Oklahoma voters reject minimum wage increase in primary election

State Question 832 would have raised Oklahoma’s minimum wage to $15 an hour by 2029, but voters turned it down Tuesday.

By Market Meeker · June 17, 2026 · Government

Oklahoma voters rejected State Question 832 in Tuesday’s primary election, defeating a proposal that would have raised the state’s minimum wage from $7.25 an hour to $15 an hour by 2029.

According to election results, 57 percent of voters opposed the measure and 43 percent supported it. The proposal also called for automatic cost-of-living increases beginning in 2030 without additional legislative approval.

Supporters of the measure said Oklahoma’s minimum wage has remained unchanged since 2009 and argued that workers need relief as everyday costs continue to rise. Amber England, a spokesperson for Raise the Wage, said the campaign still succeeded in starting an important conversation about what work should mean in Oklahoma and whether full-time workers should be able to earn a decent living.

Amber Englund, identified as chair of the Raise the Wage campaign, said rising costs for gas, groceries and housing have made it harder for working Oklahomans to keep up, and argued wages should rise as living expenses increase.

Opponents said the measure would put added pressure on small businesses. Chad Warmington, president and CEO of the State Chamber of Oklahoma, praised the outcome and said voters chose to protect the state’s affordability and economic momentum. He said wages in Oklahoma are already increasing through competition in the labor market rather than government mandates.

Melissa Meyers, owner of Christ Centered Lawn and Landscaping and Tulsa County GOP chairman, also opposed the measure. She said the proposal would create ongoing government mandates for employers and could be difficult for small businesses to manage.

Ahead of the vote, Oklahoma Labor Commissioner Leslie Osborn publicly endorsed State Question 832, saying it would help workers earn a living wage and reduce reliance on government assistance.

The vote keeps Oklahoma’s minimum wage at its current rate of $7.25 an hour.