Bill Would Give Minnesotans Time Off Work For Absentee Voting

ST. PAUL, MN — Employers in Minnesota are currently required to allow their workers paid time off to vote on Election Day.

But a bill authored by state Sen. Bobby Joe Champion would extend those protections for eligible voters who want to cast an in-person absentee ballot.

"Every employee who is eligible to vote in an election has the right to be absent from work for the time necessary to appear at the employee's polling place, cast a ballot, and return to work," the bill states.

"An employer or other person may not directly or indirectly refuse, abridge, or interfere with this right or any other election right of an employee."

The bill was introduced on Jan. 23 and was referred to the Senate Elections Committee. It has not yet been scheduled for a hearing.

Fellow Democratic Sens. Erin Maye Quade, Ann Rest, and Jennifer McEwen have since signed on as co-authors of the bill.

Sen. Bobby Joe Champion's office did not respond to Patch's request for comment.