Colombian workers who vote in both presidential election rounds can combine their compensatory half-day leaves into one full paid day off [1].
This legal provision aims to encourage electoral participation by providing a tangible benefit to citizens who exercise their right to vote in multiple stages of the national election process [2].
Under Law 403 of 1997, workers are granted a compensatory half-day of leave for each act of voting [2]. Because the 2026 presidential election consists of two stages, the law allows these periods to be accumulated [1]. This means a worker who voted in the first round on May 31, 2026, and again in the second round on June 19, 2026, is eligible for a full day of remunerated leave [1], [4].
Legal experts said this benefit is a statutory right designed to remove professional barriers to voting. The accumulation of these half-days allows employees to coordinate with their employers for a more convenient block of time off rather than taking two separate partial days [5].
This incentive follows a period of high engagement in previous 2026 contests. For instance, 20,492,278 people voted in the congressional elections held on March 8 [3]. The government continues to utilize these labor incentives to maintain high turnout levels across the country's various election cycles [2].
To claim the benefit, workers must typically provide proof of voting, such as the certificate issued by the polling station, to their employer [5]. The timing of the leave is generally agreed upon between the worker and the company, provided the legal right to the time is established [6].
“Workers who vote in both rounds receive a full paid day”
The application of Law 403 of 1997 serves as a structural incentive to combat voter apathy in Colombia. By converting a fragmented benefit into a full day of paid leave, the state reduces the opportunity cost for the working class to participate in the democratic process, potentially stabilizing turnout rates between the first and second rounds of presidential elections.
