California $18 Minimum Wage Initiative Election dateNovember 5, 2024TopicMinimum wageStatus Qualified for the ballotTypeState statuteOriginCitizens

The California $18 Minimum Wage Initiative has qualified for the ballot in California as an initiated state statute on November 5, 2024.

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A “yes” vote supports increasing the state minimum wage to $18 per hour by 2026 for all employers and thereafter adjusting the rate annually by increases to the cost of living.

A “no” vote opposes this ballot initiative, thereby maintaining the existing law which was designed to increase the minimum wage to $15 per hour for all employers by January 2023 and increasing it annually according to inflation.

Overview

What would the ballot measure change about the minimum wage?

In March 2016, the California State Legislature passed Senate Bill 3 (SB 3) to increase the state’s minimum wage to $15 an hour. Gov. Jerry Brown (D) signed the legislation on April 4, 2016. SB 3 required an annual increase in the minimum wage until the amount reached $15 on January 1, 2022, for employers with 26 workers or more and January 1, 2023, for employers with 25 workers or less. Thereafter, SB 3 provides that the minimum wage increases based on changes in the U.S. Consumer Price Index (CPI-W).[1]

The ballot initiative would increase the state minimum wage to $18 an hour over several years. Like SB 3, the ballot initiative would increase the minimum wage at different speeds depending on whether an employer has 26 or more workers or 25 or less workers. For employers with 26 or more workers, the minimum wage would reach $18 on January 1, 2025. For employers with 25 or less workers, the minimum wage would reach $18 on January 1, 2026. Also like SB 3, the minimum wage would be tied to the CPI-W after reaching $18.[1]

Increases to minimum wage under Initiative 21-0043 Year Employers of 26 or more workers Employers of 25 or less workers 2023 $16.00 $15.00 2024 $17.00 $16.00 2025 $18.00 $17.00 2026 $18.00 $18.00 2027 $18.00 + CPI-W adjustment $18.00 + CPI-W adjustment

Who supports and opposes the initiative?

See also: Support and Opposition

Yes on California Living Wage Act, also known as the Working Hero Action for the Living Wage Act PAC, is leading the campaign in support of the ballot initiative. The campaign has received $10.8 million. Joe Sanberg, an investor who filed the ballot initiative, said, “The time is now, because the pandemic has heightened the people’s understanding of the realities so many Californians face. Cost of living is rising faster and faster… but wages haven’t increased commensurately.”[2][3]

Ballotpedia has not identified a committee registered in opposition to the initiative. John Kabateck, state director of the National Federation of Independent Business, opposes the initiative and said, “Market, not politicians and bureaucrats, ought to be dictating the financial growth and success of working men and women in California. Let the market dictate this and let’s stop sending the message that mediocrity is a pathway to professional success in California.”[4]

How many minimum wage ballot measures have been approved in the U.S.?

See also: Minimum wage ballot measures

From 1996 to 2022, there were 28 minimum wage increase measures on the ballot. Voters approved 26 (92.86%) and rejected two (7.14%). The last states to approve minimum wage measures were Nebraska and Nevada in November 2022. The last time that voters rejected a minimum wage increase measure was in 1996, when measures were defeated in Missouri and Montana.

Text of measure

Ballot title

The ballot title was as follows:[5]

“

Raise Minimum Wage. Initiative Statute.[6]

”

Petition summary

The summary provided for inclusion on signature petition sheets was as follows:[5]

“

Existing law requires annual increases to California’s minimum wage until it has reached $15.00 per hour for all businesses on January 1, 2023. This measure extends these annual increases ($1.00 per year) until minimum wage—currently, $15.00 per hour for businesses with 26 or more employees, and $14.00 per hour for smaller businesses—reaches $18.00 per hour. Thereafter, as existing law requires, the minimum wage will annually adjust for inflation. In periods of decreased economic activity, or General Fund deficit, the Governor may suspend annual increase up to two times, thereby extending timeline for reaching $18.00 per hour.[6]

”

Fiscal impact

The fiscal impact statement was as follows:[5]

