Politics in the workplace

State-by-state guide for 2024

Not sure what you’re allowed to restrict as an employer when it comes to politics in the workplace?
Click on each state where you have employees to see which activities are prohibited.

Updated August 2024

Do you need an employee political activity policy?

You’ve read the restrictions—now it’s time to review your handbook. Explore our in-depth guide for setting clear expectations with employees around political activity and discussion in the workplace.

Read the article

The employment law platform built for HR teams

Explore what’s included in SixFifty’s Employment Docs software, then schedule time for a personalized demo.

Research

Access the nation's employment laws and policies at your fingertips.

Learn more

Employee Handbook

Build compliant, multi-state employee handbooks in minutes.

Learn more

Agreements

Create contracts that comply with local laws and different worker types.

Learn more

Toolkits & Assessments

Identify laws that impact your org, compare state laws, and more.

Learn more

Employee Classification

Determine quickly if an employee position is exempt or non-exempt.

Learn more

Automated Legal Updates

Get alerted when laws change and auto-update impacted documents.

Learn more

Ready to get started?

Join hundreds of businesses that have used SixFifty for employment law management.

Book a demo

Political Restrictions for Arizona

Employers may not influence or attempt to influence or control employees’ political opinions or actions.
Employers may not include any political statements or content alongside employee compensation.
Within 90 days of an election, employers may not post political notices or other information that employees’ wages or continued employment relies upon an election result.

Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 16-1012

Political Restrictions for California

Employers may not influence or attempt to influence or control employees’ political opinions or actions, or take adverse employment actions against them for lawful off-duty conduct.
Employers may not prohibit or attempt to prohibit employees from participating in politics or running for public office.
Employers may not require employees to attend employer-sponsored meetings whose primary purpose is to communicate the employer’s opinion concerning religious or political matters.

“Political matters” means matters relating to elections for political office, political parties, legislation, regulation, and the decision to join or support any political party or political or labor organization. “Religious matters” means matters relating to religious belief and practice and the decision to join or support any religious organization or association. Cal. Lab. Code § 98.6; Cal. Lab. Code § 1101; Cal. Lab. Code § 1137

Political Restrictions for Connecticut

Employers may not discipline employees for exercising their First Amendment rights.
Employers with 25 or more employees may not subject employees to adverse employment action for holding public office in the Connecticut General Assembly.
Employers with more than 25 employees must grant a leave of absence to any employee who leaves employment to accept a full-time elective municipal or state office for up to 2 consecutive terms of office.

_____________

Employers may not require employees to attend employer-sponsored meetings whose primary purpose is to communicate the employer’s opinion concerning religious or political matters.

Conn. Gen. Stat. § 31-51q; Conn. Gen. Stat. § 2-3a

Political Restrictions for Delaware

Employers with four or more employees in the state may not restrict or attempt to restrict employees’ right to vote.
Employers also may not hinder employees from performing their duties as election officers.

Del. Code, tit. 15, § 5161-62

Political Restrictions for Florida

Employers may not terminate or threaten to terminate employees for their vote (or non-vote) in support of or opposition to a particular measure or candidate.

Fla. Stat. Ann. § 104.081

Political Restrictions for Indiana

Employers may not include any political statements or content intended to influence political opinions alongside employee compensation.
Employers may not post political notices or other information stating that employees’ wages or continued employment relies upon an election result.

Ind. Code Ann. § 3-14-3-21

Political Restrictions for Hawaii

Employers may not discipline or threaten to discipline employees who refuse to receive communications or attend employer-sponsored meetings that communicate the employer’s opinion about political matters.

Haw. Rev. Stat. § 377-6; SB 2715

Political Restrictions for Kentucky

Employers may not influence or attempt to influence or control employees’ votes, nor may employers terminate or threaten to terminate employees based on their vote.

Ky. Rev. Stat. § 121.310

Political Restrictions for Louisiana

Employers with 20 or more employees may not prevent employees from participating in politics or running for public office.
Employers also may not control, direct, coerce, or influence employees’ political activities or affiliations or their support for any particular political organization.

La. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 23:961; La. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 23:962

Political Restrictions for Massachusetts

Employers may not influence or attempt to influence or control employees’ political opinions or actions.
Employers also may not reward or punish employees based on their voting decisions or political activities.

Mass. Ann. Laws Ch. § 56, 33

Political Restrictions for Maryland

Employers may not include any political statements or content intended to influence political opinions alongside employee compensation.
Within 90 days of an election, employers may not post political notices or other information that is intended to influence employees’ votes or that claims employees’ wages or continued employment relies upon an election result.

Md. Code, Elec. Law § 13-602

Political Restrictions for Maine

Employers may not require employees to attend employer-sponsored meetings whose primary purpose is to communicate the employer’s opinion concerning religious or political matters. Employers are required to post and maintain a notice of employees’ rights to decline to attend such meetings.

