Federal workers get three-hour window to vote

Federal managers should be sure their workers have at least three hours to vote in Tuesday's election, according to the Office of Personal Management.

An Oct. 27 memo from OPM Director Kay Coles James stated that agencies could grant workers limited time off from their jobs to vote in federal, state, county or municipal elections, but extended voting times at polling locations should allow workers to vote without taking time off.

Emphasizing that an excused absence for voting purposes is rarely needed, James said agencies may allow workers to leave work three hours before their polling location closes, or to report for work three hours after the polls open. Poll closing times vary across the United States, starting as early as 6 p.m. and running to as late as 9 p.m.

For example, if a worker's polling place is open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., and the employee is scheduled to work from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., then 30 minutes of excused absence should be granted to allow for three hours to vote, providing the worker asks for the time. But if the polls remain open until 8 p.m., no absence should be granted.

Excused absences, not exceeding one day, should be granted if a worker's voting site is "beyond the normal commuting distance," and absentee voting is not allowed, according to the OPM memo. If more than one day is needed, an employee may ask for time off without pay or annual leave.