SimplyHR | Employment & Labor Blog 

With Election Day fast approaching, Missouri employers should be aware of their obligations to provide eligible employees with time off to vote. We have complied a list of frequently asked questions to help employers ensure they comply with Missouri’s voting leave law on November 3, 2020.

On Election Day, November 3, 2020, voters will cast their ballots on who will be the next president of the United States, as well as other federal, state and local positions and referendums. Because of the increase in early and mail-in voting this year due to COVID-19, many voters likely will have voted prior to the polls officially opening in Illinois at 6 a.m. on Election Day. However, not everyone will have taken advantage of early voting opportunities, and some will still wish to vote on Election Day. Under Illinois’ voting law, (10 ILCS 5/17-15(a)), employers must provide certain employees whose work schedules may preclude them from voting, and who request leave to vote in advance of Election Day, with up to two hours of paid leave to go vote. Thus, with Election Day rapidly approaching, Illinois employers are strongly encouraged to review their workplace policies to confirm that they comply with Illinois’ paid leave voting law.