California Employers: Ensure Voting Notice Is Posted, Know Voting Leave Rules
Ahead of the upcoming general election on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, California employers should review their key employee voting rights responsibilities, including displaying a mandatory workplace notice and potentially granting paid voting leave to eligible staff.
Mandatory Workplace Notice
At least 10 days before any statewide election, employers are required to post the official "Time Off to Vote" notice in an easily visible area, such as an employee breakroom or main entrance/exit. This notice outlines legal leave rights, and the California Secretary of State makes it available in multiple languages.
For this election, employers must post this notice no later than October 24, 2026.
Employers using CalChamber’s all-in-one California and Federal Employment Notices Poster are already compliant, as the mandated notice is integrated alongside 17 other required workplace postings.
Paid Voting Leave Rules
Under California’s voting leave law, employees are eligible for up to two hours of paid time off to cast their ballot — if their work schedule does not leave sufficient time to vote outside regular shift hours.
However, because California mails ballots to all registered voters and many counties provide extended early voting under the Voter’s Choice Act (VCA), qualifying for time off may be less common. Keep in mind, though, that early voting access depends on the voter's home county of registration, which may differ from the job location.
If an employee’s specific circumstances necessitate time off, it should be scheduled at either the start or end of a shift — whichever minimizes downtime while maximizing the employee's opportunity to vote — unless both parties agree to another arrangement. Plus, workers must give management at least two working days' notice to request voting leave.
Election Day Volunteers
Finally, staff members who serve as official poll workers on election day cannot be penalized or disciplined for their absence, though employers are not obligated to compensate them for this missed time.
With the upcoming statewide election, employers should make sure they are complying with these state voting leave and notice requirements.
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.