Voters in Battleground Congressional Districts Support a $15 Minimum Wage

The findings of a recent poll conducted on behalf of National Employment Law Project show that the majority (65%) of voters in battleground congressional districts—those won by Democrats in 2018 by 15 percentage points or less— are in favor of legislation to gradually raise the federal minimum wage to $15 by 2024. This support is widespread, with a majority of voters across demographic and geographic subgroups supporting a $15 federal minimum wage. In addition to widespread support, voters strongly favor this minimum wage legislation (36%), exceeding the total proportion who oppose it (32%).

This study also reveals the potential impact of federal minimum wage legislation on the next election. Thirty-seven percent (37%) of voters in these battleground districts said they would be more likely to support their member of Congress, rather than less likely to support (21%) if that member voted for $15 federal minimum wage legislation, a 16-point margin.

Voters believe that increasing the federal minimum wage to $15 will have a positive effect on their communities. Overall 47% of voters think that this legislation will have a positive effect, 25% think that it will have a negative effect, and 22% of voters do not believe that this legislation will have any effect on their community. Voters in small town or rural areas believe that a $15 minimum wage would have a positive effect rather than a negative effect on their community by 17 points, despite common claims that a $15 minimum wage would hurt rather than help small town and rural communities.

Read more about this research here.