About two in three Alaskans would vote for an initiative to raise the minimum wage to $15 by 2027 and guarantee paid sick leave, according to a new poll.
The poll, conducted by Breakthrough Campaigns on behalf of the pro-initiative campaign, shows that 64% of likely voters would support the initiative while just 32% said they would vote against it. The polling firm contacted 907 likely voters between May 19 and 29 and has a self-reported margin of error of 3.3%.
“Alaskans understand the importance of fair wages and a healthy workplace,” former Labor Commissioner Ed Flanagan, the chair for Yes on 1 for Better Jobs, said in a prepared statement. “The overwhelming validation reflected in this poll shows that Alaskans know our economy is driven by working families. When they’re supported, we’re all stronger.”
The labor-backed proposal was certified for this year’s general election after turning in signature petitions earlier this year. The measure has three main provisions:
- It would raise the state’s minimum wage to $15 by 2027 and link it to yearly inflation afterward.
- It would also ensure most workers can accrue paid sick leave at a rate of at least 1 hour per every 30 hours worked.
- The measure would also bar companies from requiring employees to attend meetings on political and religious issues that have nothing to do with their work.
According to the polling memo, each provision enjoyed more than 70% support individually. The campaign also highlighted strong support among voters not belonging to a political party, with 66% support among unaffiliated voters and 73% support from nonpartisan voters.
Alaska’s minimum wage is currently $11.73, which is a product of a 2014 voter initiative. That measure, which also includes annual adjustments to the minimum wage, passed with nearly 70% of the vote.
Matt Acuña Buxton is a long-time political reporter who has written for the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner and The Midnight Sun political blog. He also authors the daily politics newsletter, The Alaska Memo, and can frequently be found live-tweeting public meetings on Twitter.