This story originally appeared on Zippia.
No federal laws require employers to give time off work to vote.
However, 29 states say employers must allow workers to vote during work hours.
This means that, depending upon where you live, you may or may not have a legal right to vote during the workday.
Many have exceptions built into the law, however, and may not pay for time off or limit the hours paid.
Following are several frequently asked questions about time off for voting, followed by the policies in each state.
Frequently asked questions about time off for voting
How long will it take to vote?
The time it takes you to vote varies based on the state you live in, the location of your polling place, time of day and many factors completely outside of your control.
Most state laws assume voting will take two hours, so, if possible, you will want to block off at least two hours to be safe.
A GAO survey on voting time found the morning was the fastest time to vote, with most ballots being cast in under 10 minutes.
Do I have to give advance notice to my employer that I plan to vote during work hours?
In general, it is almost never a bad idea to let your employer know you will be arriving a little late or taking a longer-than-usual lunch break.
However, not only is it polite, it is also required in some states to give advanced notice of your intention to vote during work hours.
I want to volunteer or work at the polls on Election Day. Can my employer stop me from doing that?
While more companies are allowing employees time off to work at the polls, there are no federal laws requiring employers to allow employees to work at the polls during elections.
If your work gives volunteer time off, you can ask to use that time to work at the polls. Otherwise, you may need to follow your company leave policy and use paid time off.
How do I ask my employer about voting during work hours?
Just because your state doesn’t require companies to allow workers to vote during work hours, doesn’t mean you cannot vote during work hours.
Many companies go above and beyond state law to help make voting easier for their employees.
If not, you can politely explain that you would like to vote but are unable to do so outside of work hours.
Feel free to suggest compromises, such as working remotely to be closer to your voting stations or shifting your workday to accommodate polling place hours.
Alabama
Does the law offer time off?
Yes, one hour
Exceptions
If the hours of work of an employee commence at least two hours after the opening of the polls or end at least one hour prior to the closing of the polls
Paid or unpaid?
Unpaid
Is advance notice required?
Yes, “reasonable notice”
Alaska
Does the law offer time off?
Yes, not specified
Exceptions
Not required if an employee has two consecutive hours available while the polls are open at the beginning or end of a shift
Paid or unpaid?
Paid
Is advance notice required?
No
Arizona
Does the law offer time off?
Yes, up to three hours off between work and non-work time
Exceptions
Not required if an employee has three consecutive hours available while the polls are open at the beginning or end of a shift
Paid or unpaid?
Paid
Is advance notice required?
Yes, at least one day before the election
Arkansas
Does the law offer time off?
Yes, an employer must schedule work hours so the employee has time to vote.
Paid or unpaid?
Unpaid
Is advance notice required?
No
California
Does the law offer time off?
Yes, up to two hours at the beginning or end of a shift
Paid or unpaid?
Yes (up to two hours)
Is advance notice required?
Yes, two working days before the election
Colorado
Does the law offer time off?
Yes, up to two hours
Exceptions
Not required if an employee has three non-work hours available while the polls are open
Paid or unpaid?
Paid, up to two hours
Is advance notice required?
No
Connecticut
Does the law offer time off?
No laws require companies to give workers time off to vote.
Delaware
Does the law offer time off?
No laws require companies to give workers time off to vote.
An employee who has accrued vacation time and is not in a “critical need” position may serve as an election officer without reprisal by the employer.
Florida
Does the law offer time off?
No laws require companies to give workers time off to vote.
But workers can’t be disciplined or fired based on how they vote.
Georgia
Does the law offer time off?
Yes, as much as necessary, up to two hours
Paid or unpaid?
Unpaid
Is advance notice required?
The employee must provide reasonable notice.
Hawaii
Does the law offer time off?
Yes, two consecutive hours
The employer cannot change an employee’s regular work schedule.
Exceptions
Not required if an employee has two consecutive non-work hours available while the polls are open
Paid or unpaid?
Paid
Is advance notice required?
No
Idaho
Does the law offer time off?
No laws require companies to give workers time off to vote.
Illinois
Does the law offer time off?
Yes, two hours
Exceptions
An employer may decide when hours are taken except that the employer must permit a two-hour absence during working hours if an employee’s working hours begin less than two hours after opening of the polls and end less than two hours before closing of the polls.
Paid or unpaid?
Paid
Is advance notice required?
Yes, one day in advance for general or state election
Indiana
Does the law offer time off?
No laws require companies to give workers time off to vote.
Iowa
Does the law offer time off?
Yes, as much time as will add up to three hours, when combined with non-work time
Exceptions
Not required if an employee has three consecutive non-work hours available while the polls are open
Paid or unpaid?
Paid
Is advance notice required?
Yes, in writing prior to the election
Kansas
Does the law offer time off?
Yes, two hours or as much time as will add up to two hours, when combined with non-work time
Exceptions
Not required if an employee has two consecutive non-work hours available while the polls are open
Paid or unpaid?
Paid
Is advance notice required?
No
Kentucky
Does the law offer time off?
Yes, “reasonable time,” but not more than four hours
Paid or unpaid?
Unpaid
Is advance notice required?
One day’s notice
Louisiana
Does the law offer time off?
No laws require companies to give workers time off to vote.
But employers of 20 or more employees can’t interfere with their employees’ “political activities or affiliations.”
Maine
Does the law offer time off?
No laws require companies to give workers time off to vote.
Maryland
Does the law offer time off?
Yes, two hours
Exceptions
Not required if an employee has two consecutive non-work hours available while polls are open
Paid or unpaid?
Paid
Is advance notice required?
Yes
Massachusetts
Does the law offer time off?
Yes, the first two hours that polls are open
Paid or unpaid?
