Posted on 10/26/2016 12:29:05 PM PDT by mdittmar
Federal employees should be granted excused absences to vote on Election Day if polls are not open at least three hours before or after an employee’s regular work shift, the Office of Personnel Management has said in a new memo.
The government has a longstanding policy of granting employees limited time off to vote in federal, state, county, or municipal elections, OPM Acting Director Beth Cobert said in an Oct. 17 memorandum to agency heads.
Generally, the government’s policy is to allow employees to report to work three hours after polls open or leave from work three hours before polls close if an employee’s regular work schedule conflicts with the voting times.
AFGE strongly supports granting excused absences for the purpose of voting in the election and actually believes the government’s policy should go even further, National President J. David Cox Sr. said.
“We believe that Election Day should be a federal holiday for everyone, because after all, nobody should ever have to choose between voting and earning a living,” said Cox.
AFGE recommends that public employees who are represented by a union check their collective bargaining agreements (CBAs). In many of the contracts, AFGE fought to include language that ensures agencies accommodate workers who need additional time to vote on Election Day.
I’d rather have that, and in turn, get rid of early voting.
It’s state law here that your employer has to give you at least an hour while the polls are open. Has been that way for many years.
I totally agree that EVERYBODY in America should have a day off to vote.
Better yet: how about a change to the Constitution to make election day on a SATURDAY?
There are LOTS of hard working people in America that don't vote because they just can't get out of work.
Yes, I understand that it's a state law that a person is entitled ONE HOUR to go vote during the work day.
Ever worked for a psychotic boss?
AN HOUR? With traffic? And waiting in line?
Make election day a national holiday or put it on the weekend.
Martin Luther King Jr. has a national holiday. Election Day certainly deserves one, too.
Most polls don’t close until 7 pm which gives you 2 hours to get in line if quitting time is 5. There’s always absentee, early voting and online. Most employers would let their employees make up the time or come in early. I fail to see it causes such a problem as there needs to be a federal regulation.
Sure, let me off 3 hours early with pay when there’s never been more than 5 people ahead of me. PARTY!
Don’t agree,sorry.
“It takes a lot of time to vote more than once—have to drive around.”
Love, Hillary
This is only for Government.
Agreed completely.
Agreed completely.
There are so many options to vote on days other than election day this is just a request for government employees to do even less than they already do. Government workers, in general, vote for politicians who make them work less, pay them more, and give ever more generous and early retirement benefits.
You never see stories about it but ‘telecommuting’ has become a big thing for fed gov employees since Obama was elected. It’s common for federal workers with monotonous tasks (ie easily outsourced jobs) to ‘work’ from home between 2-4 days per week. It’s a joke and not policed at all. Every once and awhile there are stories about very blatant abuse (ie US patent office one awhile ago). You see them at the park or on hikes they schedule all their medical visits and shopping during work hours. It’s possible for them to go on vacation and even out of the country if they use a VPN, log in and move their mouse around to pretend like they’re working some during work hours. It’s an admission that they do nothing at work so why not let them do nothing from home. They do, after all, vote. I have a family member who gets to do the telecommuting along with most of the rest of the office. I had an uncle who was given the same gig near his retirement. It’s a joke. We could get rid of most of our government workers, focus on making the remaining workers actually work, and nobody would notice.
Well you're wrong.
There is absolutely no good reason that a national election in a nation of 300+ million people should take place on a business day in the middle of a work week in the 21st century.
The idea of having a national election on a Tuesday, set forth in the Constitution, was put in place in the SEVENTEEN HUNDREDS!, when most of America were farmers.
To be more cynical about it: A LOT of Democrat voters don't have to worry about getting off work. They don't work!
America needs to make sure that everyone that believes in the Constitution gets to vote this time.... that means helping and encouraging all those that dont vote because its too hard on them or they dont believe they matter...
God Bless our great country, let it continue in its original intent...
Will they have to bring back verification that they actually voted? Or show they are registered to vote?
Nah, I didn’t think so.
1846.
My polls close at 7; I get off work at 4:30. I work 60 miles from my polling place (1/2 mile from where I live). Even on a good day, I’m lucky to make it home by 7. Election Day, I’ll leave work at 4.
Early voting hours in my county are M-F 8-4:30, except Thursday closes @ 7. And the early voting location is even further from my home. I’d have to take off MORE time from work to early vote.
I don’t meet the definition to vote absentee in my state.
Fine, the 1800s. Still ancient history. Having a national event on a business day during the work week is stupid. I’ve always thought so, and I’m not alone.
Where there is due diligence, there is a will, to go and vote... even over broken glass.
Where there is no due diligence, there is no will, and voting often happens when the political hacks benefit from ill-informed populace.
In the 1700’s (well, that’s only 11 years, since US elections started in 1789) and 1800’s, voters often traveled many hours to cast their one vote, riding on horse or foot many miles. Difference then - they were diligent, virtuous and motivated.
Voting should be nationwide on one day, preferable on or before April 15.
We could cut 25-50% of gov by giving the management a bonus based on productivity, less workers.... more items processed.... It would be so easy.... The gov managers already know where the waste is and the good one’s are waiting to be asked how to cut
Step 1: Vote absentee
Step 2: Go to a movie or martini lunch on Election Day
Step 3: Go back to your federal office where nobody noticed you were gone anyway
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