In Alaska, a ballot initiative that would increase the minimum wage to $15 per hour and require employers to provide paid sick leave has qualified for the ballot. The initiative will appear on the ballot for Nov. 5, 2024, unless the legislature adjourns on or before April 22, in which case the initiative could appear on the ballot for Aug. 20, 2024. The legislature is expected to adjourn around May 15.
The campaign Better Jobs for Alaska submitted 41,609 petition signatures for the ballot initiative. The Alaska Division of Elections reported that 37,404 signatures were valid, and that the signature distribution was met. At least 26,705 signatures needed to be valid.
While the citizen-initiated measure has qualified for the ballot, the Alaska State Legislature can pass legislation similar to the initiative during the current legislative session, which would render the initiative void.
