California voters have rejected Proposition 32, a ballot measure that sought to raise the state's minimum wage to $18 per hour by 2026, which would have been the highest in the nation. Opponents, including the California Chamber of Commerce,

After two weeks of postelection uncertainty, Proposition 32, the initiative to increase the state’s minimum wage to $18 an hour, was defeated by a narrow margin. The rejection was “a pretty poignant sign of the times in a state like California,

California voters reject ballot measure that would have raised state's minimum wage to a national high of $18 per hour

Prop 32, which would have brought the state’s minimum wage up to $18 per hour, was the first minimum-wage measure to lose at the ballot in almost three decades.

Opponents of a ballot initiative that would raise California’s minimum wage from $16 to $18 an hour are declaring victory. With 94% of the votes counted as of Tuesday, Yes on Proposition 32 was trailing by 245,

A majority of Californians voted against Proposition 32, which would have raised the state's minimum wage to $18, the Associated Press projected Tuesday.

Foes of increasing the California minimum wage say voters have rejected the proposition, but supporters aren’t giving up yet.

The California Restaurant Association, California Chamber of Commerce, and California Grocers Association oppose the minimum wage increase. They argue that Proposition 32 would compel small businesses to hike prices, contributing to inflation and elevated living costs, ultimately harming working families.

California voters have rejected a measure on the November ballot that would have raised the minimum wage for most workers to $18 an hour.