California Voters Reject $18 Minimum Wage Increase by 2026

Nov 20, 2024, 01:21 AM

California voters have decisively rejected Proposition 32, a ballot measure that would have raised the state's minimum wage to $18 per hour by 2026, setting a national high. The Associated Press called the contest, confirming the measure's defeat. Despite the close vote margin, with Prop. 32 trailing 50.8% to 49.2%, opponents declared a 'historic' rejection, stating there were not enough votes left to flip the result. The 'No on Prop 32' campaign had already claimed victory, while proponents of the measure were not ready to concede.