Get Ready to Vote!
By: Jake | November 03, 2008 | Category: Home and Family
You're familiar with the candidates, you've registered to vote and you're ready for Election Day tomorrow. Right? Well, let's make sure.
Do you know where your polling place is? If it's like the school where I'll vote, you probably have seen a "Vote Here" sign pointing at it for the last couple of weeks. If you don't know your polling place, it is generally printed on your voter registration card. You can also find it online at your state's polling place locator and be sure to check the polling place hours too. It's also not a bad idea to check to see if there are voter ID requirements in your state.
How are you going to get to your polling place? I can walk to my polling place, but many people have to drive. If you don't have a car or someone to give you a ride, there are local organizations that can help you out. If you need help getting to the polls, call your state election office to see what options are in your area.
Will you have enough time to vote? With high voter turnout expected, you may want to make an arrangement with your employer to take some time off work (or leave) just in case you find long lines tomorrow. There are no federal laws that require employers to give employees leave for voting. The laws vary since each state (or territory) sets up standards for employers to give employees leave for voting.
Most states prohibit employers from firing an employee for taking leave to vote. Some states say the leave must be paid and in others it can be unpaid. The one thing these laws all have in common is that you have some responsibilities to your employer. For instance, your state law may say you are only eligible for leave if your polls aren't open long enough, either before or after work, for you to vote, or that you must give your employer some advance notice.
If you have concerns, the first thing you should do is check your company's leave policies for Election Day. If you want to compare them to your state laws, you should be able to find those laws at your state election or state's attorney general offices.
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