How many of your employees are voting in the presidential election tomorrow (or have already, thanks to early voting)? How many are voting for the first time?

This presidential race has been the most exciting in my life thus far, and some are saying it very well may be the most important election of many of our lifetimes. So amid the scrambling to register or re-register, find your polling location, obsess over political news sites, and stock up on your favorite Obama/Biden monogrammed blanket or McCain/Palin dish set, have you taken notice of how many people in your own office are voting in the 2008 election?

Well, the unscientific answer is, a lot. According to a recently released CareerBuilder.com survey of over 6,100 workers, a staggering 87 percent say they plan to vote in this year’s presidential election.

When are they voting?
Forty-one percent of workers say they plan to vote after work, while only about a third (31 percent) plan to vote before they head into the office. With early voting line waits of up to 10 hours, I for one am planning on voting first thing in the morning in the hopes of avoiding a several-hour wait. Fingers crossed.

On talking politics in the office
In previous posts, I talked about whether or not it’s acceptable to discuss politics in the workplace, and for those that do choose to do so, I offered up some guidelines. According to survey results, about a quarter (28 percent) of workers say they have debated another co-worker in the office over this year’s election, while 63 percent of workers report they are keeping their political affiliations to themselves in the office.

The one guideline most important to remember at this point is: No matter who emerges as the winner on November 5^th, be sure to keep a professional, courteous, and civil demeanor in the office. If you’re tempted to give a co-worker an “I told you so” tirade if your ticket wins, bite your tongue. Be conscious of the fact that emotions will be running high from both sides.

Guys vs. Gals
And on that note, women are a bit more conservative about discussing politics in the office – 68 percent say they do not discuss their political affiliation in the office, while only 58 percent of men say they prefer to keep their mouths shut during water cooler chatter.

Despite the extent to which they like to talk politics at work, an equal number of male and female workers say they will be casting their political preference at the polls this year.

The Generational Gap
According to the survey results, older workers are more likely to vote in this election. Despite the drop among younger generations, however, voting numbers across the generational board are still quite high.

Broken down by age range:
*Over the age of 55: 95 percent say they’ll vote
*Ages 45-54: 92 percent
*Ages 35-44: 84 percent
*Ages 18-24: 77 percent

Would you re-elect the president…of your company?
Interestingly, when it comes to the president of their own company, 53 percent of workers would re-elect their current president – while 47 percent would opt to elect someone new.
[poll id="11"]

Get out the vote!
Find your own polling location and pass this on to your employees today.

One last thing. As so many workers are intending to vote, and as long lines are anticipated, be prepared to be a little flexible tomorrow if your employees need to vote in the morning or cut out a little early to get to their polling location before it closes. Poll closing times vary by state, and some close fairly early (see the chart here.) Be supportive of your employees’ right to vote – and make sure that they know they can talk to you if they have individual issues in getting to the polls. 

Encourage your employees to VOTE tomorrow – and don’t forget to cast your ballot!