Minnesota law protects every voter’s right to participate in elections, even during working hours. State statutes make clear that employees cannot lose pay, benefits, or job security because they take time off to vote.

What the Law Says

Under Minnesota Statutes § 204C.04, any employee who is eligible to vote has the right to be absent from work “for the time necessary to appear at their polling place, cast a ballot, and return to work.” This protection applies to all regularly scheduled elections, including federal, state, and local elections.

Employers cannot penalize, discipline, or dock pay for employees who exercise this right. Time off to vote cannot be counted against personal or vacation leave.

What the Law Means

According to the statute, the voting leave law is not a free day off or a fixed number of hours.

It specifically gives leave for the time it takes you to reach a polling place, wait in line, vote, and get back to work. If employers want to give workers more time off to accommodate unforeseen circumstances, that’s their prerogative, but they are only required to excuse leave for the amount of time voting requires.

Employers can request that employees provide advanced notice and coordinate with their coworkers to minimize the impact voting leave has on operations, but it’s ultimately up to the employee when they exercise this right.

Notifying Your Employer

Although the law does not require advance notice, it’s considered best practice to tell your supervisor or HR department before Election Day that you plan to use voting leave.

Employees may choose to vote before or after a shift if it’s convenient, but the decision rests with the voter. The statute guarantees as much time as needed to vote and return to work.

Examples of Illegal Retaliation or Interference

Minnesota’s voting leave law makes it a misdemeanor for any employer to interfere with, refuse, or obstruct an employee’s right to vote. That protection covers both direct denials and indirect retaliation. Some common violations include:



• Refusing time off to vote or scheduling mandatory meetings during polling hours.
• Requiring use of vacation, PTO, or unpaid leave to cover time spent voting.
• Threatening disciplinary action, such as reduced hours, loss of bonuses, or poor performance reviews, for employees who take time to vote.
• Pressuring workers to vote early or outside of work hours instead of honoring the right to time off on Election Day.
• Creating a hostile environment by shaming or discouraging employees from exercising their right to vote.

Workers should keep in mind that some managers or supervisors might not be aware that they are legally required to accommodate leave for voting.

It’s usually in the interest of workplace harmony and your professional relationships to politely inform them that they are required by Minnesota law to allow you unpenalized leave to vote. If they still attempt to retaliate or penalize you for taking voting leave, you may want to contact a local Minneapolis–St. Paul civil rights or employment lawyer.

What to Do if You’re Denied Time Off to Vote

If you’re denied time off or penalized for voting, document what happened, including dates, times, and the names of anyone involved.

You can report violations to your county attorney’s office, which is responsible for enforcing election-related offenses. In cases involving retaliation, loss of wages, or termination, it may be helpful to consult a lawyer who handles employment or voting rights matters.

When Legal Help May Be Needed for Minneapolis–St. Paul Workers

If you were disciplined or threatened for taking time off to vote, or if your employer reduced your pay or hours as a result, you may have grounds for a legal claim. A Minnesota attorney can explain your options, gather supporting evidence, and help you pursue reinstatement or damages where appropriate.

The referral counselors at the Minnesota Lawyer Referral and Information Service can connect you with an attorney familiar with voting rights and workplace retaliation laws. You can request guided assistance online, use our self-referral service, or call us at 612-752-6699.