Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that expands the amount of leave employees can take for the purposes of participating in elections.

Highlights:

• Authorizes voters to take leave from their place of employment for the purpose of participating in an election (Sec. 2).

• Specifies that this includes voting, registering to vote, obtaining a ballot, or acquiring other necessary documentation (Sec. 2).

• Specifies that for general, primary, and coordinated elections, voters can take 2 hours of leave once on any day that the polling stations are open (Sec. 2).

• Specifies that for other elections, voters can take 2 hours of leave once on any of the 8 days prior to and including the day of election (Sec. 2).

• Specifies that on the day of election voters are entitled to leave between 7 A.M. to 7 P.M (Sec. 2).

• Specifies that on any of the 8 days prior to the election, voters are entitled to leave between 8 A.M. to 5 P.M (Sec. 2).

• Prohibits employers from punishing voters for taking leave to participate in an election and requires that they be paid their regular hourly wage during their absence (Sec. 2).

• Authorizes an employer to designate the hours during which the employee may be absent, but the hours must be at the beginning or end of the work shift (Sec. 2)

• Authorizes employers to deny a voter’s request for leave if they already have 3 or more consecutive hours in which they aren’t required to work (Sec. 2).

Full Bill Text