Residents of Oklahoma will get the chance to vote on gradually increasing the state minimum wag to $15 per hour, but not until 2026.

 Governor Kevin Stitt signed an executive order last week setting the vote for June 2026, which is the next statewide general election after this November. Stitt's reason for the delay was to avoid the cost of nearly $1.8 million to taxpayers of calling a special election on the issue.

Proponents of the raise call the delay a political maneuver and a slap in the face to hardworking Oklahomans.