Why Every Business Leader Should Support Time Off to Vote (From a CEO’s Perspective)

As an agency owner for over 15 years, one of the principles we’ve always upheld at Red Branch Media is giving our employees time off to vote. No matter the political climate, voting method, or business challenges we faced, including financial hardship during the pandemic, we’ve remained deeply committed to this practice. My partners, Eric Foutch and Jeremy Hogan, share my belief that it is not only our civic duty as citizens but also our duty as good employers to make sure our team has the time and encouragement to exercise their right to vote.

There are few things more important than participating in our civic duty. The 2020 presidential election saw a 66% turnout of the voting-eligible population, the highest in recent history. Even in midterm elections, where turnout is traditionally lower, we saw 53% turnout in 2018, a significant rise compared to previous midterms .

When I first started Red Branch, many of the employees we hired were young, and for some, voting didn’t seem like a priority. Whether due to college classes or entry-level jobs, they hadn’t fully experienced the power of voting or had the opportunity to educate themselves on the issues. Now, with options like early voting and mail-in ballots, the process is more accessible than ever, but I still feel it’s crucial to provide employees with time to reflect and engage mindfully with their decisions—not just in presidential elections but in local and state races that can significantly impact their lives and communities.

Taking time off to vote goes beyond just casting a ballot. It’s about fostering engagement with democracy in a way that transcends simply showing up at the polls. Local offices, school boards, judgeships—these are positions that directly affect the everyday lives of our employees and their families.

Even if they spend only part of the day voting, the remaining time can be used to volunteer at polling stations, offer water and snacks to those waiting in long lines, or just be present to support the process. This is especially important when we consider that women, who make up a majority of our workforce, consistently vote at higher rates than men , but many in our workforce, particularly women, haven’t had the right to vote for very long. This further emphasizes the importance of dedicating an entire day to celebrate and participate in the voting process.

What if You’re Not the CEO?

If you’re not in a position to directly give your employees or team members time off to vote, there are still meaningful ways to promote civic engagement in your workplace. Here are some ideas for managers, directors, or other team leaders who want to foster a culture of voting without having the final say on time-off policies:

1. Flexible Scheduling: If company-wide time off for voting isn’t possible (or required), consider implementing flexible work hours during election periods. Allow employees to adjust their start or end times on Election Day, giving them the flexibility to vote before or after work without feeling rushed.
2. Internal Voting Campaign: Use your influence as a leader to encourage voting by creating internal campaigns. Share resources on how and where to vote, deadlines for registration, and absentee voting guidelines. An important stat to keep in mind is that youth voter turnout was 55% in the 2020 presidential election, an increase from 42-44% in 2016 , but in the 2022 midterms, youth turnout was only 23% . This shows how important it is to encourage ongoing engagement, especially in non-presidential election years.
3. Offer Coverage or Support: If you’re managing a team, offer to cover duties for employees while they take a longer lunch break to vote or allow them to swap shifts with your approval. Simple accommodations like this show support without requiring formal company-wide policy changes.
4. Create a Voting-Friendly Culture: You can encourage your team to vote by leading by example. Share your own voting plans or stories about why you vote, and ask others to do the same in a non-partisan way. Even creating a dedicated discussion space to talk about voting logistics (not specific political preferences) can help normalize the process and create excitement around participation.
5. Organize Volunteer Opportunities: Encourage employees to participate in the voting process in other ways, like volunteering at polling stations or assisting with election-related initiatives in the community. While not everyone may take advantage of these opportunities, simply making them available can boost engagement and show that the company supports democracy in action.
6. Leverage Early and Absentee Voting: Remind your team that they don’t have to wait until Election Day to vote. Promote early voting options, mail-in voting, or absentee ballots, and give them space in your schedule to do so. This way, you help employees avoid long lines or scheduling conflicts without requiring a formal day off.
7. Non-Partisan Discussions: Facilitate open, non-partisan conversations about the importance of voting and civic engagement. You can invite guest speakers, host informational sessions, or share educational materials that help employees understand the issues without swaying them toward any particular candidate or party.

Creating a workplace that encourages political engagement also means embracing the full spectrum of viewpoints, and this is where it can sometimes be difficult. We work to cultivate an environment where civil discourse is welcomed, and political discussions are part of that. However, I know firsthand that it can be hard to extend this privilege to those whose political views may not align with mine—views that I may even find personally difficult to accept. But that’s the beauty of democracy and this country. The right to vote, the right to voice your opinion, and the right to engage in civil discourse belong to everyone, regardless of their political stance. It’s still surprising to me that this right isn’t universally honored in workplaces across the U.S.

As business owners, managers, or team leaders, we have the opportunity to create a supportive environment that allows employees to exercise this essential right. And for those of us who do have the power to give time off to vote, the statistics speak for themselves: in every election, participation matters. Supporting civic engagement isn’t just good citizenship—it’s good business.

Maren Hogan

Maren Hogan is CEO of Red Branch and general Bad@$$

Maren Hogan is a seasoned marketer and community builder in the HR and Recruiting industry. Maren started Red Branch Media and, before she hired all the smiling faces you see below, she ran it on her own. In marketing for over 15 years, she has deep experience in strategic campaigns and a long-term, results-based operational approach.