On the Ballot 2018

This fall on November 6, 2018 voters from around the US will descend upon their voting places to cast ballots for elected offices from Congress, Governor all the way down to the local Sheriff, City/County Auditor and more.

We encourage all who are able to vote to remember that not just elected officials are on the ballot. Also on the ballot in many states are initiatives and measures that would either help or hinder those seeking to get out of poverty.

We remind everyone to read through the ballot initiatives/measures for your state and jurisdiction and cast your vote so that we as a society are able to provide stronger consumer financial protections, make it harder for predatory lenders to act and prey upon the most financially vulnerable and to ensure that we have strong safety nets that have proven to help lift individuals and families out of poverty and allow them to create solid financial foundations that they can build upon.

To see what’s on the ballot in your state, find your state here. The ballot issues, measures and propositions that we’re watching are:

Arkansas

Ballot Issue #5 Raising the Minimum Wage

this would increase the minimum wage in Arkansas from eight dollars and fifty cents ($8.50) per hour to nine dollars and twenty-five cents ($9.25) per hour on January 1, 2019, to ten dollars ($10.00) per hour on January 1, 2020, and to eleven dollars ($11.00) per hour on January 1, 2021.

A ‘Yes’ on this issue would increase the minimum hourly rate for those paid

A ‘No’ on this issue would keep the state minimum wage at $8.50 an hour.

Colorado

Ballot Proposition #111 Limitations on Payday Loans

seeks to lower the maximum authorized finance charge for payday loans to an annual percentage rate of 36 percent and to make it unlawful to make, offer, guarantee, assist, or arrange to have a consumer obtain a loan with a greater rate of interest, consideration, or charge

A ‘Yes’ on this bill would cap or limit the amount of annual interest that a payday lender can charge borrowers to 36%.

A ‘No’ on this bill would continue to allow payday lenders in Colorado to charge interest rates as they have been, where they currently average 129%.

Missouri

Ballot Measure -Proposition B - Raising the Minimum Wage

this would increase the state minimum wage to $8.60 per hour with 85 cents per hour increase each year until 2023, when the state minimum wage would be $12.00 per hour;
*exempt government employers from the above increase; and
*increase the penalty for paying employees less than the minimum wage?

A ‘Yes’ will amend Missouri statutes to increase the state minimum wage rate as follows:

$8.60 per hour beginning January 1, 2019;
$9.45 per hour beginning January 1, 2020;
$10.30 per hour beginning January 1, 2021;
$11.15 per hour beginning January 1, 2022; and
$12.00 per hour beginning January 1, 2023.

The amendment will exempt government employers from the above increases, and will increase the penalty for paying employees less than the minimum wage.

A ‘No’ would keep state minimum wages as they currently are in Missouri

Remember, as citizens we have the power through voting to say how we want government to treat us and our neighbors.