MACON, Ga. — Counties across Georgia continue to report record turnout as voters take advantage of early voting. Most election offices are providing weekend voting but if your work schedule conflicts with poll hours, you may be able to ask your employer to take reasonable leave.
THE QUESTION
Are employers still obligated to give you time off to vote?
THE SOURCES
THE ANSWER
Yes, employers are obligated to give you time off to vote. Not every state has policies requiring employers to give their workers time off but Georgia does. So even if your work hours do give you enough flexibility to cast your ballot in person, you're entitled to voting leave.
WHAT WE FOUND
Georgia's early voting turnout is much higher than past presidential elections.
"More and more people want to take advantage of this early in person voting, which is a relatively new idea," Bullock said.
Historically state employers were required to give employees un-paid voter leave on election day or during the primary. But it only applied to employees who couldn't vote outside of working hours.
After an amendment of State Bill 129 took affect in 2023, with Governor Brian Kemp's signature, the law now applies to everyone, regardless if your work schedule conflicts or not. It also now includes advanced voting in the language.
But Bullock said you still have to coordinate the request with your employer. He also said, this time off doesn't mean you'll get paid while out exercising your right to vote and there's a time limit.
"If the employer pretty generous, wants to pay for it. That's fine. But the employee is not entitled to be paid for the time away from work going to vote and it's limited to two hours also," Bullock said.
If your boss won't follow the law, that's a criminal offense.