University of Illinois System

Voting - Primary Election

Employees are encouraged to vote during non-working hours. However, if they are unable to do so, and their employer consents, State of Illinois law grants eligible employees up to two hours, unpaid, for the purpose of voting in a primary election within the State of Illinois. Select one of the links below for more information:

Eligibility
Approval & Documentation
Length
Reporting
Resources

Please also see information regarding voting in a General or Special election.


Eligibility

Any person entitled to vote at a primary election shall, on the day of such primary, with the consent of his or her employer, be eligible for time to vote.


Approval & Documentation

Prior to the day of the primary election, the employee must provide his or her supervisor/department with a written request, and show his/her voter registration card as proof of eligibility to vote in the designated primary.


Length

Eligible employees are encouraged to vote during their non-working hours. However, if they are unable to do so, and their employer consents, they may be granted up to 2 hours, unpaid, to vote on the day of the primary between the time of opening and closing of the polls. Your supervisor/department may specify the hours during which you may absent yourself to vote.


Reporting

Civil Service non-exempt and other hourly employees should report time to vote as an "Excused Absence W/O Pay". If supervisory approval has been granted, an employee may substitute accrued vacation or personal leave for this unpaid time.

Academic employees will not be required to report time to vote unless 2 hours constitutes a half day of work. Employees in this situation should contact their department for reporting procedures.


Resources

This provision for primary elections is allowed under the State of Illinois Election Code, 10 ILCS 5/7-42.

Certain Faculty and staff political displays are protected within the University of Illinois Act, 110 ILCS 305/60.

Certain prohibited political activities are detailed within the Illinois State Officials and Employees Ethics Act.