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Anaheim’s $25-an-hour minimum wage special election moved to Oct. 3

June 28, 2023

The special election to decide if hotel and event center workers in Anaheim should get a minimum $25 an hour will now happen on Oct. 3, after the City Council moved it at the request of the Orange County Registrar of Voters.

The City Council agreed to delay the election by three weeks from Sept. 12 to give officials more time to prepare and print election materials. Ballots will be mailed out beginning Sept. 5.

The City Council on June 13 approved putting the minimum wage measure to voters in a special election, rather than waiting until the November 2024 general election or choosing to implement it immediately without going to a public vote.

City Attorney Robert Fabela reassured councilmembers the new date would still fall within the required timeframe for holding a special election.

The special election will decide if the city should have a higher minimum wage for its service workers as well as implement various new workload regulations.

The minimum wage proposal would apply to workers at Anaheim hotels and event centers larger than 20,000 square feet.

Councilmembers Natalie Rubalcava, Jose Diaz and Natalie Meeks will write an argument against the proposed law that will be included in election materials.

“I believe this is an abuse of power by a union trying to destroy the economy,” Diaz said.

Mayor Ashleigh Aitken did not support the council writing an official argument against the minimum wage law and said she was concerned about the city putting its “thumb on the scale.”

Aitken and Councilmember Carlos Leon were the sole votes back in May supporting the measure backed by Unite Here Local 11 to raise wages.

Election officials in late August will start mailing voter information guides, with arguments for and against the proposed law, to registered voters.

The deadline to register to be eligible to vote in the special election is Sept. 18.

Ballot drop boxes will be available, as well as early voting.

County election officials will need to certify the results by Nov. 2. If voters approve the law, it would go into effect 10 days after the count is certified.

Hotel and event centers could apply for up to a one-year exemption from implementing the wage increase if they prove to the city manager they would have to lay off workers or reduce hours to avoid shutting down.

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Orange County Register

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Anaheim’s $25-an-hour minimum wage special election moved to Oct. 3

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