Senate Bill No. 473, introduced by Senator Carter, aims to ensure that employees in Louisiana are granted time off to vote without any reduction in their compensation. The bill enacts a new section, R.S. 18:1462.2, which mandates that employers must allow employees time off during the regular workday to vote in person or by absentee ballot. However, there is an exception: if the polls are open for at least two hours after the employee's regular workday, the employer is not required to provide time off.

Additionally, the bill establishes penalties for employers who fail to comply with this requirement. Specifically, an employer who does not allow an employee the opportunity to vote as mandated will be guilty of a misdemeanor, facing a fine of no less than one thousand dollars or a potential jail sentence of up to six months. This legislation is set to take effect on August 1, 2026.