California Employer Election-Related Responsibilities

With the special statewide election approaching on Tuesday, November 4, 2025, California employers must ensure they’re fully complying with the state’s voting leave requirements. Employers must post a mandated notice and provide eligible employees with voting leave.

Mandatory Posting Requirement

California employers must display the “Time Off to Vote” Notice at least 10 days before every statewide election in the workplace or where it is clearly visible to employees as they enter or exit their place of work. This notice informs employees of California’s voting leave requirements. The California Secretary of State provides this notice in multiple languages. Good news for employers displaying CalChamber’s convenient all-in-one California and Federal Employment Notices Poster — this notice is already included along with the 17 other required California and federal notices.

Voting Leave

Under California’s voting leave law, employers must provide employees up to two hours of paid time to vote in a statewide election — if they lack sufficient time to vote outside of working hours. However, employers should note that the expansion of voting options —primarily California’s universal distribution of vote-by-mail ballots and the availability of early in-person voting centers under the Voter’s Choice Act (VCA) — may make it more challenging for employees to claim they lack sufficient non-working time to vote.

It’s important to note that the VCA’s early voting options are based on the county where the employee is registered to vote, which may not necessarily be the same as the county where they work.

If an employee’s specific circumstances necessitate time off, the employer may require that the time be taken at the beginning or end of the shift. Time off for voting must be scheduled for whichever option allows the employee the most free time for voting and the least time off from work, unless a different arrangement is mutually agreed upon.

Furthermore, the employee must notify the employer at least two working days in advance to arrange a voting time.

Additionally, employers must not discipline employees who serve as election officials on election day for their absence. Employers are not required to pay for this absence.

Employers should prioritize complying with California’s voting leave law for the upcoming special statewide election.

Katie Culliton, Senior Editor, CalChamber

CalChamber members can read more about Voting Leave in the HR Library. Not a member? Learn how to power your business with a CalChamber membership.