Can I get time off to vote?
Last updated: November 4, 2026
Applies to: US W-2 employees. Time off to vote is an employee right under state law, so independent contractors, who set their own hours, are not covered. If you are employed outside the US, the rules of the country where you work apply.
Summary: If your work schedule does not leave you enough time to vote while the polls are open, you can take time off to vote. In California, Colorado, Illinois and New York you can take up to 2 hours without losing pay. In Massachusetts if you work in manufacturing, mechanical or retail/mercantile businesses, you can ask not to work during the first 2 hours after the polls open, but that time is unpaid. If your shift already leaves you enough time to vote before or after work, paid voting time generally does not apply. Other states set their own rules. Tell your supervisor and your staffing partner before Election Day.
Do I qualify?
In every state below the question is the same: do you have enough time to vote outside your working hours while the polls are open? What counts as enough time is different in each state.
State where you work | You qualify when | Time off | Paid? | Notice to give |
|---|---|---|---|---|
California | You do not have enough time outside working hours to vote in a statewide election while the polls are open | Up to 2 hours, at the start or end of your shift | Yes, up to 2 hours | At least 2 working days if you know 3 working days ahead that you will need it; otherwise as soon as you reasonably can |
Colorado | You have fewer than 3 hours in a row outside work while the polls are open | Up to 2 hours. If you ask, it is at the start or end of your shift | Yes, up to 2 hours | Before Election Day |
Illinois | Your shift starts less than 2 hours after the polls open and ends less than 2 hours before they close | 2 hours, at a time that your employer may set | Yes, up to 2 hours | Before Election Day |
New York | You are a registered voter and do not have 4 hours in a row between the polls opening and your shift starting, or between your shift ending and the polls closing | Up to 2 hours, at the start or end of your shift. Your employer decides which, and your supervisor will let you know | Yes, up to 2 hours | At least 2 and no more than 10 working days before Election Day |
Massachusetts | You work for a manufacturing, mechanical or mercantile (retail/trade) business and ask for the time off | You do not have to work during the first 2 hours after the polls open | No (salaried, overtime-exempt employees may be paid where the law requires it) | Reasonable advance notice |
Any other state | Your state's law decides | Your state's law decides | Your state's law decides | Email support@ascen.com and we will tell you |
Where voting time is paid, the paid amount is capped at 2 hours. Any extra time you take is unpaid.
How to ask for time off to vote
Compare your Election Day shift with the hours your polling place is open, using the rule for your state above.
If you qualify, tell your supervisor at the work site and your staffing partner as early as you can, and within the notice period for your state. They arrange your schedule.
Plan to take the time at the start or end of your shift unless your supervisor agrees to something else.
Keep anything that shows you voted, in case you are asked for it.
If you have questions about whether your voting time will be paid, or how it will show on your paycheck, email support@ascen.com.
If you work in another state
Other states have their own voting-leave rules, and not every state requires time off to vote or requires it to be paid. Email support@ascen.com with the state you work in and we will tell you what applies. You can also contact your state labor office.
Serving as a poll worker
In California you cannot be disciplined for missing work to serve as an election officer on Election Day. That time is unpaid, and you should give reasonable advance notice. For poll-worker time in other states, email support@ascen.com.
Where to get help
support@ascen.com: whether you qualify where you work, whether the time is paid, and how it shows on your paycheck.
Your staffing partner and your supervisor: your schedule on Election Day.