REFERENCE TITLE: voting; absence from employment

State of Arizona

Senate

Fifty-sixth Legislature

Second Regular Session

2024

SB 1559

Introduced by

Senators Bennett: Epstein

An Act

amending section 16-402, Arizona Revised Statutes; relating to conduct of elections.

(TEXT OF BILL BEGINS ON NEXT PAGE)

Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Arizona:

Section 1. Section 16-402, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended to read:

START_STATUTE16-402. Absence from employment for purpose of voting; notice; violation; classification

A. A person who is entitled to vote at a primary or general election held within this state may, on the day of election or for in-person early voting, may be absent himself for the purpose of voting from the service or employment at which he the person is employed. if there are less than three consecutive hours between the opening of the polls and the beginning of his regular workshift or between the end of his regular workshift and the closing of the polls. In such event, he The person may be absent himself for such length of time three consecutive hours at the beginning or end of his the person's workshift that, when added to the time difference between workshift hours and opening or closing of the polls, will provide a total of three consecutive hours. He The person shall not, because of such absence, be liable for any penalty because of that absence, nor shall the employer make any deduction be made therefor from his the person's usual salary or wages because of that absence. Application shall be made for such absence prior to The person shall notify the employer of the absence before the day of election, and the employer may specify the hours during which the employee may be absent himself.

B. A person who refuses an employee the right conferred by this section, or who subjects an employee to a penalty or reduction of wages therefor, for an absence to vote as prescribed by this section or who directly or indirectly violates the provisions of this section,  is guilty of a class 2 misdemeanor. END_STATUTE