WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, on the 60th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) led 17 of her Senate colleagues in introducing the Time Off to Vote Act, 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. Companion legislation was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by Representative Nikema Williams (D-GA).
Over 154 million people (65 percent of registered voting-age Americans) voted in the 2024 presidential election. However, research has shown that many eligible voters still fail to exercise their right to vote because they are unable to get time off from work. According to a poll by Ipsos, about 10 percent 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.
“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.”
Congresswoman Nikema Williams (GA-05) said, “As a working mom, I know how tough it is to carve out time to vote between the demands of work, family, and life. No one should be forced to choose between earning their full paycheck or participating in our democracy. Trump’s executive orders would have it that way. The Time off to Vote Act will reverse Trump’s oppressive voting policies regarding federal workers and make it easier for working Georgians and people across the country to exercise their sacred right to vote. Everyone deserves free and fair access to the ballot box, regardless of where they work or their flexibility while on the clock.”
This legislation is cosponsored by Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Chris Coons (D-DE), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Jack Reed (D-RI), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Peter Welch (D-VT), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), and Ron Wyden (D-OR).
“There is nothing more fundamental or essential to our democracy than the right to vote. No one should have to choose between their paycheck or their vote, which is why this legislation removes barriers preventing people from casting their vote. The Time Off to Vote Act makes voting more accessible and empowers Americans to exercise their right to participate in our democratic processes and make their voices heard,” said Senator Blumenthal.
“The right to vote is sacred for all Americans, and it is our duty in Congress to protect and expand voting rights in our country so every eligible voter is able to make their voice heard at the ballot box,” said Senator Booker. “Americans should not have to choose between their job and exercising their right to vote. The Time Off to Vote Act is critical legislation that will require employers to give at least two hours of paid time off to vote when a voter asks for it.”
“We should be making it easier, not harder for every eligible American to make their voice heard at the ballot box,” said Senator Coons. “Voting is the foundation of our democracy, and the source of all of other rights and freedoms. Too many working Americans, however, see election day as a choice between casting their ballot and putting food on the table. This bill will help ensure our elected officials truly represent all their constituents, including those who can’t get enough time off to go to their polling place.”
“Casting a ballot is a constitutional right, not a luxury, and no one should have to forfeit that right to keep their paycheck,” said Senator Durbin. “By requiring employers to provide paid leave for workers to cast their votes, the Time Off to Vote Act will remove a significant barrier for many Americans and improve access to one of our most fundamental freedoms.”
“Voting is the foundation of our democracy and we have a moral obligation to ensure every voice is heard at the ballot box. No American should be pushed out of the process because they had to choose between voting and keeping their job to pay their bills,” said Kaine. “By passing the Time Off to Vote Act, we can help protect freedom and fairness in our elections by ensuring that Americans don’t have to make that choice.”
“Voting is the heart of our democracy, and yet many Americans still face barriers to exercising that right at the ballot box,” said Senator Merkley. “The Time Off to Vote Act would make voting more accessible for working Oregonians, just as it should be. No American should have to choose between paying their bills and exercising their fundamental democratic right.”
“As California’s former Secretary of State, I saw firsthand the impact our state’s ‘time off to vote’ policy had on increasing voter turnout and reducing fears of employer backlash,” said Senator Padilla. “We should be making it easier, not harder, for Americans to exercise their fundamental right to vote, particularly as the Trump Administration and state legislatures attempt to suppress the vote and block commonsense measures to expand access to the ballot, like vote-by-mail.”
“Voting is a civic responsibility and Congress should work on a bipartisan basis to ensure every eligible voter can reach the ballot box and cast their vote,” said Senator Reed.
“Protecting our democracy requires eliminating barriers that prevent Americans from exercising their constitutional right to vote, including workers whose shift schedules can get in the way of them casting their ballot. I am proud to support Senator Hirono’s commonsense legislation to increase voter participation by helping workers get that time off and exercise their right to vote without jeopardizing their employment,” said Senator Schiff.
“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.”
The Time Off to Vote Act is endorsed by: AFL-CIO; American Civil Liberties Union; American Federation of Teachers; American Postal Workers Union (APWU); Asian Americans Advancing Justice | AAJC; Asian and Pacific Islander American Vote (APIAVote); Association of Assistive Technology Act Programs; Blinded Veterans Association; Brennan Center for Justice; Coalition for the People’s Agenda; Common Cause; Communication Workers of America (CWA); Demos; Disability Victory; Diverse Elders Coalition; FairVote Action; GALEO Impact Fund; International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers (SMART); International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers (IFPTE); Latino Community Fund (LCF Georgia); Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law; League of Conservation Voters; League of Women Voters of the United States; Let America Vote/End Citizens United Action Fund; NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Inc.; National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities; National Association of Letter Carriers; National Disability Institute; National Hispanic Council on Aging; National Postal Mail Handlers Union; New Disabled South; Patent Office Professional Association (POPA); Progressive Turnout Project; Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU); Southern Poverty Law Center; Stand Up America; The Arc of the United States; Transport Workers Union of America (TWU); UNITE HERE; United Auto Workers Union (UAW); United Spinal Association; and Utility Workers Union of America (UWUA).
“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 at 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 of Asian Americans Advancing Justice (AAJC).
“No one should have to choose between keeping their job and casting their vote, especially people with disabilities, who are more likely to work low-wage or part-time jobs without paid leave. Many also need extra time or support to navigate voting, from arranging transportation to accessing an accessible polling place. The Time Off to Vote Act removes a barrier that keeps too many disabled voters from weighing in on the policies that shape their daily lives,” said Julie Ward, Senior Executive Officer of Public Policy, The Arc of the United States.
“Voting is a fundamental right, yet Black voters still face egregious barriers to the ballot,” said Legal Defense Fund Senior Policy Counsel Adam Lioz. “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.
“We support Senator Hirono’s important effort to remove barriers to voting that people may face, especially those who perform shift work or who work irregular hours,” said Utility Workers Union of America (UWUA) President James Slevin. “Voting is an important, sacred duty that’s essential to preserving and protecting our democracy.”
The full text of the legislation is available here.
Senator Hirono, a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, has been a long-time champion of voting rights legislation and protections. Last Congress, she joined her colleagues on National Voter Registration Day in introducing a resolution recognizing September as “National Voting Rights Month.” In 2022, Senator Hirono introduced the Election Worker Protection Act, comprehensive legislation which would provide states with the resources to recruit and train election workers and ensure these workers’ safety, while also instituting federal safeguards to shield election workers from intimidation and threats. Senator Hirono also introduced the Youth Voting Rights Act, comprehensive legislation to enforce the Twenty-Sixth Amendment and expand youth access to voting.
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