“

Unclear change in annual state and local tax revenues, likely between a loss of a couple billion dollars and a gain of a few hundred million dollars. Increase in annual state and local government costs likely between half a billion dollars and a few billion dollars.[6]

”

Full text

The full text of the ballot measure is below:[1]

Support

Yes on California Living Wage Act, also known as the Working Hero Action for the Living Wage Act PAC, is leading the campaign in support of the ballot initiative.[2]

Supporters

• Asm. Lorena Gonzalez Fletcher (D-80)[7]

Arguments

• Joe Sanberg, an investor who filed the ballot initiative, said, “The time is now, because the pandemic has heightened the people’s understanding of the realities so many Californians face. Cost of living is rising faster and faster… but wages haven’t increased commensurately.”[8]

• Saru Jayaraman, director of the Food Labor Research Center at UC Berkeley, stated, “Thousands of restaurants nationwide are already raising wages to try to recruit staff, but many are finding that workers will not come back to the industry until these wage increases are permanent. This ballot measure is critical to allow service workers to come back to work in restaurants and to allow California restaurants to fully reopen.”[8]

Opposition

Arguments

• John Kabateck, state director of the National Federation of Independent Business, said, “Market, not politicians and bureaucrats, ought to be dictating the financial growth and success of working men and women in California. Let the market dictate this and let’s stop sending the message that mediocrity is a pathway to professional success in California.”[8]

Campaign finance

See also: Campaign finance requirements for California ballot measures

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The Working Hero Action for the Living Wage Act PAC was registered to support the ballot initiative. The PAC received $10.8 million. Joseph Sanberg provided 99.98% of the PAC’s total contributions received.[3]

.sbtotaltable { width: 50%; } .sbtotaltable th { font-size:1.2em; } .sbtotaltable td { text-align:center; } .sbtotalheader { background-color: black !important; color:white !important; font-size:1.0em; font-weight:bold; } .sbtotaltotal { font-weight:bold; } Cash Contributions In-Kind Contributions Total Contributions Cash Expenditures Total Expenditures Support $10,005,602.00 $875,000.00 $10,880,602.00 $10,135,816.16 $11,010,816.16 Oppose $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00

Support

The following table includes contribution and expenditure totals for the committee in support of the measure.[3]

.sbtotaltable { width: 50%; } .sbtotaltable th { font-size:1.2em; } .sbtotaltable td { text-align:center; } .sbtotalheader { background-color: black !important; color:white !important; font-size:1.0em; font-weight:bold; } .sbtotaltotal { font-weight:bold; } Committees in support of $18 Minimum Wage Initiative Committee Cash Contributions In-Kind Contributions Total Contributions Cash Expenditures Total Expenditures Working Hero Action for the Living Wage Act $10,005,602.00 $875,000.00 $10,880,602.00 $10,135,816.16 $11,010,816.16 Total $10,005,602.00 $875,000.00 $10,880,602.00 $10,135,816.16 $11,010,816.16

Donors

The following was the top donor to the committee.[3]

Donor Cash Contributions In-Kind Contributions Total Contributions Joseph N. Sanberg $10,000,000.00 $875,000.00 $10,875,000.00

Polls

See also: 2024 ballot measure polls Are you aware of a poll on this ballot measure that should be included below? You can share ballot measure polls, along with source links, with us at [email protected]. California $18 Minimum Wage Initiative (2024) Poll Dates Sample size Margin of error Support Oppose Undecided University of Southern California Dornsife/Price, Center for Urban Politics and Policy, CSU Long Beach, and Cal Poly Pomona 1/21/2023-1/29/2024 1,416 LV ± 2.6% 59% 34% 8% Question: “Would you support or oppose a ballot initiative to increase the state minimum wage to $18/hour?” Note: LV is likely voters, RV is registered voters, and EV is eligible voters.

