WashU Votes

As the November election approaches, here are a few resources to help you manage your schedule at work and learn more about voting.

Voter Engagement and Information:

Voting is an essential form of civic engagement. The Gephardt Institute facilitates this process by actively encouraging voter registration and participation in local, state, and national elections. Equally important to the voting process is the cultivation of informed citizens who know what they are voting about, and why. Learn more.

Time Off to Vote

Employees have options and flexibility to ensure they can exercise their civic responsibility.

The university supports an employee’s right to exercise their civic responsibility. Under state laws, and subject to the following conditions, full- and part-time employees are permitted to take time off to vote. To qualify, an employee must give his or her supervisor notice one working day in advance of the Election Day. The time off will only be granted at the beginning or end of the normal work schedule at the discretion of the supervisor. More details on this policy can be found in the Employee Handbook.

Managing Time Off: 

As the November election approaches, we are asking management to remind staff of the University’s policy with regard to time off for voting. We urge all managers and supervisors to proactively discuss this policy with their staff in order to encourage and facilitate our employees’ exercise of their civic responsibility. Read more details on managing time off for voting.

As the November election approaches, remember the University’s policy on time off for voting. We urge all managers and supervisors to proactively discuss this policy with their staff, so our community feels supported and have a plan.

• In situations where the polls are not open for at least 3 consecutive hours outside of an employee’s work schedule, the University provides up to 3 hours of paid time off for the employee to vote.
• In order to be entitled to leave under this policy, the employee must request time off at least one day before the election.
• Supervisors may specify which period during the work day and while the polls are open that the employee may be absent for voting.
• Schools/Departments need not pay for hours outside of the employee’s work schedule. For example, if an employee who is scheduled to work from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. requests (with proper notice) to leave work at 4:00 p.m. in order to have at least 3 hours before a 7:00 p.m. poll closing, they will receive one hour of paid time off.
• Time off under this policy may not be counted against any School/Departmental attendance policy and may not be charged to the employee’s accrued vacation.
• Employees may not be penalized for taking time off under this policy.

Please contact Human Resources if you have any questions or concerns.