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Is an employer required to give employees time to vote in Hawaii?

Is an employer required to give employees time to vote in Hawaii?

Full question:

According to Hawaii law, is an employer bound to provide time for an employee to vote on Election Day?

Category: Election Laws
Date: 04/07/2025
State: Hawaii

Answer:

In Hawaii, if polling places are not open for two consecutive hours outside an employee's regular shift, the employee is entitled to take up to two hours off to vote. This time off is paid, provided the employee shows proof of casting their vote (Haw. Rev. Stat. § 11-95). If an employee fails to vote and the employer can confirm this, the employer may deduct the time taken to vote from the employee's wages. Employers who deny employees this right or penalize them for exercising it may face fines ranging from $50 to $300.

This content is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Legal statutes mentioned reflect the law at the time the content was written and may no longer be current. Always verify the latest version of the law before relying on it.

FAQs

What are the voting rights of employees in Hawaii?

In Hawaii, employees have the right to take up to two hours off to vote if polling places are not open for two consecutive hours outside their regular work shift. This time off is paid, provided the employee can show proof of voting. Employers cannot penalize employees for taking this time off, and violations may result in fines (Haw. Rev. Stat. § 11-95). *Legal statutes mentioned reflect the law at the time the content was written and may no longer be current. Always verify the latest version of the law before relying on it.*

Can an employer deny time off for voting in Hawaii?

No, an employer in Hawaii cannot deny an employee time off to vote if the polling places are not open for two consecutive hours outside the employee's regular shift. Denying this right can lead to fines for the employer (Haw. Rev. Stat. § 11-95). *Legal statutes mentioned reflect the law at the time the content was written and may no longer be current. Always verify the latest version of the law before relying on it.*

What proof do employees need to provide to take time off to vote in Hawaii?

In Hawaii, employees must provide proof of voting to their employer to take up to two hours off to vote. This proof typically involves showing a receipt or some form of documentation confirming that they cast their vote (Haw. Rev. Stat. § 11-95). *Legal statutes mentioned reflect the law at the time the content was written and may no longer be current. Always verify the latest version of the law before relying on it.*

What happens if an employee doesn't vote after taking time off in Hawaii?

If an employee in Hawaii takes time off to vote but fails to actually vote, and the employer can confirm this, the employer may deduct the time taken from the employee's wages. This is in accordance with Hawaii law (Haw. Rev. Stat. § 11-95). *Legal statutes mentioned reflect the law at the time the content was written and may no longer be current. Always verify the latest version of the law before relying on it.*

Are there penalties for employers who violate voting rights in Hawaii?

Yes, employers in Hawaii who deny employees their right to take time off to vote or penalize them for exercising this right may face fines ranging from $50 to $300. This is designed to protect employees' voting rights (Haw. Rev. Stat. § 11-95). *Legal statutes mentioned reflect the law at the time the content was written and may no longer be current. Always verify the latest version of the law before relying on it.*