AP20:106
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 28, 2020
CONTACT:
SOS Press Office
(916) 653-6575
California Law Allows Time Off to Vote on Election Day
SACRAMENTO, CA – To help Californians exercise their right to vote, state law allows workers to take up to two hours off work to vote if they are unable to vote during non-work hours.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has changed our daily routines, including work schedules for so many, so it’s even more important that Californians make a plan to vote ahead of Election Day,” said Secretary of State Alex Padilla. “Every registered voter has a right to cast their ballot before the polls close on November 3rd. If you can’t make it to your polling place outside of working hours, you have the right to take time off to vote, without a loss of pay. Understand your rights as a voter and make the necessary arrangements with your employer.”
California Elections Code section 14000 allows workers up to two hours off, without a loss of pay, to vote if they do not have enough time to do so during their non-work hours. The law requires workers to notify their employers two working days before the election if they need to take time off to vote.
Also, every California employer is required to post, in a visible location, a notice informing employees of their rights at least 10 days before an election. The Secretary of State’s office offers these free, print-ready notices in 10 languages at: http://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/time-vote-notices/
Polling places are open between 7:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. on Election Day. Many counties will have early in-person voting options opening on October 31.
Californians can find their polling place at: FindMyPollingPlace.sos.ca.gov. Early voting locations can be found at CAEarlyVoting.sos.ca.gov.
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