Maryland Voting Leave Law (2026)

Whether Maryland 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

Maryland gives you up to two hours of paid leave to vote if you do not have two continuous off-duty hours while the polls are open. You must show proof that you voted or tried to vote.

Voting leave in Maryland

Time off required?

Yes

Paid?

Paid

How much time

Up to 2 hours

Advance notice

Proof of voting

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

Maryland voting leave FAQ

Does Maryland give you time off to vote?

Yes. Maryland gives you up to two hours of paid leave to vote if you do not have two continuous off-duty hours while the polls are open. You must show proof that you voted or tried to vote.

Is voting leave paid in Maryland?

Yes. Maryland requires the time off to be paid, within the limits set by law.

Do I have to tell my employer in advance?

In Maryland, the notice rule is: Proof of voting. Check the statute for the exact wording.

Where can I confirm the official rule?

The governing law is Md. Election Law § 10-315. 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.