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How to Get to the Polls for Free on Election Day

Nov. 05, 2018
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3 min read
Voters Head To Polls As Early Voting Starts In Florida
How to Get to the Polls for Free on Election Day
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Tomorrow, on Nov. 6, millions of Americans will travel to the polls to cast ballots for local, state and federal elections. While many will drive themselves to their polling location or have already mailed in their absentee ballots — a host of citizens will have trouble exercising one of their most sacred rights. In fact, the Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement estimates that more than 15 million people didn't vote in the 2016 election due to lack of transportation.

Fortunately, there are a number of transportation services that are offering free or discounted rides on election day. Here's a round-up of how you can save cash when getting to the polls:

Uber

Uber will "be offering $10 off a single ride to the polls on Election Day on the most affordable Uber option available in your city (Express POOL, POOL, or UberX, in that order)." Uber provided these details on how to access the discount in the app on election day:

  • Make sure you have the most recent version of the Uber app.
  • Enter the promotional code VOTE2018 in your app. (Tap Menu > Payment > Add Promo Code)
  • Request your ride using our polling place locator, right in the Uber app.
  • Be sure to select the most affordable Uber option available in your city (Express POOL, POOL, or UberX, in that order).

Note that the code is not available at all in Michigan, Puerto Rico or other US territories.

Lyft

Lyft has partnered with Buzzfeed to offer 50% off rides (up to $5 off) to voting sites on Nov. 6. Head to Buzzfeed's special website here and enter your zipcode. You'll then receive a special code you can enter in your Lyft app to get the discount, which is only valid on election day.

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Lime

Lime Scooters will be offering free 30 minute rides on its scooters, bikes and e-bikes. Open up your LIME app and enter the code: LIME2VOTE18 — you'll then have access to one complimentary 30 minute ride in one of the 100+ cities where Lime is active.

Bike Shares in Major Cities

Motivate, which was recently purchased by Lyft, operates bikeshare programs around the country. You can enter the code: BIKETOVOTE in the relevant app to receive a free day pass on election day. Eligible programs include:

  • Citi Bike in New York and Jersey City
  • Bluebikes in Boston
  • Capital Bikeshare in Washington D.C.
  • Nice Ride Minnesota in Minneapolis
  • Ford GoBike in the San Francisco Bay Area
  • CoGo in Columbus, OH

Additionally Divvy in Chicago "will offer users free $15 Explorer Passes with the code VOTE18, granting them an unlimited number of three-hour trips in a 24-hour window," according to VentureBeat. Portland residents can use the code BIKE2VOTE for a free 30 minute ride on Motivate's Biketown program.

Car-Sharing

While it's probably not as convenient, you can rent an entire car through either ZipCar or Getaround and receive a ride credit. If you take a trip in a Zipcar from 6pm to 10pm on election night, you'll get $20 in credit toward a future booking, according to a blog post on the company's website.

VentureBeat reports that Getaround users can enter the code GETAROUND2VOTE for $10 off election day rentals in these cities: San Francisco, Oakland, Berkeley, Los Angeles, Portland, Chicago, Washington DC, New Jersey, Philadelphia, Seattle, Boston, New York City, Miami and San Diego.

Featured image by Getty Images

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Apply for American Express® Gold Card
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Best for dining at restaurants

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  • Intro Offer

    As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.

  • Annual Fee

    $325

  • Recommended Credit

    Excellent to Good

Why We Chose It

There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)

Pros

  • 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
  • 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

Cons

  • Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.