Just a reminder: Employers are required to post a notice to employees advising them of provisions for taking paid leave for the purpose of voting in statewide elections. A sample of this notice, as well as a notice to employers regarding time off for voting, is available online and through the Elections Division of the California Secretary of State. You can call (916) 657-2166 to order posters of the notices.

Employers must post the employee notice 10 days before a statewide election. A statewide election is an election held throughout the state. The notice must be posted either in the workplace or where it can be seen by employees as they enter or exit their place of work.

Employees are eligible for paid time off for the purpose of voting only if they do not have sufficient time outside of working hours to vote.

Polls are open from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Employees can be given as much time as they need in order to vote, but only a maximum of two hours is paid. Employers may require employees to give advance notice that they will need additional time off for voting and may require time off to be taken only at the beginning or end of the employee’s shift.

The information presented is not intended to be, and does not constitute, “legal advice.” Because each situation varies, and only brief summary information is provided here, you should not use this information as a basis for action unless you have independently verified with your own counsel that it applies to your particular situation.