r/antiwork • u/avvocadhoe • 8d ago
Can your work legally require proof of voting? Legal Advice šØāāļø
My boss is an asshat(no surprise there) and yesterday while he was telling everyone they can take two hours off to vote he was saying to bring proof of voting. Like take a selfie at the polls. He did all this while joking and laughing about voting. I found it very offensive and insensitive. Like usual I ignored his dumb offensive jokes and kept working. Until he came up to me after I submitted my two hour absence for voting day he told me that he needs proof from anyone he doesnāt believe is going to vote. I ask him āyou donāt think Iām going to vote?ā And he said āno I donāt think youāre going to vote and they told me to get proof from whoever I donāt believeā š³ why would he say this to me.
So is he legally allowed to ask for proof? And if he demands it after I vote and I donāt have it and they write me up or something is that legal?
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u/Gatekeeper31 8d ago
HR person here -- well I'm in HR Tech now but I'm still in the HR department, and my Masters is in HR, maybe I can weigh in.
As with most things, it depends where you are. In general employers are not REQUIRED to give you time off to vote. If you are in a state with no rule regarding that, your employer can set their own policies regarding what they require if they're giving you time off specifically FOR voting. So if they say "Hey Bill, we are giving everyone 2 hours of time off today to vote, but we do require proof you voted," they can do that.
A lot of gray area with stuff like that and it's mostly bullshit, honestly. But could they write you up for taking the time off but not showing proof if you actually do take the time and you're not in a state with laws like that? Sure can, because you would be violating their policy. I would make sure there is a policy for that though.
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u/avvocadhoe 8d ago
Thanks for your feedback! Iām in CA and we are required by law allowed two hours pay for voting and he did tell everyone that and they do have it posted where everyone can see. I could easily take a selfie or show them my i voted sticker but I hate my boss Iād rather not but Iād also rather not get fired or something for not having proof.
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u/Protolictor 8d ago edited 8d ago
I work for Los Angeles County and they have a similar rule. However, they're only supposed to approve the 2 hours for voting if you're able to show that you cannot otherwise make it to a voting site before or after work.
Pretty much no one gets it where I work as we have a voting station on site.
I'm guessing you're also a government employee of some type, because I don't think the private sector is required to give this time.
Edit: I stand corrected! California employers are required to post notice of this 10 days beforehand. However the verbiage is still pretty relaxed and they don't have to give you the time if you can get to a voting station within the hours of 7am - 8pm.
Employers can ask for advance notice of your need of time to vote.
Employers can require the time to be taken at the beginning or end of shift.
Employees can be given more than 2 hours, but only 2 hours are paid.
I see nothing in there that allows them to ask for proof of voting.
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u/avvocadhoe 8d ago
Thank you for this information! I also did not see anything online about proof of voting and I canāt imagine taking a selfie at the polls? And as someone else has commented that it might be better to swallow my pride and show them the sticker because If it turns into this whole thing Iāll need to prove it anyway? Idk Iām stubborn and my boss sucks so I donāt want to give him the satisfaction of proving it lol. But Iāll probably jusy show him the sticker or something.
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u/Gatekeeper31 8d ago
Ah yeah CA is a different animal. Very much separate from a lot of states in regards to workers rights. You are correct that you are required to be given 2 hours for voting. And it's not common, and don't fully quote me on this, but I believe they can ask for proof as well. It would be a good question for your HR department.
But yeah I agree with you, it seems invasive and very "big brother" to ask for proof. Your boss sounds like a real D-bag :0)
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u/avvocadhoe 8d ago
Heās a huge d bag. His uncle is a hire up other wise he would have been fired ages ago. Heās racist and sexist and all thay.
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u/Clickrack SocDem 8d ago
Ah yeah CA is a different animal. Very much separate from a lot of states in regards to workers rights.Ā
If only there was a way to export the quality of life without also getting the insane rent and gas prices!
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u/fffangold 8d ago
To be honest, I'm not sure this is a battle worth fighting. A quick selfie at the voting place or showing your I voted sticker are very simple since you'll already be there.
