University policy and state statute allows employees to take the necessary time off from work to voteor to serve as an election official without a reduction in pay or other benefits.
University policy reads:
Employees are eligible for a paid leave of absence to vote in any state-held general election, primary special election, and special primary for the time necessary to appear at the employee's polling place, cast a ballot, and return to work on the day of that election. Paid leaves to vote cover only those hours the employee is regularly scheduled to work and are provided to only those employees who specifically request time off to vote.
Employees also are eligible for a paid leave of absence to serve as a precinct election judge. To be eligible, an employee, at least 20 days in advance, must provide a written leave request accompanied by certification from the appointing authority stating the hours of service.
State statute 204C.04 reads:
Every employee who is eligible to vote in an election has the right to be absent from work for the time necessary to appear at the employee’s polling place, cast a ballot, and return to work on the day of that election, without penalty or deduction from salary or wages because of the absence. An employer or other person may not directly or indirectly refuse, abridge, or interfere with this right or any other election right of an employee.
Your employer may request, however, that you notify them of when, and for approximately how long, you plan to be absent in order to help them mitigate the impact on the workplace.
