Guide: how to let employees vote on Election Day

With Election Day imminent, many employees will be looking for ways to make their voices heard. As a business leader, it's essential to understand your role in supporting this civic duty, while also ensuring business operations continue smoothly. Providing time off or flexible scheduling can help employees feel valued and promote a culture of civic engagement. This guide outlines effective strategies and best practices to let your employees vote during work hours, whether you're required to do so by law or simply want to show your support.

Why should you support employees voting?

Making it easy for your employees to vote on Election Day is an investment in your company's culture and public image. Other benefits include:

Encouraging civic engagement: Supporting employees who want to fulfill their civic responsibilities fosters a sense of inclusion and social responsibility.
Builds trust and morale: Offering time off for voting shows that your company values employees' rights and well-being, helping to build trust and increase morale.
Boosts employee satisfaction: Happy employees are more productive. Letting them vote during work hours may also reduce stress so they can focus on their top priorities.
Reflects strong corporate values: Supporting employees' right to vote demonstrates your company's commitment to democracy, which can improve your brand's reputation.

Understanding voting leave laws

Before deciding on a strategy, familiarize yourself with state-specific voting leave laws, as there is no federal mandate requiring time off for voting. Here's what you should know.

What are voting leave laws?

Voting leave laws are state regulations that outline whether employers have to provide time off for employees to vote. These laws vary significantly by state, with some requiring paid leave and others mandating unpaid leave. Some states have specific conditions, such as requiring employees to give advance notice or provide proof of voting. Certain states may also specify the amount of time permitted, ranging from one to three hours, and whether the leave applies only if the employee's work schedule does not otherwise allow sufficient time to vote.

Federal vs. state laws

Currently, there are no federal laws mandating employers to give employees time off to vote. Many states, including California, New York, and Texas, have specific requirements that vary significantly. Some states require paid time off, while others may only offer unpaid leave or impose additional conditions. Because the guidelines differ widely, you should research the specific voting leave laws in your state to maintain compliance. Understanding these regulations will help you create a voting policy that supports your employees while meeting legal requirements.

Common requirements

Some states, such as New York and California, require employers to offer paid time off for voting. Maryland and Oklahoma request employees to provide notice before taking leave and may need proof that the employee voted or attempted to vote. Other states only offer time off if employees have insufficient capacity outside of work hours to vote.

"As Election Day approaches, businesses have an opportunity to show their support for civic engagement by giving employees the time and resources they need to vote."

How to provide time to vote during work

Whether or not your state mandates voting leave, having a clear policy can reduce confusion. Here's how to implement a successful voting leave policy.

Create a clear voting leave policy

Define who is eligible for time off to vote and whether they receive paid or unpaid leave, based on your company's policy or state requirements. Clarify the process for requesting time off, how much notice employees need to give, and any proof requirements. Include this policy in your employee handbook and on your company's intranet, if available.

Communicate the policy effectively

Send a company-wide email before Election Day reminding employees of your voting leave policy. Use multiple communication channels to ensure all employees are aware of their rights and responsibilities. Encourage managers to remind their teams about your voting policy during group and individual meetings.

Be flexible with scheduling

Offer options such as flexible shifts or adjusted hours to accommodate employees who want to vote. Allow team members to choose early morning, late afternoon, or extended lunch breaks for voting if they prefer. This flexibility helps maintain productivity while respecting your employees' voting rights.

Promote early and absentee voting

Encourage employees to vote early or use absentee ballots if they anticipate a busy Election Day. Share resources and deadlines for early voting, mail-in voting, and absentee ballot requests based on state regulations, and provide links to voter information sites. You can also offer reminders about cutoff dates for absentee ballot applications and drop-off locations to ensure every team member has the opportunity to participate in the election.

Designate a voting day coordinator

Assign a coordinator to manage voting-related questions and maintain compliance with your policy. Typically, the human resources department fulfills this role. Having a dedicated person to oversee Election Day voting can help you address any issues that arise quickly and provide a central source of information for employees.

Strategies to encourage employee voting participation

Here are strategies to promote a voting-friendly culture throughout your organization:

Offer voting perks and incentives: Consider offering small perks, such as a free breakfast or lunch, to those who vote and share their “I Voted” sticker, or run company-wide competitions or initiatives, such as “Get Out and Vote” campaigns, to encourage participation.
Host a pre-Election Day discussion: Host a nonpartisan forum where employees can discuss voting, share information, and ask questions about the voting process. Ensure discussions are inclusive and respect all viewpoints.
Share election resources and deadlines: Provide resources such as voter registration deadlines, polling locations, and information on early voting options. Offer tips on creating a voting plan to increase the likelihood that employees will vote.

How to handle time-off challenges

If your company has limited staffing or operational needs that make giving employees time off on Election Day challenging, consider these options:

Provide extended breaks: Allow employees to take an extended lunch or a longer morning break to vote.
Offer shift swaps: Implement a shift-swapping system to allow employees to trade shifts with others who have more voting flexibility.
Encourage early or absentee voting: Remind employees of early voting options and assist them with the process if needed.

Extra tips to create a voting-friendly work culture

Making voting accessible requires more than simply offering paid time off. You should also cultivate a supportive environment. Here's how:

No-meeting policy on Election Day: Consider a “no-meeting” policy to give employees more flexibility to vote without missing important discussions.
Election Day as a company holiday: If feasible, make Election Day a paid holiday to encourage voting participation.
Use social media to show your support: Show your company's commitment to civic engagement by sharing nonpartisan messages of support on social media.

As Election Day approaches, businesses have an opportunity to show their support for civic engagement by giving employees the time and resources they need to vote. By understanding state-specific voting leave laws and implementing flexible, supportive policies, you can help employees fulfill their civic duty without compromising business operations. Supporting employees voting on Election Day can help you build a company culture that values every individual's voice.