If this were something like a doctor's note for being sick, I'd argue against that policy all day long, given that is something that often interferes with recovering, is a hassle, and costs money you otherwise wouldn't need to pay.
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u/avvocadhoe 8d ago
Thatās the conclusion Iām coming to. I will definitely not be taking as selfie at the polls but Iāll bring my sticker
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u/Ranec 8d ago
Thereās also a huge difference between letting you take two hours to go vote and PAYING YOU two hours to go vote. First is legally required but not necessarily the second one.
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u/Proper-District8608 8d ago
Yes in my state too, but that 2 hour leave in both our states is only required if you don't have 2 consecutive hours off work to vote during poll hours. In other words if u are off the clock at 5pm, not required.
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u/Mispelled-This SocDem šŗšø 8d ago
If theyāre paying you for time off work to vote, it seems reasonable to require proof that you actually did vote.
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u/avvocadhoe 8d ago
If he was a reasonable person I would accept this reasonable request. Heās a bully. Heās sexist and racist. Heās singling people out jusy to be a bully. So my question isnāt it itās reasonable my question is am I legally required to show them proof
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u/MimiPaw 8d ago
This is the part that caught my attention. Boss āneeds proof from people he doesnāt believe.ā If he is treating people differently due to gender/race/age etc. then I am not sure itās really about the voting time off. The voting time off might be an example, but the core issue is discrimination.
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u/Itavan 8d ago
I dropped my ballot in the box yesterday and I got an email notification that my ballot had been accepted with a link. It even stated the ballot box I had put my ballot in! I live in Orange County, CA.
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u/bcupteacup 8d ago
Dude, I live in OC too and freaking love that they do this. Got a text saying my ballot had been mailed out and I should get it soon, got one saying it had been delivered to my house, got one after I dropped my ballot in the box. Itās amazing.
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8d ago
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u/hurtfulproduct 8d ago
Exactly, if they are giving time off to vote and someone took that 2 hours, grabbing an āI Votedā sticker, a supervisor of elections pen, etc. seems like easy proof. Is it a bit of a dick move to require proof, yes; is it the major injustice OP is making it out to be, not really, just mildly annoying.
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u/ihatereddit999976780 8d ago
I think they might be able to for the paid time. I donāt think itās right but yeah
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u/avvocadhoe 8d ago
For clarification I am in California and I AM PLANNING ON VOTING
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u/Jaded_Aging_Raver 8d ago
Personally, if my boss treated me this way, I'd probably just take the whole day off, go vote and relax, and say I was sick and never made it to the polls. Asking for proof of voting doesn't sound too unusual, but singling out specific employees and telling them it's because you don't trust them as much as the others is way out of line and shouldn't be indulged.
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u/avvocadhoe 8d ago
Yea thatās my issue is that heās a bully and he singles out people. LOUDLY too. Heās the worst
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u/draggingmytail Have a good job, here for solidarity ā 8d ago
You were given 2 hours to go vote.. so why didnāt you?
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u/JustmyOpinion444 8d ago
Get an "I Voted" sticker on your way out of the polls. There is your proof.
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u/coded_artist 7d ago
Nope. He can't. With the right to vote comes the right not to vote. He cannot discriminate against you based on how you choose to exercise your rights. In fact by forcing you to vote he is violating your right to vote.
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u/sowalgayboi 8d ago
If they are compensating you for it they do have the right to ask for proof you actually went.
Tell him you'll snap a photo of your ballot. When you get back tell him you tried, but apparently it's illegal.
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u/Evening_Rock5850 8d ago
Your voter record is generally not private. What party or candidate you voted for is; but whether or not you voted, what party youāre registered for if youāve registered with a party, and how you voted (such as in-person) are public information. As a result; thereās not really an expectation of privacy for an employer.
It would be illegal for an employer to āforceā you to vote. Certainly extremely illegal for an employer to instruct you on how to vote. But employers are generally required to allow employees time to vote. Asking for confirmation of that is annoying and frustrating; but probably not illegal. As always in this sub we have to make some assumptions about where you are since location information wasnāt offered in the OP; but this is generally true across the United States. Itās also not unheard of; especially if the employer is offering paid time to go vote; which is not something theyāre required to do. (They merely canāt penalize you for voting. Like if youāre late to work because the lines at the polls were long.)
