POLL: Majority of DC Voters Say They Did Not Understand Impact of Initiative 82 on Restaurant Workers, Menu Prices

Written By Christian Clansky

Plurality of Voters Now Back Repeal as Support for Initiative 82 Declines

WASHINGTON (May 20, 2025) — A majority of DC voters say they did not fully understand how Initiative 82 would impact restaurant workers and menu prices when they voted for it in 2022, according to a poll released today by the Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington (RAMW).

The comprehensive survey of likely 2026 general election voters found that 51% say they did not fully understand Initiative 82. It also found that only 35% of voters understood the policy "somewhat," while 16% admitted understanding "just a little" or "not at all" about how the initiative would affect the restaurant industry.

The survey also reveals that a plurality (41%) now support repealing the law as restaurants across the District struggle to survive. It also found that:

  • By a 5-to-1 margin (46% to 9%), voters believe Initiative 82 has hurt rather than helped local, independent DC restaurants

  • 12% of voters who supported Initiative 82 in 2022 would now vote against it

  • Only 44% of original supporters would vote the same way today.

"DC voters made decisions in 2022 based on what information they had at the time," said Shawn Townsend, President and CEO of RAMW. "Now they've seen the real-world impacts on tipped workers, local restaurants, and diners.

“The most concerning finding is that 31% of voters say tipped workers — the very people this law claimed to help—are actually being harmed the most. Repealing Initiative 82 is about acknowledging that many voters may not have had the full picture — and now, faced with rising menu prices and restaurant closures, they would make a different choice.”

Initiative 82, which passed in 2022, eliminated the tip credit, significantly raising labor costs for restaurants with tipped workers. To stay afloat, many restaurants had to raise menu prices or add service fees, which have turned diners away. Based on a recent survey from RAMW, 44% of full-service casual restaurants say they are likely to close in 2025, and more than 70% of restaurants have already reduced staff, with tipped workers reporting fewer hours and lower earnings. RAMW and restaurant industry advocates are calling for the immediate repeal of the initiative.

At the start of 2025, the District had over 2,500 restaurants that generated $7.7 billion in restaurant and food service sales. For more information about the impact of Initiative 82 on DC’s restaurant industry, go to SaveDCRestaurants.org.

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 About Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington (RAMW)

The Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington (RAMW) is the regional trade association representing restaurants and the foodservice industry in the Washington, DC Metropolitan Area. Established in 1920, RAMW is an advocate, resource and community for its members. The Association works to promote and sustain the growth and development of the industry while providing its members legislative and regulatory representation, marketing and small business support, programming and events. RAMW strives to serve its members with professionalism and integrity, and provide them the training, education and support they need to grow a successful business.

Christian Clansky