With fewer than half of eligible voters voting in the last presidential election, employers not only have a critical role to play in ensuring that all employees are registered to vote, they also have an important role to play in ensuring that all employees actually go to the polls and cast their ballots.

As employees work harder and longer hours to keep pace in our increasingly demanding economy, too many employees find it difficult if not impossible to balance the demands of work, family and exercising their right to vote.

According to the Census Bureau, the number one reason why registered voters do not vote is because they cannot get time off from work to go to the polls.

Employers can help ensure that employees vote and participate in our democratic process by:

• reminding employees to go to the polls, participate in early voting or send in absentee ballots during meetings, by email and other employee communications in the days and weeks leading up to Election Day
• giving employees who would not otherwise vote paid time off on Election Day enabling them to go to the polls or participate in non-partisan voter mobilization and Election Protection activities
• allowing employees to use company vehicles and take paid leave to go to the polls or to drive others to the polls

Employers can learn about state laws giving employees the right to take time off to vote and see our examples of time off to vote policies and communications in the Employee Campaign Tool Kit section.