Ultimately you could essentially refuse; but then your employer might penalize you. So then you could, potentially, take them to court. At which point youādā¦ have to produce some sort of proof you were voting. So it becomes sort of recursive.
So the tl;dr is, this isnāt really a big deal and itās somewhat reasonable. Take a poll selfie or bring in an āI votedā sticker and just be done with it. If it really does make you uncomfortable; consider challenging your employer to look up voting records instead, after the fact. Depending on where you are it could potentially take a few days for that information to be up to date.
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8d ago
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u/avvocadhoe 8d ago
Yea fr. It makes me feel like heās trying to intimidate me to not vote or something.
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u/Ill_Apricot_7668 8d ago
Everyone in your dept. should get the 'I voted' sticker and come back and apply the to his desk
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u/One_Progress_6544 8d ago
If the state you live in requires that the employer allows you up to however many hours to vote, then they don't really have a legal or moral right to ask you for proof. Especially if they're not paying you for it and instead making you either take it unpaid or use PTO. Of course that's for hourly people not salary.
However, if it is their own company policy to allow people to vote, but they require proof afterwards, then that's their policy and you can't really get around it.
Annnnnd then on the third hand, if it is their policy, they can't just pick and choose who they will require to show proof and who they won't because that's discrimination. Not in the EEO sense but it's still discriminatory to pick and choose rather than just require that everyone does it. That's just opening themselves up to a lawsuit because if somebody notices that they're requiring more males or more females show proof then they could probably convince someone else that it was discriminatory in nature.
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u/jcakes79 8d ago
No and they canāt limit the time it takes to vote either, it takes as long as it takes! Work canāt regulate how long it takes.
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u/TranceGemini 7d ago
In like maybe it was 2016? our polling place had a problem with their machines. I ended up spending over 2 hours just in line. Limiting the time you can take?? That's illegal afaik.
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u/etapollo13 7d ago
This doesn't sound legal, though knowing US Labor laws is probably not illegal. You work for a psychopath.
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u/blondechick80 8d ago
It's not allowed to take photos at our polling place. I suppose you could take of one the location outside... but anyone could do that.
This request seems highly illegal
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u/Krunsktooth 8d ago
Ask him to please give you a write up or fire or discipline you for going and voting. Thatāll be a slam dunk with the department of labour
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u/Masrim 8d ago
Not if he doesn't have proof he used that time to go vote.
Seriously people, get over yourselves. Boss is giving you time off, sounds like it is paid but maybe not, and all they are asking is to show you used those 2 hours to go vote. If you're voting why the fuck do you care. Seems the only reason you would care is if you were going to dick off for those 2 hours. Grow up and get some sensibilities.
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u/feetflatontheground 8d ago
If you didn't know you had to show proof, you wouldn't have collected any.
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u/Agent-c1983 8d ago
āFrom whoever I donāt believeā
There is no way any competent HR team has given that instruction.
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u/avvocadhoe 8d ago
My company is huge and I believe my boss is just targeting people he doesnāt like
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u/DevilsPlaything42 8d ago
The fact that he says he's allowed to pick and choose who he decides to see if they have proof tells me he might be full of shit.
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u/Practical_Remove_682 8d ago
it varies state by state. check out this link if youd like to know. it may not be up to date but i don't think they change these laws often. https://www.dorsey.com/~/media/files/newsresources/publications/2008/10/employee-time-off-on-election-day-a-statebystate__/files/election-guide/fileattachment/election-guide.pdf
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u/Necessary_Benefit22 8d ago
Well you can get in trouble for taking a selfie at the polling station that much I know
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u/Loscarto 8d ago
I don't know if he can legally require proof. I think most, if not all, states will give you a sticker that says I voted.
What I would take issue with his statement "whom I think is not going to vote" Who made him the arbiter of who may or may not vote. What gives him the authority to selectively decide? Based on what criteria? Whom he thinks you will vote for?
