State Question 832, one of the highest-profile ballot measures in years, was defeated by a double-digit margin statewide.
OKLAHOMA CITY — Oklahoma voters on Tuesday rejected State Question 832, defeating a proposal that would have gradually increased the state’s minimum wage from $7.25 an hour to $15 an hour.
With all 1,984 precincts reporting, 348,914 voters, or 55.4%, voted against the proposal, while 281,171 voters, or 44.6%, supported it. More than 630,000 Oklahomans cast ballots on the measure.
State Question 832 would have increased the minimum wage to $9 an hour in 2027, $11 an hour in 2028, $13 an hour in 2029 and $15 an hour in 2030. The initiative also called for future adjustments tied to inflation.
Supporters, including labor advocates and progressive groups, argued Oklahoma’s minimum wage has remained at the federal rate of $7.25 an hour since 2009 and no longer reflects the cost of living. They said raising the wage floor would help working families keep pace with rising costs for housing, food and other necessities.
Opponents, including business organizations and conservative groups, argued the proposal would increase labor costs, particularly for small businesses, potentially leading to higher prices, reduced hiring and cuts in employee hours.
The defeat leaves Oklahoma among roughly 20 states that still use the federal minimum wage of $7.25 an hour.
The vote also demonstrated the difficulty of passing progressive economic policies in one of the nation’s most conservative states. Despite support from organized labor and Democratic activists, the measure failed by more than 67,000 votes and was rejected by a majority of voters statewide.
