Here are the states that require employers to give you time off to vote.

Timing your vote usually involves finding one time slot between your responsibilities at home and work.

But in many states, your calculations may also include the fact that your employer is required by law to give you some time during the workday to vote, albeit with certain restrictions. (And if you could use free child care to be able to vote, there may be some options available to you where you live. More on that below.)

Here’s what you need to know:

Which states have voting leave laws?

There is currently no federal law requiring organizations to provide their employees with time to vote during work hours.

However, 28 states and the District of Columbia have such laws. And the 29th state, North Dakota, has a law that simply encourages, but does not require, employers to provide time off.

States that require time off to vote are: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, New Mexico York, Ohio. , Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming.

According to the law firm Fisher Phillips, which compiled Guide for Employers by State.

(You can also look specific state laws in Justia.)

How much time can I spend?

States with voting leave laws most often require employers to provide one, two, or three hours of leave. But in Kentucky, up to four hours is allowed.

However, some states may prohibit such leave if polling places are open for several consecutive hours before or after an employee’s shift. In New York, for example, “if employees have four consecutive hours between the opening of polling places and the start of their shift, or between the end of their shift and the closing of polling places, they are considered to have sufficient time to vote away from home.” of their working hours,” says Fisher-Phillips.

Is time away from work to vote paid?

Most states that require employers to provide time off to vote also require that time be paid.

Among those that do not require paid time are Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Massachusetts and North Dakota.

In Wisconsin, employers can deduct lost time but cannot penalize employees in any other way.

Do I have to notify my employer of my plans?

In many states, yes.

For example, vacation laws in New York and California require you to give at least two days’ notice. Oklahoma requires three days’ notice.

Additionally, New York and California require employers to notify employees of their options before Election Day. However, most states do not impose such a requirement on companies.

Do the laws apply to all employers in all industries?

This seems to be the case in most cases, but check your state’s specific law.

IN MassachusettsFor example, the furlough law applies only to “manufacturing, mechanical and commercial establishments.”

Do time off laws apply to early voting?

Again, rules vary by state.

If your state allows early voting (and 47 states do, along with the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands and Guam, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures), voting leave rules may or may not apply. do not apply.

Some laws explicitly state that they apply to early voting, e.g. Georgia And Washington, DC. IN KentuckyUnder state law, “eligible employees have the right to take up to four hours of leave” to either vote or “apply for or complete an absentee ballot.” And absentee voting as described Here is a form of early voting. OklahomaThere is also a break for in-person absentee voting.

Where is the best information on how I can take time off work and vote where I live?

“Start by contacting the human resources department at work to find out about your employer’s voting policies,” said Jeanette Senecal, senior director of mission impact for the League of Women Voters.

If you live in a state with a voting exemption law, remember that “state law is a floor, not a ceiling (of what is required), and your employer may have a more generous policy,” Senecal said.

Even if you live in a state that does not have a voting leave law, your company may voluntarily provide time during business hours to vote.

You can also find state-by-state breakdowns on a range of voting issues, including time off laws, voting hours, absentee voting rules, how to make a voting plan, and more on the website Voting411.org.

If you have additional questions regarding time off laws or any other voting issues, Senecal suggests contacting the election officials where you live. This could be the state board of elections or the secretary of state’s office. They should have important information about voting rights and rules.

Free child care options to give parents the right to vote in multiple states

As first reported 19thnon-profit organization Politizit and its partners provide Free child care on Election Day in various states including Alabama, California, Georgia, Maryland, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Texas.

The reason is simple, Politisit notes on its website: “Making sure every eligible voter can cast a ballot is fundamental to democracy. The cost of child care can be a barrier to parents voting, especially when long lines or voter intimidation are expected. At Politisit, we believe parents should not have to choose between voting and caring for their children.”

This story has been updated with additional events and context.

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