Alabama Voting Leave Law (2026)

Whether Alabama gives you time off to vote, how many hours, and whether that time is paid.

Unpaid leave required Verified Jul 6, 2026

Compiled and verified by David Scott · Verified Jul 6, 2026

Alabama gives you up to one hour of unpaid leave to vote if your shift starts at least two hours before the polls open or ends at least one hour before they close. You must give the employer reasonable notice, and the employer can set the hours.

Voting leave in Alabama

Time off required?

Yes

Paid?

Unpaid

How much time

Up to 1 hour

Advance notice

Reasonable notice

Good to know

Most voting-leave laws only apply when your work schedule does not already leave you enough time to vote, often two or three consecutive non-working hours while the polls are open. Where leave is required, the employer can usually decide whether you take it at the start or end of your shift. Early voting and mail-in ballots can change what applies to you. This is general information, not legal advice.

Common questions

Alabama voting leave FAQ

Does Alabama give you time off to vote?

Yes. Alabama gives you up to one hour of unpaid leave to vote if your shift starts at least two hours before the polls open or ends at least one hour before they close. You must give the employer reasonable notice, and the employer can set the hours.

Is voting leave paid in Alabama?

Alabama requires the time off, but it can be unpaid.

Do I have to tell my employer in advance?

In Alabama, the notice rule is: Reasonable notice. Check the statute for the exact wording.

Where can I confirm the official rule?

The governing law is Ala. Code § 17-1-5. You can find your state election office through Vote.gov, linked on this page.

David Scott

David Scott compiles and verifies minimum wage rates, tipped wages, and overtime rules from official state and federal labor department sources, and re-checks every page when rates change. See how the data is sourced.