Nineteen States Deny Paid Time Off for Voting on Election Day
- Five states require paid time off for voting and recognize Election Day as a public holiday.
- Nineteen states neither declare Election Day a public holiday nor mandate paid time off for voting.
- The disparity in policies may affect voter turnout and participation in various regions.
As Election Day approaches on November 4, 2024, various states in the U.S. have differing laws regarding time off for voting. Five states, including New York, have declared Election Day a public holiday and require employers to provide paid time off. Conversely, there are nineteen states that do not recognize Election Day as a holiday and impose no obligations on employers to give employees time off to vote. These states include Washington, Oregon, and North Dakota, and their policies may impact voter participation. Interestingly, some states, like Alaska and California, mandate paid time off for voting but do not designate Election Day as a holiday. This distinction is crucial as it reflects how states balance accessibility to voting with employer responsibilities. The conversation around voting rights and access continues to evolve, but a significant portion of the country lacks guaranteed paid time off to participate in elections.