Senator Mazie Hirono (D-HI) and 17 of her Senate colleagues introduced legislation that would require employers, upon the request of the employee, to provide at least two hours of paid leave in order to vote in federal elections.
The allotted time is to be used to vote at a polling place, return a mail-in ballot, or take time for other voting-related activities.
Over 154 million people voted in the 2024 presidential election, but that number only made up 65% of the registered voting-age Americans. Research shows that many eligible voters still fail to exercise their right to vote because of the inability to request time off from work.
The Time Off to Vote Act directly addresses this issue by providing eligible voters with allotted paid time off from work to go out and vote.
“Voting is a fundamental right and every eligible voter in this country deserves to be able to participate in our democracy,” said Senator Hirono.
“As we continue working to protect voting rights, this legislation will help to expand voter participation, particularly in underrepresented communities. I’m proud to lead my colleagues in introducing the Time Off to Vote Act, to empower eligible voters and ensure they can make their voices heard.”
This legislation is co-sponsored in the Senate by Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Chris Coons (D-DE), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Jack Reed (D-RI), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Peter Welch (D-VT), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), and Ron Wyden (D-OR).
“There is nothing more fundamental or essential to our democracy than the right to vote. No one should have to choose between their paycheck or their vote, which is why this legislation removes barriers preventing people from casting their vote,” said Senator Blumenthal.
“The Time Off to Vote Act makes voting more accessible and empowers Americans to exercise their right to participate in our democratic processes and make their voices heard.”
The Time Off to Vote Act is endorsed by several organizations, such as Asian Americans Advancing Justice (AAJC) and Asian and Pacific Islander American Vote (APIAVote).
“We are glad to see the reintroduction of the Time Off to Vote Act. Taking time off to vote shouldn’t be a privilege; it should be a guaranteed right. This is especially important for Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) communities, who are becoming the fastest-growing electorate in the country,” said AAJC president and executive director John C. Yang.
“Guaranteeing paid time off is a critical step toward ensuring no one is forced to choose between their paychecks and their right to vote. This legislation helps to empower all Americans to fully participate in our democracy and strengthens the political voice of communities that have been marginalized for far too long.”
Hirono, a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, has been a long-time champion of voting rights legislation and protections. Last Congress, she joined her colleagues on National Voter Registration Day in introducing a resolution recognizing September as “National Voting Rights Month.”
In 2022, she introduced the Election Worker Protection Act, comprehensive legislation that would provide states with the resources to recruit and train election workers and ensure these workers’ safety, while also instituting federal safeguards to shield election workers from intimidation and threats. Additionally, Hirono also introduced the Youth Voting Rights Act, comprehensive legislation to enforce the Twenty-Sixth Amendment and expand youth access to voting.
The full text of the Time Off to Vote Act is available here: https://www.hirono.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/2025_time_off_to_vote_act.pdf.
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