Federal Election – Which States Entitle Employees Time Off to Vote?
By Kevin M. Mosher • Oct 6, 2016
If you have not heard, there is a federal election in a month. Each state determines whether employees are entitled to time off during working hours to vote. The following are a few of the states that have laws on this issue that may be relevant to your business.
|
MN |
IL |
WI |
SD |
TX |
MA |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Req. employees to time off work? |
Yes |
Yes, only if polls are not open for at least 2 hours before or after the employee works |
Yes |
Yes, but only if the polls are not open for at least 2 hours before or after the employee’s hours of work |
Yes, but only if the polls are not open for at least 2 hours outside the employee’s hours of work |
Yes, but only for employees in manufacturing, mechanical or retail |
How much time? |
As much as is necessary to vote |
Up to 2 hours |
Up to 3 hours |
Up to 2 hours |
Up to 2 hours potentially |
First 2 hours after polls open |
Time off paid? |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
Yes, but only if employee unable to vote outside work day because there are less than two hours to do so |
No |
Req. advance notice? |
You can ask, but can’t require it as a condition for time off to vote |
Yes |
Yes |
You can ask, but you cannot require it as a condition for time off to vote |
No |
Yes |
Employer decides when employee takes time off to vote? |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
In part |
No |
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