State & Local Government Policy, Business and Technology

Several States, Some Employers Help Workers Make Time To Vote

NPR: Come next Tuesday, millions of people will stand in line to vote; last presidential cycle, about 57.5 percent of eligible voters cast ballots. Still, that means nearly half did not. Many people stay away from the polls because they run out of time, or have a work conflict — in which case lacking paid time off to vote might be a factor.

Paid leave to vote is covered by a patchwork of laws around the country.

Twenty-three states require employers to offer some form of paid leave to vote. Others, including Illinois, Kentucky or Wisconsin, allow for unpaid leave, the timing of which employers can set. Still others, including Florida, North Carolina and Virginia have no laws requiring companies to give workers time off to vote.

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