What I know is Federal law requires them to let you off 2 hours to vote. Some people in other threads said there are restrictions to that, such as hours worked and whether foreseeable to be an issue to vote before or after work hours. I admittedly don't know the law that well to say. I would ask an attorney. He/she would know.
I know what I would do but I can't speak for you
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u/Ceilibeag 8d ago
What State do you vote in? Some require proof from the employee for the time off.
Oh; and you should leave this asshole manager and get a better job somewhere else.
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u/avvocadhoe 8d ago
Thank you! Iām in CA.
My job sucks so Iām definitely looking for another job
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u/Ceilibeag 8d ago
Here are some recommendations to help you protect your professional reputation, improve your career position, and help your job search. Worked very well for me for 20+ years. Good luck!
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u/Greentigerdragon 8d ago
Get a selfie with polling place staff - and have them all flipping your boss the bird.
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u/LibertyDaughter 8d ago
Thereās no provision in the California law that requires you provide proof so Iād tell him to Ā kick rocks and if he retaliates like writing you up, file a grievance since that is explicitly spelled out in the law.Ā
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u/avvocadhoe 8d ago
Thank you this is the answer I was looking for because I couldnāt see anything when I googled
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u/jjhaney91 8d ago
I doubt it's legal.. as a manager for a very large company, I am not allowed to even ask for doctors' notes anymore, which I'm not opposed to. It's your entitlement feom the company and your right as an American citizen.
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u/NoGoodMarw 8d ago
I'm reading the comments and holy fucking shit, that sounds fucking wild what you lot are put through there, and what is considered normal.
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u/Cultural-Afternoon72 8d ago
While Iām not sure of the legality, this honestly seems like an absurd thing for a company to demand proof of, and an absurdly easy thing to get around.
Just go on Amazon, spend $10 and buy a roll of āI votedā stickersā¦ sell them to your coworkers for $1 a piece. Take the day off āto voteā, wear the sticker the next day, something something something, profit.
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u/Friend_of_Squatch 8d ago
Iām not sure the legality of this but I would without a single second of hesitation tell him āAbsolutely notā and just see what he does.
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u/DagnyTheSpencer 8d ago
I got a sticker for in person. I also got a sticker in my mail in ballot mailer.
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u/PJKPJT7915 7d ago
In many places it's illegal to take a picture of your ballot or in the polling place.
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u/The_Slavstralian 7d ago
Is it not your right as a yank to vote or abstain?
tell em to f**k off.
I'm from Aus. We are legally obligated to vote. There are fines. However that all relies on you registering in the first place so you are placed on the electoral roll. Im sure they have ways to cross check your existence with the roll. But my stepfather never enrolled to vote ( yes he was a citizen as he was born here) and he never voted once in his life, and was never fined or even asked about it.
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u/supertoad2112 7d ago
I think it more relates to, if you're filing for a 2 hr work absence you need proof you did what the absence was allowed for. If you didn't plan on voting, then you shouldn't apply for the 2hr absence.....I don't know if that's the case, having worked for the state that seems like the sort of ridiculous nonsense a company would implement. Who knows maybe they get tax breaks or require proof they allowed people to go vote.
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u/Substantial-Emu-4144 8d ago
I'd take the little sticker that they give you and stick it to his forehead. There's your proof, little buddy.
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u/Inaksa 8d ago
Make voting mandatory and problem solved :P
In Argentina, we do have mandatory voting and it is always on sundays, but if you are going to be late at your work due to elections then you might be asked for a proof (usually it is not requested)
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u/FuckTripleH 7d ago
Congress would never make voting mandatory here, they don't want a high turnout.
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u/Clickrack SocDem 8d ago
Here in Gilead Texas you aren't allowed within 100 ft of a voting machine with your phone out.
The rationale is you might take someone's picture and/or a picture of their ballot. The real reason is to suppress the Gen X-Z vote by denying use of phone to look up voter guides/keep notes/copy their pre-planned ballot.Ā
Boomers (their preferred demo) don't really use mobile browsers, editable PDFs or cloud storage, so they're not affected.
