Voting Time Off for Employees

The University of Texas at Austin encourages all faculty and staff to vote in the upcoming election. Many counties offer convenient opportunities for early voting. You may go to the Vote Texas website for details about early voting and election-day voting locations throughout Texas.

Early voting for the fall election in Travis County is October 21 to November 1, 2024.  The Joint General and Special Elections are Tuesday, November 5, 2024. You may view the Travis County Clerk’s website for Travis County times and voting locations, including locations within walking distance to Cap Metro bus stops.

The University will have two early voting locations open to our campus community and the general public. The LBJ School of Public Affairs and the Texas Union will both have voting sites. Voting will not take place in the Flawn Academic Center. For more information about early voting locations, visit  the Travis County Clerk's current election web page. 

To view the Time Off to Vote policy, please visit the University Policy website.

Voting FAQs for Employees

Can I vote during my scheduled work hours?

All leave-eligible employees may vote during work time if they cannot vote during non-work hours. You should schedule a reasonable time to vote. Your supervisor has the discretion to schedule voting times to minimize business disruption. 

Students employed in positions that require student status and other non-leave eligible employees may request flexible schedules in order to vote in the upcoming election. Although this time would not be paid by the university, the use of flexible work schedules will allow participation in the upcoming election without any reduction in weekly income. Supervisors are encouraged to have flexible schedules available. 

How much work time do I get to vote? 

The university provides sufficient time to walk or drive to and from a polling location and to cast your vote. 

Do I need to take vacation time to vote?

No. Leave eligible employees may vote on work time; however, you should schedule time to vote with your supervisor to minimize business disruption. Leave eligible employees will use the “Voting” timecode available in Workday to record this time on your timesheet.