A: There is no federal law that requires employers to grant leave, either paid or unpaid, to allow employees time off to vote. However, many states do have laws providing employees the ability to take protected time off for voting. For example, California allows employees up to two hours paid leave to go vote if the employee has insufficient nonworking time to visit the ballot box. On the other hand, states such as Oregon, Montana, Idaho and Washington do not have statutory voting leave laws covering private employers. There may be other exclusions or limitations covering voting and elections in your state. Be sure to talk with your employment attorney before denying someone time off to vote.
Q: Do we have to allow employees time off, either with or without pay, to go vote?
