With Election Day fast approaching, millions of Americans are preparing to cast their ballots on a workday. In the U.S., Election Day is not a federal holiday, meaning workers across the country may face challenges in finding time to vote. Currently, only 28 states and Washington D.C. legally guarantee employees time off to vote without a financial penalty, leaving millions to navigate local laws or company policies to exercise their voting rights.
Calls for a federal holiday on Election Day have gained traction over the years, with the most recent proposal introduced by Representative Anna Eshoo earlier this year. The Election Day Holiday Act aimed to reduce work-related barriers to voting, which a recent study found prevents 26% of Americans from making it to the polls. “No one should be unable to vote because they have to work or care for a family member,” Rep. Eshoo emphasized.
Despite high voter turnout in the 2020 presidential election, at 62.8%, the U.S. still trails many developed countries. Experts believe workday voting may be a contributing factor, as Election Day still falls on a Tuesday—a day originally chosen in 1845 to accommodate 19th-century farmers.
The following states offer guaranteed voting leave, with the exact rules varying by state
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Georgia
- Illinois
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Minnesota
- Missouri
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Mexico
- New York
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
For working Americans, this scheduling challenge is further complicated by the lack of a federal law mandating time off to vote. Corporate America has stepped in to help fill the gap, with over 2,000 companies joining the “Time to Vote” initiative, a nonpartisan campaign launched by companies like Levi Strauss, Patagonia, and PayPal. This year, Ikea has joined, offering up to two hours of paid leave on Election Day for qualifying employees.
In addition to early and mail-in voting options, certain states have adopted laws ensuring workers can take time off without sacrificing wages. States offering guaranteed voting leave include California, Texas, New York, and 25 others, although specific rules vary. Meanwhile, North Dakota encourages time off for voting but stops short of mandating it.
For many employees, their ability to vote without penalties depends on where they work. This patchwork of laws highlights the continued conversation on the need for standardized federal support for voters across all states.
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