. The other two defeated measures were on the ballot in 1996 in Missouri and Montana.
The following chart shows the outcomes of minimum-wage increase ballot measures from 1996 to 2025.
| Year | State | Measure | Wage | Type | Yes votes (%) | No votes (%) | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | California | Proposition 32 | $18.00 (2026) | Initiative | 49.29% | 50.71% |  d |
| 2024 | Massachusetts | Question 5 | $15.00 (2029)[2] | Initiative | 35.87% | 64.13% | d |
| 2024 | Missouri | Proposition A | $15.00 (2026) | Initiative | 57.57% | 42.43% |  a |
| 2024 | Alaska | Ballot Measure 1 | $15.00 (2027) | Initiative | 57.98% | 42.02% | a |
| 2022 | Nebraska | Initiative 433 | $15.00 (2026) | Initiative | 58.66% | 41.34% | a |
| 2022 | Nevada | Amendment 2 | $12.00 (2024) | Referral | 55.18% | 44.82% | a |
| 2020 | Florida | Amendment 2 | $15.00 (2026) | Initiative | 60.82% | 39.18% | a |
| 2018 | Arkansas | Issue 5 | $11.00 (2021) | Initiative | 68.46% | 31.54% | a |
| 2018 | Missouri | Proposition B | $12.00 (2023) | Initiative | 62.34% | 37.66% | a |
| 2016 | Arizona | Proposition 206 | $12.00 (2020) | Initiative | 58.33% | 41.67% | a |
| 2016 | Colorado | Amendment 70 | $12.00 (2020) | Initiative | 55.36% | 44.64% | a |
| 2016 | Maine | Question 4 | $12.00 (2020) | Initiative | 55.50% | 44.50% | a |
| 2016 | Washington | Initiative 1433 | $13.50 (2020) | Initiative | 57.42% | 42.58% | a |
| 2014 | Alaska | Measure 3 | $9.75 (2016) | Initiative | 69.35% | 30.65% | a |
| 2014 | Arkansas | Issue 5 | $8.50 (2017) | Initiative | 65.94% | 34.06% | a |
| 2014 | Nebraska | Initiative 425 | $9.00 (2016) | Initiative | 59.47% | 40.53% | a |
| 2014 | South Dakota | Measure 18 | $8.50 (2015) | Initiative | 55.05% | 44.95% | a |
| 2013 | New Jersey | Question 2 | $8.25 (2014) | Referral | 61.26% | 38.74% | a |
| 2006 | Arizona | Proposition 202 | $6.75 (2007) | Initiative | 65.37% | 34.63% | a |
| 2006 | Colorado | Initiative 42 | $6.85 (2007) | Initiative | 53.30% | 46.70% | a |
| 2006 | Missouri | Proposition B | $6.50 (2007) | Initiative | 75.94% | 24.06% | a |
| 2006 | Montana | I-151 | $6.50 (2007) | Initiative | 72.69% | 27.31% | a |
| 2006 | Nevada | Question 6 | $6.15 (2006)[3] | Initiative | 68.71% | 31.29% | a |
| 2006 | Ohio | Amendment 2 | $6.85 (2007) | Initiative | 56.65% | 43.35% | a |
| 2004 | Florida | Amendment 5 | $6.15 (2005) | Initiative | 71.25% | 28.75% | a |
| 2004 | Nevada | Question 6 | $6.15 (2006)[3] | Initiative | 68.39% | 31.61% | a |
| 2002 | Oregon | Measure 25 | $6.90 (2003) | Initiative | 51.33% | 48.67% | a |
| 1998 | Washington | Initiative 688 | $6.50 (2000) | Initiative | 66.14% | 33.86% | a |
| 1996 | California | Proposition 210 | $5.75 (1998) | Initiative | 61.45% | 38.55% | a |
| 1996 | Missouri | Proposition A | $6.75 (1999)[4] | Initiative | 28.70% | 71.30% | d |
| 1996 | Montana | I-121 | $6.25 (2000) | Initiative | 43.53% | 56.47% | d |
| 1996 | Oregon | Measure 36 | $6.50 (1999) | Initiative | 56.85% | 43.15% | a |
| Average | 58.88% | 41.12% |
List of state ballot measures
Click the tabs to view state ballot measures related to this topic, organized by year or state.
