Back to today’s briefing

Story perspectives

Oklahoma Voters Reject Minimum Wage Hike to $12

6/18/2026

50 4 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Oklahoma voters rejected State Question 832, keeping the minimum wage at $7.25 per hour.
The vote was about 56% no to 44% yes after 98% of ballots were counted.
The measure would have raised the wage to $12 in 2027, $13.50 in 2028, $15 in 2029, then tied hikes to an index and removed exemptions.
Chad Warmington, State Chamber of Oklahoma leader, said voters chose to protect economic momentum.

History

Historical Context

President Barack Obama signed the Fair Minimum Wage Act in 2009, raising the federal floor to $7.25 per hour after a decade-long freeze, and the Department of Labor projected a 2.5% rise in consumer spending. Oklahoma voters' rejection of State Question 832 in 2024 kept the state wage at the same $7.25 level, mirroring the unchanged federal rate since July 2009.

1 of 2

Story summary

Oklahoma voters rejected State Question 832, keeping the minimum wage at $7.25 per hour.
The vote was about 56% no to 44% yes after 98% of ballots were counted.
The measure would have raised the wage to $12 in 2027, $13.50 in 2028, $15 in 2029, then tied hikes to an index and removed exemptions.
Chad Warmington, State Chamber of Oklahoma leader, said voters chose to protect economic momentum.

1 / 2