Attention DU'ers: You have the Right to Time off from Work to Vote!

[Cheney Killed Bambi]

Attention DU'ers! You should know that most states give you an hour or two off work on election day to vote. Here is a chart summarizing the laws:

Source: Daily Labor Report: All Issues > 2008 > October > 10/28/2008 > Special Report > Leave: Most Workers Are Guaranteed Time to Vote, But Specifics Vary Widely Under State Laws



Leave
Most Workers Are Guaranteed Time to Vote,
But Specifics Vary Widely Under State Laws
When U.S. voters go to the polls Nov. 4, most will be entitled to some time off from work to cast their ballots. There is no federal law requiring private employers to grant voting leave to workers, but a summary of state voting-leave statutes prepared by BNA shows that a majority of states have such requirements.
. . .

The following chart prepared by BNA summarizes state voting leave provisions.

Alabama Up to one hour Unpaid

Alaska Two hours Paid

Arizona Three hours Paid

Arkansas Unspecified Unpaid

California Two hours Paid

Colorado Two hours Paid

Connecticut — — — —

Delaware — — — —

District of Columbia — — — —

Florida — — — —

Georgia Two hours Unpaid

Hawaii Two hours Paid

Idaho — — — —

Illinois Two hours Unpaid

Indiana — — — —

Iowa Up to three hours Paid

Kansas Up to two hours Paid

Kentucky At least four hours Unpaid

Louisiana — — — —

Maine — — — —

Maryland Up to two hours Paid

Massachusetts Up to two hours Unpaid

Michigan — — — —

Minnesota Morning of election Paid

Mississippi — — — —

Missouri Up to three hours Paid

Montana — — — —

Nebraska Two hours Paid

Nevada Up to three hours Paid

New Hampshire — — — —

New Jersey — — — —

New Mexico Two hours Paid

New York Two hours Paid

North Carolina — — — —

North Dakota — — — —

Ohio Unspecified time Unpaid

Oklahoma At least two hours Paid

Oregon — — — —

Pennsylvania — — — —

Rhode Island — — — —

South Carolina — — — —

South Dakota Two hours Paid

Tennessee Up to three hours Paid

Texas Unspecified Paid

Utah Two hours Paid

Vermont — — — —

Virginia — — — —

Washington Up to two hours Paid

West Virginia Up to three hours Paid

Wisconsin Up to three hours Unpaid

Wyoming One hour Paid

[Bluzmann57]

1. Thanks for the info

Do you have a firm link? I want to point the info out to my fellow co-workers. The polls will be open until 9:00 pm but after a 12 hour shift, which some of our people work, a person is pretty tired and may not want to stand in line to vote. So since apparently Iowa state law says that a person can take up to three hours paid leave, they may just do so.

[Cheney Killed Bambi]

the link

is to a pay restricted site, unfortunately. Make sure that your co-workers give plenty of notice that they will be taking time off to vote, and they should be fine.

[Cheney Killed Bambi]

3. the link

is to a pay restricted site, unfortunately. Make sure that your co-workers give plenty of notice that they will be taking time off to vote, and they should be fine.

[onehandle]

2. "Georgia Two hours Unpaid" + Horrible public transportation. + Diebold + Rove Republican Rule

= Poor people need not vote.

[crispini]

4. K&R -- GO VOTE!

[demmiblue]

5. Thanks for the info, however...

one to two hours may not be enough. Especially when considering that many people work at a fair distance from their voting precincts. I can see this being somewhat useful if employees are given this time before or after their shift, however, if they are voting during their shift, this could be a big problem.

Also, the time it takes to vote varies drastically! Personally, the most time I have waited was @15 minutes, but I have heard of the hours-long nightmare scenarios. I vividly remember the 6-8 hour wait people had to endure in one precinct during the 2004 elections (I can't remember where this occurred, but it was in a heavily Democratic area).

We do not have early voting in my state... I wonder if those working 12 hour shifts can get an absentee ballot.

I don't mean to deride your post, as it is very useful. I guess that I am just venting.

Thank you!

[ogneopasno]

7. The problem with absentee ballots is sometimes they aren't counted

unless the difference between candidates is within a certain percentage. My partner, who works shifts, is wondering what to do because he is unable to get off work to vote, but wants his vote counted. His shifts might work out so he can vote, but if he can't, he might just be out of luck, which sucks.

[demmiblue]

10. I see what you are saying...

however, it beats not voting at all. I do realize that some voters may not know in advance whether or not they will be able to be at the polls. There are some professions, such as nursing, that it is very hard to find people to cover your responsibilities. Especially in the case of mandatory overtime. This is a sticky situation, for sure. That is why early voting is necessary, although that has its implications, as well.

[ogneopasno]

11. Very true. It's amazing in this day and age

we can't figure out voting rules that work for everybody.

ETA: We live in a very blue area of a blue state, so for my partner to worry about his vote is a more personal thing than a political thing. But every vote should be counted, IMHO.

[high density]

6. "Hi boss, I'm so sick today."

[norepubsin08]

8. How do you find the exact statute for this

I am in Washington State and I would love to tell people how to do this...I myself am working the election all day that day!

[Cheney Killed Bambi]

14. Check the post at the top

I just updated it with a link:

http://www.nfib.com/object/IO_38994.html

[Cheney Killed Bambi]

15. Damn -- I can't edit anymore

But, if you go to this link, it lists the statutes:

http://www.nfib.com/object/IO_38994.html

[norepubsin08]

17. thanks for the help I appreciate it!

[Bluenorthwest]

9. Just to fill in Oregon's spot

Oregon votes by mail or by personal delivery to elections office. No election 'day' no polling places. No need for time off. Two weeks or so to fill the thing in and return it. It is a great system. I recommend it highly.

[Wilber_Stool]

12. I have never asked an employer

for time off to vote. I TELL them. Never had any problems.

[Ms. Toad]

13. Before you lose your job over it...

You need to verify the rules for your state to make sure they apply to your employer. Most job-related mandates have exceptions based on the size of the employer (to avoid creating undue hardship). Fifteen to 50 are common limits, below which the mandates don't apply.

[bigtree]

16. new Obama ad, "Take the Day Off"

http://my.barackobama.com/page/s/dayoff

[MiniMe]

18. Cool, we just got the following email at work:

Election day is just one week away. You’ve probably all heard the news reports predicting long lines at the polls. Whatever your party affiliation, we think it’s important for you to vote, and want to assure you that we will be understanding if you’re late for work or need to leave early in order to vote. Just let your supervisor know what you’re doing, and check in with us if you’re stuck in line so long you need food, water and a change of clothes!




Yes, that is a real email from the Senior VP. Sometimes it is good to work for a not for profit organization.