NY Election Law provides protections for employees seeking to vote

As everyone is probably aware, the 2018 midterm elections are coming up in New York and throughout the United States. In New York, the polls open on November 6th at 6:00 a.m. and stay open until 9:00 p.m. However, if you feel that may not be enough time to exercise your right to vote, New York State Election Law may be able to help.

Under New York Election Law § 3-110, if you do not have “sufficient” time outside your working hours to vote, you may take off up to two hours at the beginning or end of your shift, with pay, to allow you time to vote. “Sufficient time” is defined as four consecutive hours either between the opening of the polls and the beginning of your working shift or four consecutive hours between the end of your working shift and the closing of the polls. In other words, if your shift begins before 10:00 a.m. and ends after 5:00 p.m., this law may apply to give you two paid hours to vote. To use this provision of the Election Law, you must notify your employer no more than ten but not less than two days before the election that you will take this time. Of course, while the upcoming elections have the country’s attention, please note that this law applies to all state elections.

If you have any employment law inquiries or feel that your rights in the workplace have been violated, please contact NY employment lawyers Borrelli & Associates, P.L.L.C. immediately to schedule a consultation.