District of Columbia Voting Leave Law (2026)

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

Paid leave required Verified Jul 6, 2026

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

The District of Columbia gives you at least two hours of paid leave to vote. Employers may require reasonable notice, may direct you to vote early or at the start or end of your shift, and must post a notice for 60 days before an election.

Voting leave in District of Columbia

Time off required?

Yes

Paid?

Paid

How much time

At least 2 hours

Advance notice

Reasonable / 7 days

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

District of Columbia voting leave FAQ

Does District of Columbia give you time off to vote?

Yes. The District of Columbia gives you at least two hours of paid leave to vote. Employers may require reasonable notice, may direct you to vote early or at the start or end of your shift, and must post a notice for 60 days before an election.

Is voting leave paid in District of Columbia?

Yes. District of Columbia requires the time off to be paid, within the limits set by law.

Do I have to tell my employer in advance?

In District of Columbia, the notice rule is: Reasonable / 7 days. Check the statute for the exact wording.

Where can I confirm the official rule?

The governing law is D.C. Official Code § 1-1001.07a. 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.