Californians would get a day off from work, some with pay, on election day under a proposed law introduced this week at the state Capitol.
Assembly Bill 674 would add each November's election to the list of holidays celebrated under state law.
"Too many people who want to vote face barriers due to work and school obligations," said Assemblyman Evan Low (D-Campbell) in a written statement.
State law currently allows Californians to take up to two hours off from work, without any loss of pay, to cast a ballot. Low's bill would expand that option, though it would not make a full day off from work mandatory for the private sector.
Low said he hopes the bill would broaden the ability of low-income communities to participate in elections.
