Less than a week from today, Americans will cast ballots for one of the most protracted presidential campaigns in history. Many business owners are planning now to accommodate worker voting time on Election Day.
“Small business owners who want to make it easy for their staffers to vote are giving them flex time, balloting breaks, or opening late,” according to the Associated Press.
Other companies, including national brands such as outdoor clothing and gear retailer Patagonia, have announced they’ll be closed all day.
“Owners say they want to encourage everyone to vote — some saying the intense emotions in the presidential race this year make it particularly significant and others that they feel it’s important to be involved in what happens in their country, state and city,” writes AP reporter Joyce Rosenberg. “Many states have laws requiring employers to give workers time off to vote, and some of those states require that employees be paid if they have to vote during working hours.”
There is no federal law granting workers the right to voting time off.
Review a summary of your state’s laws, along with links to applicable legislation.
