Madrid: ¿Quiénes tendrán derecho a disfrutar de permisos retribuidos para poder ir a votar?

In preparation for the upcoming general elections scheduled on November 29, 2026, the Community of Madrid has established clear guidelines granting paid leave to employees to exercise their voting rights. This measure, formalized in an official resolution, outlines specific time allowances depending on the alignment between workers’ schedules and the opening hours of polling stations.

Employees whose work shifts overlap with the electoral opening hours for two or more hours but less than four are entitled to two hours of paid leave. For those whose schedule coincides between four and six hours, the permitted leave extends to three hours. When the overlap reaches six hours or more, workers may take up to four hours of paid leave. Conversely, employees whose working hours coincide for less than two hours or not at all with polling station hours are not eligible for this paid leave.

Recognizing the challenges faced by workers stationed away from their usual residence or under particular circumstances that hinder voting, the regulation allows for an equivalent type of paid leave to be granted. This provision is specifically intended to facilitate actions such as applying for voter registration certification or submitting postal ballots.

The law also accounts for proportional adjustments in leave duration relative to part-time contracts compared to full-time positions within the same company. Employers hold the responsibility to arrange the timing of this leave, ensuring work organization accommodates employees' voting needs.

Additional provisions support those serving in official electoral roles. Workers designated as presidents, members of electoral tables, or acting as electoral overseers and proxies receive full-day paid leave on election day if it is not their regular day off, plus an additional five hours on the following day. Proxy representatives’ leave, however, is limited to election day only. Moreover, should these workers be scheduled for night shifts before election day, companies are required to reschedule shifts upon request to ensure adequate rest before voting.

These labor protections align with Article 37.3.d) of the Spanish Workers’ Statute, which safeguards workers from losing wages due to such authorized leave. Proof of voting or electoral participation must be submitted to justify the absence.

This directive from Madrid’s regional government aims to facilitate electoral participation by minimizing work-related barriers, underscoring the importance of civic engagement during the upcoming congressional and senatorial elections. While further details on procedural implementation remain limited, this framework sets a precedent for balancing professional obligations with electoral rights in the Spanish capital.