26 MRSA §600-B

Political Restrictions for Michigan

Employers may not create or maintain records of employees’ associations, political activities, publications, communications, or nonemployment activities, unless the employee submits the information in writing or authorizes the employer, in writing, to do so.
Employers may not bribe or subject (or threaten to subject) employees to adverse employment action in an attempt to influence their vote.

Mich. Comp. Laws Serv. § 168.931

Political Restrictions for Missouri

Employers may not influence or attempt to influence employees’ political opinions or actions, or prevent them from or take adverse employment action against them for lawful off-duty conduct such as: running for or holding public office, joining a political subcommittee, conducting a political campaign, or otherwise engaging in political activity.

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 115.637(6)

Political Restrictions for Mississippi

Employers may not influence or attempt to influence or control employees’ political opinions or actions. Employers also may not reward or punish employees based on their voting decisions or political activities.
Employers may not request, direct, or permit employees to canvass or provide services for or against any political candidate. Nor may employers provide additional leave specifically for employees to support a candidate or party. This restriction does not prevent employees from using their regularly-alloted vacation time to support any political cause they wish.

Miss. Code § 23-15-871

Political Restrictions for Nebraska

Unless employees fail to provide reasonable notice of service, employers may not subject employees to adverse employment action for their absence from work while serving as an election official.

Neb. Rev. Stat. § 32-241

Political Restrictions for New Jersey

Employers may not influence or attempt to influence or control employees’ political opinions or actions.
Employers may not include any political statements or content intended to influence political opinions alongside employee compensation.
Within 90 days of an election, employers may not post political notices or other information that is intended to influence employees’ votes or that claims employees’ wages or continued employment relies upon an election result.

_____________

Employers may not require employees to attend employer-sponsored meetings whose primary purpose is to communicate the employer’s opinion concerning religious or political matters.

N.J. Stat. § 34:6B-1; N.J. Stat. § 19:34-27; N.J. Stat. §34:19-10

Political Restrictions for New Mexico

Employers may not terminate or threaten to terminate an employee based on their political opinions or voting activity or inactivity.

NMSA 1978, § 1-20-13

Political Restrictions for Nevada

Employers may not prohibit or attempt to prohibit employees from participating in politics or running for public office. Nor may employers influence or attempt to influence employee voting choice.

Nev. Rev. Stat. § 613.040; Nev. Rev. Stat. § 293.710

Political Restrictions for New York

Employers may not subject employees or prospective employees to adverse employment actions based on their off-duty political activities. Those political activities include: (i) running for public office, (ii) campaigning for a candidate for public office, or (iii) participating in fund-raising activities for the benefit of a candidate, political party or political advocacy group.

_____________

Employers may not require employees to attend employer-sponsored meetings whose primary purpose is to communicate the employer’s opinion concerning religious or political matters. Employers are required to post and maintain a notice of employees’ rights to decline to attend such meetings.

N.Y. Lab. Law § 201-d

Political Restrictions for Colorado

Employers may not influence or attempt to influence or control employees’ political opinions or actions, prevent them from belonging to a lawful organization, or take adverse employment actions against them for lawful off-duty conduct.
Employers may not prohibit or attempt to prohibit employees from participating in politics or running for public office.

Colo. Rev. Stat. § 24-34-402.5; Colo. Rev. Stat. § 8-2-108

Political Restrictions for Ohio

Employers may not include any political statements or content intended to influence political opinions alongside employee compensation.
Employers may not post political notices or other information that is intended or threatens to influence employees’ votes or that claims employees’ wages or continued employment relies upon an election result.

Ohio Rev. Code § 3599.05

Political Restrictions for Oregon

Employers may not discharge, threaten to discharge, intimidate, or coerce any employee due to their service as a member of a state board or commission. If the employee provides at least 21 days’ notice of the need for time to serve as a member of a board or commission, employers may not require employees to use vacation, sick, or annual leave to attend the responsibilities of their office.

_____________

Employers may not require employees to attend employer-sponsored meetings whose primary purpose is to communicate the employer’s opinion concerning religious or political matters. Employers are required to post and maintain a notice of employees’ rights to decline to attend such meetings.

ORS § 659A.314; ORS § 659.78

Political Restrictions for Pennsylvania

Employers may not intimidate, coerce, or otherwise interfere with employees’ free exercise of their right to vote for candidates or measures of their choosing.
Employers may not include any political statements or content intended to influence political opinions alongside employee compensation.
Within 90 days of an election, employers may not post political notices or other information that is intended to influence employees’ votes or that claims employees’ wages or continued employment relies upon an election result.

25 P.S. § 3547

Political Restrictions for Illinois

Employers with five or more employees who are not related to the employer may not create or maintain records of employees’ associations, political activities, publications, communications, or nonemployment activities, unless the employee submits the information in writing or authorizes the employer, in writing, to do so.
Employers may not require employees to attend employer-sponsored meetings or review communications whose primary purpose is to communicate the employer’s opinion concerning religious or political matters. Nor may employers punish them for refusing to attend such meetings.

