[author: Nathan Whatley]

Election Day is just two weeks away. It’s the perfect time to remind employers that Oklahoma law requires them to provide their employees up to two hours time off to vote during regular polling hours if they do not have sufficient time to vote before or after work on Election Day.

To qualify, the employee must be a registered voter and notify the employer no later than the day before the election — either in writing or orally — if he/she needs time off to vote. It is then up to the employer to specify what time the employee may take off to vote. The time off is paid with proof of voting; most employers are happy to accept the “I voted” stickers as proof.

An employee is excluded if his/her work day begins three hours or more after the polls open or ends three hours or more before the polls close. In addition, an employer may change the employee’s regular work schedule so that he/she will have the required three consecutive non-working hours off to vote. If this happens, the employer must notify the employee which hours he/she is allowed to attend the election.

Election Day is Tuesday, November 6th.
Polls are open from 7am – 7pm.