§ 26-7-101 — Employees to be allowed time to vote - Penalties.

A. Every corporation, firm, association or individual, hereinafter referred to as "employer", who has a registered voter employed or in service shall grant the employee two (2) hours of time in which to vote, subject to the following provisions: 1. Such time to vote shall be allowed on the day of the election or on a day on which in-person absentee voting is allowed by law; 2. If such employee is at such distance from the voting place that more than two (2) hours are required in which to attend such elections, then the employee shall be allowed a sufficient time in which to cast a ballot; 3. No such employee shall be entitled to such time to vote unless the employee notifies orally or in writing an employer's representative of the employee's intention to be absent at least three (3) days preceding the day of the election or the day of in- person absentee voting. Such employer may select the days and hours which such employees are to be allowed to attend such elections, and may notify each of the employees which days and hours he or she has in which to vote. This section shall not apply to an employee whose work day begins three (3) hours or more subsequent to the time of opening of the polls, or ends three (3) hours or more prior to the time of closing the polls. The employer may change the work hours to allow such three (3) hours before the beginning of work or after the work hours; and 4. Upon proof of voting, such employee shall not be subject to any loss of compensation or other penalty for such absence. B. Any employer who fails to comply with this section shall be subject to a civil penalty of not less than Fifty Dollars ($50.00) nor more than One Hundred Dollars ($100.00).

Legislative History

Added by Laws 1974, c. 153, § 7-101, operative Jan. 1, 1975. Amended by Laws 2000, c. 358, § 9, eff. July 1, 2000; Laws 2019, c. 303, § 1, emerg. eff. May 6, 2019.