$15 Minimum Wage Initiative
Oklahoma Ballot Measure - Question 832
Election: June 16, 2026 (General)
Outcome: Pending
Categories:
Unemployed and Low-IncomeEmployment and Affirmative Action
Summary
The ballot measure was designed to increase the state minimum wage to $9 per hour in 2025, $10.50 per hour in 2026, $12 per hour in 2027, $13.50 per hour in 2028, and $15 per hour in 2029. Beginning in 2030, the wage would be adjusted based on changes to inflation.[1]
Governor Stitt's executive order placing the measure on the June 2026 ballot included a provision stating that, if the initiative is approved, it would take effect on January 1, 2027, and would not apply retroactively, meaning if the measure is approved, the state's minimum wage would not increase in 2025 or 2026 but would increase to $12 per hour on January 1, 2027.[1]
The initiative would remove the exceptions from the Oklahoma Minimum Wage Act that did not include the following workers in the definition of 'employee' (meaning the following types of workers would be considered employees under the initiative):[2]
part-time employees;
certain students and individuals under 18;
farm and agricultural workers;
domestic service workers;
newspaper vendors and carriers; and
feedstore employees.
Measure Text
This measure would amend the Oklahoma Minimum Wage Act ("OMWA") to increase the state minimum wage. Employers would be required to pay employees at least $9 per hour beginning in 2025, $10.50 per hour beginning in 2026, $12 per hour beginning in 2027, $13.50 per hour beginning in 2028, and $15 per hour beginning in 2029. Beginning in 2030, the minimum wage would increase year1y based on the increase in the cost of living, if any, as measured by the U.S. Department of Labor's Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers. This measure would eliminate a number of the exemptions in the current OMWA, including the exemptions for employers subject to the federal Fair Labor Standards Act, part-time employees, certain students and individuals under the age of 18, farm and agricultural workers, domestic service workers, newspaper vendors or carriers, and feedstore employees.
Under this measure, federal and state employees would not be covered under the
OMW A Some employers with ten or fewer employees, as well as certain other types of employees and volunteers, would remain exempt. The measure provides for liberal construction, non-retroactivity, severability, and an effective date of the January 1 following approval.
Resources
Official Summary
Full Text
Source