Can I take time off work to vote in California primary election? What to know
It’s officially election season in California.
County elections offices began mailing ballots for the state’s 2026 primary election on Monday, May 4, giving voters across California the chance to cast ballots on federal races and major statewide offices — including governor.
If you’re scheduled to work when polls are open on Election Day, can you take time off work to vote in California?
Here’s what to know:
When is Election Day in June 2026?
The 2026 primary election is on Tuesday, June 2.
When can I vote in California 2026 primary election?
California voters can begin returning their ballots at an Early Voting site.
While operation hours at Early Voting sites vary by county, polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Election Day — Tuesday, June, 2.
“No voters who arrive after the polls close may cast votes,” according to the California Secretary of State website.
At 8 p.m., county elections officials will begin tallying the results.
Can I take time off work to vote in California?
Under California Elections Code, California workers can take time off to vote if they don’t have enough time outside of working hours to cast a ballot while polls are open.
“No more than two hours of the time taken off for voting shall be without loss of pay,” the law says.
The time away from work to vote should be taken at the beginning or end of a shift — whichever causes the least disruption to the workday — unless the employer and employee agree on another arrangement.
According to California’s Elections Code, employers should also post a notice about voting leave at least 10 days before a statewide election in a place where employees can easily see it.
“The intent of the law is to provide an opportunity to vote for workers who would not be able to do so because of their jobs,” the California Secretary of State said.
If you think you’ll need extra time off work to vote, your employer can ask you to give advance notice at least three working days before the election.
Employers cannot require workers to bring their mail ballot to fill it out while on the job to save time away from work, according to California Elections Code.
When is the last day to vote in California primary election?
The last day to vote in California is Election Day, Tuesday, June 2.
Do I have to drop off my ballot at the polls?
California voters do not have to return their ballots to a polling place in person.
After completing your ballot, you can return your completed ballot by mailing it to a local county elections official or returning it at a drop-off location or a ballot drop box.
When mailing in your ballot, the California Secretary of State said, the ballot “must be postmarked on or before Election Day” and received no later than seven days after Tuesday, June 2.
How do I track my ballot in California?
The California Secretary of State has created a system to notify registered voters when their ballots are mailed, received and counted.
Where’s My Ballot? allows voters to receive updates through text message, email or phone call regarding their ballot’s status and any potential issues.
You can sign up online to track your California ballot.
Have a question about the 2026 primary election?
You can ask the California service journalism team by submitting questions directly to our reporters by emailing servicejournalists@sacbee.com or by filling out the form below.
We have reporters covering Sacramento, Modesto, Fresno, San Luis Obispo and Merced.
