Election Day is Tuesday, November 5, 2024. This year, voters will submit ballots for a presidential election as well as important state and local elections across the country. Employees can review the following information from the U.S. government regarding how, where, and when to vote.
How to Vote
If you plan to vote, you must register to become a voter. Every state requires this except North Dakota. Some states allow you to register on the day you vote; others may require advance registration.
Check with your state’s election office for more details about when and how to register. You can verify online whether you are already registered to vote.
Voting can occur on Election Day or though absentee or early voting. Here’s an outline of these options:
- Voting on Election Day: Most states require you to bring a form of identification if you vote in person on Election Day. Check your state’s requirements before heading to the polls.
- Utilizing Absentee Voting: If you are unable to vote in person on Election Day, absentee voting allows you to vote beforehand by mail or drop box. Although every state has absentee voting, rules on who can take part vary. You do not need an excuse to vote absentee in most states; however, in some states, you may need to request an absentee ballot to be able to do so.
- Leveraging Early Voting: Use this map to see if your state allows early in-person voting. Additionally, confirm your area’s early voting dates and rules with your state or local election office. Depending on your state, you may need to check under “absentee voting” if you do not see information listed for early voting.
Where to Vote
If you plan on voting in person on Election Day, you need to locate the nearest polling center. The polling center assigned to you is based on your residential address. You are expected to vote at this location, so it is important to know where to go. Your name will not be on the roster at any other location.
When to Vote
In-person voting will take place on Election Day. Be aware that hours of operation may vary between polling locations. If you are utilizing absentee or early voting, review the information provided on your ballot, as the required mail-in date may differ by state. Some states require employers to offer voting leave for Election Day. However, you may be required to notify your employer in advance. It’s best to check with your employer for specific information about voting leave. If you are able and planning to vote, make sure you review the requirements ahead of time. Knowing how, where and when to vote will make casting your ballot easier and more efficient. For more information about voting, visit https://www.usa.gov/election-day or call 1-844-USA-GOV1 (1-844-872-4681).
Employers can provide their employees with this information using the following infographic.
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Employee Leave for Voting
As election time approaches, employers can prepare to handle requests from employees for time off from work to vote on Election Day. Although federal law does not require employers to provide employees with time off for voting, legal obligations may vary by locality. As of 2024, over half of U.S. states require employers to provide time off from work for employees to vote in general elections.
Specific requirements may vary by state, but many of these voting leave laws address the following:
- If employee leave must be paid (time off from work to vote must be paid in many states);
- If there is a notice requirement for employers (some state laws require employees to provide their employers with notice of the leave);
- If employers can designate the hours during which employees may be absent to vote (in many states, employees who have sufficient time to vote during their non-working hours are not eligible for leave).
While many states have voting leave laws that allow employees to take time off to vote in certain circumstances, North Carolina has no specific law requiring time off to vote. NC employers who wish to allow employees to take time off to vote can use the examples from other states to develop an effective voting leave policy.
Employers from states outside of North Carolina should be aware of the voting leave laws that apply to them and be prepared to comply with any applicable requirements. To see voting leave laws and leave requirements by state, you can download the chart below.
VOTING RESOURCES
- Voting and Elections in the United States – Find answers to common questions about voting in the United States
- U.S. Election Assistance Commission
This article is not intended to be exhaustive nor should any discussion or opinions be construed as legal advice. Readers should contact legal counsel for legal advice. © 2020-2024 Zywave, Inc. All rights reserved.
