Image courtesy of michiganvoting.org
With the November 5 General Election just days away, Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson urges voters to plan their transportation to polling places or early voting sites. To facilitate voter participation, Benson has released a list highlighting nonpartisan organizations and businesses offering free or discounted rides, ensuring every voter has the opportunity to make their voice heard.
Secretary Benson highlighted the importance of ensuring that transportation does not stand in the way of any eligible Michigan citizen’s access to the ballot box.
“I’m glad lawmakers worked to lift the ban on providing rides to voting locations and grateful to the organizations who have stepped up to provide transportation for citizens who need it to vote,” Benson said.
“These services will be essential for many, especially older citizens and voters with disabilities, to ensure every eligible voter can make their voice heard in this election.”
Several transportation agencies throughout the state are providing rides to assist voters in reaching polling places. The Capital Area Transportation Authority (CATA) is offering complimentary rides across its entire system until November 5 for individuals registering to vote, engaging in early voting, or delivering their ballot to a drop box or polling location. Riders just need to notify the bus driver when they board that they are engaging in voter-related activities.
CATA Board Chair Nathan Triplett emphasized The Capital Area Transportation Authority has provided free rides on Election Day since 1988, and has worked hard to build on that legacy in recent years.
“After voters approved Proposal 2 in 2022, establishing their constitutional right to cast an early vote in every statewide and federal election, the value of public transportation to promote greater voter participation, and improve equity and access to the ballot box for all eligible voters, became more significant than ever before,” Triplett said.
“Our core competency — to provide safe and reliable transportation to the public — is especially important to those who do not have or cannot afford transportation. Transportation should never be a barrier to participate in democracy.”
Ride-sharing company Lyft is offering a 50% off one ride to or from the polls on Election Day with the discount code VOTE24. In addition, the Detroit Bus Company (DBC) will be utilizing its own busses, as well as volunteers and their respective personal vehicles, to offer residents in Detroit, Highland Park, and Hamtramck free rides to the polls.
DBC Owner Andy Didorosi points out voting is one of the most essential acts that can be done as citizens.
“We will have also done our duty as a local transportation organization if we can help even a handful of Detroiters of any creed make the journey on voting day who otherwise wouldn’t be able to do so. That’s a win in my book,” Didorosi said.
Transportation to the polls is now funded thanks to the approval of voting rights bill HB 4568, which removed the prohibition on hiring rides to the polls. Secretary Benson released a statement after the Senate passed the initiative in October 2023.
Eligible residents who still need to register to vote in the General Election must now do so in person. Under Michigan law, online and mail registration is not permitted within 14 days of an election. Those registering in person may request, complete, and submit an absentee ballot to their clerk’s office in the same visit.
Voting Resources
To request a ride with Detroit Bus Company (DBC), visit https://thedetroitbus.com/dbc-vote-rides/
For a complete list of rides to the polls, visit www.michiganvoting.org/rides
For more information about elections and to find your voting poll, visit Michigan.gov/Vote
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