The Right to Vote
As a Californian, you have the right to up to two hours of paid time off to vote on Election Day. Here in faux-libertarian Orange County, your boss may squeal about Big Government interfering with his right to keep you from the polls “for the sake of the business”. Your right to register your opinion on candidates and issues trumps that, however. All of us who are citizens have the right to participate in the electoral process.
Here are the specifics as described by Time to Vote:
Employees who do not have sufficient time outside of working hours to vote may take as much time as they need to vote.
Employees must apply for leave at least two days before Election Day.
Employers may specify the time during the day that leave can be taken.
Employers are required to post a notice advising employees of their Election Day leave rights at least 10 days before Election Day.
Employees are entitled to up to two hours of paid leave.
See also the California Elections Code.
Also note that the deadline for voter registration is Thursday Monday, October 18 2004. Get those forms in!
In addition, if you have any questions contact your local party office or the Orange County Registrar of Voters.
http://www.ocgov.com – Orange County Government Online
http://www.ocdemocrats.net – Orange County Democratic Party
http://www.ocgop.org – Orange County Republican Party
http://www.ocgreens.org – Orange County Green Party
http://www.lpoc.org/ – Orange County Libitarian Party
If you’re undecided, register undecided or refuse to state. No one can force you into choosing a political party (if they do REPORT IT!)
Also note that you can walk up to ~any~ party’s voter registration table and ask for a registration form. If they deny it or attempt to prevent you from registering in the party of your choice, report them!
In my time, I did Democratic Party voter registration. We were told “You have to register Republicans or at least give them the form to send in themselves.” I know I was honest about turning in all the forms regardless of party, but I wouldn’t count on other people to be so. If the table is being run by the other party, ask for the form and deliver it yourself.
Every site I’ve seen says the registration deadline is October 15, not October 1. Can anyone confirm the final date?
If the Registrar of Voters says the 15th and I say the 1st, believe the Registrar of Voters.
I am working off of material which says that ~in most states~ the deadline is the 30th.
It took some digging, but I found the date: 18 October 2004. The blog entry has been corrected. Thanks to Staci for her heads up!