scorecard
  1. Home
  2. Politics
  3. Here's the state-by-state rundown on if you can take time off from work to vote

Here's the state-by-state rundown on if you can take time off from work to vote

Rachel Gillett   

Here's the state-by-state rundown on if you can take time off from work to vote
Politics1 min read

ohio early voting 2016

Thomson Reuters

If you don't have time to cast your ballot in your free time, you may still get to vote.

If you're wondering whether you can come in late or leave work early to cast your vote in this year's presidential election, the short answer is, quite possibly - it depends where you work.

Currently, there is no federal law that mandates employers provide their employees time off to cast their ballots. But the majority of US states have time-off-to-vote laws, also referred to as voter-leave laws, and have different requirements and exceptions for employers and employees.

While some states guarantee paid time off, for example, others do not. And the time guaranteed for employees to vote varies state-by-state as well.

Of course, your own employer may offer leave to vote, even if your state does not. Patagonia, for example, announced that it's closing all US stores on Election Day in an effort to encourage customers and employees to vote.

But, since not everyone's employer is so generous, you'd be well-advised to learn about the specific voter leave provisions in your state.

READ MORE ARTICLES ON


Advertisement

Advertisement