With the November 3, 2026, general election approaching, California employers have an important compliance deadline. Under California Elections Code section 14001, employers must post a notice informing employees of their right to take time off to vote at least 10 days before a statewide election. This year, employers must post the required notice by Saturday, October 24, 2026.
Employers should also ensure that managers and human resources personnel understand their obligations concerning employee voting leave.
Posting Requirements
California employers must display the required "Time Off to Vote" notice in a conspicuous location at the workplace or somewhere employees can see it when entering or leaving work.
The California Secretary of State provides free, downloadable notices in multiple languages on its Time Off to Vote Notices webpage.
To prepare for the upcoming election, employers should:
- Post the required notice by October 24 and confirm that it is displayed at all applicable worksites.
- Review existing voting leave policies to ensure compliance with California law.
- Remind managers and supervisors of the eligibility, scheduling, and pay requirements for voting leave.
What Managers Should Know About Voting Leave
Under California Elections Code section 14000, employees who do not have sufficient time outside of working hours to vote in a statewide election may be entitled to time off to vote. Employers should keep the following requirements in mind:
- Who is eligible for voting leave? Employees who do not have sufficient time outside their working hours to vote are entitled to take enough time off to do so. Polling places will be open from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Election Day.
- How much time must be paid? Employees may take the amount of time necessary to vote, but employers are only required to provide up to two hours of paid leave. Any additional time may be unpaid.
- When can employees take voting leave? Unless otherwise mutually agreed, voting leave must be taken at the beginning or end of the employee's regular shift, whichever allows the most time for voting and the least time away from work.
- Are employees required to provide advance notice? Yes. Employees who know or have reason to believe, on the third working day before the election, that they will need time off to vote must provide at least two working days’ notice to their employer.
Key Takeaways for Employers
With the October 24 deadline approaching, employers should ensure that the required notice is posted at their workplaces and that managers understand how to respond to voting leave requests. Reviewing these requirements before Election Day can help employers maintain compliance with California law while ensuring employees have sufficient time to exercise their right to vote.
