Can You Take Time Off to Vote?

In case you haven’t seen the thousands of TV ads, flyers, direct mailers, lawn signs, and more, Election Day is near. In fact, it’s on Tuesday, November 8th.

If eligible, we hope you’re going to celebrate your right to vote by casting a ballot. Here are some things to consider as you prepare for Election Day.

• Are you registered to vote?

• What options do you have for early voting?

• If voting in person, where is your polling place (and what hours are they open)?

If you work on Tuesday, there’s also one more question you’ll need to ask yourself.

• Is your employer required to give you time off on Tuesday to vote?

There’s no single answer to that question, as states vary on the subject. While there’s no Federal law requiring that workers be given time off to vote, 30 states and the District of Columbia do have statutes in place. Here’s a map of the US, with states highlighted in purple that require employers to give you  time off from work to vote.

Also, here’s a list of the states with laws supporting your right to vote on work days.

Alabama

Alaska

Arizona

Arkansas

California

Colorado

Connecticut

District of Columbia

Georgia

Illinois

Iowa

Kansas

Kentucky

Maryland

Massachusetts

Minnesota

Missouri

Nebraska

Nevada

New Mexico

New York

North Dakota

Ohio

Oklahoma

South Dakota

Tennessee

Texas

Utah

West Virginia

Wisconsin

Wyoming

Hopefully you’ll find time to cast your ballot on Tuesday, without disrupting your work schedule. It’s a privilege to vote, and your participation is critical to the success of democracy.