The 2008 election takes place on Tuesday, November, 4.
Minnesota Statute 204C.04, Employees Time Off to Vote, provides that:
"Every employee who is eligible to vote in an election has the right to be absent from work for the purpose of voting during the morning of the day of that election, without penalty or deduction from salary or wages because of the absence."
Supervisors should be made aware of this statute and also the following points:
"Only those employees who specifically request time off to vote are covered by this provision. The University is not closing down for any time.
"The amount of time off granted should be reasonable based on time needed to travel to and from the polls, register, and vote.
"The provisions of this statute only apply to working hours occurring before noon on Election Day.
Additionally, Minnesota Statute 204B.195, Time Off from Work to Serve as Election Judge, provides that:
"An individual who is selected to serve as an election judge pursuant to section 204B.21, subdivision 2 may, after giving an employer at least 20 days' written notice, be absent from a place of work for the purpose of serving as an election judge without penalty."
For the purpose of voting or serving as an election judge, employees who give proper notice should be put on paid leave and should not have their pay reduced or hours counted as vacation time.
Thank you for your assistance in ensuring that the University enables faculty and staff to take part in the upcoming election.
