OMAHA, Neb. (KMTV) — A 2017surveyby Pew Research Center found that of the registered voters who did not cast a ballot in 2016, 3 percent said their main obstacle was transportation. This year, a few groups in Omaha are working to make sure that isn’t the case this Election Day.
A new group called Elections Matter Nebraska is offering free shuttle rides from now through Election Day. Dan Hogle, the group’s field director, says because of Nebraska's unique way of allocating Electoral College votes, it’s vital that Omaha citizens be able to cast their ballots.
“When I looked into it, it just seemed like there were a lot of barriers for them, between only having one early voting location in Douglas County to the long transportation route - 50 minutes either way and then 45 minutes at the polls," Hogle said. "What working class voter has three hours to spend in the middle of the week?”
The shuttle will serve all stops along the 18, 24 and 15 bus lines every day until 4 p.m. You can also request a ride on their website.
And on Election Day, Omaha’s Metro Transit will be offering free rides with its Bus to Ballotinitiative.
In a press release, Metro Transit’s CEO, Lauren Cencic, said, “Providing free transit on Election Day helps us ensure that transportation is not a barrier to participation in the democratic process."
Culxr House will also have two vans transporting voters to the polls on Election Day and is currently searching for additional volunteers.
Services like Lyftand Uber are also offering discounted rides on November 3 for those who need a ride to the polls.
