‘It’s… Political’: Advocates React to June 2026 Minimum Wage Vote, Governor Responds

OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. (KOKH) — On Tuesday, Gov. Kevin Stitt (R-Okla.) announced in an executive order that the statewide vote on State Question 832 will happen on June 16, 2026.

The measure would increase Oklahoma’s minimum wage.

The campaign advocating for the proposal accused the governor of playing politics and delaying efforts to put more money in Oklahoman’s bank accounts.

“It’s a political maneuver. It’s a way to pay back his wealthy donors that have been fighting this tooth and nail,” asserted campaign spokeswoman Amber England.

The governor’s office rejected such a characterization of the decision and shared that conducting the SQ 832 vote alongside primary elections instead of in a standalone vote will save taxpayers $1.8 million.

The campaign, however, argued the vote on State Question 280 in Mar. 2023 represents an inconsistency on behalf of the governor. The ballot measure on recreational marijuana legalization, which Oklahomans voted down, was accompanied by only a handful of local propositions, according to the Oklahoma State Election Board.

The vote cost over one million dollars, according to the Oklahoma Attorney General’s Office.

The State Chamber of Oklahoma, meanwhile, urged members of the public to vote “no” on the wage increase.

“It’s bad for… lower, entry-level hourly wage employees who are looking for that first job. This is going to eliminate those jobs because business owners aren’t going to be able to afford to pay that wage, which is going to be far above what the market demands in Oklahoma,” noted State Chamber President and CEO Chad Warmington.

While the governor set the SQ 832 vote for mid-2026, the measure directs the state’s minimum wage to start increasing on Jan. 1, 2025.

The campaign and state attorney general’s office provided clarification on how the timelines come together.

Should voters approve SQ 832 in Jun. 2026, it would take effect on Jan. 1, 2027.

Built into the law is an incremental increase in the minimum wage.

The increase was set to start by setting the minimum wage to nine dollars per hour starting in 2025, followed by an additional $1.50 each year until 2029—resulting in a $15 minimum wage.

Taking effect in 2027 means the law would start where it would have been otherwise in 2027, meaning, if voters approve the measure, Oklahoma’s minimum wage would jump from $7.25 to $12 an hour beginning in 2027. The wage would then increase as outlined.

Then, starting in 2030, the wage would increase yearly based on the Consumer Price Index.

“The governor is denying and delaying a pay raise for nearly 320,000 Oklahomans for two additional years as these folks struggle to make ends meet,” England added.

The campaign said the vote could have been set to as early as mid-November. The governor’s office told FOX 25 Jun. 2026 was selected after consulting the state election board and Oklahoma secretary of state.

According to England, Oklahomans have the chance to get better paychecks that would help with higher costs at the gas pump and grocery store.

The governor has been opposed to the measure, however, arguing states like California have seen the negative impacts of boosting their minimum wages—and that Americans are fleeing California but moving to Oklahoma.