Employers must give paid time off for voting purposes

Here is a little bit of useful information for you voters in Kansas and Missouri.  You may be able to get paid time off to head out to the polls!  Both Kansas and Missouri have enacted laws that force employers to give employees time off to cast their vote.  Kansas offers two hours and Missouri offers three, if you are unable to vote because your shift overlaps the polling times.

3 days ago

3 days ago

Here is how it works.  In Missouri, if you work 9-5 and the polling place is open from 7-7 then you can either ask your employer to come in one hour late or leave one hour early.  The employer has to give you the time off or they will be in violation of the law and subject to the penalty of a  "class four election offense."

In Kansas, say you are a nurse and work a 12 hour shift (7am-7pm) and the polls are open from (7am-7pm) then you can ask your employer to leave two hours early or come in two hours late.  The employer who denies you this request if timely requested is subject to the criminal penalties of a misdemeanor.

Remember you must give your employer notice that you intend to use this time.

So now you have no excuse to get out and Vote!