Need a Lift to the Polls? These Ride-Sharing Startups Have Got You Covered
Policy + Politics

Need a Lift to the Polls? These Ride-Sharing Startups Have Got You Covered

© Joshua Roberts / Reuters

Several of the biggest names in the sharing economy are making sure that anyone who wants to exercise his or her civic duty today can easily get to the polls. Uber, Lyft and ZipCar are all running promotions today aimed at getting as many people to the polls as possible.

ZipCar is offering the best deal of the three, making more than 7,000 cars available for free on election night. The company will let members borrow select vehicles for free from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. in hundreds of cities, towns and college campuses throughout the country. Non-members can join the app in minutes to take advantage of the offer.

Related: Election Day Freebies: 17 Tasty Treats for Voters

“At Zipcar, we know our community of Zipsters are actively engaged in civic affairs and passionate about issues, but may also need quick and easy access to transportation in order to vote,” Zipcar VP of marketing Andrew Daley said in a statement.

Lyft’s deal gives riders in 20 markets a 45 percent discount (with discount code NOVEMBER8th) on one ride from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. That will make it cheaper for riders to get to the polls, but won’t help with the return trip. New users may be better off instead using the code WELCOME55, which gives first-timers a $55 credit toward their first few rides.

Uber is working with Google for in-app reminders Election Day and make it easy for them to request a ride to the polls. New users who use the promotional code VOTETODAY will get a $20 discount on their first ride.

TOP READS FROM THE FISCAL TIMES