Empowering Employees: Understanding Voting Rights for Statewide Elections

Election Tuesday is around the corner! What do California employers need to know? 

As a California employer, you must ensure that your employees have the opportunity to vote in statewide elections. According to California Elections Code §14001, you are required to give your employees paid time off so they can vote. This law requires you to take specific steps to notify your employees of their right to paid time off if they cannot vote outside of working hours for lack of time. On election day, polls are open from 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM, and employees should be able to exercise their right to vote without experiencing undue hardship. 

Employees in California can take a maximum of two hours of paid time off to vote, although they may be given as much time as needed to cast their ballots. You may require employees to obtain prior approval and to take time off at the start or end of their shifts. This clause eliminates the concern about scheduling conflicts and lets employees participate in the democratic process. 

You must post a notice to employees ten days before a statewide election, informing them of their rights to take time off to vote. This notice must be prominently displayed where it is visible to all employees. You can find a copy of the notice to employees here.

For additional guidance on how to support your team members and ensure compliance with relevant regulations, reach out to our consulting team!