§11-95  Employees entitled to leave onelection day for voting.  (a)  Any voter shall on the day of the electionbe entitled to be absent from any service or employment in which such voter isthen engaged or employed for a period of not more than two hours (excluding anylunch or rest periods) between the time of opening and closing the polls toallow two consecutive hours in which to vote.  Such voter shall not because ofsuch absence be liable to any penalty, nor shall there be any rescheduling ofnormal hours or any deduction made, on account of the absence from any usualsalary or wages; provided that the foregoing shall not be applicable to anyemployee whose hours of employment are such that the employee has a period oftwo consecutive hours (excluding any lunch or rest periods) between the time ofopening and closing the polls when the employee is not working for theemployer.  If, however, any employee fails to vote after taking time off forthat purpose the employer, upon verification of that fact, may make appropriatedeductions from the salary or wages of the employee for the period during whichthe employee is hereunder entitled to be absent from employment.  Presentationof a voter's receipt by an employee to the employer shall constitute proof ofvoting by the employee.

(b)  Any person, business, or corporation whorefuses an employee the privileges conferred by this section, or subjects anemployee to a penalty or deduction of wages because of the exercise of theprivileges, or who directly or indirectly violates this section, shall besubject to a fine of not less than $50 nor more than $300.

(c)  Any action taken to impose or collect thefines established in this section shall be a civil action. [L 1970, c 26, pt of§2; am L 1976, c 106, §1(7); am L 1981, c 100, §1(1); am L 1998, c 236, §1]