25-418. Leave allowance for employees to vote; obstruction of voting privilege, penalty. - Kansas Statutes

25-418

Chapter 25.--ELECTIONS Article 4.--CONDUCT OF ELECTIONS

      25-418.   Leave allowance for employees to vote; obstruction of votingprivilege, penalty.Any person entitled to vote at an election conducted by a countyelection officer in this state shall, on the day of such election, beentitled to absent himself from any service or employment in which he isthen engaged or employed for a period of not to exceed two (2) consecutivehours between the time of opening and closing of polls: Provided, Thatif the polls are open before commencing work or after terminating work butthe period of time the polls are so open is less than two (2) consecutivehours, he shall only be entitled to absent himself from such service oremployment for such a period of time which, when added to the period oftime the polls are so open, will not exceed two hours; and such voter shallnot because of so absenting himself be liable to any penalty, nor shalldeductions be made, on account of such absence, from his usual salary orwages.

      The employer may specify the particular time during the day which saidemployee may absent himself as aforesaid except such specified time shallnot include any time during the regular lunch period.

      Obstruction of voting privilege is (a) intentionally obstructing anemployee in his or her exercise of voting privilege or (b) imposing apenalty upon an employee exercising his or her voting privilege under thissection.

      Obstruction of voting privilege is a class A misdemeanor.

      History:   L. 1893, ch. 78, § 24; L. 1897, ch. 129, § 24; R.S. 1923, 25-418; L.1959, ch. 175, § 1; L. 1974, ch. 157, § 2; July1.