NEW A vastly improved search engine helps you find the latest on companies, business leaders, and news more easily.<doc-sep>Lyft is going to offer half-priced and free rides to polling places around the country on Election Day (November 6). The ride-hailing giant said that it’s going to give out 50 percent off promotional codes to partners that encourage voter turnout. The company has linked up with Vote.org, Nonprofit VOTE, TurboVote and others to help distribute the codes to anyone who needs them. On the day of the election the company said it will also provide a product integration that will help voters find their polling places to make it even easier to cast their ballot. This non-partisan effort to get people to the polls is only becoming more critical. Election officials in one county in Georgia have proposed closing 7 of 9 polling places because they’re not sufficiently accessible for handicapped voters. Having Lyft available to help those voters who would be impacted by the closures (some of whom would have to walk three hours to get to the nearest open polls) could certainly be a boon. As the company noted in its announcement, there’s a participation problem impacting elections in the U.S. Estimates from the Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement indicate that roughly 15 million people didn’t vote in the 2016 election because they didn’t have transportation to get to the polls. The last presidential election was decided by 80,000 votes in three states, so getting out the vote and getting people to the polls clearly matters. For those underserved communities where the 50 percent discount on rides isn’t enough, the company will provide transportation free of cost through non-partisan, nonprofit organizations like Voto Latino, local affiliates of the Urban League and the National Federation of the Blind. Beyond just getting people to the polls, Lyft is providing ways for people to register to vote and learn about voting initiatives that are up for approval on election day. Through a partnerships with When We All Vote and National Voter Registration Day the company intends to remind passengers about voter registration deadlines; give drivers voter registration handouts and voter information at Hub locations; offer in-office voter registration for employees; and offer online voter information through the company’s partner organizations. Voting access is a critical issue in making sure that every American’s voice is heard through the election process. According to studies from the Pew Research Center (cited by Lyft), 46 percent of nonvoters have incomes under $30,000 compared with 19 percent of likely voters. And 43 percent of people unlikely to cast ballots are Hispanic, African American or other minorities, which is double the percentage among likely voters.<doc-sep>Lyft will offer discounted and free rides to users who take advantage of the service to go to the polls on Election Day, the company said Thursday. The ride-share company is teaming up with a host of voter turnout organizations to offer a 50 percent off promotion on Nov. 6. The company will also offer free rides to "underserved communities that face significant obstacles to transportation," according to a statement. Lyft is working with Vote.org, TurboVote, Nonprofit Vote and When We All Vote. The latter group is a voter registration push backed by former first lady Michelle Obama Michelle LeVaughn Robinson ObamaPelosi: George Floyd daughter's prediction that he would 'change the world' is coming true Jill Biden recognizes Fauci as an 'American hero' Michelle Obama shows support for foundation created to honor Kobe, Gigi Bryant's memory MORE. ADVERTISEMENT Users will only receive the discount when traveling to vote, and will not be able to benefit from the promotion during their return trip. In addition to discounted rides, Lyft said it will remind passengers about registration deadlines and offer in-office voter registration to employees. Business Insider first reported on the initiative. Ride-sharing companies like Lyft and Uber have in the past partnered with municipalities to assist voters in getting to the polls and locating their polling place. Democrats have expressed optimism that a strong voter turnout in this year's midterm will propel them to retake control of the House, and possibly the Senate. Republicans are hoping to stave off a Democratic surge. President Trump Donald TrumpTrump lashes out after grand jury seated for New York criminal probe Schumer tees up vote on Jan. 6 commission bill Senators struggle to save Jan. 6 commission MORE has expressed more optimism, suggesting a "red wave" is possible. A RealClearPolitics average of polls shows Democrats with a 6.6 point lead over Republicans in the generic congressional ballot.<doc-sep>Lyft is offering a 50% off promotion on rides to the polls on Election Day in November. Some riders will even be eligible for an entirely free trip. Lyft will give away 50% off promo codes in coordination with the voter turnout organizations When We All Vote, Vote.org, Nonprofit Vote, and TurboVote. It will be providing free rides in "underserved communities" through organizations such as Voto Latino, a nonprofit organization aimed at boosting Hispanic and Latino voter registration. Election Day is Tuesday, November 6. Lyft is offering a 50% off promotion on rides to the polls on Election Day in November — and some riders will even be eligible for an entirely free trip. In a release provided to Business Insider, Lyft announced it will run the 50% off promotion on November 6 and provide free rides "to underserved communities that face significant obstacles to transportation." The promotion does not include a discounted or free return trip. Lyft will give away 50% off promo codes in coordination with the voter turnout organizations When We All Vote, Vote.org, Nonprofit Vote, and TurboVote. It will be providing free rides in "underserved communities" through organizations such as Voto Latino, a nonprofit organization aimed at boosting Hispanic and Latino voter registration. The company will also promote information on voter registration through its social media and via push notifications on its app in the lead up to National Voter Registration Day on September 25. Lyft will also offer in-office voter registration for employees at its San Francisco headquarters and provide drivers with voter registration handouts. Read more of Business Insider's 2018 Midterm Election coverage:<doc-sep>
In addition to getting you from point A to point B, Lyft will offer some people free or half-price rides to the polls on Election Day. (CNN) — Lyft is getting some help to get people in underserved communities to the polls this fall. The ride-sharing company says it’s working with community groups to offer free and reduced-price rides on November 6, the date of the midterm elections. To increase encourage voter turnout, Lyft will offer free rides to people in underserved communities that day by working with Voto Latino, the Urban League and the National Federation of the Blind. Lyft is also teaming up with Vote.org, Nonprofit Vote, TurboVote and others to give away 50% off promo codes to riders. Riders can get help finding their polling location through the Lyft app. The company plans to remind riders about voter registration deadlines, give drivers voter registration handouts and offer in-office voter registration to its employees. Lyft will provide online voter information through partner organizations When We All Vote and National Voter Registration Day and encourage people to participate in early voting. Lyft says it’s doing this because over “15 million people were registered but didn’t vote in 2016 because of transportation issues.” Why turnout in some communities is so low Elections are held on a work day, when time often equals money – especially if you get paid by the hour. And having a car or paying extra for public transportation to get to the polls can just add to that expense. Being ‘“too busy” or encountering “transportation problems” were the reasons 28% of people making less than $20,000 did not vote in the 2012 presidential election, according to the US Census. Perhaps the biggest change to the electoral process in the last few years is the proliferation of Voter ID laws, which many states put in place to prevent fraud. Since 2008, 17 states have enacted laws requiring citizens to prove who they are at the polls, according to the National Conference of State Legislators. The cost of getting an ID is a hurdle for some people. Not only do low-income people potentially lose pay when they vote, but some have to wait longer, too. The Presidential Commission on Election Administration found that 10 million people waited in line for more than 30 minutes to vote during previous presidential election cycles. Jordan Malter contributed to this report.