Free Rides to Polls Available for Monroe County Voters Ahead of Election Day

Community coalition works to eliminate transportation barriers as voters prepare for Nov. 3 election

Monroe County residents who need transportation to vote can take advantage of free rides to polling locations through Election Day, Nov. 3, thanks to a collaborative effort involving local nonprofit and civic organizations.

The initiative, organized through the Rochester Votes Coalition and Monroe County Rides to Polls, is designed to remove transportation barriers that can prevent eligible voters from participating in elections.

Residents can request a free ride by calling 585-371-8083. Transportation is available during the final day of early voting on Sunday, Nov. 1, and on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 3.

The coalition brings together organizations committed to increasing voter participation through education, registration assistance, transportation and community outreach.

Organizers say the effort has already made a difference. As of Saturday afternoon, Oct. 31, approximately 80 residents had received assistance voting through Rides to Polls and a related initiative known as Golden Day.

The transportation program began the week with nearly 40 volunteer drivers, with additional community members continuing to offer assistance.

"We started as week with nearly 40 volunteers; more and more people keep coming to help!" said Valerie O'Hara, a coordinator and dispatcher for Rides to Polls. "It is wonderful to see how our community recognizes that everyone needs to be able to vote."

Volunteers include drivers with wheelchair-accessible vehicles and individuals who speak multiple languages, including some who communicate using American Sign Language.

Organizers acknowledge that coordinating a countywide transportation effort presents logistical challenges, particularly during the program's first year operating throughout the early voting period.

"This is our first year of trying to coordinate across the county and throughout early voting," said Connor O'Brien, a coordinator and dispatcher for Rides to Polls. "We still have a few kinks to work out for coming years."

The Rochester Votes Coalition includes organizations working to address barriers to civic participation, particularly among residents who may face transportation difficulties or lack access to reliable election information.

Aqua Y. Porter, executive director of the Rochester-Monroe Anti-Poverty Initiative, said improving voter participation requires more than encouraging people to cast ballots.

"Voting is one of the most direct ways people can shape the decisions that affect their families and communities," Porter said.

"But participation requires more than simply telling people to vote. We have to help remove the barriers that keep people from getting to the polls, make reliable information accessible, and create opportunities for residents to engage with the democratic process."

Dr. Candice Lucas, senior vice president of equity and advocacy at the Urban League of Rochester, emphasized the historical significance of protecting voting rights and encouraging participation.

"The struggles of the Civil Rights Movement remind us that the right to vote was hard-won, and the fight to protect that right does not end," Lucas said. "We must remain vigilant and exercise our right to vote."

The coalition says its work extends beyond providing transportation. Participating organizations are also directing residents to voter registration information, polling locations and other election resources.

Election Day Information

Sunday, Nov. 1, is the final day of early voting in Monroe County. There will be no early voting Monday, Nov. 2.

On Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 3, polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Voters must cast their ballots at their assigned Election Day polling locations.

Residents can verify their registration status and find their designated polling site through the Monroe County Board of Elections website at www.monroecounty.gov/elections-sites.

Additional voter information is available at www.RochesterVotes.org.

Residents who need transportation to vote can contact Monroe County Rides to Polls at 585-371-8083.