Voters in Arkansas have passed a minimum wage increase and a Voter ID amendment in the 2018 midterm elections.
Minimum wage in Arkansas will increase to $11 per hour by 2021. At the beginning of 2019, the minimum wage would be increased to $9.25 per hour. In 2020, it will increase to $10 per hour before increasing to $11 per hour in 2021.
Governor Asa Hutchinson told Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette claimed it would be a “job killer for our youth particularly.” But voters overwhelmingly voted for the ballot measure.
The measure passed with 68 percent of the vote, totaling nearly 600,000 votes.
The Voter ID amendment also passed easily, as Arkansans voted for the measure. This means Arkansans must present a valid ID when they vote, but legislators will choose what photo IDs are eligible.
It would also require that the state issue an ID "at no charge" to someone who doesn't have a photo ID.
Issue 2 passed with 79 percent of the vote or about 685,000 votes.
The casino ballot measure was also passed. It will allow four casinos in four different counties (Jefferson County, Pope County, Garland County and Crittenden County.)
The measure passed with 54 percent of the vote or about 460,000 votes.
To read more in-depth on the issues, click here.