Election Day Reminders For Employers

While for some it may not come fast enough, election days will soon arrive—September 9 for primary contests, November 4 for the general election. As a reminder, Wisconsin law gives time off to employees to vote or work as an election official.

Employees must be allowed up to three (3) successive hours off to vote on election day. However, the employee must request the time off before the election day. The employer may decide what time of day the employee may leave and is not required to pay the employee for missed time.

If an employee wishes to act as an election official, he or she must be allowed to take off for all or any part of the work day, if the employee has given advance notice of at least seven (7) days. This is an uncompensated leave.
There are penalties for violating these rules. Failure to give time off for voting may result in six months’ imprisonment or a fine of up to $1,000. Any person who attempts to influence a voter by threatening discharge, reduced wages or promising increased wages may be fined $100.