Monday, October 24, 2016

Get paid to Vote? Where do I sign up?!

Do you have to allow an employee time off to go vote?  Even it you do, do you have to pay them?

The answer is, "Maybe."  Make sure you check your local laws if you are in Tennessee as you may have to pay your employees while you give them time.

The following is a general summary only of voting leave requirements under state law. Many states have additional rules regarding time off to vote. For example, some states may not require time off if an employee has adequate time to vote outside of working hours. Thus, employers are strongly advised to review the applicable state law and contact a knowledgeable employment law attorney for further guidance.

No Leave Required 
The following states generally do not require that private sector employees be given time off to vote: CT, DC, DE, FL, ID, IN, LA, ME, MI, MS, MT, NC, ND, NH, NJ, OR, PA, RI, SC, VA, VT, and WA. 

Unpaid Time Off 
The following states generally require that private sector employees be given unpaid time off to vote:

  • AL: 1 hour
  • AR: Employers must schedule work hours on election days so that employees have an opportunity to vote
  • GA: 2 hours
  • KY: 4 hours
  • MA: Certain employers must provide leave during the first 2 hours after the opening of the polls
  • WI: 3 hours

Paid Time Off 
The following states generally require that private sector employees be given paid time off to vote:

  • AK: As much working time as will enable voting
  • AZ: 3 hours
  • CA: 2 hours
  • CO: 2 hours
  • HI: 2 hours
  • IA: 3 hours
  • IL: 2 hours
  • KS: 2 hours
  • MD: 2 hours
  • MN: The time necessary to appear at the employee's polling place, cast a ballot, and return to work on the day of an election
  • MO: 3 hours
  • NE: 2 hours
  • NM: 2 hours
  • NV: Leave for a sufficient time to vote
  • NY: 2 hours
  • OH: Employees must have a reasonable amount of time to vote (per the Ohio Attorney General's Office, the failure to pay salaried employees for voting leave may constitute a violation of law)
  • OK: 2 hours
  • SD: 2 hours
  • TN: 3 hours
  • TX: Requires that employees be allowed to take paid time off for voting  
  • UT: 2 hours
  • WV: 3 hours
  • WY: 1 hour

Note: There is no federal law that requires private sector employers to provide employees with time off from work to vote in a national or state election.



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