Background

Senate Bill 3 (2016)

Senate Bill 3 (SB 3) was a legislative compromise passed in 2016. SB 3 was designed to incrementally increase the statewide minimum wage until it reached $15 in 2022 and adjust it annually by inflation. Businesses with fewer than 25 employees did not have to meet the $15 per hour minimum wage until 2023. The bill was also designed to allow the governor to delay minimum wage hikes in the event of an economic decline. It passed in the state senate by a vote of 23-15 with two senators absent or not voting. It passed in the state house by a vote of 48-26 with four members absent or not voting.[9]

SEIU-United Healthcare Workers West, the sponsoring group behind a $15 minimum wage initiative, which qualified for the November 2016 ballot on March 22, 2016, was involved with negotiations surrounding the approved legislation. After Gov. Jerry Brown (D) signed SB 3, SEIU-UHW West withdrew its initiative on June 23, 2016. A second initiative sponsored by the state council of SEIU stopped circulating its petition and withdrew it on April 1, 2016.[10]

2023 minimum wages

See also: Minimum wage increases in 2023

The average state minimum wage in 2023 was $10.47, up from $9.85 in 2022 and $9.59 in 2021.

The top five highest 2023 statewide minimum wages were set to be as follows:

• $16.10 in Washington, D.C.;
• $15.74 in Washington;
• $15.50 in California,
• $15.00 in Massachusetts and Connecticut.

The lowest minimum wages based on state law were $5.15 in Georgia and Wyoming, which were lower than the federal government’s requirement. When the state rate is lower than the federal rate, the federal minimum wage of $7.25 supersedes state law for most types of employees. Twenty (20) states used the federal minimum wage rate of $7.25.

The map below shows state minimum wages in 2023.

Minimum wage ballot measures

See also: Minimum wage on the ballot

From 1996 to 2022, there were 28 minimum wage increase measures on the ballot. Voters approved 26 (92.86%) and rejected two (7.14%).[11]

As of 2022, the last time that voters rejected a minimum wage increase measure was in 1996, when measures were defeated in Missouri and Montana.

The following chart shows election outcomes for minimum wage increase ballot measures from 1996 to 2022.

Measures to increase state minimum wages (1996-2022) Year State Measure Wage Type Yes votes (%) No votes (%) Outcome 2022 Nebraska Nebraska Initiative 433 $15.00 (2026) Initiative 58.66% 41.34% a 2022 Nevada Amendment 2 $12.00 (2024) Referral 55.18% 44.82% a 2020 Florida Amendment 2 $15.00 (2026) Initiative 60.82% 39.18% a 2018 Arkansas Issue 5 $11.00 (2021) Initiative 68.46% 31.54% a 2018 Missouri Proposition B $12.00 (2023) Initiative 62.34% 37.66% a 2016 Arizona Proposition 206 $12.00 (2020) Initiative 58.33% 41.67% a 2016 Colorado Amendment 70 $12.00 (2020) Initiative 55.36% 44.64% a 2016 Maine Question 4 $12.00 (2020) Initiative 55.50% 44.50% a 2016 Washington Initiative 1433 $13.50 (2020) Initiative 57.42% 42.58% a 2014 Alaska Measure 3 $9.75 (2016) Initiative 69.35% 30.65% a 2014 Arkansas Issue 5 $8.50 (2017) Initiative 65.94% 34.06% a 2014 Nebraska Initiative 425 $9.00 (2016) Initiative 59.47% 40.53% a 2014 South Dakota Measure 18 $8.50 (2015) Initiative 55.05% 44.95% a 2013 New Jerseu Question 2 $8.25 (2014) Referral 61.26% 38.74% a 2006 Arizona Proposition 2022 $6.75 (2007) Initiative 65.37% 34.63% a 2006 Colorado Initiative 42 $6.85 (2007) Initiative 53.30% 46.70% a 2006 Missouri Proposition B $6.50 (2007) Initiative 75.94% 24.06% a 2006 Montana I-151 $6.50 (2007) Initiative 72.69% 27.31% a 2006 Nevada Question 6 $6.15 (2006)[12] Initiative 68.71% 31.29% a 2006 Ohio Amendment 2 $6.85 (2007) Initiative 56.65% 43.35% a 2004 Florida Amendment 5 $6.15 (2005) Initiative 71.25% 28.75% a 2004 Nevada Question 6 $6.15 (2006)[12] Initiative 68.4% 31.6% a 2002 Oregon Measure 25 $6.90 (2003) Initiative 51.3% 48.7% a 1998 Washington Initiative 688 $6.50 (2000) Initiative 66.1% 33.9% a 1996 California Proposition 210 $5.75 (1998) Initiative 61.45% 38.55% a 1996 Missouri Proposition A $6.75 (1999)[13] Initiative 28.70% 71.30% d 1996 Montana I-121 $6.25 (2000) Initiative 43.53% 56.47% d 1996 Oregon Measure 36 $6.50 (1999) Initiative 56.85% 43.15% a

