The Generalitat sets up to four paid hours for voting on 29N

The General Directorate of Labor, Cooperativism, and Occupational Safety of the Comunitat Valenciana has set at up to four paid hours the leave that companies must grant their workers to vote on the upcoming November 29. The resolution, dated October 26, 2026, and published in the Official Gazette of the Generalitat Valenciana (DOGV) no. 10485, of November 3, is issued following an agreement with the Government Delegation in the Comunitat Valenciana and takes effect from the day of its publication. The text bears the official reference DOGV-C-2026-34283.

The legal framework of the measure

The regulation is based on Article 13 of Royal Decree 605/1999, of April 16, which obliges administrations with labor competencies to adopt the necessary measures so that those working on election day have up to four free and paid hours during working hours. The call for the General Courts stems from Royal Decree 806/2026, of October 5, on the dissolution of the Congress of Deputies and the Senate, published in the BOE no. 248, of October 6, 2026.

The resolution is further supported by Article 12 of Decree 19/2026, of February 13, of the Consell, which approves the organic regulation of the First Vice-Presidency and Conselleria of Housing, Employment, Youth, and Equality, and Article 70 of Law 5/1983, of December 30, of the Consell. The document is signed by the director general, María Lurueña Ruiz.

The scale of hours according to the workday

The leave is not automatic: it depends on how many hours the work schedule and the opening hours of the polling stations overlap.

• Overlap of less than two hours: no right to paid leave.
• Overlap of two to less than four hours: two hours of leave.
• Overlap of four to less than six hours: three hours of leave.
• Overlap of six hours or more: four hours of leave.

The leave applies to employees with voter status who do not enjoy the weekly rest provided for in Article 37 of the Workers’ Statute on that day. The distribution of the period corresponds to the company, “in accordance with its organizational and productive needs.”

Mail-in voting and part-time work

Those who must work on election day far from their usual residence, or under conditions that make voting difficult, may substitute the leave for another of an identical nature intended to request the certification of registration in the census and to send the vote by mail. The duration is calculated using the same criteria, but referring to the opening hours of the post offices.

In part-time contracts, the duration of the leave is reduced in proportion to the actual workday relative to that of a full-time worker in the same company.

Polling stations, remuneration, and public personnel

Persons appointed as polling station presidents or members, as well as accredited scrutineers, are entitled—if they are not off duty that day—to paid leave during the voting day and to five hours during the immediately following working day. Proxies are granted leave during the election day. Those who must cover a night shift on the eve may request a shift change to ensure prior rest.

None of these reductions entail a loss of remuneration. Justification is provided via the voting certification or the accreditation issued by the polling station, in accordance with article 37.3.d) of the Workers’ Statute. The same rules apply to public employees of the Valencian administrations, according to the specific applicable regulations.

Impact for readers

The resolution is binding for all companies with activity in the Comunitat Valenciana and affects any person with a working day on Sunday, November 29, who should be aware that the leave is calculated by overlapping hours and that its hourly distribution is decided by the company. It also obliges employers to document the reduction through the electoral certification and to maintain the payroll in full.

Source: Diari Oficial de la Generalitat Valenciana, no. 10485, of November 3, 2026, section III (administrative acts, C) other matters), pp. 1-2 (official reference: DOGV-C-2026-34283).