Filed under: notes
A reader asks if employers are required to give time off to vote. Well, there isn’t a federal law that I know of about giving time off to vote. However, there are state laws for employers regarding time off to vote:
These laws vary widely in the details, however — some require employers to provide paid leave while others do not, some allow employers to require employees to provide written proof that they voted or were called for jury service, and some actually impose criminal penalties on an employer who fires or others penalizes an employee for taking time off work for these important obligations.
So check your individual state government web site for the specific law. You can also use the summary or other resources below.
Resources
Are You Required to Give Employees Time Off to Vote?
Summary of State Time Off to Vote Laws
Time Off to Vote Notices from the State of California
I had to wake up early and vote when the polls opened at 7, then go straight to work, By the time I’d be off at 6, I’d have to fight traffic and would have gotten to the polls by the exact point they were closing and maybe had to wait in line.
I could go during lunch, but again, I was afraid of crowds.
Go Obama!
Comment by Comrade Kevin 02.05.08 @ 12:36 pmI’m pretty sure the reason that 50% of California votes absentee is the situation that you describe. And the public humiliation, of course, it seems to be part of the process for me to have my party affiliation screamed across a room of conservatives in a Four Square Church lobby.
Comment by Ms. Theologian 02.05.08 @ 12:38 pmIt really makes sense that we ought to have laws allowing employees time off to vote (maybe an hour would be enough). I’m a North Carolina voter so there’s no primary for me today, hope the rest of y’all get out to the polls and good luck to whomever your preferred candidate is. Ours isn’t until May 6, when the races will likely already be decided. If not, it will be very interesting to me to see if NC voters go for Clinton or Obama (I think McCain is probably a lock over Romney in NC). I haven’t decided yet but generally lean toward Clinton (I’ll be voting in the Democratic primary this year even though that isn’t my party affiliation). Would’ve been a very different race if Edwards was still in it, he’d have a strong showing in NC.
Comment by Jeff 02.05.08 @ 1:11 pmLeave a comment
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