It’s THAT time of the year. No, by that I don’t mean pumpkin spice latte season or nature’s fall signal of the changing colors of the leaves… the election is fast approaching and the time to vote is almost upon us. Vote to effect change and to let your voice be heard. If you don’t vote for what you believe in—others will and you may not like the outcome!
Most Nevadans don’t know this fun fact: Nevadans can get paid time off of work to vote.
The law specifically requires employers to allow employees to take time off to vote. There are specific rules that are governed by the Nevada Revised Statues, which state that Nevadans who are employed can take at least one hour off of work to vote if they can’t get to the polls before or after work. That means that you get paid time off to vote if you wouldn’t be able to vote otherwise.
Here is the language of NRS 293.463:
1. Any registered voter may be absent from his or her place of employment at a time to be designated by the employer for a sufficient time to vote, if it is impracticable for the voter to vote before or after his or her hours of employment. A sufficient time to vote shall be determined as follows:
a. If the distance between the place the voter’s employment and the polling location where the person votes is 2 miles or less, they are given 1 hour.
b. If the distance is more than 2 miles but not more than 10 miles, 2 hours.
c. If the distance is more than 10 miles, 3 hours.
2. The voter, because of their absence, may not have a pay deduction and cannot be fired from their employer.
3. The voter shall submit an application of leave to vote or inform their employer or person authorized to grant the leave prior to the day of election. (*IMPORTANT: Don’t forget to let your employer know that you’re voting!)
4. Any employer or person authorized to grant the leave of absence provided for in subsection 1, who denies any registered voter any right granted under this section, or who otherwise violates the provisions of this section, is guilty of a misdemeanor.
Cliff Notes: Every employee who cannot reasonably vote before or after work, must be allowed time off for at least one hour (refer back to Subsection 1) to vote. The voter’s employer risks misdemeanor charges if they do not allow them leave. The polling location hours are from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., which means that most voters can vote before or after work.
Every single vote counts. The Nevada Legislature believes that voting is vital and with this statute, it is difficult to find an excuse not to vote. We here at H & P believe that voting is a hard-won right, it is a civic duty, an American privilege. Don’t sit this one out, let your vote count.
*It isn’t too late to register to vote! The last In-Person/Online registration date is October 18, 2016!
