Americans will head to the polls on November 3, 2026. Before that happens, employers will want to prepare to properly handle requests for time off in compliance with state laws.
Twenty-eight states require employers to provide either paid or unpaid leave for voting.
Some states have notice requirements related to employees’ right to take time off to vote.
Election Day is November 3, 2026, but many states have in-person early voting that starts mid-October.
Quick Hits
Twenty-eight states and Washington, D.C., require employers to provide time off for employees to vote. Many states also require time off for employees who serve as election officials or voting machine technicians. Some states also require employees to request time off in advance.
For example, Colorado’s law, which took effect on June 1, 2026, mandates up to two hours of paid leave to vote on any day the voter service and polling centers are open, not just on Election Day. In Maryland, employers must provide employees… Read the complete article here...
© 2026, Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart, P.C., All Rights Reserved.