(NewsNation) — Voters in five states will decide on Tuesday whether workers who earn minimum wage will begin to start seeing more money in their paychecks.
Alaska, California, and Missouri all have ballot measures that will determine if that state’s rate of minimum wage will increase.
In addition to the three states considering a jump in minimum wage, one other – Massachusetts – has an initiative before voters that would affect wages for tipped employees.
Former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris have also weighed in on tipped wages, both promising to end federal taxes on tips.
The federal rate of minimum wage, $7.25 per hour, has remained untouched since 2009. However, heading into Election Day, 34 U.S. states, territories, and districts have rates of minimum wage that are higher than the federal standard, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.
In Alaska, voters are being asked to consider whether to hike the state’s current rate of minimum wage from $11.73 per hour to $15 per hour by 2027. The rate of pay, which is adjusted annually to account for inflation, would continue to be adjusted each year. The ballot proposal would also provide for paid sick leave for employees depending on the size of their company.
In California, voters are being asked to consider whether to raise the state’s current rate of minimum wage from $16 per hour to $18 per hour by 2026. If passed, the measure would also allow for the hourly rate to be adjusted annually for inflation beginning in 2027.
In Missouri, voters are considering whether to raise the state’s current rate of minimum wage from $12.30 per hour to $15 by 2026. The proposal would also affect tipped employees and would adjust the rate of minimum wage based on inflation beginning in 2027.
Voters in the Show-Me state last approved a ballot measure for a higher minimum wage in 2018.
Watch as real-time results fill in the tracker below for each state:
Alaska
Alaska Ballot Measure 1 states “This act would increase the minimum wage to $13 per hour in 2025, $14 per hour in 2026, and $15 per hour in 2027. The minimum wage would increase with inflation after that. The minimum wage would always be at least $2 above the federal minimum wage. This act would also require paid sick leave for many employees. Smaller employers would allow 40 or more hours of sick leave per year. Larger employers would allow 56 or more hours. Sick leave would carry over to the next year. This act would prohibit employers from making their employees attend meetings about religious or political issues. These issues include whether or not to join or support a religious, political, or labor organization. Some employers would be exempt and all employers could still communicate about issues required by law or related to the workplace. Should this initiative become law?”
A “Yes” vote would increase the minimum wage.
A “No” vote would keep the current minimum wage.
California
California Proposition 32 states “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.”
A “Yes” vote would raise the minimum wage to $18 per hour in 2026. After that, it would go up each year based on how fast prices are going up.
A “No” vote means minimum wage likely would be about $17 per hour in 2026. After that, it would go up each year based on how fast prices are going up.
Massachusetts
Massachusetts Question 5 states: “Do you approve of a law summarized below, on which no vote was taken by the Senate or the House of Representatives before May 1, 2024?”
“This proposed law would gradually increase the minimum hourly wage an employer must pay a tipped worker, over the course of five years, on the following schedule:To 64% of the state minimum wage on January 1, 2025; To 73% of the state minimum wage on January 1, 2026; To 82% of the state minimum wage on January 1, 2027; To 91% of the state minimum wage on January 1, 2028; and To 100% of the state minimum wage on January 1, 2029.
A “Yes” vote supports gradually increasing the wage of tipped employees until it meets the state minimum wage in 2029 and continues to permit tipping in addition to the minimum wage.
A “No” vote opposes gradually increasing the wage of tipped employees until it meets the state minimum wage in 2029.
Missouri
Missouri Proposition A states: “Do you want to amend Missouri law to: increase minimum wage January 1, 2025 to $13.75 per hour, increasing $1.25 per hour each year until 2026, when the minimum wage would be $15.00 per hour; adjust minimum wage based on changes in the Consumer Price Index each January beginning in 2027; require all employers to provide one hour of paid sick leave for every thirty hours worked; allow the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations to provide oversight and enforcement; and exempt governmental entities, political subdivisions, school districts and education institutions?”
A “Yes” vote will amend Missouri statutes to increase the state minimum wage beginning January 1, 2025 to $13.75 per hour and increase the hourly rate $1.25, to $15.00 per hour beginning January 2026.
A “No” vote will not amend Missouri law to make changes to the state minimum wage law.
Nebraska
Nebraska Initiative 433 states: “Shall the Nebraska statute establishing a minimum wage for employees be amended to increase the state minimum wage from nine dollars ($9.00) per hour to ten dollars and fifty cents ($10.50) per hour on January 1, 2023, to twelve dollars ($12.00) per hour on January 1, 2024, to thirteen dollars and fifty cents ($13.50) per hour on January 1, 2025, and to fifteen dollars ($15.00) per hour on January 1, 2026, to be adjusted annually thereafter to account for increases in the cost of living?”
A vote “For” will amend the Nebraska statute establishing a minimum wage for employees to increase the state minimum wage.
A vote “Against” means the Nebraska statute establishing a minimum wage for employees will not be amended in such a manner.
NewsNation’s Andrew Dorn contributed to this report.
