It’s time for Time Off to Vote posters
The Nov. 5 presidential election is approaching, and this means employers need to pay attention to Time Off to Vote posting requirements.
Three areas require employers to display Time Off to Vote postings in the workplace. Here are the details:
California
Employers must display the Time Off to Vote posting 10 days before an election. It must be posted in the workplace or where employees can see it as they enter or exit their place of work.
The poster explains that polls are open between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m. on election day and employees can take up to two paid hours off to vote if they do not have enough time to vote outside of working hours. Time off for voting must be taken at the beginning or end of the regular work shift, unless other arrangements are made with the employer.
Employees can take off as much time as they need to vote, but only two hours is paid. They must notify their employer of the need for time off at least two working days before the election.
District of Columbia
The district’s Time Off to Vote in the 2024 General Election posting must be displayed at all sites where employees report to work, or employers must provide the notice to employees in another way.
The poster states that early voting can take place between October 28 and November 3. On election day, November 5, Election Day Vote Centers will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Employees may take at least two hours off during their scheduled shift to vote. Employers may require employees to submit a request for voting leave a reasonable amount of time in advance of the date they wish to vote. Employers can also specify the hours during which employees can take paid voting leave. This can include requiring employees to take the leave during the early voting period or at the beginning or end of a working shift.
New York
Every employer must display the New York State Election Law posting at least 10 working days before every election.
It needs to be posted until the polls close on election day. The poster explains that employees must be given up to two hours of paid time off for voting if the employee does not have sufficient time outside working hours to vote. Sufficient time is four consecutive hours between the opening of the polls and the beginning of the employee’s shift or between the end of the employee’s shift and the closing of the polls.
An employee who requires working time off to vote must notify the employer of this not more than 10 or less than two working days before election day.
Key to remember: New York, California, and the District of Columbia require employers to display voting leave posters. Employers should make sure the posters are properly displayed before the presidential election on Nov. 5.