Uber And Lyft Are Offering Free Rides To The Polls On Election Day
www.fastcompany.com October 18, 2018
Uber’s CEO Dara Khosrowshahi has announced that on November 6, 2018, the company will partner with #VoteTogether and Democracy Works to provide free rides to the polls. The offer of free rides is being made because lack of transportation is one reason people cite for not voting.
As Khosrowshahi explained:
With the 2018 elections around the corner, many organizations and companies across the country are going the extra mile to support our democratic process. At Uber, we want to do our part, too–by helping voters register and get to the polls on Election Day. Using our technology and resources, we can help make it easier for every Uber rider in the U.S. to get to their polling place at the push of a button. We’re also partnering with nonprofit organizations to register voters before state deadlines and provide free rides to the polls on November 6.
Uber will also be inserting a “Get to the Polls” button inside its app on Election Day that will allow anyone to quickly find their polling place and book a ride to it as well as partnering with When We All Vote to provide users with easy-to-use voter registration tools.
Uber follows Lyft, who in August also offered 50% discounts and free rides to the polls on Election Day to those in underserved communities that face significant obstacles to transportation.
The Ride to Vote: Use Lyft to Exercise Your Rights
blog.lyft.com August 23, 2018
At Lyft, we’re working to improve lives by connecting people and their communities through the world’s best transportation. This Election Day (Tuesday, Nov. 6), we want to help people across America exercise their right to vote.
It is estimated that over 15 million people were registered but didn’t vote in 2016 because of transportation issues.1 That’s why we’re committed to providing 50% off rides across the country, and free rides to underserved communities that face significant obstacles to transportation.2 More details on our plan:
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Across the country, we’ll give away 50% off promo codes with our partners that encourage voter turnout. We’re thrilled to be working with Vote.org, Nonprofit Vote, TurboVote and more to help distribute codes to those who need them. We’ll also have a product integration to help passengers find their polling location.
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For underserved communities, we’ll provide rides free of cost through nonpartisan, nonprofit partners, including Voto Latino, local Urban League affiliates, and the National Federation of the Blind.
We know that getting to the polls is only one part of the voting process. We’re also committed to making it easier to register to vote and learn about important ballot initiatives. We’re partnering with When We All Vote and National Voter Registration Day to ensure Lyft’s passengers, drivers, and broader community are prepared for Election Day. We’ll:
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Remind Lyft passengers about voter registration deadlines using various social media and platform tools (e.g. push notifications)
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Give drivers voter registration handouts and key voter information at Hub locations
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Offer in-office voter registration for employees at our offices
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Offer comprehensive, online voter information through our partner organizations
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Encourage our community to make a plan in advance for Election Day, which has a proven impact on voter turnout rates
Your voice is important! We’re excited to help make it heard in this year’s elections.
Lyft promo codes and free rides are offered in accordance with all applicable laws and regulations, subject to Lyft’s terms and conditions, and is not intended to induce, nor is it conditioned on, the act of voting or voting for or against any particular candidate or measure.