The provincial election is on October 24, 2026, with advance voting already underway and taking place from October 16 to 21, 2026 (8am – 8pm). BC employers should take the time to review their obligations to provide eligible employees with time off to vote. We address some frequently asked questions about these obligations below.
Are employers required to provide time off to vote on election day?
The British Columbia Elections Act provides that employees who are eligible to vote are entitled to four consecutive hours free from work for voting purposes between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. on election day.
In order to be eligible to vote, an employee must:
(a) be a Canadian citizen;
(b) be 18 years or older on the final voting day for the election;
(c) be a resident of the electoral district;
(d) have been a resident of British Columbia for at least 6 months immediately before final voting day for the election;
(e) be registered as a voter for the electoral district or register as such in conjunction with voting, and
(f) not be disqualified to vote under the Elections Act or any other enactment or otherwise be disqualified by law.
Where an employee’s work schedule on election day does not allow for four consecutive hours free from work during the voting hours (8 a.m. to 8 p.m.) then their employer must allow for an employee to take sufficient time off to create a four-hour window. Employers cannot deduct pay for the otherwise scheduled hours that the employee takes off.
While employees are entitled to time off to vote, it is the employer who determines when to schedule that time off during the workday. For example, if an employee who is scheduled to work from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on October 24, 2026, the employer may allow for the employee to arrive either two hours late, leave two hours early, or leave mid-day for four hours. In addition, employers cannot refuse to provide employees with sufficient time off without reasonable justification, such as public or employee safety.
Employers are not required to provide time off from work to employees with scheduled working hours on election day that already include a four-hour window free from work during voting hours.
Are employers required to provide time off to vote in advance polls?
Where an employee’s work schedule does not allow for four hours free from work during voting hours on election day and the employee is willing to vote during the advance voting period taking place from October 16 to 21, 2026, then the employee is entitled to have four hours free from work to vote during an advance voting day.
If the willing employee’s work schedule does not allow for four consecutive hours free from work on any advance voting day, the employer must allow the willing employee to take time off during advance voting hours.
An employee who elects to take time off to vote during the advance voting period will not be entitled to time off to vote on election day as well.
Are there any exceptions?
Nearly all employees in British Columbia have the statutory right to time off to vote. However, there are two narrow exceptions:
Could employers be subject to any penalties?
The failure of an employer to comply with the Elections Act may result in steep penalties. Employers who fail to provide time off work in accordance with the Elections Act commit an offence and are liable for a fine up to $10,000, imprisonment for up to one year, or both.
If you have any questions regarding the time off to vote requirements under the Elections Act please contact your Harris lawyer.
