Did you know you are guaranteed by law to have time off work to vote in an election in Iowa?
The primary election is June 2. That’s when voters help decide who their party should choose to run in the general election—and this year, that’s 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.
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.
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 which of your party’s candidates runs in November’s general election, make sure you show up at the polls June 2. You’re legally allowed to skip work for it.
