LITTLE ROCK — Every county in Arkansas supported a ballot measure to gradually increase the state's minimum wage to $8.50 by 2017.
The initiated act was easily approved in Tuesday's election and enjoyed widespread support throughout the state. The measure was supported in all 75 counties.
Throughout the state, voters enthusiastically embraced the plan, which raises the minimum wage to $7.50 an hour in 2015, to $8 in 2016 and to $8.50 in 2017. The last time Arkansas raised its minimum wage was in a 2006 special session, when it was set at the current rate of $6.25 an hour.
Editor's note: The above story corrects an earlier version that stated White County was the only county to reject Issue 4. The measure passed in all 75 counties, vote totals show.