Wake Board Expands Paid Leave To Include Voting, Working At Election Sites

Press release from the Wake County Government:

By Stephen R. Walston

August 18 2020

The Wake County Board of Commissioners added new options Monday to allow county employees to use paid leave to vote, as well as to work as precinct officials at local polling places. The county’s 4,000 employees can apply these “community involvement leave” hours starting in the 2020 election season.

“The right to vote is one of the most important rights we have as Americans,” said Commissioner Matt Calabria, who requested the expansion. “With this change, we are not only removing a barrier to voting, but we are encouraging civic engagement when we need it most.”

The addition comes shortly after the Wake County Board of Elections identified a need to recruit additional precinct officials. Available data suggests that, given the influence of COVID-19 and other factors, the number of precinct officials who have signed up but ultimately choose not to
work the polls may be as high as 37%.

Preexisting uses for Wake County’s community involvement leave include attending school-related activities with your child, volunteering at a school and volunteering with a not-for-profit organization.

Wake County recognizes the value of actively contributing to the community and is committed to
supporting employee involvement in civic, educational and not-for-profit activities.

People interested in serving as precinct officials in Wake County should email elections@wakegov.com or sign up at readytovote.com.

This press release was produced by the Wake County Government. The views expressed here are the author’s own.