As early voting is underway and Election Day less than a week away, Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson is sharing resources to ensure voters have a way to get to the polls to cast their ballots.
Benson released a list, produced by MichiganVoting.org, of nonpartisan organizations and companies that are providing free and discounted rides to early voting locations and on Election Day.
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Free rides to polls are possible due to HB 4568 being passed, which lifted the ban on hiring transportation for rides to voting sites.
“It’s important that transportation not stand in the way of any eligible Michigan citizen and their access to the ballot box,” Benson said. “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. 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.”
Here are the free and discounted transportation options for Michigan voters:
Free rides for Detroit, Hamtramck and Highland Park residents
The Detroit Bus Company will offer free rides to residents in Detroit, Hamtramck and Highland Park on Election Day. To request a ride, people can visit the Detroit Bus Company website.
“Voting is one of the most essential acts we can do as citizens,” said DBC Owner Andy Didorosi. “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.”
The Detroit Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. is also offering free rides to and from the polls on Election Day for residents in these three communities and for residents of Grosse Pointe and Harper Woods. Voters can request a ride by calling 888-328-4283 or emailing contact@oakland-service.com.
Free rides for Metro Detroit residents
The Detroit Downriver APRI is offering rides for residents in Metro Detroit through Nov. 5. The rides are available for residents in the following communities:
- Allen Park
- Brownstown
- Detroit
- Ecorse
- Inkster
- Lincoln Park
- Oak Park
- River Rouge
- Riverview
- Southfield
- Southgate
- Taylor
- Trenton
To request a ride, voters should fill out the online form on the Detroit Downriver APRI website.
Free SMART bus rides
SMART, which serves Southeast Michigan, is offering free bus rides all day on Nov. 5.
“We are proud to support our community’s right to vote by offering free fares all day on November 5th,” said Dwight Ferrell, General Manager at SMART. “This initiative aligns with the Secretary of State, Jocelyn Benson’s efforts to increase voter access and participation across Michigan. At SMART, we believe in facilitating civic engagement and ensuring that transportation is never a barrier to casting a vote.”
Free Capital Area Transportation Authority (CATA) bus rides
The Capital Area Transportation Authority, which serves the Lansing area, is offering systemwide free rides from now through Nov. 5. The free rides are for people participating in any voting-related activity, such as registering to vote or taking a ballot to a drop box.
To get the free ride, a person will just need to notify the bus driver of their intended voting activity.
“The Capital Area Transportation Authority has provided free rides on Election Day since 1988, and we’ve worked hard to build on that legacy in recent years,” said CATA Board Chair Nathan Triplett. “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. 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.”
Discounted Lyft, Uber rides
Lyft is offering 50% off rides for voters on Election Day.
A voter can get 50% off one ride too or from a voting location on Nov. 5 by using the discount code: VOTE24.
Uber is also offering 50% off rides to polling sites on Election Day. Voter will get this offer when they us the “Go Vote” tile to book a ride.
For a full list of discounted and free rides to the polls and early voting sites, visit the MichiganVoting.org website.
