Election Day is Quickly Approaching. Do I Get Time off to Vote?

Election Day is almost here and many South Carolinians and residents of other states may be asking this very question as Election Day draws near. Although state laws do not permit employers to fire employees due to their political beliefs or political affiliations, there is no federal law that requires employers to give you time off of work to vote. Similarly, South Carolina has no law to that effect either, although the vast majority of other states do have such laws to protect voting employees (no surprises there).

Election Day is November 6, 2012 and the polls are open from 7 A.M. to 7 P.M. If your employer will not allow you take time off to get to the polls, then you should try to find a way to vote before work, after work, or on a break. If those options are not available, you may want to consider requesting an absentee ballot. If anything changes with the law in this area, I will keep you posted.