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> a lot of companies

where is the evidence for this claim?

> a lot of companies disallow election day requests for time off specifically to disenfranchise their employees

Is this true? That seems crazy.

> Yes it's quite illegal

Is it?

Not op, but I did a search and couldn't find the correct query to confirm or deny. It might not be illegal for businesses to refuse time off for voting in the US. (seems like a bad place to work, but I'm sure it happens.)

Reference for you: https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/taking-time-off-voti...

In some states, at least, employers are legally required to give employees a "reasonable" amount of time off to vote.

A lot of this stuff varies state by state.

In the US, it depends on which state you're in. Many states (including mine) have a law entitling employees to time off to vote. Some states mandate that time off be paid up to a certain limit, commonly ~2 hours.

IMO voting day should be a national holiday. Eight US states have already gone ahead and declared it a civic holiday.