Path to the ballot

See also: Laws governing the initiative process in California

Process in California

In California, the number of signatures required for an initiated state statute is equal to 5 percent of the votes cast in the preceding gubernatorial election. Petitions are allowed to circulate for 180 days from the date the attorney general prepares the petition language. Signatures need to be certified at least 131 days before the general election. As the verification process can take multiple months, the secretary of state provides suggested deadlines for ballot initiatives.

The requirements to get initiated state statutes certified for the ballot:

• Signatures: 623,212 valid signatures were required.
• Deadline: The deadline for signature verification was 131 days before the general election, which was around June 30, 2022. However, the process of verifying signatures can take multiple months and proponents are recommended to file signatures at least two months before the verification deadline.

Signatures are first filed with local election officials, who determine the total number of signatures submitted. If the total number is equal to at least 100 percent of the required signatures, then local election officials perform a random check of signatures submitted in their counties. If the random sample estimates that more than 110 percent of the required number of signatures are valid, the initiative is eligible for the ballot. If the random sample estimates that between 95 and 110 percent of the required number of signatures are valid, a full check of signatures is done to determine the total number of valid signatures. If less than 95 percent are estimated to be valid, the initiative does not make the ballot.

Initiative #21-0043

Joe Sanberg filed the ballot initiative on December 3, 2021.[14] Sanberg said he would finance the signature-gathering phase of the ballot initiative.[15] He stated, “This is an issue that speaks to people’s everyday lives. It’s easy to explain and easy to understand and I expect we’re going to win. We’re planning this to win.”[8]

On May 12, 2022, the sponsors of the initiative announced that they had collected more than 1 million signatures for verification.[16]

The signature verification process for the 2022 ballot was not completed by the June 30, 2022, verification deadline. The measure was moved to 2024.[5]

On July 7, 2022, the California Secretary of State reported that the initiative had qualified for the 2024 ballot. The final random sample count concluded that 738,449 of the 1,062,568 signatures submitted were valid.[5]

Lawsuit

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Lawsuit overviewIssue: Whether the initiative should be placed on the 2022 ballotCourt: Superior Court of Sacramento CountyPlaintiff(s): Joe Sanberg, sponsor of the initiativeDefendant(s): California Secretary of State Shirley Weber (D)

Source: Bloomberg Law

On July 14, 2022, Joe Sanberg, the primary sponsor of the initiative, filed a lawsuit in Superior Court of Sacramento County arguing that the secretary of state should have instructed counties to finish the signature verification process by June 30, 2022, the deadline for the 2022 ballot. The lawsuit says, “If not for the failure of the Secretary of State to fulfill her duty and inform counties of the June 30, 2022 submission deadline, the Initiative would have qualified and been certified for the November 2022 ballot.”[17]

On July 22, 2022, Sacramento County Superior Court Judge James P. Arguelles ruled in favor of the secretary of state keeping the initiative off the November 2022 ballot. Judge Arguelles wrote, “The burden was on Sanberg (and all others proposing statutory initiatives) to conform to the June 30 deadline if he wished to place the initiative on the November 2022 ballot. Sanberg’s failure to do so did not somehow reallocate the burden to Weber.”[18]

How to cast a vote

See also: Voting in California

Click “Show” to learn more about current voter registration rules, identification requirements, and poll times in California.

