Time Off to Vote

Election Day is looming, and we are faced with the buzz of radio ads, phone calls, and television commercials all vying for our attention, our votes, and to get us to the ballot boxes. Yet, even though the poling locations are open from 7am to 8pm it does not guarantee everyone will find the time to cast their ballot.

With that in mind, it is often questioned if employees should be given time off to cast their vote during the work day? The State of Michigan stands silent on laws governing time off for employees to vote. Employees are not required nor permitted, by law, any time off to cast their ballot. So the law does not create voters’ rights, what about a sense of civic duty? Should employers grant that time off anyway?

As someone who would like to see a much higher rate of participation in the election process, I could be easily drawn into that line of thinking. Yet, the economic hardship this could cause to a business is real and must be balanced with its desire to support their employees’ civic duty. Even if it was made a national holiday to encourage participation, it would not guarantee more voters, nor would it allow all people the same opportunity as with many state holidays a large portion of the working population is still punching a clock.

Since Michigan stands silent, business owners are each given the opportunity to decide what works best for their organization. Regardless of what each business decides, I hope that the business owners and employees alike take the time, either during working hours or on their personal time, to cast their vote in this year’s election.

Donald A. Shampine

President & CEO of Michigan Insurance Group

www.michiganinsurancegroup.com