Can I leave work early to vote on Election Day? Get time off? What California law says
Still need to cast your vote in California? Election Day is here.
The polls are open until 8 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 5.
If you’re scheduled to work during voting hours, California law allows you to take time off to cast your ballot — without losing any pay.
Here’s what to know:
Can I take time off work to vote in California?
California Elections Code 14000 says if a voter does not have enough time to vote outside of working hours in a statewide election, they can take time off work — without a pay deduction — to ensure they can vote.
“No more than two hours of the time taken off for voting shall be without loss of pay,” the law says.
This time off should occur at the beginning or end of the regular shift, depending on which option minimizes work time missed.
That’s unless the employee and employer agree on a different time.
“The intent of the law is to provide an opportunity to vote for workers who would not be able to do so because of their jobs,” the California Secretary of State website says.
However, employers can request that employees provide advance notice if they will need extra time off to vote or need time off three working days before the election.
How late is too late to turn in my ballot in California?
According to California’s Voter Bill of Rights, you have the “right to vote if you are still in line when the polls close.”
“If a voter is in line to vote when the polls close they have the right to vote,” the California Secretary of State Press Office wrote in an email to The Sacramento Bee on Friday afternoon.
How late can I take my ballot to a drop-off location?
No later than 8 p.m. on Election Day, the website says.
What is the latest time to get in line?
Be in line by 7:59 p.m.
“The lines will be cut off at 8 p.m.,” the press office wrote.
How late can I mail in my ballot?
When mailing in your ballot, the California Secretary of State website says the ballot “must be postmarked on or before Election Day” and received no later than seven days after Election Day.
Have a question about the 2024 election season?
Ask the California Service Journalism Team. You can submit questions directly to our reporters by emailing servicejournalists@sacbee.com or by filling out the form below.
We have reporters covering Modesto, Fresno, San Luis Obispo, Fresno and Merced.
This story was originally published November 5, 2024 at 11:33 AM with the headline "Can I leave work early to vote on Election Day? Get time off? What California law says."
