Did you know you are guaranteed by law to have time off work to vote in an election in Iowa?
The general election is Tuesday, November 3. That’s when voters help decide important offices like Iowa governor, and US House and Senate.
If that snuck up on you, and you have to work all day, don’t worry: Your boss is required to approve up to two hours off for you to leave work and go vote.
What the law says
Iowa Code includes a section called “Employees entitled to time to vote,” numbered 49.109.
What it says is that every Iowa voter is guaranteed two consecutive hours to vote when the polls are open on an election day. Many other states have similar laws on the books.
How it affects you
In Iowa, polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
If your work schedule doesn’t give you at least two straight hours to vote, you can ask your boss for time off.
They get to decide when you take it, but Iowa law says they have to give you two consecutive hours. They also can’t dock your pay or punish you for taking the time.
So if you want a say in November’s general election, make sure you show up at the polls Nov. 3. You’re legally allowed to skip work for it.
