Group Drops AZ Minimum Wage Ballot Initiative Just Before Court Defeat

A Maricopa County judge has ruled that an initiative to raise Arizona’s minimum wage will not appear on the November ballot due to insufficient signatures. This decision came shortly after the campaign’s backers admitted defeat.

The political action committee (PAC) behind the initiative, Raise the Wage AZ, had earlier announced its decision to withdraw the measure voluntarily. This move came in anticipation of a legal struggle that seemed unlikely to succeed.

Judge Scott Blaney’s ruling confirmed the campaign’s concerns, as the PAC had failed to secure the necessary number of valid signatures. The Arizona Republic reported this result, dashing the hopes of the initiative’s supporters.

In a statement Thursday, Saru Jayaraman, president of One Fair Wage — the national organization supporting Raise the Wage AZ — explained the strategic withdrawal. They preferred to redirect their resources toward legislative efforts in 2025 rather than fighting a lengthy legal battle.

Arizona Secretary of State’s Office spokesman, Aaron Thacker, clarified that there was no immediate process for withdrawing the signatures. A court order was necessary to halt the verification process. Later that day, following Judge Blaney’s ruling, the Secretary of State’s Office ceased the verification of signatures.

Raise the Wage AZ began gathering signatures for the “One Fair Wage Act” in November 2022, accumulating 354,278 signatures by July 3, 2023. However, this number fell short after the Arizona Restaurant Association filed a lawsuit, alleging numerous collection errors.

To qualify for the ballot, 255,949 valid signatures were needed. Due to potential disqualifications from legal challenges, Raise the Wage AZ’s buffer proved insufficient, leading them to abandon the effort.

The initiative sought to increase Arizona’s minimum wage from $14.35 to $18 per hour, including annual adjustments for inflation. Additionally, it aimed to adjust how tips are accounted for in workers’ wages, eventually requiring full minimum wage payment by employers regardless of tips.

Conversely, the Arizona Restaurant Association is promoting the “Tipped Workers Protection Act,” Proposition 138, which allows employers to pay tipped workers 25% less than the minimum wage, provided tips make up the difference.

On August 6, Judge Peter Thompson dismissed a challenge from Raise the Wage AZ against Prop. 138. In response, the Arizona Restaurant Association celebrated the ruling, criticizing the motives of One Fair Wage and urging voters to support Prop. 138.

Raise the Wage AZ plans to collaborate with Democratic Rep. Mariana Sandoval to introduce similar legislation in future state assemblies. They aim to mobilize support at city and county levels in upcoming elections to continue their push for higher wages.