Research has shown that many eligible voters cannot exercise their right to vote because they are unable to get time off from work
WASHINGTON, D.C. – On the 60th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.) joined U.S. Senator Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii) and 16 of their Senate colleagues in introducing the Time Off to Vote Act, bicameral legislation that would require employers—upon the request of the employee—to provide at least two consecutive hours of paid leave in order to vote in federal elections. This allotted time can be used to vote at a polling place, return a mail-in ballot, or take time for other voting-related activities, such as curing a ballot or driving someone to the polls.
Over 154 million people—65% of registered voting-age Americans—voted in the 2024 presidential election. However, research has shown that many eligible voters cannot exercise their right to vote because they are unable to get time off from work. According to a poll by Ipsos, about 10% of eligible voters cited being unable to take off from work as the reason they did not vote. The Census Bureau’s 2022 Congressional Election Voting Report found that 9.9 million Americans cited conflicting schedules as their reason for not voting. The Time Off to Vote Act would help to address this issue by providing eligible voters with an allotted period of time to vote and ensuring that taking this time off from work will not affect their benefits.
“It’s unthinkable that voters must often choose between their job and their fundamental right to participate in our democratic process,” said Senator Welch. “The Time Off to Vote Act will make it easier for everyday, working people to get to the ballot box and exercise their right to vote.”
“Voting is a fundamental right and every eligible voter in this country deserves to be able to participate in our democracy,” said Senator Hirono. “As we continue working to protect voting rights, this legislation will help to expand voter participation, particularly in underrepresented communities. I’m proud to lead my colleagues in introducing the Time Off to Vote Act, to empower eligible voters and ensure they can make their voices heard.”
In addition to Sens. Welch and Hirono, the Time Off to Vote Act is cosponsored by Sens. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.). Companion legislation was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by Representative Nikema Williams (D-GA-05).
The Time Off to Vote Act is endorsed by over 40 organizations, including: AFL-CIO; American Civil Liberties Union; American Federation of Teachers; American Postal Workers Union (APWU); Asian Americans Advancing Justice | AAJC; Brennan Center for Justice; Common Cause; FairVote Action; League of Conservation Voters; League of Women Voters of the United States; Legal Defense Fund; NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Inc.; Southern Poverty Law Center; Stand Up America; and United Auto Workers Union (UAW).
“Any democracy should want to hear from its hardest working citizens. That means giving working people the modicum of time off that they need to vote, especially for those forced to work long hours and multiple jobs. The Time Off to Vote Act removes a barrier to working class participation in our government, and that means a government that is more responsive to working people. We urge Congress to pass this common sense bill for a stronger democracy,” said Jody Calemine, Director of Advocacy, AFL-CIO.
“We are glad to see the reintroduction of the Time Off to Vote Act. Taking time off to vote shouldn’t be a privilege; it should be a guaranteed right. This is especially important for Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) communities who are becoming the fastest-growing electorate in the country. In 2024, 1 in 8 AANHPIs were first-time voters – inclusive of naturalized immigrants who were looking forward to participating in our democracy. 28% of those were between 18 and 29, an age range that is often defined by hourly jobs without flexibility or paid leave. Guaranteeing paid time off is a critical step toward ensuring no one is forced to choose between their paychecks and their right to vote. This legislation helps to empower all Americans to fully participate in our democracy and strengthens the political voice of communities that have been marginalized for far too long,” said John C. Yang, President and Executive Director, Asian Americans Advancing Justice (AAJC).
“Voting is a fundamental right, yet Black voters still face egregious barriers to the ballot,” said Adam Lioz, Senior Policy Counsel, Legal Defense Fund. “One such barrier is having to take time off from work on Election Day or during early voting in order to make it to their polling place — which many working people cannot afford to do. The Time Off to Vote Act can boost political participation and reduce growing racial disparities in voter turnout by ensuring that workers have the flexibility to engage in the democratic process and make their voices heard.”
“No voter should have to choose between casting a ballot and getting a paycheck. Congress must pass the Time Off to Vote Act so that every eligible American can exercise the freedom to vote without worrying about their jobs,” said Eliza Sweren-Becker, Deputy Director of the Voting Rights Program, Brennan Center for Justice at NYU Law.
Senator Welch has championed legislation to protect voting rights and support election workers in the Senate. In July, Senator Welch helped reintroduce the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act to update and restore critical safeguards of the original Voting Rights Act of 1965.
Last Congress, Senator Welch introduced the Inclusive Democracy Act, bicameral legislation that would end felony disenfranchisement in federal elections, including for the nearly two million individuals currently incarcerated in the United States. Senator Welch also led the introduction of the Support our Election Workers Act and the Election Workers Protection Act, bills that will respond to growing threats of violence and intimidation that have driven many election workers from their post and created staffing shortages for roles that are essential for functioning of our democracy.
Read and download the full text of the legislation.
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