Years
States
2026
- Michigan Minimum Wage for Tipped Workers Referendum (2026) - Potential
- Oklahoma State Question 832, $15 Minimum Wage Initiative (June 2026) - On the ballot
2024
- Alaska Ballot Measure 1, Minimum Wage Increase and Paid Sick Leave Initiative (2024)
- Arizona Proposition 138, Wages for Tipped Workers Amendment (2024)
- California Proposition 32, $18 Minimum Wage Initiative (2024)
- Massachusetts Question 5, Minimum Wage for Tipped Employees Initiative (2024)
- Missouri Proposition A, Minimum Wage and Earned Paid Sick Time Initiative (2024)
2022
- Nebraska Initiative 433, Minimum Wage Increase Initiative (2022)
- Nevada Question 2, Minimum Wage Amendment (2022)
2020
2018
- Arkansas Issue 5, Minimum Wage Increase Initiative (2018)
- Michigan Minimum Wage Increase Initiative (2018)
- Missouri Proposition B, $12 Minimum Wage Initiative (2018)
2016
- Arizona Minimum Wage and Paid Time Off, Proposition 206 (2016)
- Colorado $12 Minimum Wage, Amendment 70 (2016)
- Maine Minimum Wage Increase, Question 4 (2016)
- South Dakota Decreased Youth Minimum Wage Veto Referendum, Referred Law 20 (2016)
- Washington Minimum Wage Increase, Initiative 1433 (2016)
2014
- Alaska Minimum Wage Increase, Ballot Measure 3 (2014)
- Arkansas Minimum Wage Initiative, Issue 5 (2014)
- Illinois Minimum Wage Increase Question (2014)
- Nebraska Minimum Wage Increase, Initiative 425 (2014)
- South Dakota Increased Minimum Wage, Initiated Measure 18 (2014)
2013
2006
- Arizona Proposition 202, Minimum Wage Increase Initiative (2006)
- Colorado Amendment 42, Minimum Wage Initiative (2006)
- Missouri Proposition B, Increase Minimum Wage Initiative (2006)
- Montana Minimum Wage, I-151 (2006)
- Nevada Question 6, Minimum Wage Increase Initiative (2006)
- Ohio Issue 2, Minimum Wage Increase Initiative (2006)
2004
- Florida Amendment 5, Minimum Wage Initiative (2004)
- Nevada Question 6, Minimum Wage Increase Initiative (2004)
2002
1998
1996
- California Proposition 210, Minimum Wage Increase Initiative (1996)
- Missouri Proposition A, Increase Minimum Wage Initiative (1996)
- Montana Increase Minimum Wage, I-121 (1996)
- Oregon Measure 36, Minimum Wage Increase to $6.50 Initiative (1996)
1988
1960
1933
1914
1912
See also
State & Local Ballot Measures
Ballotpedia
Measures
- • State ballot measures
- • Local ballot measures
- • Analyses
History
- • Historical Ballot Measures (HBM) Factbooks
- • History of ballot measures by topic
Campaigns
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- • Endorsements
- • Polls
Footnotes
- ↑In 2014, voters approved anadvisory question on increasing the minimum wage in Illinois. As this question was nonbinding, the measure is not counted here.
- ↑Question 5 would have increased the minimum wage for tipped employees to match the general state minimum wage, which was $15.00 in 2024.
- ↑3.03.1Question 6 required employers to compensate employees $5.15 per hour when the employer provides health benefits or $6.15 per hour when the employer does not provide health benefits.
- ↑Proposition A would have also added 15 cents to the minimum wage each year beginning in 2000.
