With National Elections coming in November, many employees may need time off to vote.  While there are no national Voting Leave laws, many states have these laws in place.   Some states provide employees with time off to vote, which may include pay, while others have no specific provisions for voting leave.  Here is a breakdown of states with voting leave laws and those without.  Remember to look up other Voting Leave laws in your county or municipality.

Alabama

  • Leave: Up to one hour, if needed
  • Pay: Not required
  • Notice: Employees must give reasonable notice

Alaska

  • Leave: Granted if employees don’t have enough time to vote outside of work hours
  • Pay: Cannot dock pay for voting leave
  • Notice: No employee notice is required

Arizona

  • Leave: Employees can take leave if polls are open for less than three hours before or after their shift
  • Pay: Voting leave is paid
  • Notice: Employees must request leave before Election Day

Arkansas

  • Leave: Employees’ schedules must provide an opportunity to vote
  • Pay: Not required

California

  • Leave: Leave granted if there is insufficient time outside work hours to vote
  • Pay: Up to two hours paid
  • Notice: Employees must give two workdays’ notice

Colorado

  • Leave: Up to two hours, if requested
  • Pay: Hourly employees must be paid for up to two hours of voting leave
  • Notice: Employees must apply before Election Day

Georgia

  • Leave: Up to two hours during early voting or Election Day
  • Pay: Not required
  • Notice: Reasonable notice may be required

Illinois

  • Leave: Two hours for voting
  • Pay: Voting leave is paid
  • Notice: Employees must request leave before Election Day

Iowa

  • Leave: Two consecutive hours of leave if needed
  • Pay: Voting leave is paid
  • Notice: Written request required

Kansas

  • Leave: Up to two hours
  • Pay: Voting leave is paid

Kentucky

  • Leave: Up to four hours
  • Pay: Voting leave is paid
  • Notice: Absentee voters must give notice before applying for a ballot

Maryland

  • Leave: Up to two hours if needed
  • Pay: Voting leave is paid

Massachusetts

  • Leave: Granted to employees in manufacturing, mechanical, or mercantile for the first two hours when the polls are open
  • Pay: Not required
  • Notice: Employees must request leave

Minnesota

  • Leave: Leave as needed to vote
  • Pay: Voting leave is paid

Missouri

  • Leave: Up to three hours if needed
  • Pay: Voting leave is paid
  • Notice: Must request leave before Election Day

Nebraska

  • Leave: Up to two hours if needed
  • Pay: Voting leave is paid
  • Notice: Request on or before Election Day

Nevada

  • Leave: Up to three hours, depending on distance from the polling place
  • Pay: Voting leave is paid

New Mexico

  • Leave: Up to two hours
  • Pay: Voting leave is paid

New York

  • Leave: If there’s insufficient time outside work hours to vote
  • Pay: Up to two hours paid
  • Notice: Employees must give two to 10 days’ notice

Ohio

  • Leave: Reasonable time to vote
  • Pay: Salaried employees must be paid

Oklahoma

  • Leave: Up to two hours on Election Day
  • Pay: Paid leave if proof of voting is provided
  • Notice: Three days’ notice is required

South Dakota

  • Leave: Up to two hours if needed
  • Pay: Voting leave is paid

Tennessee

  • Leave: Up to three hours if needed
  • Pay: Voting leave is paid
  • Notice: Must request leave before noon the day before the election

Texas

  • Leave: Must provide time off if polls are not open for two hours outside work hours
  • Pay: Voting leave is paid

Utah

  • Leave: Up to two hours if needed
  • Pay: Voting leave is paid
  • Notice: Employees must apply before Election Day

West Virginia

  • Leave: Up to three hours
  • Pay: Voting leave is paid

Wisconsin

  • Leave: Up to three hours
  • Pay: Voting leave is unpaid, but there are no penalties other than lost wages
  • Notice: Notice must be given before Election Day

Wyoming

  • Leave: One hour of voting leave
  • Pay: Voting leave is paid

Washington D.C

  • Leave: Up to two hours, even for out-of-state voters
  • Pay: Paid leave
  • Notice: Reasonable notice required
States Without Voting Leave Laws:
  • Connecticut
  • Delaware
  • Florida
  • Hawaii
  • Idaho
  • Indiana
  • Louisiana
  • Maine
  • Michigan
  • Mississippi
  • Montana
  • New Hampshire
  • New Jersey
  • North Carolina
  • North Dakota (encouraged, but not required)
  • Oregon
  • Pennsylvania
  • Rhode Island
  • South Carolina
  • Vermont
  • Virginia
  • Washington (vote-by-mail)

*This information simplifies complex Acts as Time Equipment Company understands them.  It is not to be taken as legal advice.  The regulations for this program are changing.  For further information, contact your state or local Secretary of State.