How to cast a vote in California

Poll times

All polls in California are open from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Pacific Time. An individual who is in line at the time polls close must be allowed to vote.[19]

Registration

Check your voter registration status here.

To vote in California, an individual must be a U.S. citizen and California resident. A voter must be at least 18 years of age on Election Day. Pre-registration is available at 16 years of age. Pre-registration automatically registers voters when they turn 18.[20]

On October 10, 2015, California Governor Jerry Brown (D) signed into law Assembly Bill No. 1461, also known as the New Motor Voter Act. The legislation, which took effect in 2016, authorized automatic voter registration in California for any individuals who visit the Department of Motor Vehicles to acquire or renew a driver’s license.[21][22]

Automatic registration

California automatically registers eligible individuals to vote when they complete a driver’s license, identification (ID) card, or change of address transaction through the Department of Motor Vehicles.

Online registration

See also: Online voter registration

California has implemented an online voter registration system. Residents can register to vote by visiting this website.

Same-day registration

California allows same-day voter registration.

Californians must be registered to vote at least 15 days before Election Day. If the registration deadline has passed for an upcoming election, voters may visit a location designated by their county elections official during the 14 days prior to, and including Election Day to conditionally register to vote and vote a provisional ballot. The state refers to this process as Same Day Voter Registration.[23]

Residency requirements

To register to vote in California, you must be a resident of the state. State law does not specify a length of time for which you must have been a resident to be eligible.

Verification of citizenship

See also: Laws permitting noncitizens to vote in the United States

California’s constitution requires that voters be U.S. citizens. When registering to vote, proof of citizenship is not required. Individuals who become U.S. citizens less than 15 days before an election must bring proof of citizenship to their county elections office to register to vote in that election.[23]

Verifying your registration

The site Voter Status, run by the California Secretary of State’s office, allows residents to check their voter registration status online.

Voter ID requirements

California does not require voters to present photo identification. However, some voters may be asked to show a form of identification when voting if they are voting for the first time after registering to vote by mail and did not provide a driver license number, California identification number, or the last four digits of their social security number.[24][25]

The following list of accepted ID was current as of March 2023. Click here for the California Secretary of State page to ensure you have the most current information.

“

• Current and valid photo identification provided by a third party in the ordinary course of business that includes the name and photograph of the individual presenting it. Examples of photo identification include, but are not limited to, the following documents:
  • driver’s license or identification card of any state;
  • passport;
  • employee identification card;
  • identification card provided by a commercial establishment;
  • credit or debit card;
  • military identification card;
  • student identification card;
  • health club identification card;
  • insurance plan identification card; or
  • public housing identification card.
• Any of the following documents, provided that the document includes the name and address of the individual presenting it, and is dated since the date of the last general election…:
  • utility bill;
  • bank statement;
  • government check;
  • government paycheck;
  • document issued by a governmental agency;
  • sample ballot or other official elections document issued by a governmental, agency dated for the election in which the individual is providing it as proof, of residency or identity;
  • voter notification card issued by a governmental agency;
  • public housing identification card issued by a governmental agency;
  • lease or rental statement or agreement issued by a governmental agency;
  • student identification card issued by a governmental agency;
  • tuition statement or bill issued by a governmental agency;
  • insurance plan card or drug discount card issued by a governmental agency;
  • discharge certificates, pardons, or other official documents issued to the individual by a governmental agency in connection with the resolution of a criminal case, indictment, sentence, or other matter;
  • public transportation authority senior citizen and disabled discount cards issued by a governmental agency;
  • identification documents issued by governmental disability agencies;
  • identification documents issued by government homeless shelters and other government temporary or transitional facilities;
  • drug prescription issued by a government doctor or other governmental health care provider; (R) property tax statement issued by a governmental agency;
  • vehicle registration issued by a governmental agency; or
  • vehicle certificate of ownership issued by a governmental agency.[6]

”

See also

External links

• Petition #21-0043

Footnotes

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