Supporters of a proposal to raise Michigan's minimum wage to $12 an hour by 2022 turned in signatures for their ballot initiative Monday afternoon, saying they had "more than enough" to qualify for the November 2018 ballot.

The effort is led by the group One Fair Wage and would raise the minimum wage to $12 per hour by 2022, and would increase the minimum wage for tipped workers to $12 an hour by 2024.

The ballot proposal needs 252,523 valid signatures from voters to appear on the ballot. One Fair Wage Michigan Campaign Chair Alicia Renee Farris said the group turned in 373,507 signatures as part of its petition.

"We did it," Farris said to cheers. "Because of our efforts, we will have a chance to lift the wages of over 1 million workers, and over 400,000 children will be positively impacted."

Tracy Pease, a restaurant server who works at a coney island in Royal Oak, said a minimum wage hike would improve her life by allowing her to keep her tips without feeling powerless to stand up for herself if she is harassed by a customer.

Although $12 an hour wouldn't make every financial worry disappear, Pease said it would go a long way towards helping her make rent and pay her bills.

"It could be the difference between paying my rent, getting a vehicle to go get a better job, or going ahead and paying my electric bill or my Consumers bill," she said. "The people that come in are not obligated to tip me, but what I'm obligated to do is pay my landlords."

The initiative is opposed by many in the restaurant industry, who are concerned about the elimination of the tip credit.

Last week, a group of servers and bartenders supported by Restaurant Workers of America gathered at Lansing Brewing Company in Lansing to oppose One Fair Wage's initiative. Many argued the wage increase could decrease their income overtime by undermining existing tip culture.

The Michigan Restaurant Association is also opposed - proposals like One Fair Wage mean "fewer jobs, fewer opportunities and lower incomes for those impacted," said Justin Winslow, the MRA's President & CEO.

"Simply put, this proposal is irresponsible and dangerous and it will fail in Michigan like it has failed everywhere else," Winslow said in a statement.

Farris said the minimum wage increase would help people across the board, and dismissed arguments against the plan as "fear tactics" meant to keep status quo. She said areas with a standard wage have had similar tipping levels after the wage hike took place.

She added the initiative is meant as a minimum wage hike for everyone, not just those in the service industry: "We don't believe that anyone who works a full time job should have to live in poverty."

The signatures submitted by One Fair Wage will now undergo a review from state officials to determine their validity.