Oklahoma to vote on minimum wage measure State Question 832 today

LAWTON, Okla. (KSWO) - Oklahomans will head to the polls today to vote “yes” or “no” on State Question 832, Initiative 446.

The measure could eventually raise the state’s minimum wage to $15 an hour by 2029. After that, it would be adjusted to the cost of living.

The Oklahoma State Chamber has been a vocal opponent of the measure, with the Chamber’s Vice President of Government Affairs Adam Maxey saying it could do more harm than good for state residents.

“Minimum wage will go up to $15 and then you tie it to this inflation index set by the federal government based on cities that don’t look like Oklahoma,” he said. “Particularly rural Oklahoma, where these communities don’t look anything like New York and San Francisco, where they’re taking these numbers from.”

Raise the Wage Oklahoma organizers, like Campaign Spokesperson Amber England, argue passage would put more money into the pockets of Oklahomans.

“That cost of living is based on the CBI,” she said. “It includes data from right here in Oklahoma, including Oklahoma city and the surrounding counties. a minimum wage worker in Oklahoma right now makes about $15,000 a year. So this would actually mean an extra $4,200 a year into pockets of hardworking Oklahomans.”

Concerns about small businesses statewide are peaking as Election Day nears.

State Question 832 includes exemptions for small employers earning under $100,000 annually with fewer than 10 employees.

Still, opponents argue it could kill Main Streets across Oklahoma, devastating rural communities.

“When you think about big national change and the people who are already automating more self checkouts or kiosks to order your hamburger,” Maxey said. “They’re going to do that better than the mom and pop shop. It’s a huge upfront cost to do that on top of the cost of the labor, and that’s if you choose to adapt.”

Others say raising the state minimum wage would actually revitalize Oklahoma’s Main Streets.

“We can pump about a billion dollars every single year into our economy and it’s good for small business,” England said. “When hard working Oklahomans have money in their pocket, they don’t stock it away in some, you know, nefarious account in Wall Street. They spend it on Main Street.”

England added this would directly benefit southwest Oklahoma as well.

“That means people in Lawton and people in Duncan,” she said. “People in southwest Oklahoma are going to those local businesses and spending it right there in their hometown.”

Rising costs have also been a concern among voters.

“Everything is going to go up,” Maxey said. “You and I are going to feel it just as much as anybody else because that cost is going to be passed on the consumer and gas, groceries and medication, childcare, everything.”

Maxey added State Question 832 could even harm minimum wage workers.

“Oklahomans depend on reductions in hours and benefits,” he said. “The very people that are intended to be helped by this measure are hurt with less options and less take home pay because their hourly wage may have gone up, but the number of hours they get comes down.”

Supporters of State Question 832 say it won’t be an issue.

“You can look at other states right around us,” England said. “Nebraska, Missouri and Arkansas. They’ve recently raised their minimum wage. Their employment rates have gotten lower, so their economy is growing, so, we haven’t seen massive job losses and we’re not seeing those price increases.”

Polling places will be open from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. tomorrow. Voters can check their polling place at the Oklahoma Voter Portal.