More than two dozen Democrats have reintroduced legislation that would require companies and other employers to give workers at least two hours of paid time off to vote in federal elections.
The Time Off to Vote Act, from Rep. Matt Cartwright, D-Pa., is a reaction to the 2013 Supreme Court decision that invalidated a key part of the Voting Rights Act. The Court said in Shelby County vs. Holder that the law’s section on which states and counties need federal supervision of their voting laws is outdated.
Democrats have said that ruling took the enforcement teeth out of the law, and fear it will leave states free to impose new laws that restrict the voting rights of minorities.
Efforts to update the law have flagged so far. Earlier this week, Democrats put forward their own plan to revamp the law, but it’s not expected to move.
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In the meantime, Cartwright says Congress should step in and making voting as easy as possible for people by ensuring they are paid for the time they use to vote.
“At a time when some states are actually going out of their way to attempt to make it more difficult for Americans to vote, we must understand that the right to vote is essential to our democracy,” he said. “While the days of poll taxes and literacy tests are behind us, impediments to voting still remain.”
His bill would require employers to give workers “at least two hours” of paid leave to vote in federal elections. Cartwright said 24 states already have that requirement, but the remaining 26 states don’t have that requirement.
He added that in 19 states, employers don’t give workers any unpaid time off to vote.
“We can no longer afford laws that push people out of the electorate,” he said. “For the United States to be a true democracy, every eligible American must be able to cast a ballot without suffering a burdensome economic sacrifice. Voting should not be a luxury that only the well-off can afford.”
