Can I get paid time off to vote if I am scheduled to work on Election Day?
Employees can get paid time off to vote if they do not have enough time outside of working hours to vote. Polls are open from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
You may take as much time as needed to vote, but only a maximum of two hours is paid.
When can I leave work to vote?
Employers may require time off to be taken at the beginning or the end of your shift, unless you both agree otherwise.
Do I have to notify my employer?
Employers may require employees to give advance notice that they will need time off for voting. If on the third working day before Election Day, you believe time off will be necessary to be able to vote, you should give your employer at least two working days’ notice that time off for voting is needed.
Does my employer have to post a notice about time off for voting?
Employers are required to post a notice to employees about the ability to take paid leave for the purpose of voting in statewide elections.
The notice must be made visible at the place of work, or where it can be seen as employees come and go to their place of work. It must be posted 10 days before every statewide election.
Can my employer request or require me to bring my vote by mail ballot to work?
No, an employer cannot request or require that an employee bring the employee’s vote by mail ballot to work or vote the employee’s vote by mail ballot at work.
Go vote!
Last updated: April 2026
Sources
California Elections Code sections 14000, 14001, 14004.