Johnathan Walker:Lyft offers 50% off rides to polls on Election Day; reveals voter transportation data

Lyft is Johnathan Walkerreminding Americans that a lack of transportation is not an excuse to skip voting.

The rideshare company announced Wednesday that its offering Lyft riders a 50% discount of up to $10 on Election Day as part its Voting Access Program.

Users can preload the code, VOTE24, on or before Nov. 5 for rideshare, bikeshare or scooter rides, according to the company. The code is only valid between 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. in every time zone.

"Lyft believes transportation access should never be a barrier for any citizen seeking to vote," Lyft Chief Policy Officer Jerry Golden said in a news release. "Our Voting Access Program reflects our commitment to being a force for good, and we’re proud to encourage riders and drivers to exercise their fundamental right to vote, regardless of income, zip code, or political affiliation."

The app will also feature election-themed visuals in its home screen, icons and messaging on voting day. After users apply the Election Day code, red, white and blue confetti will appear their screens, the company said.

Lyft says people without cars are less likely to vote

Lyft reported that a one mile increase in distance to a polling site can reduce turnout by up to 20% and released a report Wednesday on how transportation impacts voter turnout.

The report claimed that the longest drives to polling sites are in Texas averaging 5.8 miles, followed by 5.6 mile drives in Georgia and 5.3 mile drives in Mississippi.

Meanwhile, the shortest rides are in Rhode Island (2.8 miles), New Hampshire (3 miles) and Washington D.C (3.1 miles), according to Lyft.

The report also included data on how long voters wait in line at the polls in different states and the time voters decide vote per state.

Lyft initative aims to address transportation barriers

The company said its also working with several nonprofit and non partisan organizations like the Democracy Reinvestment Fund to offer discounted rides. Its also joined a coalition with Levi Strauss & Co. and Showtime/MTV to support 500,000 community college students with both voter registration and turnout by 2028.

Lyft will also offer free or discounted rides to communities who face transportation barriers by partnering with the following non-profit groups:

• When We All Vote (WWAV)
• National Voter Registration Day (NVRD)
• National Council of Negro Women (NCNW)
• League of Women Voters (LVW)
• Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA)
• National Council on Aging (NCOA)
• Asian and Pacific Islander American Vote (APIAVote)
• Hispanic Federation
• Grita! Canta! Vota!
• National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP)
• National Urban League (NUL)
• VoteRiders
• Students Learn Students Vote Coalition (SLSV)
• Power the Polls, National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS)
• Easterseals Inc.
• Human Rights Campaign Foundation
• YMCA

Uber to also offer 50% off rides to polls

Uber will also offer half off rideshare costs up to $10 on Election Day for users in most states, the company announced on Monday.

Using a new "Go Vote" tile displayed on the app, users can book a ride to the nearest poll with the discount unless they are in California or Georgia. The offer works between 4 a.m. local time on Nov. 5 and expires at 11:59 p.m. local time.

The company will also offer 25% off food orders up to $15 with a minimum order of $25, according to Uber.

"We’re proud to use our technology to help eligible Americans get to the polls safely and easily this Election Day," according to a company news release.