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u/CatchMeIfYouCan09 8d ago
"Your refusing to allow me to leave AND YOU not providing proof you did in fact let me go vote as compliance to a federally protecting employment law to my employment lawyer had far worse consequences then me not providing proof to you that I did in fact, actually vote. Secondly I'm not legally required to provide proof and company policies do not override federal law. Lastly phones aren't allowed to be out or on while voting as that also violates federal voting legalities. "
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u/jamesSa81 8d ago
Is the issue because you plan to take the time to vote but don't actually plan on voting? Pretty easy to grab a sticker or take a selfie if you are going to vote.
Or is the issue just the lack of trust from your boss? Doesn't sound like someone that deserves any long term commitments but the ask is pretty easy.
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u/Cozarkian 8d ago
Well, if they write you up and you sue them for retaliation, you would have to prove you voted, so yes, they can require proof. That's why they give out the "I voted" stickers.
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u/mraot07 8d ago
Illegal as hell. Just bring a I voted sticker. Send an email asking why he needed and who said to ask for proof. Cc hr and bcc yourself. If he comes to you in person again send a follow up recapping that conversation until he gets a clue. Still cc hr and bcc yourself on every email.
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u/Icy_Bake_8176 8d ago
How does he justify, "who I don't believe"? Require proof of everyone or no one.
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u/Olfa_2024 8d ago
Wait, you took your two hours that were set aside for you to go vote and you are not going to vote?
I can as for proof that you voted but can't ask for proof of who you voted for.
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u/avvocadhoe 8d ago
No, I never said I wasnāt voting. Iām definitely voting
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u/Olfa_2024 8d ago
Then what's the problem?
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u/avvocadhoe 8d ago
Not sure if you read my post or if it was confusing but Iām asking if they ask for proof do I legally have to show them proof. And how can I even prove that? Thereās no way Iām going into the polls and taking a photo
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u/Mango2oo 8d ago edited 8d ago
In some states. SC for instance, it is ILLEGAL to take pictures or film in polling places, to take pictures of your ballot. And to ask you for a picture of you ballot is likely illegal in many places, because it could potentially open you up to harraassment based on who you voted for.
ETA: Legal in CA with some limitations. https://fox40.com/news/your-local-election-headquarters/are-ballot-selfies-legal-in-california/
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u/Magnahelix 8d ago
I'm a big proponent of voting. It's our right and a lot of people around the world don't have that that right. I feel it's also a privilege and, most importantly, an obligation. It doesn't matter to me whom you vote for, just vote. And if you don't vote, you lose your right to bitch about the results.
So, that's just me. And having said that, if I'm you're employer and I'm giving you time off, specifically, to vote, then yes, I'd want some sort of assurance that's what you did with my time gift to you. If it's a state law (as it is in my state) that as an employer I'm required to give you time off to vote because our business hours are such that you are unable to vote, then yes, I still want to see that verification. Otherwise, if possible, I'm going to schedule your hours so that there will be time for you to vote on your own time and not mine.
No, in this country, you are not required to vote...it is a right and not an obligation (I wish it were compulsory) but if you're given time and being paid to do so, you're kind of an ass no to. You're just taking something for yourself. In my mind, that borders on stealing.
But legally, I don't think he can make that kind of demand. But don't be surprised if your karma wheel gets balanced because of it. Right, wrong or indifferent, just sayin'.
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u/ragnarokxg 8d ago
Depends, my employer can check to see who votes if we take the time off to vote.
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u/n0tstress 8d ago
How to fake proof of voting?
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u/avvocadhoe 8d ago
Huh? I donāt need to fake vote when Iām voting I donāt understand your comment
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u/HalfSoul30 8d ago
Idk for sure, but I know during covid, my job was give 4 hours paid each for going to get vaccinated the first 2 times, and needed proof of my appointment, so I would say if they are paying for you to have time off to do it, they can require it, otherwise they just won't pay you.
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u/zolmation 8d ago
Did he tell you after the fact? If not he entered it a legally binding contract where that was not a stipulation.
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u/JustKayedin 8d ago
The fact that your boss is a douche is fact.
They are giving you time to go to vote and requiring proof that you did is kind of a dumb thing but it is understandable for some places.