Unpaid
Is advance notice required?
An employee must apply for a leave of absence (no time specified)
Michigan
Does the law offer time off?
No laws require companies to give workers time off to vote.
Minnesota
Does the law offer time off?
May be absent during the morning of Election Day
Paid or unpaid?
Paid
Is advance notice required?
No
Mississippi
Does the law offer time off?
There are no specific laws regarding time off to vote.
Missouri
Does the law offer time off?
Yes, three hours
Exceptions
Not required if an employee has three consecutive non-work hours available while polls are open
Paid or unpaid?
Paid, but the employee must vote
Is advance notice required?
Yes, “prior to the day of election”
Montana
Does the law offer time off?
No laws require companies to give workers time off to vote.
Nebraska
Does the law offer time off?
Yes, as much time as will add up to two hours, when combined with non-work time
Exceptions
Not required if an employee has two consecutive non-work hours available while the polls are open
Paid or unpaid?
Paid
Is advance notice required?
Yes, prior to or on Election Day
Nevada
Does the law offer time off?
If it is not practical to vote before or after work, an employee may take time off based on the distance from the polling place
Exceptions
Not required if sufficient time during non-work hours is available while polls are open
Paid or unpaid?
Paid
Is advance notice required?
Yes, prior to Election Day
New Hampshire
Does the law offer time off?
No laws require companies to give workers time off to vote.
But employers cannot influence or intimidate employees to vote for or against a particular candidate.
New Jersey
Does the law offer time off?
Yes, two hours
Exceptions
Not required if an employee’s workday begins more than two hours after the polls open or ends more than three hours before the polls close
Paid or unpaid?
Paid
Is advance notice required?
No
New Mexico
Does the law offer time off?
Yes, two hours
Exceptions
Not required if an employee’s workday begins more than two hours after the polls open or ends more than three hours before the polls close
Paid or unpaid?
Paid
Is advance notice required?
No
New York
Does the law offer time off?
Yes, as much time at the beginning or end of shift as will give an employee time to vote, when combined with non-work time
Exceptions
Not required if an employee has four consecutive non-work hours available at the beginning or end of shift while polls are open
Paid or unpaid?
Paid, up to two hours
Is advance notice required?
Yes, not more than 10 or less than two working days before the election
North Carolina
Does the law offer time off?
No laws require companies to give workers time off to vote.
But employers cannot discharge or threaten workers based on how they vote or don’t vote.
North Dakota
Does the law offer time off?
Employers are encouraged to give employees time off to vote when the regular work schedule conflicts with times the polls are open
Paid or unpaid?
Unpaid
Is advance notice required?
No
Ohio
Does the law offer time off?
Yes, “reasonable time”
Paid or unpaid?
Paid only for salaried employees
Is advance notice required?
No
Oklahoma
Does the law offer time off?
Yes, two hours, unless an employee lives so far from the polling place that more time is needed
Exceptions
Not required if an employee’s workday begins more than three hours after the polls open or ends more than three hours before the polls close
Paid or unpaid?
Paid
Is advance notice required?
Orally or in writing one day before the election
Oregon
Does the law offer time off?
No laws require companies to give workers time off to vote.
Pennsylvania
Does the law offer time off?
No laws require companies to give workers time off to vote.
But employers cannot threaten or intimidate employees to influence their political opinions or actions.
Rhode Island
Does the law offer time off?
No laws require companies to give workers time off to vote.
But employers cannot put information in pay envelopes or post information designed to influence employees’ political actions.
South Carolina
Does the law offer time off?
No laws require companies to give workers time off to vote.
But employers cannot discharge a worker because of political opinions or the exercise of political rights and privileges.
South Dakota
Does the law offer time off?
Yes, two consecutive hours
Exceptions
Not required if an employee has two consecutive non-work hours available while the polls are open
Paid or unpaid?
Paid
Is advance notice required?
No
Tennessee
Does the law offer time off?
Yes, reasonable time up to three hours
Exceptions
Not required if an employee’s workday begins more than three hours after the polls open or ends more than three hours before the polls close
Paid or unpaid?
Paid
Is advance notice required?
Yes, before noon on Election Day
Texas
Does the law offer time off?
An employer may not refuse to allow an employee to take time off, but no time limit specified.
Exceptions
Not required if an employee has two consecutive non-work hours available while the polls are open
Paid or unpaid?
Paid
Is advance notice required?
No
Utah
Does the law offer time off?
Yes, two hours at the beginning or end of shift
Exceptions
Not required if an employee has at least three non-work hours available while the polls are open
Paid or unpaid?
Paid
Is advance notice required?
Yes, before Election Day
Vermont
Does the law offer time off?
No laws require companies to give workers time off to vote.
Virginia
Does the law offer time off?
No laws require companies to give workers time off to vote.
But employees working and commuting for 11 hours of the 13 hours the polls are open may vote by absentee ballot.
Washington
Does the law offer time off?
No laws require employers to give workers time off to vote.
However, no person, including an employer, can attempt to influence any person to withhold his or her vote.
West Virginia
Does the law offer time off?
Yes, up to three hours
Exceptions
Not required if an employee has at least three non-work hours available while the polls are open
Paid or unpaid?
Paid (if employee votes)
Is advance notice required?
Written request at least three days before the election
Wisconsin
Does the law offer time off?
Yes, up to three consecutive hours
Paid or unpaid?
Unpaid
Is advance notice required?
Yes, before Election Day
Wyoming
Does the law offer time off?
Yes, one hour, other than a meal break
Exceptions
Not required if an employee has at least three consecutive non-work hours available while the polls are open
Paid or unpaid?
Paid (if employee votes)
Is advance notice required?
No
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