“Political matters” means matters relating to elections for political office, political parties, proposals to change legislation, proposals to change regulations, proposals to change public policy, and the decision to join or support any political party or political, civic, community, fraternal, or labor organization. “Religious matters” means matters relating to religious belief, affiliation, and practice and the decision to join or support any religious organization or association. 820 ILCS 40/9; 820 ILCS 57/15

Political Restrictions for Rhode Island

Employers may not influence, attempt to influence, or take adverse employment action against employees for their political opinions or actions as an elected official.
Within 90 days of an election, employers may not include any political statements or content intended to influence employees’ political opinions or actions along with their compensation.
Within 90 days of an election, employers may not post political notices or other information that is intended to influence employees’ votes or that claims employees’ wages or continued employment relies upon an election result.

R.I. Gen. Laws § 17-23-6; R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-11.1-3

Political Restrictions for South Carolina

Employers may not discharge employees based on their political opinions or actions.

S.C. Code §16-17-560

Political Restrictions for South Dakota

Employers may not influence or attempt to influence employees’ political opinions or actions.
Employers may not include any political statements or content intended to influence employees’ political opinions or actions along with their compensation.
Within 90 days of an election, employers may not post political notices or other information that is intended to influence employees’ votes or that claims employees’ wages or continued employment relies upon an election result.
Employers must allow employees to take a leave of absence to perform their duties as officials elected to the Legislature. The leave may be unpaid but any agreement between an employer and employee that attempts to restrict the employee’s ability to serve in the Legislature (including any that affects wages) is void.

S.D. Codified Laws § 12-26-13 S.D. Codified Laws § 2-4-1.1

Political Restrictions for Tennessee

Employers may not influence, attempt to influence, or take adverse employment action against employees for their political opinions or actions.
Within 90 days of an election, employers may not post political notices or other information that is intended to influence employees’ votes or that claims employees’ wages or continued employment relies upon an election result.

Tenn. Code § 2-19-134;

Political Restrictions for Texas

Employers may not prevent employees from or retaliate against employees for attending a precinct convention or a county, district, or state convention where they are a delegate.

Tex. Elec. Code § 161.007

Political Restrictions for Utah

Employers may not influence, attempt to influence, take adverse action against, or otherwise discriminate against employees for their political opinions or actions.
Employers may not include any political statements or content intended to influence employees’ political opinions or actions along with their compensation.
Within 90 days of an election, employers may not post political notices or other information that is intended to influence employees’ votes or that claims employees’ wages or continued employment relies upon an election result.

Utah Code § 34A-5-112(2); Utah Code § 20A-3a-502; Utah Code § 20A-3a-503

Political Restrictions for Washington

Employers may not require employees to attend employer-sponsored meetings whose primary purpose is to communicate the employer’s opinion concerning religious or political matters. Employers are required to post and maintain a notice of employees’ rights to decline to attend such meetings.

RCW Sec 49.44

Political Restrictions for Wisconsin

Employers may not influence, attempt to influence, take adverse employment action against, or otherwise discriminate against employees or prospective employees for their political opinions or actions.
Employers may not prevent employees from serving as an election official.
Employers may not post or distribute political notices or other information that is intended to influence employees’ votes or that claims employees’ wages or continued employment relies upon an election result.

Wis. Stat. § 12.07; Wis. Stat. § 103.18; Wis. Stat. § 111.322; Wis. Stat. § 111.365

Political Restrictions for West Virginia

Employers may not include any political statements or content intended to influence employees’ political opinions or actions along with their compensation.
Employers may not post or distribute political notices or other information that is intended to influence employees’ votes or that claims employees’ wages or continued employment relies upon an election result.

W. Va. Code § 3-9-15:

Political Restrictions for Wyoming

Employers may not interfere with employee political rights.
Employers may not discharge employees for their nomination or election to public office, nor may employers cause or attempt to cause employees to withdraw or refuse nominations or elections to public office.

Wyo. Stat. Sec. 22-26-112;

Political Restrictions for Vermont

Employers may not require employees to attend employer-sponsored meetings whose primary purpose is to communicate the employer’s opinion concerning religious or political matters.

Vt. Stat. tit. 21 § 495o.

Political Restrictions for Minnesota

Employers must allow employees to take unpaid take time off work to attend their official duties as elected officials, members of a major political party committee, or delegates of a major political party at meetings of official convention committees.

Minn. Stat. § 203A.135

Political Restrictions for Arkansas

Employees who work for an Arkansas employer and are elected to a public office or appointed to a board or commission in Arkansas may take an unpaid leave of absence if their office or appointment requires them to be absent from their employment. The leave of absence may not be longer than the employee’s term in office. A leave of absence may not negatively effect an employee’s seniority rights.

Arkansas Code Annotated § 21-4-101

Political Restrictions for Iowa

Employers with at least 20 full-time employees must allow any employee who is elected to a state board, commission, committee, council, or task force to take leaves of absence to fulfill their duties as an elected official, upon written request. Leave does not need to be granted if it’s prohibited by federal law. Leave does not need to be paid but employees may not lose net credited service and benefits earned.

Iowa Code § 55.3