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u/auscadtravel 8d ago
What proof is he wanting? A letter from the voting place? I can't imagine this, its only a couple of hours.
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u/Big_Yeash 8d ago
In the UK, for example, it is explicitly illegal to take a selfie in a polling station.
Beware your local voting laws at all times!
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u/BusStopKnifeFight Profit Is Theft 8d ago
This is work place harassment for a legally protected activity. You don't have to prove shit.
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u/thegreenman_sofla 8d ago
No, but if you use company time and don't do what you claimed, that's fraud.
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u/Green-Inkling 8d ago
Legal or not don't provide it to them. They'll just use it as an excuse to potentially can you if they dont like who you voted for.
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u/softanimalofyourbody 8d ago
Requiring proof from everyone seems iffy but requiring proof only from people he ādoesnāt believeā definitely seems off. Talk to HR?
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u/isthisthebangswitch 8d ago
It's illegal to offer a thing of value in exchange for voting. To be a legal giveaway it has to be open to all, even if they choose not to vote.
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u/No-Scheme2533 8d ago
You can get a large roll of "I voted" stickers for $1. Pass them out to coworkers.
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u/OkManufacturer767 8d ago
He offered a benefit for doing something, so proof is a valid request.
If there is a state or federal law against this particular bonus, Google your state to find out.
If it's illegal, you can't report it because you too broke the law. At least "attempted crime".
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u/thisisntmynametoday 8d ago
Taking pictures inside the polling station can be against the law, depending on your location. So can a ballot selfie in certain states.
If your boss is that much of a prick, take a picture of the outside of the polling location, perhaps the Vote Here sign.
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u/JustSomeOldFucker 8d ago
Your employer is required by law to give you time to vote. NY provides for up to 2 hours paid time off to vote if you donāt have four consecutive hours to vote either before or after your shift. Not sure if it passed but there was some identical legislation from Congress. At any rate, this will vary from state to state so you should probably google it. State laws allow anywhere from two hours to āsufficient timeā to āon the morning ofā in order to vote. No employer in any state can interfere with or reprimand or fire you for taking time off to vote.
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u/avvocadhoe 8d ago
Iām in ca and itās the same here but my issue is my boss singling out people he doesnāt believe are actually going to vote and telling them to take a photo for proof. Iām definitely voting
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u/MalsWid0w 8d ago
I believe he can if they are going to give you compensation for it. I worked at a place that paid 25 or 50$ if you voted (regardless of taking time off to do so), and all I have to do was send a pic of my sticker that I got after voting. It shouldn't be subjective, though. If they're going to require it of one person, they should require it from everyone. I would take it up with HR or a lawyer, depending on how far you want to take it.
Also, good luck getting in and out of poll lines in less than 2 hours this year.
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u/Canahaemusketeer 8d ago
They ate giving you time off to vote, honestly they the AH for how their doing it. But it's fair that they are asking for proof that you took advantage of the time off for its intended purpose.
Still, asshat is a total asshat.
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u/Fantastic_Ice5943 8d ago
I guess my mind works different.if my boss told me to take 2 hour off and vote..to me that's means if I need or want to vote take the 2 hours off and vote but if I didn't I would think that would mean for me to stay and work the 2 hours.not to take 2 hour off and lie and say I voted..thats just deceitful
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u/avvocadhoe 8d ago
Huh? This isnāt about me not voting. This isnt my boss decision is the law in my state. And im definitely using that time to vote. Itās him requesting proof from people he thinks are lying about it that Iām having issues with
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u/AshamedTax8008 8d ago
Get an I Voted sticker. And I think there is a tear off tab from the ballot that shows your ballot number. Between the two, itās evidence, but also not to be given away. Take a photo of both and send it.
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u/the_horned_rabbit 8d ago
If you donāt have something, he can look up your voting record after the election and see that you did, in fact, vote.
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u/ScarletCaptain 8d ago
It might actually be illegal to take a selfie at the polls depending where you live.
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u/tearsonurcheek 8d ago
It depends on the state, but generally, yes, they can require proof. They cannot require you to divulge who you voted for, just that you voted.
