Local initiatives aim to eliminate transportation barriers for voters ahead of Election Day.
As Election Day approaches, access to transportation emerges as a top concern for voters in Philadelphia, particularly for those who live far from polling places. This issue is reported to be more pressing for undecided voters, whose entire participation could hinge on their ability to actually get to the polls. In response, local organizations are mobilizing volunteers from across the country to provide free rides and promote discounted transportation options through Uber and Lyft.
Philly Souls to the Polls and Drive Your Ballot are two of the main organizations making this service happen to voters in Philadelphia. Tom Conrad, a local organizer for Philly Souls to the Polls said, “These efforts turn every sign-up into a vote. We want to be a force multiplier and reach people who often don’t vote. Undecided voters decide very late in campaigns if they’re going to vote, and if we can remove the transportation barrier, it will mean a difference between voting and nonvoting for a lot of people.”
These nonpartisan organizations share their missions of being committed to dismantling the obstacle of reliable transportation to voting locations. Conrad pointed to the 2020 election, where one out of every three registered voters in Philadelphia did not cast a ballot.
In addition to free rides from volunteers, Uber and Lyft are offering discounted rides to polling locations. Both Philly Souls to the Polls and Drive Your Ballot are providing free rides on Election Day, with no eligibility requirements. Voters are encouraged to sign up before November 5, although sign-ups will remain open Election Day.
For more information, check out Philly Souls to the Polls and Drive your Ballot. Both Uber and Lyft are offering 50% discounts (up to $10) on rides to polling locations on Election Day
- Lyft: Use promo code VOTE24 when scheduling a ride. The code is valid for rides ordered on November 5, from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m.
- Uber: On Election Day, users will find a “Go Vote” button on the app’s home screen. Clicking this allows riders to book a discounted ride to their polling location.
