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Welcome to 2021

Happy New Year!

Welcome to this first Brew edition of 2021. I’m honored that you’ve invited us to be part of your daily routine.

No matter what 2021 brings, you can be sure that the Ballotpedia team will be here for you. We are dedicated to bringing you the important political news—both at Ballotpedia.org and in our newsletters such as this one—along with the context to put everything in perspective.

As we plan for the months ahead, I would love to hear from you. Is there anything you would like to read in the Daily Brew this year? Any topics you’d like to see us explore in more detail? Exciting races or interesting policy areas you are following?

My inbox is always open. If you hit reply, I’ll be reading your email, so feel free to reach out at any time.

It’s the beginning of a new year, and we're very excited to spend it with you. Let’s get started.

Minimum wage increased over last year’s amount in 25 states, Washington, D.C.

The start of the new year often brings with it legislative changes since many laws are written to take effect Jan. 1, such as increases to state minimum wages. This year, 25 states and Washington, D.C., have seen or will see an increase in the minimum wage.

Rhode Island's minimum wage increased by $1 to $11.50 an hour on Oct. 1, 2020. Nineteen jurisdictions had minimum wage increases that took effect on Dec. 31, 2020, or Jan. 1. Six states will increase their minimum wage on various dates between May and August 2021.

Here are five more facts about 2021’s minimum wage increases:

Minimum wage increases range from a rise of $0.08 per hour in Minnesota to $2.25 per hour in Virginia. Nine states have minimum wage increases in 2021 that are $1 per hour or more.
Eleven states increased their minimum wage due to citizen initiatives approved by voters. The remaining 14 states and Washington, D.C., are increasing their minimum wage due to bills approved by lawmakers.
Four states enacted laws increasing their minimum wage in 2020. Legislatures in Rhode Island, Virginia, and Vermont passed bills adopting minimum wage increases. Florida voters approved Amendment 2 on Nov. 3, 61% to 39%. That measure increases the state's minimum wage by $1 each year on September 30, beginning in 2021, until it reaches $15 per hour in September 2026. Rhode Island and Virginia were Democratic trifectas, Florida was a Republican trifecta, and Vermont was under divided government. The minimum wage increased in 21 states and Washington, D.C., due to inflation or because state measures scheduled specific increases.
The average state minimum wage in 2021 is $9.59 an hour, up from $9.17 an hour in 2020. The highest statewide minimum wage is $14.00 per hour in California and $13.69 in Washington state. In Washington, D.C., the minimum wage is $15 per hour.
The lowest minimum wages based on state law are $5.15 an hour in Georgia and Wyoming, which is lower than the federal government's requirement. In those states, the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour supersedes state law for most employees. Twenty states use the federal minimum wage rate of $7.25.

2021 minimum wages
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117th Congress convened Jan. 3

Another instance of new beginnings happens with Congress. Senators and Representatives elected on Nov. 3 were sworn in on Jan. 3 after the 117th Congress convened.

The Twentieth Amendment to the Constitution specifies that the changeover for members of Congress occurs on Jan. 3 at noon. It also states that Congress itself should convene on that date unless it established a different date by law. Congress passed the 20th Amendment in 1932, and states completed ratifying it in 1933.

There are at least 67 new members of Congress—seven Senators and 60 Representatives. There are four new Republican Senators and three new Democratic ones. There are 46 new Republican Representatives and 15 new Democratic ones. Rep. Luke Letlow (R-La.) would have been sworn in as a new member of Congress on Jan. 3, but he died from complications related to COVID-19 on Dec. 29.

The number of new members in the last four Congresses were:

116th Congress—nine new Senators and 93 new Representatives
115th Congress—seven new Senators and 55 new Representatives
114th Congress—13 new Senators and 59 new Representatives
113th Congress—12 new Senators and 82 new Representatives

Heading into the 2020 elections, there were 53 open seats—four in the Senate and 49 in the House—where it was certain that a new member would be elected. Forty were open because the incumbent did not seek re-election. Eight open because the incumbent was defeated in a primary or convention. Five seats were vacant after the previous incumbent died, resigned, or was appointed to another position.

Three incumbent senators, one Democrat and two Republicans, were defeated by candidates of the opposing party. Twelve Democratic representatives were defeated by Republican candidates.

A full list of all new members of Congress, including breakdowns by state, can be found by clicking the link below.

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Correction note: Our last edition of the Brew incorrectly stated the number of users who looked up their sample ballot on Ballotpedia in 2020. Our readers previewed their sample ballots on Ballotpedia over 5.5 million times. We’re looking forward to helping more readers explore their ballots in this new year!

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