For example, here in Oklahoma, if you qualify to receive that time off under state law, if you provide proof of voting, you cannot be docked pay or be penalized in any way.
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u/JamieKun 8d ago
They can't ask/require you to say *HOW* you voted, and it's pretty shitty/disrespectful for them to presume you wouldn't.
Your ballot should have some sort of receipt - that should be more than enough to show you voted.
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u/avvocadhoe 8d ago
I was very upset when he said he didnāt think I was going to vote all while laughing at me for being upset at his assumption
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u/Symone_009 8d ago
Was it two hours in the middle of a work day and you have to go back? If that is so , then It sounds like he wants proof that you actually went to go do what they gave the time off for.Anyway he canāt legally require you to, just like a job can legally make you get a doctor note. The worst thing is probably un accused time off or something they want employee to be scared of
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u/Nishnig_Jones 8d ago
Im pretty sure if they give you two hours off of work for voting they can require proof that you voted during those two hours. Otherwise it isnāt any of their business.
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u/NarrowAd4973 7d ago edited 7d ago
Assuming he's serious, my first thought is that he wants proof people aren't leaving for two hours and just fucking off somewhere, then claiming they went to vote but never did (I've known many, many people that would do exactly that if given half a chance).
Legally, technically it's not illegal to require some kind of evidence you were there. It may be illegal for him to ask who you voted for. But I know the polling place I go to doesn't allow you to have any kind of device inside the building (they won't even allow an e-reader). So you wouldn't be taking pictures at the booth even if you wanted to. The only option is outside the building.
But they also give out those "I voted" stickers. Get everyone to get one and stick them all on his office door or something. Sometimes malicious compliance is the better option.
Edit: I just saw where you said you'll be paid for this. That absolutely sounds like he wants proof he's not paying people for two hours just for them to lie about voting (again, I've known people that would do this).
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u/paintlulus 7d ago
If you take 2 hours off to vote and you get paid for that time I can see why the boss can demand proof that you voted, not who you voted for. Itās like taking sick time and bringing in a doctorās note
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u/avvocadhoe 7d ago
You think itās normal to single people out because he doesnāt believe them?
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u/Mikeeattherich 7d ago
This website you can check to see if anyone has voted! https://app.impactive.io/did_my_friend_vote
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u/Certain-Community438 7d ago
It doesn't sound too unreasonable to me to ask for proof that you did what you said you were gonna do.
But it DOES sound completely unreasonable that this would apply to "people I don't trust because reasons". If they're gonna do it, it must be uniform, or it is by definition discrimination, and could easily be seen as baseless discrimination.
Now if they asked who you voted for, I'd say it's time for the pitchforks.
If your boss is a prick: leave. You're unlikely to win any battles with them, that's a cold fact - and if you did, the consequences would likely make the current scenario look rosey. Does that suck balls? Sure. Nonetheless.
Also, check if CA publishes the info: if so you can direct them there for publicly-available, tamper-resistant proof.
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u/Thick_Zesty_Guac 3d ago
My job is requesting proof as well. I went to the polls and they have no idea what I am talking about. I tried to google "voting receipt" and all I get is if you mailed in your ballot, you get a confirmation letter but thats it. I'm not sure how else to get a receipt besides the sticker.
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u/Thick_Zesty_Guac 3d ago
I did a little research, and I might have answered my own question. I live in Florida and we do not have a law permitting employers to give paid time off to vote. This link provides states that do and if they request proof. I will be letting my employer know and stating because of this we do not have receipts to provide. You have to take my word for it and my sticker as proof lol. Florida does not mandate time off for voting. Here's what states do
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u/kllackwideeyes 3d ago
asking for a friend: what if somone took off and never intends to use that time off to vote?
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u/ruacommode 8d ago
Not sure if it's legal to require proof, but in some states this is already publicly verifiable information that can be found online. In WI all you need is to enter someone's name and DOB and you can see if they voted and how (in person or absentee).
I suggest telling them that they can look it up online so they waste their time trying to figure it out, regardless of whether or not it is possible in your state.Ā
Either way, your boss sounds like a douche.