Time Off to Vote Act

This bill requires employers to provide employees with a minimum of 2 consecutive hours of paid leave to participate in Federal elections. This leave covers activities such as voting, returning mail-in ballots in person, or other voting-related actions, and must be provided upon an employee's request while polls or voting sites are open. The employer retains the right to specify the exact two-hour period for the leave, potentially directing employees to use it during early voting periods if applicable under State law. Crucially, this paid leave cannot result in the loss of any accrued employment benefits for the employee. The bill explicitly prohibits employers from interfering with, restraining, or denying an employee's right to take this leave, and also forbids any form of discrimination or retaliation against employees who exercise this right or participate in related proceedings. Employers found in violation of these provisions may face civil penalties not to exceed $10,000 per violation , with enforcement authority vested in the Secretary of Labor, similar to the Family and Medical Leave Act. The legislation defines an "employer" as any entity engaged in commerce employing 25 or more employees . It clarifies that this Act does not supersede any provision of any State or local law that requires an employer to provide leave for voting in an amount greater than that required under this Act or under more beneficial terms. This measure is set to take effect starting with the first Federal election that occurs after its enactment.