Most of the time, voting means choosing between people. But every so often, you'll see a State Question on your ballot — a yes-or-no decision that you, the voter, make directly. No candidate, no middleman. Just you and the question.
We don't tell you how to vote on any measure. We explain what it is and point you to where you can read both sides.
What it is
A State Question is a proposed change to Oklahoma law or the Oklahoma Constitution, decided by a direct vote of the people. If more people vote yes than no, it passes and becomes law. It's one of the few moments where you don't elect someone to decide for you — you decide yourself.
How one reaches your ballot
There are two paths, and they start in very different places.
Citizen Initiative Petition
Oklahomans who want to change the law gather a required number of signatures from registered voters. If they collect enough and meet the legal requirements, the question goes on the ballot. This is direct democracy — not every state allows it. Oklahoma does.
Legislative Referendum
The Legislature votes to send a question to the people instead of deciding it themselves. Some changes — like amending the State Constitution — must go to a public vote. So lawmakers refer them to you.
How you vote on one
On an upcoming ballot
State Question 832
Concerns Oklahoma's minimum wage.
Official ballot title Read the exact wording you'll see on the ballot
Ballot title as rewritten by the Attorney General:
This measure amends the Oklahoma Minimum Wage Act (“OMWA”) under the Oklahoma Statutes to increase the state minimum wage. Employers must pay employees at least $9 per hour beginning in 2025, increasing $1.50 annually for a final rate of $15 per hour in 2029. Beginning in 2030 and continuing indefinitely, the minimum wage would automatically increase annually based on the increase in the cost of living, if any, as measured by the U.S. Department of Labor's Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers; the minimum wage increase would continue with any successor agency or index. Such increase would also not require approval from Congress or the Oklahoma Legislature. This measure eliminates several exemptions in the current OMWA, including the exemptions for employers subject to the federal Fair Labor Standards Act; part-time employees; certain students and individuals under age 18; farm and agricultural workers; domestic service workers; newspaper vendors or carriers; and feedstore employees. Effectively, eliminating these exemptions results in current employees not covered by the OMWA now being entitled to the minimum wage. The measure also repeals title 40, section 197.5
Federal and state employees will not be covered under the OMWA. Volunteers; employers with ten or fewer employees and grossing $100,000 or less; some employees of carriers engaged in interstate commerce; employees working in a bona fide executive, administrative, or professional capacity; outside salesmen; and reserve deputy sheriffs will remain excluded from the OMWA's coverage. Because counties, municipalities, and school districts are not excluded, a fiscal impact on the State will result, possibly necessitating in a revenue increase by new taxes or elimination of existing services. The measure will be effective the January 1 following approval and will not apply retroactively.
SHALL THE PROPOSAL BE APPROVED?
FOR THE PROPOSAL — YES AGAINST THE PROPOSAL — NO
A “YES” vote is a vote in favor of this measure. A “NO” vote is a vote against this measure.
Source: Oklahoma State Election Board. This is the official ballot title, verbatim, as rewritten by the Attorney General.
We link to the arguments rather than write them. For balanced, nonpartisan summaries of what each side says, sources like Ballotpedia and the League of Women Voters maintain pro-and-con breakdowns. You read both; you decide.